Blumine Bird Watching Eco Tour
3 to 4 hours · E-Ko New Zealand Ltd
from $128.84 per person Check availability →
Sanctuary Visit, Dolphin Cruise
Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton
from $100.08 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
- 1 Wellington Street
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- E-Ko New Zealand Ltd
Overview
This half-day trip from Picton pairs two things the Marlborough Sounds do well: wildlife watching on the water and a walk on a predator-free island. E-Ko New Zealand runs the tour, and the crew are marine biologists who provide enthusiastic commentary through Queen Charlotte Sound while the boat searches for Hector's, bottlenose and dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and rare seabirds. Binoculars and species ID cards are provided free.
The middle of the tour is spent on Motuara Island, a wildlife sanctuary where the absence of predators means plentiful birdlife. Travellers walk a nature track there before reboarding for the cruise back to Picton. The return leg is the sociable part: tea, coffee, hot chocolate and chocolate biscuits are handed out, and on the PM departure a complimentary glass of local wine is included.
The whole outing runs 4.5 hours and suits most travellers, including families, since there are children's activities on board. It caps at 30 passengers. Reviewers regularly mention knowledgeable guides and good wildlife sightings, with dolphins, seals, penguins and plentiful birdlife reported across many trips.
From$100.08 per person
Duration4 hours 30 minutes
Rating4.7 from 216 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- National Park fees
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and chocolate biscuits on the return journey
- Alcoholic beverages (Complimentary Glass of Local Wine on the PM Tour)
- FREE Binoculars to help you spot wildlife and Species ID cards
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Run byE-Ko New Zealand Ltd
Itinerary
- Meet at E-Ko ToursCheck in at 1 Wellington Street, Picton. From the Visitor Information Center, follow the blue line until you reach the seal, dolphin and penguin signage. Allow 30 minutes for check-in.
- Cruise Marlborough SoundsBoard the boat for a 4-hour wildlife cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, with live commentary from marine biologists and free use of binoculars and species ID cards.
- Walk Motuara IslandLand on the predator-free island for a nature walk among plentiful birdlife. National park fees are included in the tour price.
- Return to PictonCruise back with hot drinks and chocolate biscuits served on the return journey. A complimentary glass of local wine is offered on the PM tour. The tour ends back at the meeting point.
CommentaryIncluded
GuideIncluded
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical things shape how this day goes, from footwear on the island to what the boat does and does not provide.
- Getting there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so travellers make their own way to 1 Wellington Street in Picton. From the Visitor Information Center, follow the blue line.
- Wildlife odds. Dolphins are the headline act but sightings cannot be promised. Several reviewers reported multiple dolphin species on their trips, along with seals, penguins and abundant birdlife. Treat anything beyond the usual as a bonus.
- Island walk. Motuara Island involves a nature walk through the sanctuary, so comfortable shoes will make the stop more enjoyable. The birdlife there drew consistent compliments from reviewers.
- Food and drink. Hot drinks and chocolate biscuits come on the return leg, and the PM departure adds a glass of local wine. Gratuities are not included.
- Weather and gear. The tour runs in all weather, so travellers should dress appropriately for conditions on the water. Layers and a waterproof jacket are the sensible call. Poor weather can cancel the trip, with an alternative date or full refund offered.
- Sanctuary Visit, Dolphin Cruise (this tour)$100.08
- Blumine Bird Watching Eco Tour$128.84
- Small-Group Wild Dolphin Swim$128.84
- Group feel. The boat carries a maximum of 30 travellers. One reviewer described it as a fast catamaran, easier for those less comfortable on a boat. Families are catered for with children's activities on board.
Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. It needs a minimum number of passengers, so it can be cancelled after confirmation if bookings are thin, with an alternative or full refund offered. Weather can also cancel a departure.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Tour Price?
A professional guide, live on-board commentary, national park fees, hot drinks and chocolate biscuits on the return journey, and free use of binoculars and species ID cards are all included. On the PM departure a complimentary glass of local wine is also provided. Gratuities and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Is Hotel Pickup Provided?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Travellers meet at 1 Wellington Street in Picton, following the blue line from the Visitor Information Center to the seal, dolphin and penguin signage. The tour ends back at the same point.
How Long Is The Tour And What Is The Schedule?
The tour runs 4.5 hours in total. Check-in at the meeting point takes 30 minutes, followed by roughly 4 hours cruising Queen Charlotte Sound and visiting Motuara Island.
Is The Tour Suitable For Children And Older Travellers?
This cruise is family friendly, with plenty of children's activities on board, and most travellers can participate. It is not wheelchair accessible, and the Motuara Island stop involves a nature walk, so some mobility helps.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or insufficient numbers, travellers are offered an alternative date or experience, or a full refund.
What Should I Bring?
Dress for the weather and wear appropriate clothing, as the tour operates in all conditions. Comfortable shoes are useful for the island walk, and the boat supplies binoculars for wildlife spotting.
Check Live Dates And Prices
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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