THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Trade crowded bars for a two-hour rum tasting aboard Ika Rere on Wellington Harbour. Sip six Caribbean rums while a guide links each pour to maritime history and harbour views.
Trade crowded bars for a two-hour rum tasting aboard Ika Rere on Wellington Harbour. Sip six Caribbean rums while a guide links each pour to maritime history and harbour views.
Book with East by West
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by East by West · Wellington, Wellington Region
Step aboard Ika Rere and glide out across Wellington Harbour for "Pirates, Privateers & Rum: A Journey Through the Caribbean," a two-hour evening tasting that trades bar elbow room for sea-slick skyline views. Departing from Wellington, New Zealand, this small-ship outing combines maritime storytelling with six curated rums from Barbados, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, Guyana and beyond. A live guide traces the routes of privateers and treasure fleets, folding the amber spirits into stories of high-seas strategy and island distillation. The boat itself, Ika Rere, becomes a classroom and a saloon: the deck offers a clear line to the waterfront lights while the cabin keeps the tasting intimate for groups capped at 48. Boarding begins 20 minutes before departure; the event is strictly R18 and ferries are not wheelchair accessible, so plan accordingly. Refunds are issued if East by West Ferries cancels due to weather, and staff manage pours so every tasting feels measured and safe. Key features of the experience are simple and compelling: the sweep of the harbour, the engineered hull of the ferry that cuts the city glow into reflections, and the rums themselves—six distinct expressions that reveal different ingredients, aging techniques and colonial histories. The program leans on the figure of Captain Henry Morgan to map how Caribbean rum evolved alongside naval conflict and commerce, making each sip a small lesson in trade winds, sugarcane and cask aging. This trip is special because it retools a classic Wellington pastime—an evening ferry ride—into a focused cultural tasting. Compared with crowded waterfront bars, the ferry frames stories and pours with the element that made those stories possible: the sea. For visitors curious about craft spirits, maritime history, or simply a memorable night out, the combination of narration, curated bottles and harbour panorama sets this apart from ordinary tastings. Practical notes: arrive warm—Wellington evenings sharpen quickly—bring photo gear for skyline shots, and carry ID; intoxicated passengers will not be permitted to board. The tasting does not advertise food service, so plan dinner before or after. Reservations fill fast for themed nights like Halloween; if you’re traveling in peak season, book early to secure a window seat. Whether you come for the history lesson, the rare bottlings, or the social energy of a small-group sail, "Pirates, Privateers & Rum" translates the island spirit into a Wellington evening. It’s a short trip with a long memory: salt on your jacket, a paper cup replaced by a careful pour, and a new appreciation for how rum has moved across oceans and into our glasses. Book early, bring a valid ID, and be ready to trade the ordinary for a sea-borne tasting that pairs history, flavor, and Wellington’s wind-forged character with good company now.
easy.
2 hours.
Light—able to stand and move on a vessel, climb a short gangway, and remain steady during brief motion.
Yes. The tasting is strictly R18; valid photo ID is required and intoxicated passengers will not be able to board.
The cruise runs approximately two hours. Boarding begins 20 minutes before departure.
Full refunds will be provided if East by West Ferries cancels due to weather or other operational issues.
No. The ferries used for this tasting are not wheelchair accessible.
The event centers on six curated rum tastings; food is not advertised as included, so plan to eat before or after.
Groups are capped at 48 to keep the tasting intimate and manageable on board.
The tasting ties rum to maritime history using figures like Captain Henry Morgan to illustrate how Caribbean rum and naval conflict shaped trade routes.
Guests are asked to minimize waste, respect crew instructions, and dispose of bottles and cups responsibly to protect harbour waters.
East by West is a Wellington-based ferry operator offering curated harbour experiences and island day trips. Based at Queens Wharf in central Wellington, East by West runs pre-bookable ferry sailings to Mātiu/Somes Island (Somes Island) with routes that include scenic passages via Days Bay and a dedicated return departure from the island. The operator also runs a 90-minute commentated harbour tour aboard Ika Rere, the Southern Hemisphere’s first fully-electric passenger ferry. That 90-minute cruise combines expert commentary with quiet, engine-noise-free travel while highlighting Wellington Harbour’s history and landmarks. East by West completes over 9,000 annual crossings, providing reliable scheduled services and specialised tour departures that appeal to residents and visitors. Safety and environmental stewardship are core operational priorities: zero-emissions ferry operation and clear boarding procedures support responsible harbour tourism and conservation-minded visits to Mātiu/Somes Island. Passenger information, pre-booking options, and clearly stated departure points at Queens Wharf help visitors plan seamless arrival and return logistics. For day-trip visitors, the Mātiu/Somes Island sailings offer time ashore to explore walking tracks and wildlife viewing while maintaining dedicated sailing times that ensure predictable returns. For harbour enthusiasts, the commentated tour on Ika Rere offers narrated insights about Wellington’s maritime past and present. East by West’s combination of central departure, electric ferry technology, and focused itineraries makes it a trustworthy choice for short, sustainable maritime experiences in Wellington Harbour. Timetables, booking details and accessibility information are available online to help plan visits and confirm departure times from Queens Wharf to the island and back.
Book with East by West