Marlborough Sounds Ultimate Cruise
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Mobile ticket
Highlights
The best experience in Marlborough. This tour offers an amazing, fully-guided experience wildlife. A small-group tour to view some of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery and wildlife. Visit Motuara Island and cruise the calm waters of the majestic Queen Charlotte Sound. Water, wilderness and wildlife. You will have the opportunity to see multiple species of wildlife, including rare sea birds, marine mammals and endangered land birds. Led by enthusiastic and fun Guides, you will be given the possibility of viewing five different species of dolphins, little blue penguins, seals, seabirds and land birds. Enjoy the only daily service fully-guided walk on Motuara Island, seeing and hearing the amazing bird life where Captain Cook planted the first flag and claimed New Zealand. The view is spectacular from the lookout all the way to the North Island. On the return enjoy complimentarily hot drinks and chocolate biscuits and in the afternoon tour local award-winning wine.
Inclusions
What's included
- FREE Binoculars to help you spot wildlife and Species ID cards
- National Park fees
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- Complimentary Local Award winning Wine on PM tour
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and chocolate biscuits on the return journey
What's not
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
FREE Wifi for Customers and also FREE Photos for Customers. See our Wildlife Display and enjoy the BEST View from our balcony of Picton harbour.
Cruise for a fun 4 hours in the majestic Marlborough sounds. During this time stop with wildlife like NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins and Sea Birds. Have the expert onboard experienced guide you up Motuara Bird sanctuary.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.6
- 5113
- 418
- 37
- 22
- 15
Ratings come from 145 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Enjoy a cruise through the Marlborough Sounds , meet the Wild Life in action been themselves! Natural and Wild!!
We had a wonderful time, the staff knowledge, safety of the boat , interactions with everyone was great .
5It is just the best!
Have been travelling the third week now, done other pretty exciting things, but this was just the best! Very friendly and helpful crew, nice guests🙃 and most cute dolfins and seals and birds! Can definitely recommend, will come again!
5We saw orcas
This was a fantastic trip. Even without seeing orcas it was 5 stars. The staff were great, very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw loads of wildlife, birds and history. Perfect day. And we saw orcas.
1While the crew were great...
While the crew were great and we saw lots of dolphins and birds, the vessel was not designed for the number of passengers or for viewing while inside. There were other things advertised that were not available, like WiFi. There were not enough seats and I had to stand for over half of the cruise.
1Don’t book unless you want to sit on the floor
The tour was way over sold. They say they can fit 30 people on the boat, but in reality it’s more like 15. There was no place to sit other than the floor. There isn’t even enough space to stand on deck when trying to look at the animals.
5Great dolphin watching experience
A four hour animal and birdwatching cruise along the Marlborough Sound. I saw seals, two species of dolphin, many birds. But of course, results may vary. There is an optional 45 minute hike in the middle, a little steep but lots of birds and a great view from the top. The skipper and tour guide were knowledgeable and approachable. This excursion is highly recommended—6 stars if I could. Part of the fare goes towards conservation efforts.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Follow the BLUE line from the Visitor Information Center with the sea on your left until you reach E-Ko Tours - look out for the seal! Check-in 15 minutes prior to departure
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 30 travellers
- Operated by
- E-Ko New Zealand Ltd
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Morning tour departs at 08:30 on cruise ship days
- FREE use of binoculars on-board and Species Identification cards
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- Family friendly with plenty of children's activities onboard
How it compares in Picton
- Its from-price is 13% below the median of the 55 experiences we list in Picton.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 12 of 55.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Picton
Picton is a small ferry port at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, gateway to the Marlborough Sounds' bays, bush walks, mussel farms and wine country.
Picton lies at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, at the top of New Zealand's South Island, with green hills rising straight from the harbour. Ferries cross Cook Strait from Wellington, and the waterfront is busy with boats, cafés and a small foreshore. The Edwin Fox Maritime Museum shelters the hull of the Edwin Fox, built in 1853, one of the oldest surviving merchant ships in the world.
Top-ranked sights in Picton: Marlborough Sounds.
