Island Cruising NZ Ltd

What Island Cruising NZ Ltd does

Island Cruising NZ Ltd (legally Island Cruising Aotearoa Ltd, trading as Island Cruising NZ and Down Under Rally) is a New Zealand privately-held membership organization serving recreational sailors cruising the South Pacific. Founded in the 1980s and operating for over 40 years, the company today runs the world's largest yacht cruising rally (the Pacific Rally with 260+ vessels in 2025) alongside four additional rally programs (Sail South to New Zealand, Go West to Australia, South Island Rally, and the Beyond the Barrier Coral Sea Rally) covering routes across New Zealand, Australia, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Niue.

The operating platform combines an annual consumer membership (NZD $129 per year, 1,200+ active members) with one-time rally entry fees (NZD $600-$1,895 per vessel; AUD $2,480 for Beyond the Barrier), tiered marine-business partner packages (NZD $1,000 Bronze to $5,000 Platinum across 120+ partners), and a transactional catalogue of RYA-aligned online training courses and Rocket Cruising Guides. The technology stack is asset-light and integrator-driven: Member Jungle powers membership management and a mobile app on iOS/Android; PredictWind provides the Rally Tracker for real-time vessel positions; Passage Guardian handles offshore passage guardian duties; and Stripe processes payments under PCI Level 1. CrewSeeker adds a two-sided crew-matching network within the member base.

Under Managing Director Viki Moore (who acquired Island Cruising in 2021 and Down Under Rally in 2023), the 4-person core team runs a community-led, event-driven growth model that converts trust and word-of-mouth in the sailing community into recurring membership and rally participation, supplemented by partner referral flows and earned media in yachting publications. Notable recognition includes Yachting New Zealand Excellence Awards to Viki Moore in 2016 and 2023 and an Ocean Cruising Club Award in 2021 for service to the cruising community.

Name

Island Cruising NZ Ltd

Legal name

Island Cruising Aotearoa Ltd

Website

https://islandcruising.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Island Cruising NZ is a privately held New Zealand membership organization that runs the world's largest South Pacific yacht cruising rally (260+ vessels), serving cruising boat owners, crew members, and 120+ marine partners with annual memberships, multi-route rally programs, training courses, and cruising guides.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailing Rally and Cruising Support Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Tour Operators (56152), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing, Catamaran & Day-Cruise Excursions (nature-focused) (THAAAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

Keywords

• Offshore sailing rallies
• Cruising membership services
• Sailing training courses
• Marine partnerships
• Passage planning support

Headquarters

HQ city

New Zealand

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership: NZD $129 per annum membership providing access to training resources, weekly newsletters, partner discounts, and community features
2. Rally Entry Fees: Fees ranging from NZD $600-$1,895 per vessel for participation in organized cruising rallies with support, training, and community access
3. Partner Packages: Tiered sponsorship packages (Bronze $1,000 to Platinum $5,000) offering advertising, social media exposure, and logo placement to marine businesses
4. Online Shop: Sales of cruising guides, training courses, and marine educational materials

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Island Cruising NZ Ltd organizes organized sailing rallies across the South Pacific and sells an annual membership program for cruising sailors. It provides pre-departure training courses, weather and passage planning support, customs and immigration guidance, a crew-matching network (CrewSeeker), and access to a network of marine business partners offering discounts. It also retails online training courses and cruising guides.

