Our Story
Family owned & operated
When you join us at Fiordland Historic Cruises, you’ll be treated to a lifelong memory aboard a ship with real history, in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
We’re a family owned and operated company, that’s personal, and we’ll guide you through the fresh water fiords of Fiordland National park, during your hands on experience.
Relax away from the crowds and enjoy a personalised experience with the finest kiwi hospitality.
Become a part of our family.
A little about Adam (owner):
From a background as a wheelwright, restoring and building old machinery, and a commercial pilot to satisfy his love for classic, vintage, and warbird aircraft, Adam also arrived in Te Anau for a short contract – 14 years ago!! After years of flying vintage aircraft and floatplanes around Fiordland, he came to help George, (who now enjoys his retirement in Christchurch) and get Faith ready for commercial cruises. Having achieved his skippers ticket in addition to the host of other licenses he holds, he’s just as happy at the helm as he is in the cockpit. Adam’s partner Megan joined the team in 2021, and has since completed her Skipper Restricted Limits ticket with a 24 Meter endorsement. Megan & Adam run Fiordland Historic Cruises together with a small team. Both have a true passion in sharing the Fiordland National Park with the world.
Couple Steph & Alistair who married on board photographed with Megan, Adam and Crew Meg.
Our Crew: Currently our crew consists of Ava, who joins us from Fiordland College Gateway program. Ava is in year 12 at College and comes to us to learn all things boating and tourism during her one day a week with us. We do have some relief crew who we call on at times and they all have a love for offering a unique experience. This is reflected by our repeat guests and customer feedback. Everyone at Fiordland Historic Cruises, has a passion for Fiordland and a love for working in the National Park. Bringing a special connection for each crew member with their surroundings and knowledge they share with our passengers.
Come sail with us and enjoy a journey like no other.
Book Launch 2025
Our commitment to our environment when you travel with us
Fiordland National Park
Situated at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, is Fiordland National Park. 1.2 million hectares of protective native forest and vast mountain ranges.
Fiordland National Park was officially constituted in 1952 and was declared a World Heritage Area in 1986. The forest consists of a large number of native and introduced species of tree that cover the predominantly hard crystalline metamorphic rock faces. Many species of wildlife have also made a home amongst the forest.
The Fiordland National Park is like no other place on earth for the most part untouched by humans, protected by the Department of Conservation, this place is the closest thing to stepping back in time, that you will ever experience.
Out here you will feel like the only people on earth.
Our Commitment
As a tour operator in the Fiordland National park, all areas of our operation consider the environment.
Sustainability within our operation is at the forefront of our minds when we operate day to day and in how we restore and protect Faith’s history as on older vessel. The key factors of our sustainability ensuring that we operate as fuel efficiently as possible. We are a sailing vessel and everyday we will use wind power when we can, conserving fuel and emissions into the environment. We are in the National Park often and work to protect the native inhabitants within the National Park. We leave only footprints when we return, and often run cleanup programs around the shores of our 480km Lake area.
Tiaki Promise
We work closely with Tourism New Zealand and support the Taki Promise to take care of New Zealand.
” New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsiblity to look after it. The Tiaki Promise is a commitment tocare for New Zealand, for now and future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand. Toact as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home. Nau mai, haere mai ki Aotearoa. Welcome to New Zealand.”
OUR VESSEL - M. Y. FAITH 1935
Faith is a classic 19.7-metre (66 Foot) wooden motor yacht, crafted in Scotland in 1935.
With a storied past—including service during World War II—she has sailed across the world, and now calls Lake Te Anau and Fiordland National Park her home. There’s no other vessel in New Zealand quite like Faith. Cruise through this World Heritage Area in classic style, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, peace, and history. Make your journey truly unforgettable—there’s simply no better way to experience Fiordland’s tranquility than on board Faith.
Beginning her life as a Private Motor Yacht commissioned for Cuthbert Willan, she was designed by Alfred Mylne and crafted by the renowned Dickie & Sons. Her classic construction and remarkable design make her a unique treasure on New Zealand’s waters.
Since her arrival in New Zealand in 1981, Faith has lived a colourful life—filled with daring journeys, discoveries, and ongoing restoration. Every cruise with us supports her continued care, ensuring this historic vessel will enchant guests for generations to come.
How did Faith find her way to the tranquil waters of Lake Te Anau?
That’s a tale of real adventure—one you’ll hear when you join us aboard Faith.
“Let her story become a part of your own unforgettable Fiordland experience.
On Going Restoration...
The effort to maintain our 1935 historic vessel
It’s fair to say that Faith needs all the commercial opportunities she has in order to be maintained. In a perfect world, Faith’s restoration would use the same materials as those she was originally built using; however, sometimes due to the cost and difficulty sourcing these materials, it is just not a feasible option. We are also up against another challenge: time. Much of Faith’s restoration needs to be completed in the summer months. Living in Fiordland, her exposure to harsh UV rays and water is significant, though not as intense as it would be in saltwater environments. However, the extreme temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain typical of Fiordland, mean that maintaining her structure requires regular sanding, oiling and protection. This upkeep depends on the restoration team having time between commercial sailings and favourable weather conditions. Winter is the most convenient time for restoration; however, as one can appreciate, it’s not the best time of year to get paint and varnish to dry due to the weather considerations and air temperature. Restoration days are like playing the lottery – looking at forecasts and gauging the length of time that there will be appropriate drying times, or gaps in the rain. Every opportunity is taken to ensure that the team are making use of the weather to keep up the oiling of her exterior and continued restoration of the interior components.
Adam and her team are continuing to research, learn and incorporate modern day products with the building techniques used during Faith’s original build. They’re so grateful for the stories of passengers who share their experiences of their time on boats, and products and techniques used. Many products have changed during the time of Faith’s ownership. One of the most obvious is the switch from varnish of the exterior, to the use of oil. Adam explains, “For me, the use of varnish was problematic. While varnish gives the most amazing initial finish, as soon as there is any slight imperfection in the area, the water sits under the varnish and lifts it. This requires a full varnish strip and sand of that area, and re-varnish. The wood gets thinner every time the varnish is sanded back, until it ultimately needs replacing. My goal with Faith is to continue to keep her as original as possible. Using oil allows this, as we can continue to add coats instead of sanding back to reapply coats as we needed to with varnish application.”
At the time of writing, the team is working on sanding back all the areas of varnish in order to apply oil. The oiled areas need a new application every six months. While this process is labour-intensive, it’s much less demanding than the complete sanding and reapplication of varnish that would otherwise be required. This regular oiling helps to protect Faith’s original panels of beautiful teak timber.
Navigating to Fiordland – The Autobiography of M.Y. Faith
Chapter – Restoration Fiordland Historic Cruises.
