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Marlborough Wildlife Tour: Explore Motuara Island & Dolphins
4.7
160 Ratings
Picton
Join a guided tour to Motuara Island and Queen Charlotte Sound. Spot rare wildlife, including dolphins and sea birds, led by expert Marine Biologists.
Join a guided tour to Motuara Island and Queen Charlotte Sound. Spot rare wildlife, including dolphins and sea birds, led by expert Marine Biologists.
Duration:
4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- E-Ko Tours - Enjoy FREE Wifi and FREE Photos for all customers. Visit our Wildlife Display and take in the BEST view of Picton harbour from our balcony.
- Marlborough Sounds - Embark on a 4-hour cruise through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Encounter wildlife such as NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins, and Sea Birds. Let our expert guide lead you through the Motuara Bird Sanctuary.
- E-Ko Tours - Enjoy FREE Wifi and FREE Photos for all customers. Visit our Wildlife Display and take in the BEST view of Picton harbour from our balcony.
- Marlborough Sounds - Embark on a 4-hour cruise through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Encounter wildlife such as NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins, and Sea Birds. Let our expert guide lead you through the Motuara Bird Sanctuary.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- National Park fees
- FREE Binoculars and Species ID cards
- Live commentary on board
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and chocolate biscuits on return journey
- Alcoholic beverages
- Professional guide
- National Park fees
- FREE Binoculars and Species ID cards
- Live commentary on board
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and chocolate biscuits on return journey
- Alcoholic beverages
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
The best experience in Marlborough. This tour offers an amazing, fully-guided experience wildlife. A small-group tour to view some of New Zealand’s spectacular wildlife. Visit Motuara Island and cruise the majestic Queen Charlotte sound. Water, wilderness and wildlife. You will have the opportunity to see multiple species of wildlife, including rare sea…
The best experience in Marlborough. This tour offers an amazing, fully-guided experience wildlife. A small-group tour to view some of New Zealand’s spectacular wildlife. Visit Motuara Island and cruise the majestic Queen Charlotte sound. Water, wilderness and wildlife. You will have the opportunity to see multiple species of wildlife, including rare sea birds, marine mammals and endangered land birds. Led by enthusiastic Marine Biologists, you will be given the possibility of viewing five different species of dolphins. Enjoy a fully-guided walk on Motuara Island, seeing and hearing the amazing bird life where Captain Cook planted the first flag and claimed New Zealand.
- 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
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- 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
Location
E-Ko Tours
Wellington Street
Follow BLUE line form Visitor Information Center until you see, Seal, Dolphin and Penguin
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(160 Ratings)
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La_tiburona
Jul 6, 2025
An incredible afternoon! - Our cruise through the sound and visit to the Motuara Island was incredibly special. There were very few people on the tour - I guess, being winter - so it felt very cosy and personal.
Our skipper, Paul, and guide, Daniel, were extremely knowledgeable about the local area, wildlife, and conservation practices, and were very patient with questions.
Plenty of time was given to stop for viewings of the Dusky dolphins that frolicked and lept alongside the boat, the fur seals on rocky outcrops, and King Shags among other birds resting on the waters.
A real treat was to moor at the island and walk to the top for magnificent views over to the North Island.
A fabulous afternoon - well worth it, and well spent!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Indigo_b
Apr 29, 2025
Gorgeous cruise, definitely recommend - Absolutely beautiful cruise. Lovely and informative staff. We saw so many dolphins and rare birds and part of the money goes towards the reserves. 100% recommend, one of the highlights of our trip
Review provided by Viator
Lotus79
Apr 26, 2025
Top experience exploring the Sounds - My son and I had an amazing boat trip yesterday to Motuara Island. I highly recommend this truly amazing experience for many reasons: first of all the breathtaking landscapes in the Malborough Sounds and the close encounter to Hector dolphins and the common dolphins. Our Tour Leader NIKKI was extremely professional and compassionate with my overwhelming 5 year old son. Our Captain was also extremely kind. A truly wonderful day out and surely we will be back on board soon
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolyn_p
Apr 26, 2025
Lovely day of walking, tranquility and nature - Great way to explore the charlotte sound track. Captain's commentary was great too. Lots to see from the boat and shore
Review provided by Viator
717stuartp
Apr 6, 2025
The bird and sea life sightings came thick and fast on our cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound. - A fabulous and informative trip with enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides pointing out the bird and sea life of Queen Charlotte Sound. I got swept up in the excitement of seeing rare birds and dolphins, plus penguins and a few chilled seals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rjamesb2017
Mar 30, 2025
Best tour in Picton - The trip was wonderful. Our captain was Andy and our guide Will. The two of them paired very well and made the trip a great succes. We especially enjoyed seeing the rare Hector’s dolphin and numerous birds on the island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebahcs
Mar 27, 2025
Very nice boat tour in Queen Charlotte Sound - Very nice boat tour in Queen Charlotte Sound with great impressions of nature. We stopped near the shore in some places and watched the animals. Visiting Motuara Island was an absolute highlight. The view from the heights of the island is breathtaking, the birdlife on the island impressive. Towards the end of the tour we also saw some Hector dolphins close to the boat. Very competent staff, very good explanations. The group was not that big, estimated 20. Each participant gets binoculars, there are display boards with the animals for everyone. In between there was coffee, and at the end a glass of wine for everyone.
We had not planned the tour in advance, but booked spontaneously for it. That was a very good decision. Clear recommendation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rkools54
Mar 26, 2025
Excellent wildlife cruise in magnificent Queen Charlotte Sound - We had a splendid afternoon on Queen Charlotte Sound with E-ko Tours. Both Captain Andy and wildlife guide Hannah were enthusiastic and informative, and did their utmost to show the guests on board the wildlife of the Sound. The scenery here is outstanding, and the wildlife is an aspect that always remains unpredictable. In the end we saw one Hector's dolphin and a fair number of fur seals. The bird life was quite good, we thought. We saw Little penguins, King shag, gannets, and a good variety of songbirds on Motuara Island. Being able to land there and spend an hour on the Island definitely adds a special dimension to the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cchick31
Mar 15, 2025
Amazing experience & highly recommend! - Nicky & the team were fantastic. Super knowledgable and super friendly.
We were lucky enough to see dolphins right next to the boat. Perfect experience in Picton.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_f
Mar 22, 2025
Beautiful tour with a hook. - The eco-tour was very nice. We were given a good briefing and instructive information about animals and nature. We really enjoyed Motuara Island.
Unfortunately, live animals such as jellyfish and starfish were taken out of the water and left on the boat in the hot sun. Without my intervention, the animals would have burnt in the sun. This has no ecological aspect for me.
Review provided by Viator
