Marlborough Catamaran Cruise: Wine Tour Queen Charlotte Sound

One boat ride and three wineries in a single day, without driving yourself.

A full-day tour from Picton combines a catamaran cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound with visits to three Marlborough wineries, including a shared platter lunch at the first stop. The morning cruise passes Ship Cove, where Captain Cook anchored in 1770. The afternoon wine tastings happen on land with a guide. Children from age 5 are welcome, and the tour runs with a minimum of four passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cruise and wine tour with lunch

• Enjoy Ships Cove scenic cruise
• Visit Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
• Have shared platter lunch
• Visit additional wineries and taste wines

The experience

The day starts on the water. You board the catamaran at Picton and cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, a narrow waterway carved between steep forested hills. The boat passes Ship Cove, the anchorage where Captain Cook landed in 1770: the guide points out the history as you approach. The cruise lasts until around 12:30pm, when you return to shore and transfer to the wine tour portion of the day.

After the boat returns, a driver picks you up and takes you to Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen for the first tasting and a shared platter lunch of Marlborough seasonal produce. From there you visit two more wineries in the region, tasting wines at each stop and relaxing between them. The whole tour runs eight hours from start to finish, and a live English-speaking guide leads the wine portion. If you're staying outside Picton, transfers to the starting point are available for an additional fee. Contact the operator to arrange it.

The catamaran is a large boat built for around 80 passengers (smaller in winter), so this is a shared-group experience rather than a private one. A minimum of four passengers is required for the tour to run. Service animals are allowed, and specialized infant seats are available on the boat if you're traveling with young children.

What’s included

• Catamaran cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound with views of Ship Cove.
• wine tastings at three Marlborough vineyards.
• shared platter lunch at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen.
• all transport between the boat and the wineries.
• live English-speaking guide for the wine portion of the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Picton UltimateGuide in English · 08:30Mini van wine tour with a single-course lunch and wine

Blenheim UltimateGuide in English · Available from 3 Apr 2027Mini van wine tour, single-course lunch and wine

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SundayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 95 years) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Marlborough Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book the Picton Ultimate if you're staying in or near Picton and want to start the day on the water. Choose the Blenheim Ultimate if you're based in Blenheim and prefer to join the wine tour directly after the cruise. Either way, the fixed schedule (boat in the morning, wineries in the afternoon) means both parts of the day fit into a single eight-hour outing without overlap or waiting.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Ship Cove and why does the cruise stop there?

Ship Cove is the anchorage in Queen Charlotte Sound where Captain Cook landed and anchored his vessel in 1770. The catamaran passes it during the morning cruise, and the guide explains the historical significance as you approach the site.

Do I have to drive between the wineries myself?

No. After the boat cruise ends around 12:30pm, the wine tour operator picks you up and drives you to all three wineries. You stay in the vehicle between tastings, so there's no need to arrange your own transport or navigate the region.

What's included in the lunch at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen?

A shared platter of Marlborough's seasonal produce is served at the first winery. It's shared among your group rather than individual plates, and it's included in the tour price.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying in Blenheim instead of Picton?

Yes. The tour offers a Blenheim Ultimate option as well as a Picton Ultimate option. If you're based in Blenheim, you can arrange a transfer to the Picton starting point for an additional fee. Contact the operator to confirm the cost and timing.

How many people typically go on this tour?

The catamaran carries around 80 passengers in summer (fewer in winter), so it's a larger shared group rather than an intimate small-group experience. A minimum of four passengers is required for the tour to operate.