We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Review Highlights
Great carefree experience.

We had a great time aboard the boat. Andy, the captain, was very easy to talk to and could tell us... read more

Reviewed 23 February 2024
rasziraszi
,
Vlissingen, The Netherlands
Had an amazing trip!!

The boat trip with gourmet sailing was amazing!! The crew made sure they did everything for us to... read more

Reviewed 23 February 2024
myrthekwast
,
Vancouver, Canada
Read all 68 reviews
  
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Recommended experiences in and around Nelson
Reviews (68)
Filter reviews
68 results
Traveller rating
67
1
0
0
0
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
Traveller rating
67
1
0
0
0
Show reviews that mention
All reviews abel tasman an incredible experience new zealand boat skiing cruise skipper sh voyage ruby
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
9 - 14 of 68 reviews
Reviewed 2 March 2019

Andy was our skipper and Sharon was our steward/gourmet chef - they were the BEST. We did a 4 day/3 night through the Abel Tasman Sound. It was a experience we won't forget. Great hiking, kayaking & swimming plus phenomenal meals. We chartered the 65' boat and only had 4 passengers so it was plenty spacious. An added bonus was Milo arranging a private Waka canoe with Maori guides. The coves we anchored in at night provided calm waters for sleep. It was flexible and great communication by Gourmet Sailing. THANKS !!

Date of experience: February 2019
2  Thank Mark J
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milo Coldren C, Owner at Gourmet Sailing, responded to this reviewResponded 4 March 2019

Thank you for taking the time to review your experience, we really value your feedback. We're so glad you had the best trip! Andy and Sharon are exceptional and you really did a lot in the 4 days. Thanks to your feedback on the Waka we're going to make it a feature, instead of having to start at a public beach farther south . Again, thank you for trusting us with your holiday.

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 14 January 2019

We recently did a family visit to New Zealand - my husband and I, our eldest daughter, son-in-law, and two other adult children. The six of us had an incredible experience sailing with Milo and Melissa along the Abel Tasman National Park. We had three comfortable, clean, beautiful rooms, and enjoyed hot showers and great nights' sleeps. The food was absolutely delicious - Milo smoked salmon and corn on the yacht grill the first night, and he and Melissa made filet minion and udon noodles with bok choy in an incredible sauce for dinner the second night. All of the meals were wonderful, and the kitchen was stocked with fresh growing herbs among the many other great ingredients. Melissa was always ready with a treat for us between all activities. The local wine was superb, and was offered whenever we wanted it. We had great champagne on the yacht for New Years Eve, while we watched fireworks set off at a town on the beach.
One of the many highlights of the trip was the southern hemisphere night sky - great views with no light pollution! Milo and Melissa took exceptional care of us. He dropped us off for easy and enjoyable hikes in the park each day, then picked us back up on the beach at the end of the trails. We went swimming, and our kids went kayaking, right off the anchored yacht, in the crystal clean waters that border the park.
Milo was so helpful - he did so many things for us, including picking us up at the airport in Nelson, and arranging a car for us to use after the trip, which was ready and waiting when he dropped us off from the yacht. He was a great resource for planning the rest of our New Zealand visit too. We are very grateful to him and Melissa for their perfect hospitality.

Date of experience: December 2018
2  Thank Paraglider01
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milo Coldren C, Owner at Gourmet Sailing, responded to this reviewResponded 25 February 2019

Thank you so much for your review, it really means a lot to us. Your feedback helps us focus on what's going well and where we can put more effort. Melissa and I really enjoyed seeing how much your family enjoyed this stunning area. We wish you the best, and look forward to seeing you again :)

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 1 December 2018

We hiked, we sailed, we ate and we had the best time on a sailing excursion we've ever had! As a long time sailing fan, I wanted to get out on a boat that really sailed (not just put up a sail and motored around). With Milo and Ruby, we had the FULL sailing experience, heeled over and purring along at 8 knots at times and anchored in beautiful safe harbors along the Tasman National Park at other times. We did a couple gorgeous hikes while our hosts prepared absolutely breathtaking and tasty meals beyond our wildest dreams. Everything was personalized to our healthy food requests and it was so well done; we were completely blown away. Milo was a very experienced captain and boat owner, having sailed extensively all over the world. He told us of many of his adventures and we really appreciated his knowledge of the Nelson area as well. We highly recommend sailing with the Gourmet Sailing experience and plan to do it again on our next trip back to beautiful New Zealand.

Date of experience: October 2018
4  Thank Dolores L
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milo Coldren C, Owner at Gourmet Sailing, responded to this reviewResponded 3 December 2018

Thanks so much for your review. This was Ruby's inaugural trip with us, so a real testimony to her years of experience and especially her personality. We really enjoyed getting to know you two a bit and showing off the best of the Park. As you noticed, the weather in October is quite changeable, but you sure made the most of it :) We look forward to sailing with you again!

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 2 April 2018

From my very 1st communication with Milo, to the last day on board our yacht, we just had the best family experience anyone could imagine. They went out of their way to customize our family’s vacation time in the Abel Tasman National Park. Starting off on an outrigger canoe trip with local Mauri guides, we started our first hike. At the end of the 3 hour hike, Milo and Laura greeted us with an incredible afternoon appetizer platter and refreshments. It just got better from there for the next 3 days! Our kids loved to hear Milo’s stories of his high seas adventures, and my wife and I enjoyed not having to lift a finger for anything! We would do this trip again with Gourmet Sailing in a second!

Date of experience: March 2018
5  Thank Jorgelugan
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milo Coldren C, Owner at Gourmet Sailing, responded to this reviewResponded 3 April 2018

Thank you for your review, we really enjoyed helping you create some new memories. The private Waka trip to start the charter is going to be a feature from now on. Thanks again!

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 27 February 2018

Three of us, sailed with Milo and Laura today, from Nelson to view the coastline along Tasman Bay and as far as Adele Island. We had a wonderful time, despite cool cloudy weather. The food really was gourmet- and Laura did an amazing job- I can't imagine how she produced such gorgeous snacks and meals from the tiny galley! Milo was full of interesting information about the area and was a very affable and entertaining host.
We really enjoyed our day on the water, and would recommend this trip as an excellent way to see the coastline of the Abel Tasman Park, if you are unable to manage the hiking.

Date of experience: February 2018
5  Thank Andrea51_12
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milo Coldren C, Owner at Gourmet Sailing, responded to this reviewResponded 3 April 2018

Thank you for your review. It was such a treat to meet you and take the time for crossing Tasman Bay to the Abel Tasman National Park. Laura and I really enjoyed the day with you.

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
View more reviews