Spend half a day among the thriving wildlife of the outer Marlborough Sounds on a small-boat wildlife tour from Picton. Spot rare sea birds like penguins and shags, plus a couple of species of dolphin, in Queen Charlotte Sound. Set foot on Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary Island that holds significance to colonial New Zealand history. Your guides are deeply knowledgeable about this area, so make the most of them and ask plenty of questions.

An ideal trip for wildlife and nature enthusiasts
Enjoy views all the way to the North Island on a clear day
Refreshments (plus alcoholic drinks on the afternoon tour) are provided
Learn about the Marlborough Sounds from the live on-board commentary

What's Included

Professional guide
Live commentary on board
National Park fees
Beverages and snacks
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and chocolate biscuits on the return journey
Alcoholic Beverages
FREE Binoculars to help you spot wildlife and Species ID cards

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

E-Ko Tours
1 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 Included

Marlborough Sounds

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Morning tour departs at 08:30 on cruise ship days
FREE use of binoculars on-board and Species Identification cards
Near public transportation
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
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
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
Check-In 15 minutes prior to departure time
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

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 good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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

Featured review

Paule_D

The capitain and the guide were very informative , they knew a lot about the area and the animals. It was a very nice and interesting cruise. We enjoyed it a lot. The area is very beautiful and we saw many birds. When everyone is at the front to watch something in front of the boat however, it is a bit crowded and difficult to see

Reviews

4.5

63 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 63 reviews

Absolutely Brilliant

Gary_D, Mar 2024

The knowledge and enthusiasm of Alice and Andy were first class. It was such a privilege to see such a beautiful place and hear so many interesting facts. Thank-you

The capitain and the...

Paule_D, Mar 2024

Bird lovers delight

Charlene_M, Mar 2024

We were on a cruise and E-Ko tour company was easy to find. This tour is just as described. It is perfect for nature enthusiasts wanting to spot some wildlife, especially birds. Our captain Paul and guide Ella were very friendly and knowledgeable. They offered binoculars and reference charts. My favourite part was stopping at an island for a short hike and a great view. The hot chocolate, wine and cookies were a nice treat on our way back to the dock.

Enjoyable voyage.

Susan_M, Feb 2024

The guide and captain were knowledgeable and engaging. They made everyone feel welcome. Our viewing of marine life was limited on the day I took the cruise, but the landscape and birds encountered were beautiful.

Ultimate excursion on Marlborough Bay

tom_l, Jan 2024

great naturalist, Ella. Wonderful captain too. fabulous wildlife, beautiful scenery! Terrific experience and highly recommend to others!

Outstanding tour and learning experience.

Graeme_H, Dec 2023

This tour provided excellent access to the area. The boat driver and tour guide were outstanding in their knowledge and the way they presented information. They were genuinely looking to create the best experience possible for tourists on the cruise. We learnt a lot and had a great experience.

Over sold

Arthurjulian_B, Nov 2023

Professional, got close to wildlife good boat lovely weather . It would have been five stars but the commentary was often unintelligible because of the speakers , there were no mussels as promised and there was one bottle of wine between 15 which seemed a bit disingenuous .. it was a good trip and you did not need to offer stuff that you did not actually stump up !

Fun cruise with lots of animal sightings

Andy_H, Oct 2023

The skipper and the crew were phenomenal. All very knowledgeable, funny, and lots to explore. We went toe to toe with some of the most beautiful animals and we even saw leaping dolphins. Took many pictures. It was so worth it. Ask Paul for his camera settings...

What a day.

DavidH, Sep 2023

What an experience, everything about it is memorable, especially the penguins and dolphins, plus the garnets diving near enough to hear the splash......thanks team.

great tour!

Bryan_R, Jul 2023

Great tour! The captain and the crew were very knowledgable. We were able to see beautiful coasts, lots of birds and marine wildlife. Well worth the tour

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks, Bryan :-) We love showing of our Magnificent Marlborough scenery and amazing Wildlife.

