Take time to enjoy the peace and tranquility, a paradise for those who want to get away from it all. Bring a camera to capture those amazing views.
Our full day tour, stops your frantic rushing around ‘holiday’ dead in its tracks. You are forced to take it easy and explore some of the best coastline in New Zealand.
Here is the full day Schedule:
8.45 am: Our Courtesy coach will pick you up from your Havelock or Picton accommodation.
Alternatively: Independent travelers down load the Marlborough map
Enjoy the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive & Kenepuru Road to Ohingaroa Bay
9.30am: Arrive or Meet at Waterways home base
Your qualified guide gives full boat and safety instructions
10 am: You get a full 6 hours out on the water, driving your own boat.
The boating safari with a guide boat will set off, slowly at first across the Mahau Sound to the scenic reserve and ancient Beech forests on Putanui Point. Cruising along this coastline, as the group gains confidence the boats will increase in speed before entering the Kenepuru Sound.
Pausing intermittently for photos, the group will stop for an explanation on the geography and history of the area before the safari ventures into the Pelorus Sound, passing numerous bays and coves only accessible by boat.
The mainly uninhabited bays give a sense of seclusion in a ever changing landscape with many a photo opportunity.
Encounter Wildlife in it’s natural environment
Get up close to the native sea birds. Blue penguins, gannets terns, abd shags are regularly seen out on the water. Dolphins and seals visit the area.
Visit and learn about working Mussel farms
Learn how greenlip mussels are grown. Stop up close alongside a mussel farm to see how the mussel lines are seeded and harvested.
Explore Jurassic forest
Landing on a rugged beach offers an opportunity to walk though an ancient forest to view a 1000 year old Rimu tree which evolved 130 million years ago. Experience a native forest that existed long before man discovered New Zealand.
Continuing along, the safari will again set off along a forest-clad coastline to a secluded bay to eat lunch and take time to relax on a beach.
Walk in a wilderness of native forest
After a leisurely lunch, you can choose to enjoy a tramp along one of the best coastal tracks found in New Zealand, two kilometres long and only accessible by boat, this track offers an abundance of native birds, spectacular forest, mountain and sea views.
The guide will relocate the boats for you to re-board before setting off on an exhilarating return journey to our base. All too soon you will arrive back at Ohingaroa Bay.
4 pm: Return to base with lasting memories of a day driving your own boat to experience the Marlborough Sounds
So how much will it cost?
For the Price of: $150 per person, $75 for children 12 & under, you get an unforgettable, full day experience in the Marlborough Sounds.
| Fun and Freedom | Driving your own boat |
| Sightseeing | spectacular photo opportunities |
| Marine life | our boat will get you closer to Nature |
| Mussel farms | see how they are grown and harvested |
| Coastal Walk | picture postcard mountain and sea views |
| Jurassic forests | N.Z the way it used to be |
| Native birds | of the forests and the sea |
Book your tour with us; Or contact us here or Ring +64 03 5741372 to enquire about the dates you will be in Marlborough.
Bookings aren’t essential, but we highly recommend it during the busy period from December through to February.
Contact us for bookings
Our aim is to provide maximum satisfaction and safety to our customers
To ensure a comfortable and fun day on the water, tour times and trip direction may occasionally be altered. We reserve the right to cancel tours and will give a full refund should the weather prove unsuitable prior to departure.
Things to bring
Clothing appropriate for the weather conditions, eg, a wind jacket, sunhat and sunglasses
Your own lunch (hot and cold drinks / refreshments provided)
Shoes suitable for walking in water (there are no wharves in this natural area)
Shoes suitable for short walks (Sandals may suit both purposes)
A camera (at own risk)