Motuara Island & Dolphin Cruise
Capturing the very best of the Marlborough Sounds, this half-day tour is a New Zealand nature experience to be enjoyed by all. Fantastic scenery, wonderful wildlife and great guides make this Picton’s most fascinating cruise.
Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary
Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary
Cruise the majestic Marlborough Sounds on a scenic journey to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary. Our comfortable vessels and expert team take you on a conservation focused, wildlife adventure. Outstanding commentary and fantastic viewing areas allow you to enjoy playful Hector’s, bottlenose, or dusky dolphins (90% encounter rate!). We also see NZ fur seals and numerous seabirds before landing on Motuara Island for a 1-hour nature lover’s walk to remember. 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). The birds on this predator-free island are fearless, plentiful and very vocal. The view from the Cook Strait lookout is absolutely spectacular! After returning to the boat, sit back and relax with a hot drink and cookies before making our way back to Picton and stopping with any extra species we discover.
Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary & Dolphin Cruise
Dolphins (90% encounter rate), NZ Fur Seals, Penguins & seabirds
Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary guided walk (1 hour)
Visit a working salmon fish farm
Informative history about the area
Family friendly
Conservation focused
Free tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies
Departures Daily: 1:30pm (October – April) return 5:30pm (approx.)
Drop off at Interislander ferry terminal available – please notify the staff before departure.
Adult: $99, Child: $55 (5-15), Child 0-4 years $30
Group tours (of any size) can be arranged for any time of the year!
Dolphin Watch Naturetours booking