Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton | 4 hours 30 minutes

29 Reviews | Picton
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 9 travelers in total.
Adult (15-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 9
2
Child (5-14) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 9
0
Infant (0-4) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 9
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
8:00am Departure
2 Adults x $64.20
$128.40
Approx Total
$128.40

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Commentary on board
  • Restroom on board
  • Food
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Beachcomber Cruises keep cups for $6 in the office before you depart

Overview

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.

Meeting points

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.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • Queen Charlotte Sound (Pass By)

    Cruise through the tranquil waterways of the Queen Charlotte Sound, see wildlife and native flora and fauna along the way

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to consume on board
  • Closed-toe walking shoes suitable for walking are recommended
  • We are not able to pick up / drop off at the Cruise Ship Terminal - you must make your way to our booking office
  • Please note that this tour departs sharply on schedule at 8:00am
  • Not recommended for travelers with mobility constraints

Free Cancellation

June 19100% refund
June 20No refund

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.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.1

29 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    15
  • 4 stars
    9
  • 3 stars
    1
  • 2 stars
    1
  • 1 star
    3

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 15 reviews with 5 stars

Fantastic and very special day out !!!!

Published on Jan, 2025

We absolutely loved our day on the water and the visit to the island. However, it would have been easy for us to spend an additional hour on the island, just to enjoy the surroundings a wee bit longer. The lookout was an absolute highlight. Thank you for making this possible :)

Lovely Island, great boat trip

Published on Feb, 2024

Amazing views from the top of the island. The Marlborough sounds are really beautiful. By doing the boat trip you get to see things you can’t get to by road.

Highly recommended

Published on Feb, 2024

We loved the mail boat trip. The commentary from the driver was fascinating and heartfelt. Highly recommended to adults. Children may not find it occupied then enough.

Beachcomber crew curteous, helpfull and knowlegeable.

Published on Dec, 2022

Great day out . Nice stable safe boats . Bird Iland , James Cook monument a must see if you are even slightly interested in the sea Lunch and serice at Furneaux Lodge exceptional . All highly recommended . Thanks to all

Cruising birdwatching a little hike Captain Cook History wonderful

Published on Nov, 2022

A well managed comfortable cruise on the Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton out to Motuara Island and Ship Cove. An hour on the Island to see South Island Robins darting around, Kureru flying at the hilltop lookout and I’m sure I heard a Kiwi call near the pathway on arrival. The Australian fur seal sunning itself on the Jetty was a surprise too. Ship’s Cove is idyllic and a bonus was seeing a dolphin pod on the way back plus watching the skipper give a biscuit to a waiting dog on a pier. Highly recommended.

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