THE EXCURSION THAT WE SHOULD HAVE NEVER TAKEN

Michael_M, May 2023

In my opinion the tour boat should never had left the dock. As a tour operators they would have the latest weather forecast. They had to know or should have known the weather was going to be hazy with heavy rain and rough water. That there was a very good chance their customers where going to see nothing and only going to get soaked on leaving the boat. Which people did They were back on board for the return trip in 10-15 minutes soaked from the very heavy rain coming down and did not or could not see much of anything they came to see . Two customers got off the the boat before it left the dock as it was very crowded in the boats cabin and in hind sight so should have we. There were not enough seats for everyone so 8 people had to stand up in a rocking and rolling cabin the whole trip out and back in rough water with nothing to hold on to as there where no hand rails attached to the ceiling, One man hit his head and had to hold a ice bag on it. Another man stood at the stern door with a bag to get sick in. The picture is what it looked like out the front windshield. The only thing the tour operator had to say to us is sorry it wasn't their FAULT that it rained and the weather was not good causing us not to see much of anything. NO offer of a refund

Soggy but fun!

Velda_H, Apr 2023

The weather unfortunately was bad (windy and pouring rain) but enjoyed the trip for the beautiful scenery that could be seen, and we were very lucky to spot a couple of dolphins, a reward of sorts for sitting out in the open on the aft deck. Also very neat to see and hear black robins and bell birds on Motuara.

Don’t go in bad weather

Jeanne_D, Mar 2023

With good weather this is probably a nice tour. Our weather was terrible, we couldn’t see any animals or birds, we got soaking wet, and there were not enough seats for everyone on the boat. Boat was overloaded and we were miserable. My husband had to stand the whole trip on a rocky and bumpy boat. Not safe! Very rough weather on the water and this tour should have been cancelled or cut short and refunded our money.

Enjoyable, brilliant, more than we expected

Simon_L, Mar 2023

The guide Phil was excellent. Broad knowledge, courteous, considerate. A beautiful day visiting a variety of vineyards

Enjoyable afternoon cruise

Dellena_P, Mar 2023

This is a great cruise we saw dolphins, seals, a little penguin and cormorants. Be prepared for quite a steep walk to the top of the island, so take water and wear good walking shoes. Take your own snacks. We were offered biscuits twice, a hot drink and a cup of wine. Great informative trip.

Great way to see The Sound.

Michelle_D, Mar 2023

A delightful experience from beginning to end. The tour guides are friendly and knowledgable about the wildlife and area. We were treated to a whole group of Hector Dolphins and birdlife, stunning scenery, and the weather was perfect. It was nice to stop at an island too and stretch the legs. Really good value.

dolphin sighting was...

Martha_K, Feb 2023

dolphin sighting was great even if difficult to get a vantage point among all the others looking to see! In general the Sound is beautiful and we did see a few of the birds and mammals we looked for. On the down side 24-26 passengers is a lot! Scrambling needed to get a view. Once on the island a virtual train of 24 people on the somewhat narrow path meant that people in the back had trouble hearing the guide and usually missed the sighting by the time they made it up to the point of interest. And I am not talking about slow walkers that couldn't keep up - the line was simply too long. Also the climb to the top and back was fairly rushed to meet the schedule - basically a fast walk with a few brief stops. Very little time to pause and look into the trees and brush for possible sighting. The guides were knowledgeable and very pleasant.

It was wonderful to see...

Alice_A, Jan 2023

It was wonderful to see the animals in their own habitat very lucky to see 2 King Shags very rare to see these birds Bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the sea Seals laying lazily on the rocks. Lovely trip on the water. Staff very knowledgeable and good at spotting the wildlife

Lovely experience

Angela_K, Jan 2023

Really great experience. We were lucky enough to see dolphins and a pair of king shags. The crew were really friendly and provided lots of useful information.

Best day on the water!

Caroline_U, Dec 2022

We got to see every kind of wildlife that lives in the area!!!! The crew was amazingly heartfelt and informative!!!! Probably the best day in New Zealand!!!