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Marlborough Wildlife Tour: Explore Motuara Island & Dolphins
4.7
160 Ratings
Picton
Join a guided tour to Motuara Island and Queen Charlotte Sound. Spot rare wildlife, including dolphins and sea birds, led by expert Marine Biologists.
Join a guided tour to Motuara Island and Queen Charlotte Sound. Spot rare wildlife, including dolphins and sea birds, led by expert Marine Biologists.
Duration:
4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- E-Ko Tours - Enjoy FREE Wifi and FREE Photos for all customers. Visit our Wildlife Display and take in the BEST view of Picton harbour from our balcony.
- Marlborough Sounds - Embark on a 4-hour cruise through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Encounter wildlife such as NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins, and Sea Birds. Let our expert guide lead you through the Motuara Bird Sanctuary.
- E-Ko Tours - Enjoy FREE Wifi and FREE Photos for all customers. Visit our Wildlife Display and take in the BEST view of Picton harbour from our balcony.
- Marlborough Sounds - Embark on a 4-hour cruise through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Encounter wildlife such as NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins, and Sea Birds. Let our expert guide lead you through the Motuara Bird Sanctuary.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- National Park fees
- FREE Binoculars and Species ID cards
- Live commentary on board
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and chocolate biscuits on return journey
- Alcoholic beverages
- Professional guide
- National Park fees
- FREE Binoculars and Species ID cards
- Live commentary on board
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and chocolate biscuits on return journey
- Alcoholic beverages
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
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 wildlife. Visit Motuara Island and cruise the majestic Queen Charlotte sound. Water, wilderness and wildlife. You will have the opportunity to see multiple species of wildlife, including rare sea…
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 wildlife. Visit Motuara Island and cruise 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 Marine Biologists, you will be given the possibility of viewing five different species of dolphins. Enjoy a fully-guided walk on Motuara Island, seeing and hearing the amazing bird life where Captain Cook planted the first flag and claimed New Zealand.
- 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
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- 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
Location
E-Ko Tours
Wellington Street
Follow BLUE line form Visitor Information Center until you see, Seal, Dolphin and Penguin
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
4.7
(160 Ratings)
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717stuartp
Apr 6, 2025
The bird and sea life sightings came thick and fast on our cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound. - A fabulous and informative trip with enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides pointing out the bird and sea life of Queen Charlotte Sound. I got swept up in the excitement of seeing rare birds and dolphins, plus penguins and a few chilled seals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rjamesb2017
Mar 30, 2025
Best tour in Picton - The trip was wonderful. Our captain was Andy and our guide Will. The two of them paired very well and made the trip a great succes. We especially enjoyed seeing the rare Hector’s dolphin and numerous birds on the island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebahcs
Mar 27, 2025
Very nice boat tour in Queen Charlotte Sound - Very nice boat tour in Queen Charlotte Sound with great impressions of nature. We stopped near the shore in some places and watched the animals. Visiting Motuara Island was an absolute highlight. The view from the heights of the island is breathtaking, the birdlife on the island impressive. Towards the end of the tour we also saw some Hector dolphins close to the boat. Very competent staff, very good explanations. The group was not that big, estimated 20. Each participant gets binoculars, there are display boards with the animals for everyone. In between there was coffee, and at the end a glass of wine for everyone.
We had not planned the tour in advance, but booked spontaneously for it. That was a very good decision. Clear recommendation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rkools54
Mar 26, 2025
Excellent wildlife cruise in magnificent Queen Charlotte Sound - We had a splendid afternoon on Queen Charlotte Sound with E-ko Tours. Both Captain Andy and wildlife guide Hannah were enthusiastic and informative, and did their utmost to show the guests on board the wildlife of the Sound. The scenery here is outstanding, and the wildlife is an aspect that always remains unpredictable. In the end we saw one Hector's dolphin and a fair number of fur seals. The bird life was quite good, we thought. We saw Little penguins, King shag, gannets, and a good variety of songbirds on Motuara Island. Being able to land there and spend an hour on the Island definitely adds a special dimension to the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cchick31
Mar 15, 2025
Amazing experience & highly recommend! - Nicky & the team were fantastic. Super knowledgable and super friendly.
We were lucky enough to see dolphins right next to the boat. Perfect experience in Picton.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Imil2025
Mar 9, 2025
Playful dolphins made our day - We will never forget the Marlborough Sounds and Picton. The tour was amazing. Our Guide Will was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The wildlife was amazing, fur seals, a King Shag, many more rare birds in the Sanctuary and... To top it all: many Hector's dolphins greeted us and jumped and swam around the ship. No words to describe the experience. Loved every second, highly recommend this small company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulr685
Mar 3, 2025
Do if in Picton - Last minute trip which did not disappoint. Great experience with lots of excellent information and a chance to see many rare species of bird and dolphins. In addition excellent Eco credentials. Would highly recommend as a 1/2 day activity if in Picton.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trevorjw
Mar 3, 2025
Fabulous trip with great guides - Great Trip. We saw a huge range of birds, seals and several pods of dolphins. Dan and Hannah were superb at both finding and great information. Even saw 7 King Shags which are rare.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mvdhors
Mar 2, 2025
Good tour and luckily we saw a lot of wild birds and seals and Hector dolphins. - Beautiful boat trip and environment. Nice people who informed us and drove the boat, with a lot of knowledge. And…we were so lucky to sea many (sea-)birds, seals and playful Hector dolphins!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_f
Mar 22, 2025
Beautiful tour with a hook. - The eco-tour was very nice. We were given a good briefing and instructive information about animals and nature. We really enjoyed Motuara Island.
Unfortunately, live animals such as jellyfish and starfish were taken out of the water and left on the boat in the hot sun. Without my intervention, the animals would have burnt in the sun. This has no ecological aspect for me.
Review provided by Viator
