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Pelorus Mail Boat Tour: Explore Marlborough Sounds
4.8
329 Ratings
Havelock
Join this guided full day tour in the historic Pelorus Mail Boat as it delivers mail, groceries, freight, and people to this stunning and remote inland waterway. The people living here have no road access and no mains electricity. A real-life cruise providing an essential service to the residents of the largest part of the Marlborough Sounds.
Join this guided full day tour in the historic Pelorus Mail Boat as it delivers mail, groceries, freight, and people to this stunning and remote inland waterway. The people living here have no road access and no mains electricity. A real-life cruise providing an essential service to the residents of the largest part of the Marlborough Sounds.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Kenepuru Sound - Tour the largest and remotest part of the Marlborough Sounds from Havelock, delivering mail, groceries and freight to remote residents
- Kenepuru Sound - Tour the largest and remotest part of the Marlborough Sounds from Havelock, delivering mail, groceries and freight to remote residents
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- Tea and coffee
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Please review and acknowledge our Swimming Waiver on our website before participating in any swimming activities. https://www.themailboat.co.nz/about-us/swimming-waiver/
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Please review and acknowledge our Swimming Waiver on our website before participating in any swimming activities. https://www.themailboat.co.nz/about-us/swimming-waiver/
Location
Pelorus Mail Boat Ltd
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(329 Ratings)
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Valerie_e
Jan 20, 2026
Awesome day in the Sounds. - Ross the captain was a very knowledgeable man and made the day with all his narratives. You would be amazed with the amount of homes in the sounds.
Review provided by Viator
Heather_h
Dec 28, 2025
Mail Boat Cruise - Great day out. Interesting to see people living so remotely.
The Boat crew were friendly and helpful.
We had to change the day we booked, not a problem.
Loved the dogs, goats, and the big fat pig that greeted the boat.
Review provided by Viator
Alison_p
Dec 3, 2025
Great Day out - Well worth doing to gain a glimpse of rural NZ in remote places,along with a service provided for those people
Review provided by Viator
Y7628jjscottl
Nov 14, 2025
Pelorous Friday Boat Run - Great experience, highly recommended, knowledgeable crew & gorgeous scenery! Touch of animal feeding & delivery of actual mail very interesting!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rob_r
Nov 10, 2025
It lived up to our expectations!! Our friends were right !! - We were so lucky to have flat calm conditions. We were prepared to get sea spray as we like being on deck. Didn't need our parkas. We almost got too hot !! Puffa jackets were good in a bit of breeze on the way back.
Sun block and sun glasses essential. The commentary was fantastic : information about all the stopping/delivery points, the environment and the sea.
A huge bonus towards the end of the journey was a pod of maybe 20 dolphins in a feeding frenzy. Seabirds everywhere.
Review provided by Viator
Carolcm4927qs
Nov 8, 2025
Amazing day out. - Had an amazing day on the mail boat today, the staff, Bill and Linda? were so friendly and couldn’t be more helpful. The trip started by going to a lookout point for a short time, then on to have lunch at Te Rawa lodge, which was all ordered in advance and came out fresh, with amazing views too. Then onto a sheep farm, and across the water to another farm, walking round the huge, well maintained gardens with the owner.
The boat was comfortable, had a small bar, and clean toilets, all in all a highly recommended trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F652qxcarolf
Oct 22, 2025
Mailboat trip provided a glimpse of what it’s like to live in a beautiful but remote setting. - We really enjoyed our trip. The highlight was Mark’s commentary as we went along, including the history and operation of the mussel farms plus descriptions of the lives of those who live remotely and who rely on the Mailboat. The boat was well set up with comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. Tea and coffee on tap all day. The lunch stop at Te Rawe worked well. We took our own lunch but there were facilities for us to eat in comfort.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
725quentind
Oct 3, 2025
Fantastic excursion through the Lawn Sound - Fantastic discovery of the Sound as the mail is delivered. The crew gathers anecdotes and exciting information about the place, wildlife, history, geology. The scenery is breathtaking, and seeing in the same outing penguins, seals, kunekune and dolphins is amazing.
I highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kaye_w
Aug 4, 2025
Amazing day out. - Remember to take your lunch & warm clothing, fabulous day, Mark & Ross were amazing hosts, so lucky to see a pod of bottlenose dolphins. Ross's commentary of the history & knowledge of the area was excellent.
Review provided by Viator
Sharon_g
Apr 23, 2025
Saturday on the Mailboat - It is a long day, but we saw beautiful fjord estuaries as we traveled from stop to stop. It was fun to be greeted by dock dogs as we made each delivery. A small child running around the boat throughout the day was tiring. Our weather was great!
Review provided by Viator
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