Marlborough Sounds: Motuara Island Wildlife & Dolphin Cruise

Summary

Up-close with dolphins and rare birds in Marlborough Sounds

You’ll cruise Marlborough Sounds with a marine biologist guide, spotting wild dolphins and fur seals before walking among rare birds on Motuara Island. Binoculars and species cards make it easy to follow along, plus there’s hot drinks and local wine on board. Expect laughter, surprises, and those little moments that stick with you long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I booked the Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary tour from Picton mostly because I’d heard about dolphins in Marlborough Sounds, and I just wanted to see them for myself. Didn’t expect to be grinning like a kid before we’d even left the harbor — our guide, Tom, handed out binoculars and ID cards and cracked a joke about “spotting skills.” The air smelled like salt and wet wood. There was this quiet buzz of excitement between everyone on board, even the couple from Wellington who said they’d been here twice already.

The boat ride itself was kind of hypnotic — you get these long stretches where it’s just green hills sliding past and then suddenly someone shouts “Dolphins!” and everyone scrambles to one side. We saw a pod within the first hour. They moved so fast, silver backs cutting through the water. Tom knew all their names (or at least he pretended to — he winked at me when I asked). Then there were fur seals flopped over rocks like they owned the place. The wind picked up as we neared Motuara Island; I had to hold my hat down but didn’t really mind.

Walking on Motuara Island felt different — quieter somehow. Birds everywhere, some so close you could almost touch them (not that you should). One little robin hopped right onto my shoe. Our guide explained how rare some of these species are now, and I remember thinking how fragile it all seemed. There’s a spot where Captain Cook supposedly planted his flag; standing there looking out at Queen Charlotte Sound, it’s hard not to feel small — in a good way. On the way back, hot chocolate never tasted so good. Someone passed around chocolate biscuits and we all just sat quietly for a bit watching the water turn gold with late afternoon light.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wildlife cruise and Motuara walk

• Enjoy free WiFi and photos
• View wildlife display and harbour
• Cruise Marlborough Sounds for 4 hours
• Spot NZ Fur Seals, dolphins, sea birds
• Guided walk on Motuara Island

Top questions

How long is the Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary tour from Picton?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours including cruising time and island walk.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed on this Marlborough Sounds cruise?

Dolphin sightings are possible but not guaranteed as they are wild animals.

What wildlife can I see on Motuara Island?

You may see rare sea birds, endangered land birds, fur seals, and possibly dolphins during the cruise.

Are drinks or snacks included in this day trip?

Yes, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, chocolate biscuits, and a complimentary glass of local wine (PM tour) are included.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, it's family friendly with plenty of children's activities onboard.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions unless it's unsafe; dress appropriately for possible changes.

Are binoculars provided for wildlife viewing?

Yes, free binoculars are provided to help spot wildlife during your cruise.

Is hotel pickup included for this Marlborough Sounds dolphin cruise?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; tours depart from Picton harbor directly.

What’s included

Your day includes free binoculars for spotting wildlife along Marlborough Sounds, species ID cards to help identify what you see, all national park fees covered, live commentary from an expert marine biologist guide throughout both the cruise and Motuara Island walk, plus tea, coffee or hot chocolate with chocolate biscuits on your return journey—and if you join the afternoon trip there's also a complimentary glass of local wine waiting for you onboard.