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Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton
Badge of ExcellencePicton, New Zealand
- 3 to 4 hours
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Benefit from the wildlife-spotting skills of marine biologists on this small-group ecotour from the Picton waterfront. You’ll cruise to Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary in the Marlborough Sounds, and search the sheltered waters for wild dolphins along the way. See rare seabirds, marine mammals, and endangered land birds protected in their natural environment.
- Cruise the calm waters of the Marlborough Sounds from Picton
- Visit predator-free Motuara Island with marine biologists as guides
- Look for South Island saddlebacks, king shags, and New Zealand pigeons
- Small-group tour includes light refreshments and live commentary
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- National Park fees
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- E-Ko Tours1 Wellington Street, Picton 7220, New Zealand
Follow the BLUE line from the Visitor Information Center with the sea on your left until you reach E-Ko Tours - look out for the seal! Check-in 15 minutes prior to departure
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
E-Ko Tours
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Motuara Island
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Operated by E-Ko New Zealand Ltd
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Joy_J
Fantastic day out with beautiful scenery to view on the Sounds. Captain took particular attention looking for the wildlife. We saw fur seals, penguins and king cormorants. Spending an hour on the island was great. Will our guide had a wealth of knowledge of the area as we cruised and of the wildlife on the island.
A well worthwhile trip.
Reviews
4.5
44 reviews
Joy_J, Apr 2024
Fantastic day out with beautiful scenery to view on the Sounds. Captain took particular attention looking for the wildlife. We saw fur seals, penguins and king cormorants. Spending an hour on the island was great. Will our guide had a wealth of knowledge of the area as we cruised and of the wildlife on the island.
A well worthwhile trip.
Claire_R, Feb 2024
A worthwhile visit on quite a wet and windy day. The tour guide Alice was very informative and made every effort to give us a good trip despite the weather as did the driver of the motor boat. We didn't see any dolphins but we had a good view of a variety of sea birds and fur seals.
Karlin_O, Feb 2024
I started up the hill to the viewpoint w/ the guide but the pace for me was too fast so I went back to what is called "the bird bath," a small enclosure of water and sat with three others. The birds came to us and were fairly close: Saddleback, Bellbird, Yellow-crowned parakeet. There may have been others but that's all I could identify. My husband said the view was 360 degrees around at the top of the trail and he could even see the north island. On the boat trip coming & going we saw King, Pied and Spotted shags and Australasian Gannets alongs with the requisite fur seals. Good trip--glad we went!
barbara_b, Feb 2024
Will was a fantastic guide. Entertaining and informative. Clearly the best guide and I am not just saying that so that Paul has pay up!
drog2002, Jan 2024
The Hector dilphin pod tgat encircled tge boat fir maybe 20 minutes was pretty cool. Enjoyed tge gyide Will's humor an informational banter. The Captain was also quite enterand informative.
Philipp I, Jan 2020
We arrived late. But the Team was helpful that we could join. The tour is given, but the explanations and the information given by the crew was very good.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Thank you for touring with us, we are glad that you got to learn a lot about the Marlborough sounds and its wildlife
From $90.51
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton
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