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Marlborough Wildlife Tour: Explore Motuara Island & Dolphins
4.7
208 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 - Offers complimentary WiFi and photos for customers. Explore our Wildlife Display and take in the stunning view of Picton Harbour from our balcony.
- Marlborough Sounds - Enjoy an exciting 4-hour cruise through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. Encounter wildlife such as NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins, and Sea Birds. Benefit from the…
- E-Ko Tours - Offers complimentary WiFi and photos for customers. Explore our Wildlife Display and take in the stunning view of Picton Harbour from our balcony.
- Marlborough Sounds - Enjoy an exciting 4-hour cruise through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. Encounter wildlife such as NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins, and Sea Birds. Benefit from the expertise of our onboard guide as you visit the Motuara Bird Sanctuary.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- National Park fees
- FREE Binoculars and Species ID cards
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and chocolate biscuits on return journey
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- National Park fees
- FREE Binoculars and Species ID cards
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and chocolate biscuits on return journey
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
(208 Ratings)
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Lesley
Mar 1, 2026
Amazing informative special trip - One of our highlights of our trip to NZ, plenty of natural wildlife to be seen and an incredibly passionate team of guides, imparting invaluable knowledge of the local environment. A good cup of tea and biscuits enjoyed on the return trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patty
Feb 25, 2026
Beautiful day and perfect cruise! - We had. Fabulous trip with our guide Conner and skipper Dan. Saw more than half the population of hector dolphins and some interesting birds and playful fur seals. The walk up to the top was great too with a wonderful view. We lucked out with only 12 on our ship and the crew couldn’t have been better. Friendly, helpful and informative. Great job Conner and Dan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oakvilleblackdogs
Feb 24, 2026
Fantastic eco tour. Dolphins galore - Fantastic 4 hour cruise through Marlborough Sounds. Julie our marine biologist guide and Dan our captain made this is a very informative and educational cruise. We were lucky to see Hector dolphins and numerous birds, cormorants and gannets on our trip.
They are clearly very committed and compassionate about wildlife preservation and we learnt plenty from them. The 1 hour walk on the island was tailored to the activity level of our group and we did not feel rushed. The view from the top was spectacular.
I would definitely recommend this tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathleen
Feb 23, 2026
Terrific Tour of Marlborough Sound Wildlife! - Wonderful day on the water! Expert commentary about the wildlife & we saw so many birds, dolphins, seals and even an unexpected penguin! Small group, Informative, fun and educational. Very much worth the time and $$.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adam_w
Feb 22, 2026
Fantastic tour,... - Fantastic tour, incredibly knowledgeable guides and amazing views or wildlife and the sound. Quite the hill to climb but plenty of rest stops along the way!
Review provided by Viator
Jacqui_a
Feb 15, 2026
Knowledgeable and Professional Guides. - This was such an informative trip and we were both so impressed with Connor and Daniel’s knowledge of the local area. Unfortunately, due to the extreme winds that day, we never made it to the island. But we appreciated Daniel’s sense of safety in turning back. Despite this disappointment, they both made it a fun and interesting experience.
Review provided by Viator
Paradise365330
Feb 12, 2026
Fun day - Courtney and Andy were excellent! The weather was wonderful and we appreciated the information Courtney shared on the animals we saw. Great day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbaramz4533mg
Feb 12, 2026
Best boat tour in Queen Charlotte Sound - Fantastic experience on the Queen Charlotte Sound with Eko Tours. Andy, Julie and Rob were informative, friendly and helpful. Everything about the tour was first class. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oscardog16
Mar 1, 2026
Too many people to be comfortably seated. - We had 22 adult guests & 3 staff (they stood most of the trip). We were squashed in like sardines. The undercover area only provided seating for approximately 14 people. The rest had to sit out on the rear deck, which was uncovered, and the seating included hard plastic steps with no cushioning. The area you step on to get in and out of the boat. Inside, we saw one guy who stood most of the trip or had to perch on the very edge of the bench with his partner. They tried to share a seat meant for one person. Most of the modular bench was taken up by a group of 5 that included a man spreader and his bit of bench for his jacket, another had a walking stick, and he took up 2 seating spaces. The boat is so confined that you must put your bags into the hull (sleeping quarters) to allow movement from the cabin to the bow area. The trip was good, but I would rather pay a bit more to have some personal space. I recommend looking at other operators and comparing reviews as to overcrowding. Free long-term parking is available in front of the Edwin Fox Museum, then it is less a 5-minute walk to the E-Ko Tour office.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bobby_m
Feb 21, 2026
Bad customer service - Don't Go. Had the wrong because Viator app changed it.
I called. Got a email. Customer was email your supplier. No call or email back
I'm finished with your company for not helping. I want Feb 24th is fix.
You can still fix it if you read this.
Review provided by Viator
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