Tucked away on the remote and spectacular West Coast of the South Island, about 50 kilometres south of Haast, Jackson Bay is the gateway to some of New Zealand’s most rugged coastline and pristine fishing grounds. We, Carla and Doug Dukeson, were lucky enough to finally tick it off our bucket list, an experience that delivered memories we’ll never forget!
Jackson Bay, traditionally known as Ōkahu is a long, gently curving bay on the southern West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, opening into the Tasman Sea and backed by the rugged peaks of the Southern Alps. Stretching about 24 km, it marks the southwestern end of the West Coast roading network and remains one of the most isolated road-accessible spots in the region. The bay is dotted with small localities, including the tiny fishing settlement of Jackson Bay at its western tip, and its nearby Open Bay Islands, about 5 km offshore, add to the dramatic coastal scenery. With mountains plunging straight into the sea, the area feels wild and remote, yet the settlement thrives as a working fishing village, complete with a long wharf used by commercial fishers, particularly for crayfish.
The deep-water harbour, one of the few natural wharves along this coastline, makes the bay a hotspot for both commercial and recreational fishing, attracting species such as blue cod, groper, tuna, and more. Deep water lies just 5 km offshore, making it ideal for targeting in-season game fish. A quirky local icon is The Craypot, a food stand/ day restaurant right on the waterfront, famous for serving the freshest seafood. The waters of Jackson Bay are ecologically significant, serving as one of the few regular nursery areas for the rare Hector’s dolphin. The coastline up to Jackson Head is also recognised as important habitat for Fiordland crested penguins. Seals, dolphins, seabirds, and occasionally penguins or whales are commonly seen in the area, while nearby islands and coastal points host thriving seal colonies. This rich marine and birdlife makes Jackson Bay a magnet for nature enthusiasts.
Whilst sitting in the PowerBoat Magazine offices late last year, I was lucky enough to overhear a phone call Doug received from Dean Wilkes, Managing Director of Image Boats. He was calling to tell Doug he had just completed a 10m custom build for an owner planning to use it for his new fishing charter business based in Jackson Bay, and he thought it would make a great story. I couldn’t have agreed more. So with a bit of planning for late January (in time to catch Stacey and Dean Wilkes on their way home from their inaugural Image Boats January Road Trip around the South Island), flights were booked and discussions began with Murray and Rachel Petrie, owners and operators of Jackson Bay Charters, a small, family-run charter business based in the beautiful Jackson Bay area.
We were both pretty excited as neither of us had ever visited the area, though we’d heard a bit about it and caught a few Country Calendar documentaries over the years, so we were eager to see it for ourselves. After checking the weather, which was looking promising, especially for the day we had planned our charter, we boarded our plane and headed for Queenstown. Auckland was battered by strong winds that day, so we moved our flight forward and managed to get away just before cancellations began.
I couldn’t resist spending a few days in Queenstown (what girl wouldn’t?). With its stunning scenery, great shopping, vineyards, walks and restaurants, it’s always a special place to visit, no matter the season. After a fun-filled weekend, we made our way over to the intriguing Jackson Bay to see what all the hype was about. The 3.5-hour drive across alone is part of the experience, with breathtaking blue lakes, river crossings, beaches, waterfalls, and coastal views, all framed by lush rainforest. My only complaint was not having more time to stop and explore each spot in more detail. There are options here for the more time-poor, or for those who want to add something even more spectacular to their experience: take this part of the journey by helicopter, a scenic chopper trip taking just 40 minutes. We obviously opted for the drive.
We arrived mid-afternoon and were warmly greeted by Murray and Rachel. From the outset, the vibe was relaxed and welcoming as Rachel showed us around the property, including our accommodation for the next two nights. As lifelong fishing enthusiasts and proud locals, they’ve combined their love of the ocean with a passion for sharing this remarkable part of the world. One thing worth noting is the bay’s isolation, so it pays to come prepared with supplies, weather-appropriate gear, and a tolerance or repellent for sandflies (famously plentiful on the West Coast and boy do they love me!).
That first evening was spent enjoying great company with Murray and Rachel, along with Dean and Stacey from Image Boats. Over a beautifully home-cooked meal, good wine and plenty of stories, we learned how this venture all began. While Murray is usually at the helm and Rachel keeps things running smoothly onshore, we were lucky enough to have both of them join us for our charter. We were up early the next morning, buzzing with anticipation after hearing so many tales the night before about what we might catch and see. It was clear that no two days are ever the same, something Murray particularly enjoys. Their trips are all about great fishing, local knowledge and creating memories that last long after the day ends, and we couldn’t have been in more expert hands.