Product overview

Island Cruising NZ Ltd operates a platform-plus-programs model for the recreational sailing community. The core offering is the Island Cruising Membership (NZD $129/year) providing access to an Offshore Cruising Preparation Video Course, the CrewSeeker crew-matching network, weekly newsletters, partner discounts, and community resources. The company organizes multiple sailing rallies: the Pacific Rally (world's largest, over 260 vessels, NZD $1,895/vessel), Sail South to New Zealand (NZD $690), Go West to Australia (NZD $690), South Island Rally (NZD $600), and the Beyond the Barrier Coral Sea Rally (AUD $2,480). Supporting services include an Emergency Support & Advocacy service for cruisers, online training courses (VHF, RYA navigation and skipper courses), and curated cruising guides for New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Australia's Coral Sea. A mobile app (Member Jungle) provides member access. The company acquired Down Under Rally in 2023, merging two major Pacific cruising rally businesses under Managing Director Viki Moore.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pacific Rally The world's largest cruising rally, supporting over 260 vessels sailing the South Pacific each season. Combines independent cruising flexibility with community support, pre-departure training, weather and passage planning, destination briefings, exclusive partner discounts, social events, and ongoing support. Destinations include Minerva Reef, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Entry fee NZD $1,895 per vessel.
• Sail South to New Zealand A rally program helping cruisers complete their Pacific adventure and sail south to New Zealand. Provides weather guidance, customs and immigration assistance, biosecurity information, Biofouling Management Plan templates, passage support, marina discounts, and ongoing assistance throughout the stay. Entry fee NZD $690 per vessel.
• Go West to Australia A rally program helping cruisers complete their Pacific adventure and sail west to Australia. Includes weather guidance, passage planning, Australian immigration, biosecurity, customs, arrival procedures, and marina discounts (up to 20% at some facilities). Entry fee NZD $690 per vessel.
• South Island Rally A rally exploring New Zealand's South Island including Abel Tasman, Marlborough Sounds, Fiordland, Stewart Island, Otago, and Banks Peninsula. Features flexible destinations and departure dates, pre-departure training, guide book with local contacts, and community connection. Entry fee NZD $600 per vessel plus membership.
• Beyond the Barrier Rally A bluewater adventure rally into Australia's Coral Sea Marine Park, exploring remote reefs, cays, and islets. Designed for experienced sailors with offshore passage experience. Price AUD $2,480. Limited to 22 vessels due to anchorage constraints.
• Island Cruising Membership Annual membership providing access to offshore cruising preparation resources, training videos, CrewSeeker network, weekly newsletters, partner discounts, and community connection. Costs NZD $129 per annum with complimentary membership for partner or first mate.
• Emergency Support & Advocacy for Independent Cruisers Professional assistance service for cruisers needing urgent advice, advocacy, or support while cruising independently. Includes access to network of trusted local contacts, service providers, officials, and maritime professionals. Available to rally participants as part of entry or to non-rally vessels through the rally framework.
• Online VHF Radio Course (SROCP) Online marine VHF radio training course taking approximately 4 hours. Covers marine radio uses, VHF equipment, DSC enabled radio, AIS, and emergency beacons. Includes exam and opportunity to obtain radio operator certificate and apply for MMSI number. Price NZD $147 (AUD $135). Members receive 10% discount.
• Online HF, MF, 27 MHz & VHF Radio Course (LROCP) Comprehensive online radio course covering HF, 27 MHz, MF and VHF radios. Takes approximately 6 hours. Prepares participants to sit for LROCP exam and obtain radio licence. Price NZD $162 (AUD $149). Members receive 10% discount.
• Online RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship Course Online navigation and seamanship training course providing knowledge for coastal passages. Covers charts, almanacs, harbour entry, passage planning, tidal awareness, COLREGS, weather forecasting, and safety equipment. Price NZD $309 (AUD $279). Members receive 10% discount.
• Online RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course Online RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course following the RYA Day Skipper syllabus. 16 units taking 40 hours to complete with lessons, activities, and quizzes. Includes online assessment for certificate. Price NZD $640 (AUD $595). Members receive 10% discount.
• Online RYA Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Theory Course Online RYA Yachtmaster qualification preparation course building on existing knowledge for longer passages. Takes approximately 40 hours. Prerequisites: Day Skipper Theory knowledge or experienced cruising/offshore racing background. Not suitable for beginners. Price available on request.
• Rocket Guide - New Caledonia Comprehensive cruising guide to New Caledonia featuring high-resolution satellite and aerial photography, accurate port information, arrival/departure formalities, charts, anchorages, depths, navigational aids, sailing directions, and GPS waypoints. Includes downloadable computer program for Windows or Mac. Members receive 20% rebate.
• Rocket Guide - Vanuatu Cruising guide to Vanuatu with comprehensive coverage of anchorages, navigation, and local information for cruisers. Members receive 20% rebate.
• Australia's Coral Sea Islands & Marine Park Guide Guide covering Australia's Coral Sea Islands within the Coral Sea Marine Park, including over 50 islands and cays on 24 separate reef systems. Covers history, shipwrecks, cruising information, and anchorages. Includes reefs such as Osprey Reef, Holmes Reefs, Wreck Reefs, and many more.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PredictWindcoreTechnology or IntegrationWeather forecasting and routing technology partner providing PredictWind Rally Tracker for real-time vessel tracking during rallies and weather guidance for passage planning
• Topsail InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarine travel insurance provider offering Yachtsman's Travel Insurance specially designed for cruisers, with 10% discount for Island Cruising members using code ISLANDCRUISING10
• 36 Degrees BrokersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Zealand yacht brokerage with offices in Auckland, Opua, and Tahiti, offering boat sales services to Island Cruising members
• Bundaberg Port MarinacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAustralian marina offering 15% discount on first 15 days of berthing plus hardstand and dry storage discounts for Island Cruising members
• Rocket Cruising GuidesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher of acclaimed cruising guides for Vanuatu and New Caledonia, offering 10-20% discounts to Island Cruising members
• Above & Beyond BoatingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRYA-accredited training provider offering online sailing courses including VHF Radio, Day Skipper, and Yachtmaster with member discounts
• Passage GuardiancoreTechnology or IntegrationPassage tracking and guardian service providing SSB radio schedules and support for rally participants during offshore passages
• Nawi Island MarinaminorGTM or Marketing Partner132-slip marina in Savusavu, Fiji offering category five cyclone-rated berths with special rates for Island Cruising members
• Port Denarau MarinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier marina in Fiji welcoming Island Cruising rally participants with partner discounts
• The Boat WorksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Australian boatyard facility on the Gold Coast offering maintenance and haul-out services with partner discounts

