Motuara Island

Rated 4.5 Stars, based on 106 Reviews.

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 scenery and wildlife. Visit Motuara Island and cruise the calm waters of 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 and fun Guides, you will be given the possibility of viewing five different species of dolphins, little blue penguins, seals, seabirds and land birds. Enjoy the only daily service fully-guided walk on Motuara Island, seeing and hearing the amazing bird life where Captain Cook planted the first flag and claimed New Zealand. The view is spectacular from the lookout all the way to the North Island. On the return enjoy complimentarily hot drinks and chocolate biscuits and in the afternoon tour local award-winning wine.

Rated 4.6 Stars, based on 156 Reviews.

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.

Rated 4.1 Stars, based on 33 Reviews.

Cruise from Picton Harbour to Motuara Island and beyond to see rare native birds and other wildlife on this 4.5-hour boat excursion. Spend time exploring Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove, learn from your expert captain about wildlife and cultural history, and take in the gorgeous scenery of Queen Charlotte Sound. Look for endangered native birds including the South Island saddleback, king shag, little blue penguin and kiwi as well as seals and rare dolphins. Please note that this tour departs sharply on schedule at 8:00am Available to purchase for $6 in the office before you depart are Beachcomber Cruises keep cups, we no longer use single use cups on board our vessels due the huge environmental impact. Upon purchase of a Beachcomber Cruises keep cup guests can enjoy tea and coffee onboard for the duration of the tour.

This tour offers an amazing fully-guided experience to complete your visit to Marlborough! Guided by enthusiastic Marine Biologists, you are sure to spot some rare seas birds, marine animals, and endangered land birds. Enjoy spotting Dolphins in the calm, sheltered waters before traveling to Ships Cove and Motuara Island!

This Wildlife and Dolphin tour offers an amazing, fully-guided experience to complete your visit to Marlborough! You will have the opportunity to see rare seas birds, marine mammals, and endangered land birds. Led by enthusiastic Marine Biologists, you may even catch a glimpse of the King Shag and South Island Saddleback. Search for Dolphins in calm sheltered waters before traveling to Motuara Bird Sanctuary Island.

Rated 5 Stars, based on 4 Reviews.

We are the only Marlborough Sounds Guided Walk company with our own boats. Your day starts with the Ultimate Wildlife Cruise through the calm sheltered waters of the Queen Charlotte Sound. You get on board binoculars for viewing wildlife and species ID cards with a WCA Qualified Guide. Dolphins 95% of the time 🙂 Spend 1 hour on Motuara Island with its stunning views and range of Endangered Species where you can get close-up encounters with Rare Birds. The lookout has an amazing panoramic view. We pay DOC your access fee. E-ko started Guided Walks on this island 25 years ago. After you visit Motuara – Sanctuary Island, then head to the famous Ship Cove. There you can Walk the BEST of Queen Charlotte Track in a Loop. Trees up to 1500 years old only with us, Hidden in the bush. Self Guided with a Map showing you where the hidden gems are 🙂 Re-live History and embrace nature. Walk the BEST 5km, relax at Ship Cove with a complimentary glass of Pinot Gris, and enjoy the return cruise.

Rated 3.5 Stars, based on 6 Reviews.

Cruise with us Oct-Apr to Motuara Island in the outer Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui, for a very special Marlborough Sounds experience. Disembark into the magic of morning birdsong, look for penguins on the shore or in nesting boxes, and spot some of the rare species that call this island sanctuary home, including the South Island saddleback and bush robin. Follow the well-formed track to the island’s summit to take in the sweeping views across the Sound to Cook Strait.
 You’ll have approximately 2 hours to explore this natural paradise before the relaxing return boat ride. 
Cruise with us back to Picton for a 1pm arrival, OR, at no extra cost, choose from one of the following free add-ons: Discover Ship Cove/Meretoto Cruise & Walk from Resolution Bay to Furneaux Lodge (3 hours walk) Cruise & Lunch at Furneaux Lodge Restaurant or Punga Cove’s Boatshed Café & Bar (Lunch at own cost)