The 50m yacht, based in Seattle, Washington, is due to depart Dunedin today and head up the east coast to the Marlborough Sounds.
Crew member Jonathan Gedye, originally of Auckland, said the yacht usually sailed around Canada and Alaska but was in Costa Rica in late December and arrived in Auckland on January 20.
It then travelled to the Hauraki Gulf and Whangaroa before travelling south to Fiordland and Stewart Island and on to Dunedin.
It would be in New Zealand for two to three months and then sail to the Pacific Islands.
Nine crew members were on board but no details of the passengers on board could be disclosed, Mr Gedye said.
The yacht, built by US yard Westport and delivered to the yard in 2006, accommodates 12 guests in six cabins, including a full-beam master suite, two doubles and three twins.
