Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise: A Glimpse into Isolated Life in Queen Charlotte Sound
4.4
36 Ratings
Picton
Experience the isolated and beautiful Marlborough Sounds on a 3-hour delivery cruise. Discover hidden corners, meet locals, and spot wildlife while learning about the area's history and natural world.
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Queen Charlotte Sound - This 3-hour cruise is a great opportunity to see the Marlborough Sounds through the eyes of those who live and work here.

Discover places far from the nearest road, and maybe meet some of the locals who call this isolated and beautiful place home. Relax onboard our comfortable vessel as we deliver passengers and supplies to homes, secluded resorts and the Queen Charlotte Track, keeping an eye out for seals, penguins, dolphins, stingrays and rare sea birds.

Learn about the Marlborough Sounds’ history and natural world from your friendly skipper and crew, and enjoy free tea and coffee.
This cruise will take you to corners of the Sounds rarely seen by visitors – no cruise is ever the same.

What's Included
  • All taxes, fees, and handling charges included
  • Goods and Services Tax (GST) covered
  • Enjoy live commentary on board
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks (available for purchase on some cruises)
Additional Information

Embark on a captivating journey that offers a look into everyday life in the distinctive and secluded Marlborough Sounds, delivering supplies and individuals to distant docks and areas of Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui.

Our 3-hour voyage is an excellent chance to witness the Marlborough Sounds as the locals do, who inhabit and work in this region.

Explore destinations that are miles away from the nearest highway, and perhaps converse with residents who consider this remote and stunning location their home. Enjoy the ride on our cozy ship as we transport passengers and cargo to residences, exclusive resorts, and the Queen Charlotte Track, while spotting seals, penguins, dolphins, stingrays, and uncommon seabirds.

Acquire knowledge about the historical and ecological aspects of the Marlborough Sounds from your affable captain and crew, while indulging in complimentary tea and coffee. This boat trip will transport you to areas of the Sounds that usually remain unobserved by tourists – ensuring each cruise provides a unique experience.

  • Operates in a majority of weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • In the very rare event of the cruise being canceled due to extreme weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • The duration of cruise are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and weather condition
Location
1 London Quay
London Quay
Departure Point: Cougar Line office, Picton Town Wharf Address: 1 London Quay, Picton 7250 Directions: Look for the 3 purple flags Dates: See Availability Return point: Cougar Line office, Picton Town Wharf
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(36 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Wayne_b
Feb 29, 2024
Very enjoyable and highly recommended. - This cruise allowed us to get close to inaccessible islands and view areas not visible from our cruise ship. Small boat so very personable. Very enjoyable and we would strongly recommend it
Review provided by Viator
Ellen5181
Feb 16, 2024
Fun way to see the bay. - Just what I was hoping for. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. Staff were pleasant, informative, a fun few hours exploring the coves and inlets.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher_w
Feb 2, 2024
A fun scenic boat trip with local color - Really fun! Tour of the bays and inlets combined with chatting with the captain and locals being dropped off. Best on a sunny calm day like the one we had. The time flew by.
Review provided by Viator
Margaret_p
Nov 22, 2023
Fantastic Day in the Sounds. - Great service from booking desk to cruise staff, very informative comments made along the way. Lovely to talk with other passengers and staff as the joined the cruise. Great we slowed down to see the dolphins. Thank you.
Review provided by Viator
Sandysamnmynic
Sep 30, 2023
Just go and enjoy the beauty! - If you don’t go out on the Sounds then you won’t understand how pristine and uniquely beautiful this massive Marlborough landscape is. The delivery cruise is a great way to achieve this. Professionally managed and a pod of dolphins feeding were a bonus!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_f
Mar 17, 2024
Nice ride - Best view of the area is rom the water. This ride shows you the expanse of the water and scenery of the land. Read inside to hear the captain’s commentary. This route is more a shuttle to the area resorts and trailheads, so might be a bit long for most sightseers.
Review provided by Viator
Gordon_m
Mar 17, 2024
Nice day cruising the sounds - Smooth sailing start to finish . Seen many different vacation spots and chatted with the various people as they came and went seen one dolphin . A good day.
Review provided by Viator
Richard_b
Feb 24, 2024
Excellent fair weather overview of Queen Charlotte Sound - Excellent taste of Queen Charlotte Sound. This is not a tour but rather a ride around the sound to a few remote communities. This cruise is best in good weather, but not recommended for inclement weather.
Review provided by Viator
Heather_h
Dec 6, 2023
Disappointed as a “cruise” - Expected more commentary on the trip, there wasn’t much more than the names of the bays we visited. It would have been nice to learn more about life in the sounds and the wildlife. From a delivery perspective, appears to be an efficient, well run operation.
Review provided by Viator
Vishwas_p
Mar 30, 2024
Scam company. Do not listen to customer - It's a fraud. Local operator and viator is terrible. No mention of check in time on the ticket and was advised later by a operator that chrck in time is 30 mins before. Did not allowed us to ride. DO NOT BOOK WITH VIATOR. SCAM...
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today