Kayaking tours in Marlborough Sounds

Guided Sea Kayaking - 1 day

The day starts at 9.00am with kayaking instruction on the Picton foreshore. Paddling out of the Picton harbour and down into the Grove Arm, this day trip is about absorbing and enjoying the beauty of the Queen Charlotte Sound.

After an hour or so of relaxed paddling, its time for morning tea, featuring fresh home baked muffins on a secluded sandy beach. Another pleasant paddle across the Sound takes in some of the prettiest native bush in the Sounds. The guide will providing accounts of the fascinating history, wildlife and Maori legends of the area.

After lunch paddle along the shoreline, maybe past the nesting shags, as the group heads across the Sound again to where a van awaits for your return trip to Picton.

Cost: $95 per person

Twilight Paddle

An ideal way to have a short taste of sea kayaking – depart from the Picton foreshore, and paddle around the Picton harbour, into Shakespeare Bay before paddling to a local beach. As the dusk sets in you paddle back to the lights of Picton at around 7.30pm.

Trip operates from December to March.

Starts: 4.30pm
Finishes: Approximately 7.30pm.
Costs: $65 per person

Outer-Sounds Adventure - 3 days

The many coves and inlets of the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound are surrounded by magnificent stands of virgin native bush plunging down to crystal clear water. Your trip is so remote that the only sounds you will hear is bird-song and the occasional splash from a diving gannet or dolphin. This is a relaxed paddling adventure suitable for any moderately fit person (no previous experience necessary).

A water taxi ride to Ship Cove will put you into the heart of the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound. From there you will pack your kayak and paddle in and out of the many coves and inlets, around bushclad shorelines, exploring the many interesting spots along the way. Over the next three days you will have the opportunity to explore Motuara Island, home to the endangered South Island Saddleback and South Island Robin, explore the marine reserve around Long Island, visit some of Captain Cooks favourite spots, the gun emplacement on Blumine Island to just name a few highlights along the way.

Each night you will camp at a different campsite (depending on weather) and your guide will cook you a delicious 3 course dinner while you enjoy the sunset. You may have time to do some fishing for your dinner or pick some mussels as an entree, either way we guarantee that you will love the home cooked food!

For Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company good food and comfort are priorities. This holiday package is as much about pleasure in the outdoors as about adventure. Much care is taken in the selection of comfortable campsites, quality equipment and delicious home cooked food.

It is important to note that this trip is entirely dependent on weather and that the itinerary could change due to persisting weather conditions. At all times the guide will make decisions that are in the best interests of the group and client safety is a priority to us. The itinerary is designed for novice to moderately experienced paddlers and as a general rule we have designed the itinerary so that you will only be paddling for a maximum of 5 hours per day - 2½ hours in the morning and 2½ hours in the afternoon. However clients need to be of moderate fitness as situations can arise where you will be required to paddle strenuously, due to weather conditions, for two or three hours to a destination.

Cost: $495/person.

Scheduled departures 2007/08

Nov 17,
Dec 1,15,22,
Jan 3, 5,12,19,26,
Feb 2,9,16,23,
Mar 1

Ultimate Sounds Adventure - 3 day

Finally, you can do it all in just three days. On the Ultimate Sounds Adventure, spend one day hiking, one day sea kayaking and one day mountain biking. Take in the beauty and magic of the Marlborough Sounds as you travel the length of the Queen Charlotte Track. At night, rest and relax in the peaceful surroundings of your lodge accommodation. Your guide will ensure that you are able to enjoy each day in safety and at your own pace.

Day One – Walking (approximately 5 hours)
Catch a 9.00am water taxi from Picton to Ship Cove in the Outer-Queen Charlotte Sound and the start of the Queen Charlotte Track. Ship Cove is one of the most historic areas in the Sounds as it was one of James Cook's most popular destinations on his many world travels. The track travels from Ship Cove through native virgin bush, over two saddles and down into Resolution Bay and then Endeavour Inlet. At the end of the day your water taxi transfers you down the Queen Charlotte Sound to Portage Resort Hotel for the evening. Bunkroom accommodation at Portage Resort Hotel or you can upgrade to twin share at an additional cost – cook your own meal, or dine in their restaurant

Day Two – Sea Kayaking
A leisurely day’s sea kayaking in the Keneperu Sound. As you paddle from the Portage foreshore on the Keneperu Sound, you may visit a mussel farm, paddle past a ship wreck from a bygone era, or experience a chance encounter with dolphins. You will have time to stop on a tranquil beach where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch, go for a swim or a short bush walk before paddling back to Portage Resort Hotel.

