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Marlborough Sounds Ultimate Cruise | 4 hours

77 Reviews | Picton
From $86.35 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (15-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Child (5-14) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Infant (0-4) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Marlborough Sounds Ultimate Cruise
2 Adults x $86.96
$173.92
Approx Total
$173.92

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Complimentary Local Award winning Wine on PM tour
  • National Park fees
  • Professional guide
  • Beverages and snacks
  • FREE Binoculars to help you spot wildlife and Species ID cards
  • Live commentary on board
  • Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and chocolate biscuits on the return journey
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Overview

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.

Meeting points

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

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • E-Ko Tours

    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.

    30 minutes

  • Marlborough Sounds

    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.

    4 hours

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • 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
  • Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
  • Check-In 15 minutes prior to departure time
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Free Cancellation

September 10100% refund
September 11No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.6

77 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    59
  • 4 stars
    11
  • 3 stars
    4
  • 2 stars
    1
  • 1 star
    2

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 59 reviews with 5 stars

Best boat tour!

Published on Mar, 2025

At first, we thought there were too many people on the excursion. The boat was filled, but everyone had a place to sit and view. We saw the King Cormorant, seals with their tails waving above water, as well as sunning. We were taken to Motuara Island, the bird sanctuary, where we said many other birds and hiked up the mountain to a fantastic view. On the way back, we stopped where the dolphins usually play, and sure enough, dolphins swam with the boat and even jumped for us! Courtney and Dan were excellent guides, with a lot of knowledge and they both pointed out the animals along the way so that we could see and photograph them. Highly recommend tour!

Wonderful guide and driver

Published on Feb, 2025

Delightful day on the sounds Dan the driver Hannah the guide were wonderful informative enthusiastic Ensured dolphins

Great voyage of discovery

Published on Feb, 2025

Great way to see Marlborough Sound. We were lucky to have a calm, sunny, morning and saw the rare Hector’s dolphins and saddleback/tieke amongst other creatures. Hannah and Dan, our guide and captain, were very knowledgeable and entertaining. We also saw where Captain Cook raised the flag and moored his ships. Recommended.

Nice tour in Picton

Published on Feb, 2025

Our tour was guided by Hannah, captain was Andy. Although we did not see any seals/dolphins, we got to see a lot of birds during the boat trip and on Motuara island. Hannah & Andy talked about the species we saw and could answer any question. Highly recommended tour if you visit Picton.

What a magnificent afternoon

Published on Feb, 2025

This was truly a great and positive experience, profesional and caring for the environment, a brilliant comentary from our host, amazing views and wikdlife, inckuding Hector Dolphins, such a great day, easily recomended.

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