Once Murray carefully eased the boat out of the purpose-built shed on the property, we made our way down the road from Neils Beach, approx 5km from Jackson Bay, where Murray and Rachel’s property sits. We’d missed sunrise, but it was still early enough for this old girl – crisp, with the sun only just thinking about making an appearance. Launching was seamless, thanks to a Ford 8210 dual-wheel tractor with a custom-built mobile hydraulic boat launcher that Murray had designed specifically for the job.
Our vessel for the day was the impressive ŌKAHU, a custom-built 10-metre Image Cruisemaster, launched in late 2025 and fully surveyed by Maritime NZ. The choice of Image Boats for Murray and Rachel was easy, a custom-built boat built by a team that works with you and goes the extra mile and completed in just one year. Designed with comfort, stability and safety front of mind, ŌKAHU was the perfect platform for our fishing and exploration adventure, and will be for many more visitors in the months and years ahead.
The name Ōkahu is a traditional Māori name associated with the bay and surrounding land, used by Kāi Tahu (Ngāi Tahu) long before European arrival. Murray and Rachel chose it as a mark of respect for the area’s deep local heritage. The curvedwave logo, finished in vibrant aqua-teal, captures the ocean’s green-blue beauty and the thrill of open-water adventure. Its shape subtly echoes a traditional fish hook, a nod to the region’s fishing heritage.
Her build reflects that same sense of thoughtfulness, prioritising stability and safety in the changeable conditions the West Coast is known for. A MSA approved foam-filled hull, length and high gunwales provide reassurance, while her size still allows access to remote spots other larger boats simply can’t reach.
After a brief but informative safety briefing, we headed out to our first stop, at the end of the bay to check the three craypots Murray had set the night previous. What a haul! I’ve never seen so many crayfish before, nor been quite so ‘up close and personal’ with them.
The purpose-built cray pot hauler made lifting the cray pots easy, and the crayfish were then carefully measured for size and, in berry or soft-shell, before we rebaited and reset each pot, ready for the next day’s charter. He then went on to explain, in great detail, the rules and regulations governing the gathering of crayfish. The species is Red (Spiny) Rock Lobster, with a minimum tail width of 54mm for males and 60mm for females (there is also a maximum of 70mm currently in the Jackson Bay area. The Jackson Bay charter limit is three crayfish per person, with a maximum of 18 per vessel, based on six people onboard. We ended the haul with an impressive 17 legal crayfish, just enough for dinner that night and a few to take home.
A few extra points Murray also pointed out:
• The crayfish must be measured across the second segment of the tail (above the legs).
• No soft-shell or egg-carrying females to be taken.
• Must be kept alive and whole until landed.
• A limit is set to ensure an even catch share and protect the fishery.
With plenty of excitement (and a few lips being licked at the thought of what might appear as an entrée later on), we moved on to the next leg of the journey, heading a good 15 km out to sea to try our hand at some deep-water fishing. The run out was a little bumpy, nothing ŌKAHU couldn’t handle, with a manageable one-metre swell and 12 knot wind, the occasional ginger lolly being put to good use, but once we arrived, the wind had dropped as predicted, and it was pure magic.
The sea had settled, the sun was shining, the smell of savouries cooking in the onboard oven, and Murray had all our lines expertly baited. We couldn’t have been happier. Less than ten minutes after dropping the lines, Stacey landed the first catch of the day, a 12kg Blue Nose! Using the very impressive Shimano electric Beastmaster reel with a Status rod, she brought it in with plenty of excitement, as the rest of us looked on, just as thrilled. Doug and I were so impressed with the Minn Kota. I had never seen one in action before, and I immediately saw the benefits of it. Murray jokingly made the comment, “The Minnkota drives the boat – I’m just the deckhand! ”
By then, Rachel had served up the delicious savouries, which went down a treat, filling our bellies and giving us some muchneeded energy for the day ahead. Sadly, no one else could match Stacey’s catch, so after an hour or so, we decided to head back inshore to try our luck closer to land. Along the way, we were thoroughly entertained by the dozen or so Albatross that had made our acquaintance. I’ve never seen birds that size before, and certainly never that close, and that alone was an incredible experience, equally matched with a visit from a pod or two of local dolphins.
Once we were closer to land, Murray found us a spot using the Simrad EVO 3 (with 3D mapping), and before long, we were all baited up with lines overboard once again. This time it was a completely different story. We immediately all started catching fish, good-sized Tarakihi mainly. The competition quickly kicked off: first it was girls versus boys, then Image Boats against PowerBoat Magazine, and finally one side of the boat against the other. Dean and Stacey even managed to hook fish at exactly the same time, a nice touch considering they were celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary!
Poor Murray was flat-out trying to keep up with us, re-baiting hooks, helping land fish, and filleting along the way. He took it all in his stride, though, even firing up the BBQ and cooking some of our catch for our lunch. You really can’t get much fresher fish than that.