Day Three – Mountain Biking (approximately 4 hours)
There are two options available for today’s ride – the enthusiastic biker can tackle the hill climb from Torea Bay to Waterfall Bay on the Queen Charlotte Track, or take the scenic route along the road to Waterfall Bay. From Waterfall Bay you bike for two hours on the Queen Charlotte Track, cycling around the bays and coves of the Queen Charlotte Sound. This ride is a fitting end to your three day trip as you travel through stunning native bush, glimpse magical water views and finally come to the end of the track at Anakiwa. Cyclists then ride around the bottom of Queen Charlotte Sound to Ngakuta Bay where your van and trailer await, or the keen cyclists can bike back to Picton.

Cost: $495 per person bunk room or $695 twin share (single supplement $225)
Includes: all water transfers, guide, all equipment, all accommodation

Departure: Every Wednesday from November to mid-April

Paddle & Walk - 4 day

This all-encompassing Marlborough Sounds package incorporates the best the Marlborough Sounds has to offer in four days. You will have the opportunity to enjoy two days of gentle sea kayaking, two days of easy walking and an eco-tour and dolphin watching, all with the security and comfort of a guide, comfortable accommodation and delicious food.

This trip is run in conjunction with the 4 Day Guided Walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. 4 Day Paddle & Walk clients join these groups for the first two days and then sea kayak for the last two days.

Day One begins with a 8.15 am meeting at our Picton based office and a dolphin watching experience and eco-tour of Motuara Island. Motuara Island is home to some of NZ’s endangered bird species such as the South Island Robin, South Island Saddleback and Brown Spotted Kiwi. From Motuara Island, Dolphin Watch Marlborough will transfer you to Ship Cove and the start of the Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will be walking to Furneaux Lodge – a 5 hour walk on the track, through some of NZ’s beautiful native bush and stunning views.

Day Two - A gentle walk today around the foreshore of Endeavour Inlet from Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove Resort. You will have time to take a side track up to the Furneaux Waterfall, through some spectacular virgin native bush. Birdsong dominates the day today as you walk around the Inlet

Day Three - A water taxi will collect you from your accommodation and transport you to Torea Bay – a 30 minute boat ride back towards Picton. Here your sea kayaks will be awaiting and your guide. (depending on numbers, you may have a different walk guide to sea kayak guide). Our sea-kayaks are large and stable and easy to paddle. Ideally you will be travelling in double kayaks so you can take turns to enjoy the view as you glide past! After a safety briefing and familiarisation with your sea kayak, you will paddle out of Torea Bay and spend the day exploring the many bays, coves and inlets of the Queen Charlotte Sound. At the end of the day you transfer over the hill to Portage Hotel. Here you will be able to catch up with the rest of your group who may have been walking from Punga Cove to Portage Hotel.

Day Four – Your final day of fun and relaxation in the Marlborough Sounds. By now you will be feeling confident and comfortable in your sea kayak and ready for another day of tranquil paddling. Paddling out of Torea Bay the day will be spent exploring the Grove Arm, a particularly beautiful part of the Queen Charlotte Sound. You will paddle back to Picton, arriving at around 4.30pm.

This trip is ideal for any age group as the itinerary for both sea-kayaking and walking is not too strenuous. It gives you an ideal opportunity to enjoy the best of the Sounds - by water and land. We provide guides, all food and accommodation water transfers, sea kayaking equipment and portage of luggage.

Cost: $1,270 per person (single supplement $240)
Minimum 2 people.
Includes: all meals, water transfers, guide and equipment,
twin share accommodation at Furneaux Lodge, share cabin, own room. Twin share, own unit, en-suite accommodation at Punga Cove Resort & Portage Hotel

2007/08 departures

Oct 1,8,15,22,29
Nov 5,12,19,26
Dec 3,10,17,27#
Jan 2#,7,14,21,28
Feb 4,11,18,25
Mar 3,10,17,24,31
Apr 7,14,21,28