Walking Tours Picton

The ultimate day out for bird enthusiasts keen on seeking rare and endangered bird species.
Embark on a wildlife and dolphin cruise like no other. Travel through Marlborough's Queen Charlotte Sound to two unique Wildlife Sanctuary Islands, encountering a huge variety of rare, wonderful and interesting species along the way.
Our passionate expert guides will be with you on the boat and on Motuara Island - our team are passionate about the local environment and love to share its unique aspects with our small groups.
We will drop you off on Blumine Island at approximately 9am, (this part of the tour is unguided). For bird enthusiasts keen on seeking the rare and endangered Orange-fronted Kakariki, you have a 90% success rate of finding this elusive bird, bird watchers from all over the world come here to photograph and view these amazing creatures. Before we drop you off we will tell you our secret method for success. As you have five and half hours on Blumine you will also have time to look for South Island Saddleback, Bellbirds, Kereru, Tomtits, Tui, Weka, and the very rare Mohua.
Note there is no jetty or pier onto the island, so you may end up with wet feet jumping on and off the vessel!
Please note this option is subject to availability and weather conditions.

We will pick you up at approximately 2.30pm and take you up to Motuara Island, a predator-free, premier wildlife sanctuary which is home to some rare species such as the yellow-crowned parakeet and Saddleback.

Our comfortable vessels and expert team take you on a conservation-focused, wildlife adventure for your soul.

Expert commentary and fantastic viewing areas allow you to enjoy playful Hector's, Bottlenose, or Dusky Dolphins (90% encounter rate!).

Explore the island on your own or go with our knowledgeable guide who will point out and describe the resident blue penguins, rare saddleback, melodic bellbirds, cheeky robins, native pigeons and yellow-crowned parakeets (kakariki).

If it's a clear day, you may also be able to spot the North Island in the distance. Motuara Island was significant for Maori. At the southern tip of Motuara Island is smaller Hippa Island which was the site of a pre-European Maori. The adjacent Ship Cove was where Maori first met pakeha on a sustained basis - our guides will show you exactly where. Motuara Island was the location where, in 1770, Captain Cook proclaimed British sovereignty over the South Island.
After returning to the boat, sit back and relax with a hot drink and cookies, enjoy a free sample of Yealands award-winning local wine before making our way back to Picton. We will be stopping to check out any extra species we discover.

Features: Experience where Captain Cook spent 171 days and had the first vegetable garden and made the first beer in New Zealand Be in awe and amongst some of our beautiful 1500 year old trees, like Totara , kahikatia and Matai Onboard binoculars for viewing wildlife Gourmet Food and Drink provided Mask Snorkel and wetsuits included if you want to see the Eagele Rays Full Guided Experience on Premier Wildlife Sanctuary Island Go to Captain Cook Waterfall a MUST-DO guided Walk the BEST 5km of the Queen Charlotte Track – Kupes Trail- unguided Bottlenose, Common, Dusky, Hectors Dolphins and Orca Travel with E-Ko and Support local Conservation efforts Cruise the calm sheltered Waters of Queen Charlotte Sound

Kids toys, books and drawing boards
Free professional high-quality wildlife photos downloadable on our website
Departure 0800 Daily Arrive at 0730 for Briefing at 0745



Cruise the majestic Marlborough Sounds on a scenic journey to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary for a Fully Guided Experience. Our comfortable vessels and expert team take you on a conservation-focused, wildlife adventure for your soul. Outstanding commentary and fantastic viewing areas allow you to enjoy playful Hector, bottle-nose, or dusky dolphins. We also see NZ fur seals and numerous seabirds before landing on Motuara Island for a 1-hour nature lover's walk to remember.

After you visit Motuara Island, New Zealand highest highest-producing Predator FREE Sanctuary the tour takes you to gorgeous Ships Cove Scenic reserve.

See, touch, drink the water, visit the amazing waterfall guided , only 25 minutes . Touch the trees and see our Predator FREE 250 trapping location if you walk the 1.2 hours to the amazing Queen Charlotte lookout to Motuara Island , the best View in the sounds.
Go for a snorkel to see the eagle rays and fish with a wet-suit and mask.
Enjoy a gourmet lunch on the grass where the first vegetable garden was planted in New Zealand. Sample our local Pinot Gris yealands wine.
This inspiring location is full of history and adventure. Alternatively, if you want to just relax you can use the custom-made seats in Ships Cove to enjoy lunch and a bottle of wine, soak in the local Mana, and replenish your Soul’s Mauri (life force).
Enjoy on the return journey a tea, coffee or Hot chocolate and biscuits.

The stories and history of Meretoto are displayed in Department of Conservation interpretation signs and toilets are there for your use. There is a sheltered eating area, a long pier for swimming access and boats, and a short waterfall trail for your pleasure.