The waters off Wellington's west coast are every nature lover's dream. Readily accessible from Wellington central city, this sea area gives stunning views across the Cook Strait to the Marlborough Sounds and along the South Island's East Coast to the snow capped Kaikoura mountain range. The bush clad Kapiti Island rises dramatically out of the Cook Strait  to the north. The highlight of this area is Mana Island. Its full name is "Te Mana o Kupe ki Aotearoa", in recognition of Kupe - one of New Zealand's first Polynesian settlers (700-900 AD). Literally translated this means "the Ability of Kupe to cross the ocean to Aotearoa".  Kupe named the higher northern plateau, "Matakitaki", because of its panoramic views.  What better way to see all this, than in the comfort of an 11 metre ocean going yacht? We meet the Government's strict safety standards for inshore passenger carriage and are approved to carry up to nine passengers.