South Island | Must Do New Zealand

Pelorus Mail Boat – Marlborough Sounds

Join one of the last remaining ‘Genuine’ Mail Boats left anywhere in the world. The Pelorus Mail Boat is an iconic and fascinating look into yesteryear and is still delivering mail and groceries as it has been for almost a century.

While delivering, you’ll visit isolated homesteads nestled in quiet secluded bays and view mussel farms to see why Pelorus Sound is the mussel capital of the world. Old timers row out in dinghies to meet us, while some receive their supplies on tiny, unspoilt beaches.

We deliver mail, parcels and passengers into the beautiful Pelorus Sound seven days a week through summer and three days a week through winter. Our mail boat departs from the friendly little township/village of Havelock roughly halfway between Picton and Nelson, or a third of the way between Blenheim and Nelson. While each day has us navigating different inlets and jetties, they all showcase the stunning scenery and majestic wildlife of the Marlborough Sounds.

All trips include commentary on the history of the Sounds and its residents and complimentary tea and coffee available all day. It is the ONLY Way To See The REAL Marlborough Sounds.

Pelorus Mail Boat – The Mail Run
(not available on Sundays see below for Sunday Cruise)

Price: $130 pp, FREE for children under 5, Children 5-14yrs old $50 per child
Duration: 9.30am to 4.30pm approx.
Departs: Three days a week all year round.

Our mail boat departs from the friendly little township/village of Havelock roughly halfway between Picton and Nelson, or a third of the way between Blenheim and Nelson.

We deliver mail, parcels and passengers out into the beautiful Pelorus Sound 7 days per week in summer and 3days per week in winter. While each day has us navigating different inlets and jetties, they all showcase the stunning scenery and majestic wildlife of the Marlborough Sounds.

Each of the three routes includes commentary on the history of the Sounds, its residents and a full Greenshell Mussel Tour (weather permitting).

Join us on our mail boat for the experience of a lifetime.

Enthusiastic crew and family owned; you can’t help but enjoy this relaxing and personal experience in the spectacular Marlborough Sounds.

Discover Hidden bays and coves – That most tourists never get to
Learn the fascinating history of these characters who live way out here, far from town
See the local wildlife up close and personal and learn about the rare species in the area.
Every day is different on the mail boat.

Complimentary tea and coffee are available all day.

Itinerary:

9:30am: Arrival, check-in and board
10:00am: Depart Havelock Marina
10:00am to 12:00pm*: Various deliveries and transfers – highlights may include mussel farm tour and bush walk
12:00pm*: Stop for lunch – while relaxing at the Lodge at Te Rawa or BYO picnic to enjoy during the historic farm tour
12:45pm to 3:30pm*: Various deliveries and transfers – highlights may include visiting the gun emplacement and king shag colony or Wilson Bay farm tour
3:30pm to 4:30pm: Return to Havelock Marina

* Please note that these times can and will vary due to weather and pick-ups and drop-offs.

Pelorus Mail Boat – Sunday Best of the Sounds Cruise with Lunch Stop

Price: $130 pp, FREE for children under 5, Children 5-14yrs old $50 per child
Duration: 9.30am to 4.30pm approx
Summer Months – November to April – Sundays only

The Sunday Best of the Sounds Cruise covers all the best parts of the Marlborough Sounds in one cruise. You will explore the Kenepuru Sound, the Pelorus Sound and the Tennyson Inlet, seeing some of the best preserved native bush in New Zealand.

There is the opportunity to get off the boat for a 1hr native bush walk, take a short stroll, or swim at the beautiful Jacob’s Bay.

We will then head round to Wilson’s Bay, where you can either enjoy a tour of the Historic “Off the grid” farm and enjoy your picnic lunch or stop at The Lodge, Te Rawa, for a menu lunch.
After lunch, we head round through the Tennyson Inlet, possibly picking up trampers, mountain bikers and kayakers and then cruise round to the Australasian Gannet Colony – one of only two sea-level Gannet Colonies in New Zealand. We will then meander our way back to Havelock, returning between 3 pm and 4 pm.

Should time and weather permit, we will also do a complete tour through Greenshell Mussel Farm.

Itinerary:

9:30am: Arrival, check-in and board
10:00am: Depart Havelock Marina
10:00am to 12:00pm*: Cruising and site viewing with a 1 hour walk to Jacobs Bay (walk is optional)
12:00pm*: Stop for lunch – Purchase lunch (at your own cost – cash, credit card or eftpos) while relaxing at the Lodge at Te Rawa or BYO picnic to enjoy during the historic farm tour
1:00pm to 3:30pm*: Gannet Colony, spectacular views including the native bush of Tennyson Inlet and Mussel Farm Tour
3:30pm to 4:30pm: Return to Havelock Marina