Motuara Bird Sanctuary, Ship Cove
Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton
from $69.02 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 4 hours 30 minutes
- Meeting point
- London Quay
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Beachcomber Cruises
Overview
This half-day cruise from Picton pairs two of the headline stops in Queen Charlotte Sound: Motuara Island, a predator-free bird sanctuary, and Meretoto / Ship Cove, a sheltered bay that was once a favorite spot of Captain James Cook. Beachcomber Cruises runs the trip, which lasts four hours and thirty minutes and starts and finishes at the company's office at 1 London Quay on the Picton waterfront. Unlike a standard mail boat run, the itinerary tilts toward wildlife and shore time rather than deliveries.
The boat travels out through the Sound, with commentary on board. At Motuara Island you get time ashore to walk up through regenerating native bush to a hilltop lookout, where reviewers describe good views over the Sound. The cruise then calls in at Ship Cove for a short stop before the run back to Picton.
It suits travellers who want a nature-focused morning without a full-day commitment, and who can manage the walk up through the bush on the island. Bird sightings are never guaranteed, as some reviewers note, and the weather plays a part in how the day feels.
From$69.02 per person
Duration4 hours 30 minutes
Rating4.1 from 38 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Commentary on board
- Toilets on board (Restroom on board)
Not Included
- Food
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Beachcomber Cruises keep cups for $6 in the office before you depart
Run byBeachcomber Cruises
Itinerary
- Meet at Beachcomber officeCheck in at 1 London Quay, Picton, at the corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, a black building with blue signage. The tour departs sharply on schedule at 8:00am.
- Cruise Queen Charlotte SoundThe boat heads out through the Sound, with commentary on board.
- Motuara Island bird sanctuaryTime ashore on the rodent-free island to walk through regenerating native bush to a hilltop lookout. Reviewers describe the island stop as about an hour, with some wishing for longer.
- Meretoto / Ship CoveA short stop at the sheltered cove once favoured by Captain James Cook. One reviewer found the stop-over about the right length.
- Return cruise to PictonThe trip back passes more of the Sound, with commentary en route. The tour ends at the same meeting point, 1 London Quay.
CommentaryIncluded
ToiletsOn board
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points shape how this tour goes, from the early start to the island walk.
- Getting there. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and the operator cannot collect from the Cruise Ship Terminal. Travellers must make their own way to the Beachcomber Cruises office on the Picton waterfront. Cruise passengers in particular should note the 8:00am sharp departure.
- Footwear and fitness. Closed-toe walking shoes are recommended. This tour is not recommended for travellers with mobility constraints, and involves a walk up to the top of the mount for views, where birds may be seen.
- Food and drink. Food is not included, but guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to consume on board. Toilets are available on the vessel.
- Time on island. Some reviewers said the roughly one hour ashore on Motuara felt short and would have preferred more. If a longer stay matters to you, factor this in before booking.
- Birds are wild. Motuara is a sanctuary, not an aviary. Some travellers saw very few birds while others had robins and saddlebacks at close range, so manage expectations accordingly. Dolphin sightings on the water are a bonus rather than a certainty.
- Motuara Bird Sanctuary, Ship Cove (this tour)$69.02
- Ship Cove Stop, 3 Hours$82
- Captain Cook History, Dolphins$100.08
- Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 70 travellers. One reviewer described the boat as roomy, with good viewing from the upper deck.
Common issues. Time on Motuara Island is a recurring theme: two reviewers wanted longer than the hour allowed, though another found the timing about right. Commentary can vary between trips and vessels, as one reviewer preferred the second boat captain's commentary to the first. Cruise ship passengers have missed the 8:00am departure, and as the operator cannot pick up or drop off at the Cruise Ship Terminal, arriving independently and on time is essential. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travellers with mobility constraints, though pushchairs and service animals are permitted.
Common Questions
Where Does The Tour Start And Is Pickup Included?
No pickup is included. You meet at the Beachcomber Cruises office at 1 London Quay, Picton, at the corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, and the tour ends at the same point. The operator cannot pick up or drop off at the Cruise Ship Terminal.
What Time Does The Tour Depart?
It departs sharply on schedule at 8:00am, so arrive at the office in good time. The full experience lasts four hours and thirty minutes. Cruise ship passengers should note there is no pickup from the terminal.
Is Food Included?
Food is not included. You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks to consume on board, and there are toilets on the vessel. The operator also sells reusable keep cups in the office before departure.
What Is Included In The Price?
The cruise itself with on-board commentary and restroom access. Hotel pickup and drop-off, food, and the keep cups sold in the office are not included.
Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?
Most travellers can participate, pushchairs are accessible, and service animals are allowed. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travellers with mobility constraints, and the island walk to the lookout is uphill.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience's start time to receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times are based on local time.
Check Live Dates And Prices
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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