Jewel Charters, Fiordland Fishing Hunting Diving

The Jewel is a 64ft luxury fishing vessel, featured on "Gone Fishing" and offering individually tailored fishing, diving, hunting and scenic charters in Fiordland and Stewart Island. We specialize in multi-day trips, allowing time to fully explore this unique corner of New Zealand and all it has to offer. The vessel and its crew have built a strong and unmatched reputation for providing a superb charter experience.

The Jewel
The boat itself is an Australian-built, Marko Elite commercial Cray fishing and charter vessel, with ample deck space, comfortable sleeping areas, DVD player, Sky TV, BBQ and a large wheelhouse, incorporating a kitchen and dining area. For groups wanting the ultimate experience, whether it is fishing, diving or hunting, the Jewel provides just that, with highly experienced and knowledgeable crew. The trips are fully catered, allowing you to relax and truly enjoy your time with us.

The Crew
Between them, the crew on board the Jewel brings many years of experience and professionalism to ensuring that your trip will be truly unforgettable. Together they offer a formidable team. Their genuine commitment and passion for the area and all it has to offer, and enthusiasm to share this with everyone on board, will ensure that you have a truly unrivalled experience. Rob Swale, the owner and skipper of the Jewel, has a long history of involvement with Fiordland and the fishing industry. His father was a commercial Cray fisherman for over forty years, so when Rob took over from him in the early 1990s, after some time in the tourism industry in Queenstown and as a charter operator in Fiordland, he had a wealth of local knowledge and expertise to draw from. His ability to get along with people from all walks of life, along with this strong background in both the area and the skills necessary to run a successful charter business, make him your ideal guide.

The Area
Fiordland and Stewart Island offer an extraordinary wealth of natural sights. Bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand Fur seals, Fiordland crested penguins, white-tailed deer, red deer, crayfish, Blue Cod, groper and many other species are part of what the area has to offer, alongside spectacular scenery, unspoilt wilderness and the true sense of being in another world.

Fishing
For the keen fisherman, the Jewel is purpose-built for these waters and is well equipped with high quality fishing rods and lines. The crew has many years of local knowledge and expertise, ensuring a superb fishing experience. Common species caught include blue cod, groper, tuna and trumpeter. With the Jewel also being a commercial cray fishing vessel, you can experience, first hand, the excitement of lobster fishing.

Tuna Charters
In August and September each year, the boat is based in Greymouth, on the West Coast of the South Island, to take advantage of the first class tuna fishing available. In 2007 a world record 325kg Pacific Blue fin tuna was landed from the Jewel and the boat hosted the crew of “Gone Fishing” to film this exciting “once in a lifetime” adventure, seen by many as the ultimate in sport fishing.

Diving
Diving in Fiordland is world-renowned. For a truly unique and memorable dive experience, staying on board a spacious and well-equipped vessel, the Jewel is in a class of her own. All dive gear can be arranged on request and we have an onboard compressor. This area is extraordinary, in that species usually living at great depths are visible due to a light-absorbing fresh water layer that allows them to become established at much shallower depths. The water is relatively warm and remarkably clear, giving the diver access to flora and fauna usually out of reach – for example, black coral, saucer sponge, large tube anemone, spiny sea dragons and other species usually confined to far greater depth. Within the surface 45 metres of the fiords, around 160 species of fish have been reported, promising a superb dive opportunity, not forgetting the chance to gather your own crayfish (lobster) for dinner.

Hunting
We also cater for hunting parties – often spotting deer around the fiords, or the coastline of Stewart Island. We are happy to arrange drop offs and pick ups, if you would prefer a chance to explore inland.

Fiordland and Stewart Island
The fiords themselves need little introduction. The Jewel is the ultimate base from which to explore and experience the dramatic, breath-taking mountains, ravines, waterfalls and rainforest of this wonderful, untouched corner of the world. Whilst Stewart Island remains a hidden gem – explored by few and rich in native birdlife, beautiful beaches and unspoiled bush.

Catering
We can comfortably cater for up to eight guests, providing an adventure holiday second to none. You will dine on the freshest seafood – blue cod, crayfish, paua and scallops (in season) and have a crew passionate in their commitment to your experience.

Facilities

Sleeping accommodation – 2 doubles, 5 singles (separate cabin for crew)
Two showers
One toilet
Central heating throughout vessel
DVD player
Sky TV
CD player
Satellite phone
BBQ
Indoor and outdoor (covered) dining areas
Dive compressor
Top quality fishing gear

Additional services

Helicopter, coach transfers arranged on request
Hire of dive equipment if required
Accommodation requirements

Options
We are more than happy to discuss available options and can help create a specific itinerary to suit your individual group.

Contact Information
For further information please visit our website www.jewelcharters.co.nz, email us on kate.robswale@xtra.co.nz or contact Rob Swale on 0274 690190.