Queen Charlotte Mail Boat Cruise: Experience Authentic New Zealand Post Delivery Service

Experience the authentic New Zealand post delivery service on the Queen Charlotte Mail Boat Cruise. Join us as we deliver mail, groceries, and freight to the residents of Queen Charlotte Sound. Don’t miss this unique tour!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Queen Charlotte Sound - Cruise through the tranquil waterways of the Queen Charlotte Sound, see wildlife and native flora and fauna along the way
What's Included
  • Commentary on board
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • Food
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

For more than 150 years, mail has been transported via boat in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, a service we are proud to be the sole officially sanctioned New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound, rendering this tour truly unparalleled!
Join us on the Mail Boat Cruise to partake in the thrilling routine of Mail Day, as…

Location
1 London Quay
London Quay
Please meet us at the Beachcomber Cruises Office on the waterfront - the Corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, we are a black building with Blue Signage.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(276 Ratings)
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Suesa7625ox
May 20, 2025
Great Afternoon. - Dillon was terrific. Happily answered our myriad of questions and very professional boat handler. So good to see Ship Cove. Great afternoon for us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kpzjames
May 20, 2025
I recommend this trip. - Great day good informative skipper who was very forthcoming with information about the area thoroughly enjoyed it. Wentworth doing it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bilferg
Apr 14, 2025
Top day on the water. - A fantastic afternoon spent on Queen Charlotte Sound. Our Captain Aron was professional, informative and interesting, sharing information about the sound and how people live and holiday in this beautiful part of the world. The vessel was clean and comfortable. We enjoyed our time and so glad we finally got to experience the Mail Boat run.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Go823996
Apr 4, 2025
Queen Charlotte Sound spectacular - We took the 9am boat to Furneaux Lodge and undertook a day walk on the Queen Charlotte track to Punga Cove. Our trip also included stops to pick up walkers from Motuara Island and a brief visit to Ship Cove. We had a really engaging boat skipper who provided an excellent commentary and plentiful teas and coffees. Thank you. highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sjdun
Apr 2, 2025
Interesting, entertaining and nformative. - The commentary was great, entertaining and included history, geography, local knowledge and legends. I spent 6 days in Picton, and this was the highlight for interest value. The pace was relaxing. Beautiful. Thanks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marie
Mar 16, 2025
Great we were delighted - Very nice long course but very pleasant we are not bored at all. It's interesting to see people happy to receive their mail, they greet us we answer them. It's very lively...well we are French and didn't understand anything about the comments provided by the pilot...but too bad for us the adventure was well there. I recommend this excursion..
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marianx9768iv
Mar 14, 2025
Great day on the water - A great cruise into all the bays only accessible by water. Was lovely to meet and greet the homeowners taking delivery of their mail in the remote areas they lived. Our boat captain provided awesome and knowledgeable commentary and history the whole time. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Geoff
Mar 6, 2025
An entertaining and enjoyable experience on Queen Charlotte Sound - Nice friendly staff in the Beachcomber Cruise office. Easily accommodated a day change for us. No fuss check in and left on time. We had a great Skipper for our cruise, Ian’s commentary brought interest and some humour to the passengers. The vessel was large and stable and provided good viewing through the large windows. Mail bags were exchanged and passengers delivered and uplifted from various points. Would recommend this trip. It is good value.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawn_w
Mar 3, 2025
Fun day - Fun way to see the sound. Beautiful views along the way. Boat was very crowded, and despite the Captains request for those up top to switch places half way with those downstairs no one did. Also the ones who got the top deck would stand along the edges but not give up their seats. Not. reflection on company, It was fun despite the rather rude group. Try to snag the seats outside on the bag of the boat. if upstairs is full
Review provided by Viator
750ronaldj
Mar 2, 2025
Beautiful boat tour - We had a very lovely boat tour through the Marborough Sounds with a very informative and friendly skipper Ian. The surrounding was very beautiful and the stop on Ship's Cove very nice. We highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $73
up to 9 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).