Enjoy close encounters with a variety of land and seabirds in Queen Charlotte Sound including the rare King Shag and endangered South Island saddleback
This cruise provides keen birders the opportunity to view a variety of both land and sea birds including the very rare King Shag - only found in the Marlborough Sounds and considered a prized bird amongst birdwatchers. Learn about the wildlife from qualified marine biologists and their staff as we take the time to enjoy the wildlife that call these waters home. Predator-free Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary is a bird-lovers paradise with blue penguins, South Island saddleback, kereru, bellbirds, yellow-crowned parakeets (kakariki), bellbirds and South Island robins encountered along the trail during your 1-hour guided walk to the top for the amazing view across Cook Strait to the North Island. The birds here are plentiful, fearless and very vocal and if you sit still the birds may come within an arms reach! A pair of New Zealand falcons has taken up residence on the island allowing some amazing encounters for several of our guests. Other species likely encountered include dolphins (dusky, bottlenose, Hector's, common or orca), fur seals, spotted, pied and little shags, variable oystercatchers, white-fronted terns, Australasian gannets, fluttering shearwaters, reef and white-faced herons, arctic skuas (seasonal). and a variety of seabirds. We are the only major Queen Charlotte Sound operator that is permitted to search for and spend time with dolphins and seals in this area and no other operator can give you a 95% encounter rate!
Tour Highlights
- Rare King Shags, South Island Saddleback and other native birds
- Dolphins (98% encounter rate), seals & seabirds
- 1-hour walk on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary
- Informative history about the area from our knowledgeable crew
- Free tea, coffee and cookies after the walk
- Complimentary full colour birding guide
- Tourism Award-Winning Service
Departures Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday: 1:30pm (September- April) return 5:30pm (approx.)
Adult: $115, Child: $60 (5-14), under 5 are free
KING SHAG COLONY OPTION (Groups & Charters Only)
We offer an option aimed at those super-keen birdwatchers interested in seeing one of the King Shag colonies from our vessel during a group or private charter excursion. Visiting one of the King Shag colonies is strictly weather dependent. For those interested in seeing a King Shag on the water and/or one or more very likely out roosting on the rocks during the Birdwatchers Expedition Tour, in addition to a guided walk on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary, then the fee for that tour is only $125. This additional option ONLY applies to birdwatching groups or those requesting a private charter and wanting to see one of the King Shag colonies in the outer Sounds. Please email us if you would like to know more about this option.
Birdwatchers Expedition Video