Once we’d collected enough for a feed (and a little bounty to take home), Murray asked Doug if he’d ever tried Stick Bait Fishing for Kingfish. Doug admitted he hadn’t, so Murray suggested we head in fairly close to the rocks on our way back to give it a go. It was incredibly entertaining to watch. With plenty of encouragement (and a fair bit of scoring from the sidelines), Doug soon had his casting sorted and landed a couple of Kahawai, one of which was chased right to the boat by a decent-sized Kingi. Doug almost had it, but it wasn’t to be that day.
It was a thrilling way to round out the fishing and wildlife experience, spotting a few seals sunbathing on the rocks as we came back into the bay. What we’d expected to be just a few hours on the water turned into most of the day, with time absolutely flying by. We were all tired by the end, but the smiles on our faces said it all, exactly what Jackson Bay Charters had promised: an unforgettable day out on the water.
After another delicious meal, our catch from the day, we hit the hay, completely exhausted from a full day on the water. After dining like Kings, we slept like babies, grateful for every moment of the experience. The next morning, it was time to head home, but we felt enriched and empowered by this unique adventure. A lovely surprise awaited us: Rachel had packed a chilly bin for the flight, with crayfish, Terakihi, and Blue Nose, all tucked snuggly in salt ice. What a treat to be able to share some fresh seafood with the family back home, especially as we had caught it!
We feel incredibly privileged to have experienced this personal, one-of-a-kind charter, guided by such friendly, relaxed company. It’s definitely been ticked off our bucket list, and we wholeheartedly recommend you do the same. I’m certain we’ll be back before long, because, as Murray said, no two days out in the waters of Jackson Bay are ever the same!
THE BOAT: IMAGE 10 m CRUISEMASTER
- Length 10.35 metres
- Beam 3.05 metres – wide, stable, and spacious
- Construction 6mm alloy hull with foam-filled floor
- Deadrise 17 degrees for a smooth ride
- Safety Pontoon-style air-filled gunnels & 800mm-high sides
- Stretched wheelhouse with enclosed cabin
- 6 sleeping berths and a diesel heater for warmth
- Full galley with oven to enjoy fresh-cooked meals onboard
- Hot & cold enclosed shower, separate toilet cubicle with sink (a must for the ladies)
- BBQ and full bait station
- Fusion stereo system
- U-Dek flooring – soft, grippy, and easy to clean
- Plenty of storage throughout for gear, personal items, and your catch
- Twin DF 325 ATXX Suzuki outboards (with dual prop)
Fishing and Diving Ready
- Enclosed transom cage – ideal for fighting big fish safely
- Dive platform and ladders
- Rotating rod holders
- Fully game-rigged
- Walk-through transom for easy access to the water
- Plus a 3.4m tender with a 2.5hp outboard (perfect for accessing remote spots or heading ashore to explore hidden gems).
- And lastly, a feature Murray particularly insisted on a fully extended roof over the cockpit, providing much-needed shelter, shade and comfort no matter the conditions.
JACKSON BAY CHARTERS RANGE OF TRIPS
- Fishing charters (half-day, full-day and multiple days)
- Custom trips tailored to your needs
- Hunting/surfing drop-offs and pick-ups
- Stag parties, hen dos, and group celebrations
- Charters can include multiple groups to make excursions more economical.
- The boat will relocate to Greymouth over the winter to target Southern Bluefin Tuna, so another opportunity to explore.
- Jackson Bay Charters is happy to tailor a trip to help you plan a memorable experience!
ACCOMODATION
Neil’s Beach Bach
- A much-loved two-story holiday home perched above beautiful Jackson Bay. With views stretching south to Jackson Head and north to Open Bay Islands, this is a place where nature, comfort, and adventure come together.
- Accessible via a sealed road right to the door or by arrangement through the local airstrip, your West Coast experience begins the moment you arrive. This is a special place for Murray and Rachel, it was their family holiday go-to for 20 years, so they know the area well and are excited to share it with others who love the outdoors, great fishing, and relaxing by the sea. Their two-story home offers relaxed, flexible accommodation for guests joining them on charter adventures or simply seeking a peaceful West Coast getaway.
- Downstairs Accommodation (where Doug and I stayed) has two bedrooms, a bathroom, and an additional fully furnished, private sleepout bedroom. Each room can be configured with a king bed or singles, so the three bedrooms can sleep up to 10 guests.
- Upstairs, a spacious lounge and kitchen are available for guests. The owner’s private bedroom and bathroom are also on this level. The kitchen and lounge areas are welcoming shared spaces. This is a great spot not only for fishing trips but also for those wanting to unwind. It’s especially ideal for partners or family members who would rather enjoy a relaxing day at the house or spend time walking along the beach than head out on the water.
- All equipment is supplied: fishing gear, bait, fuel and a BBQ lunch for full-day trips
