Heli-Fish Marlborough Sounds: catch and dine on D'Urville Island

Fly to a mountain, fish the waters, eat your catch at lunch

A helicopter fishing and dining experience from Nelson that combines a scenic flight over the Marlborough Sounds and Tasman Bay with a mountain landing on D'Urville Island, where you fish and then dine on what you catch with local wine and beer. The full experience runs about five hours and includes the flight, the mountain landing, national park fees, and all food and beverages. Infants sit on an adult's lap; the activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter flight and fishing experience

• Fly over Tasman Bay coastline
• Fly over D’Urville Island
• Mountain landing
• Catch fish
• Dine on caught fish with local wine and beer

The Experience

You start with a helicopter pickup and a two-way radio link to your pilot as you climb over Tasman Bay and the Marlborough Sounds. The flight covers roughly 120 minutes of coastline and island views before you touch down on a mountain on D'Urville Island itself. The landing is the hinge of the day: it puts you on the water where the fish are, with the gear and the access already arranged.

Once landed, you fish the waters around the island. What you catch becomes lunch. The operator prepares your fish and serves it with local wine and beer, turning the morning's work into the meal. Bring a camera and warm clothing — the water and the altitude mean the temperature shifts, and sturdy shoes handle the terrain where you land.

The whole outing is private, which means no schedule beyond yours and no strangers in the helicopter. National park fees and GST are included, so there are no surprises at the end. Coffee and tea come with the meal. The five-hour window is tight enough that a morning departure leaves the rest of your day open, but long enough to fish, eat, and see the Sounds without rushing.

What’s included

• Helicopter flight with two-way radio communication to the pilot.
• mountain landing on D'Urville Island.
• fishing in the waters around the island.
• preparation and dining of your catch with local wine and beer.
• coffee and tea.
• national park fees.
• GST.
• private tour with pickup included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Helicopters Nelson New Zealand

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to fish and eat your catch on the island itself—it's a full-morning commitment with a mountain landing, not a quick scenic flight.

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Top questions

What's the flight time like in a helicopter over the Marlborough Sounds?

The flight covers approximately 120 minutes of flying time over Tasman Bay and the Marlborough Sounds coastline, with two-way radio communication between you and the pilot throughout.

Do I actually fish, or is this more of a scenic flight?

You fish the waters around D'Urville Island after landing on the mountain. The fish you catch are prepared and served as your lunch, so the fishing is the core of the experience, not a side activity.

Is this experience suitable for children?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants must sit on an adult's lap during the flight. The activity is rated easy for physical fitness, suitable for adults, children, and seniors.

What's included in the price?

The helicopter flight, mountain landing, national park fees, the fish you catch prepared for lunch, local wine and beer, and coffee or tea are all included. GST is also included, so no additional taxes apply.

How should I dress for this experience?

Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Bring a camera to capture the views of the Marlborough Sounds and D'Urville Island during the flight and on the mountain.