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• PredictWind: Weather routing and forecasting technology provider integrated into Island Cruising's Rally Tracker. Technology partner rather than direct competitor, but operates in the same cruising support ecosystem.
• Noonsite / Active Captain (Cruising Resources): Cruising information portals providing port information, regulations, and passage planning resources. Adjacent ecosystem participant providing complementary information to Island Cruising's rally participants.

Direct peers

• Blue Planet Odyssey: Organizes round-the-world sailing rallies with sustainability focus. Direct peer in rally organization and pre-departure preparation for bluewater cruising sailors.
• Caribbean Yacht Owners Association (CYOA): Membership-based association for cruising sailors in the Caribbean. Comparable membership and rally/convoy organization model targeting offshore cruisers in a specific ocean basin.
• Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA): Long-established membership-based cruising association for offshore sailors. Comparable community-led model with member benefits, cruising station hosts, and event-driven engagement for the same target market.
• Ocean Cruising Club: International membership association for offshore cruisers. Comparable membership-club structure targeting bluewater sailors; Island Cruising's MD Viki Moore serves as Regional Rear Commodore for the OCC, indicating close market overlap.
• World Cruising Club (World ARC): World Cruising Club organizes the World ARC and other ocean rallies including the Caribbean 1500. Direct competitor in organized cruising rallies with similar membership and rally fee structure.
• Salty Dawg Rally: Organizes annual sailing rallies (including Caribbean and fall rallies) for cruising yachts. Direct peer in the rally organization business with similar participant support and pre-departure preparation model.

Regional players

• The Cruising Association: UK-based membership association for cruising yachtsmen with global cruising networks. Similar member services including rally organization, information resources, and cruising station hosts; serves primarily UK/European cruising community.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Yachting Association (RYA): UK national authority for sailing training and certification. Provides the RYA training courses (Day Skipper, Yachtmaster) that Island Cruising sells to its members, representing both a content partner and a broader incumbent in sailing education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/islandcruising.nz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/island-cruising-nz-ltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Island Cruising NZ Ltd