The Marlborough Sounds, at the top of the South Island, is fast becoming the place of choice for visitors looking for wilderness and adventure – while at the same time enjoying personal comfort and lots of options for relaxed or challenging experiences. Your guides are local people who live, work and play in this fantastic region. Experience their passion and commitment – this is where your adventure begins!
Wilderness Guides can show you the Marlborough Sounds New Zealand like no-one else! Join Steve, Juliet and their small, friendly team for guided or independent sea kayaking tours, mountain biking and gourmet guided or independent hikes on the Queen Charlotte Track – or a combination of all three on the Marlborough Sounds adventure combo tours.
Price: $99 per person
Departs: 8:30 am & 12:30 pm
Duration: 4 Hours
Meet at our office at the Picton Waterfront at 8.30am or 12.30pm, time for a spot of paperwork and then we depart for our launch point at Ngakuta Bay, just 20 minutes scenic drive from Picton.
We prefer to take you away from the harbour environs to the truly spectacular western end of the Sound where there is less boat traffic and many beautiful bays and coves to explore as well as wildlife to see. However if weather permits, we may kayak from Picton Harbour to maximise your time on the water.
After a detailed safety briefing, it is time to set off on a great half day adventure. Your guide will answer questions, share pearls of wisdom and ensure your comfort and wellbeing. Depending on the weather, we will vary our route each day to take advantage of sea breezes at our back – we don’t follow an enforced plan which enables us to cater for all abilities on the tour.
You have a good chance of seeing sting rays and eagle rays, a huge variety of sea birds including cormorants and sometimes little blue penguins, seals, huge starfish and if we are really lucky, even dolphins.
Return time to Picton approx. 12.30pm (morning tour) or approx. 4.30pm (afternoon tour).
Price: $140 per person
Departs: 8:30 am
Duration: 8 Hours
Meet at our office at the Picton Waterfront at 8.30am, time for a spot of paperwork and then we depart for our launch point at Ngakuta Bay, just 20 minutes scenic drive from Picton. We prefer to take you away from the harbour environs to the truly spectacular western end of the Sound where there is less boat traffic and many more beautiful bays and coves to explore as well as wildlife to see.
After a detailed safety briefing, it is time to set off on a great day’s adventure. Your guide will be with you for the day to answer questions, share pearls of wisdom and ensure your comfort and wellbeing. Depending on the weather, we will vary our route each day to take advantage of sea breezes at our back – we don’t follow an enforced plan which enables us to cater for all abilities on the day.
On any given day, you have a good chance of seeing sting rays and eagle rays, a huge variety of sea birds including cormorants and sometimes little blue penguins, seals, huge starfish and if we are really lucky, even dolphins.
And, don’t forget lunch – we love our food and you’ll be impressed at what goodies we can produce from out of the kayaks! Without a doubt, the best kayaking lunch on offer in the Marlborough Sounds and what’s more, it is all sourced and made locally so you are truly supporting the local economy.
Return time to Picton approx. 4pm.
We supply double kayaks (singles on request for experienced paddlers only), PFDs (life jackets), splash jackets, booties, spray decks and dry bags (including for your camera). Lunch, guide and transport to/from launch point also included.
Price: $180 per person
Departs: 8:30 am
Duration: 8 Hours
Meet at our office at 8.30am, time for a spot of paperwork and then we depart for our launch point at Ngakuta Bay, just 20 minutes scenic drive from Picton. This trip takes you away from the harbour environs to the truly spectacular western end of the Sound where there is less boat traffic and many beautiful bays and coves to explore as well as wildlife to see.
After a detailed safety briefing, it is time to set off on a great day’s adventure. Your combo begins with a guided sea kayak tour in what is truly some of the best paddling in the Marlborough Sounds in the western arm of Queen Charlotte Sound. Within a short time you are exploring the shoreline, spotting rays and sea birds and learning about the lush native bush near the water’s edge.
Your kayak tour concludes a few hours later at the small settlement of Anakiwa. Here you can don your tramping boots and pack, get some instruction for the walk ahead and depart on your independent hike of the Queen Charlotte Track from Anakiwa to Mistletoe Bay. This section of the track passes through some of the nicest bush of the whole 70km walk and is a moderate walk of around 3-4 hours (11km). Views, bush, beautiful beaches – this walk has it all!
At the conclusion of the Queen Charlotte Track, you walk down to Mistletoe Bay in time for collection by a water taxi at 4pm to return to Picton. It’s a great way to finish – a thrilling boat ride with fantastic views back towards where you’ve been.
Return time to Picton approx. 4.30pm.
Price: $365 per person
Departs: 7:30 am
Duration: 9 hours
You will be collected from your Picton accommodation this morning. Meet your Wilderness Guide and board the water taxi, journeying from Picton to Ship Cove past salmon farms and sea birds on a beautiful voyage to Ship Cove (approx. one hour). This fascinating and remote historic and scenic reserve was visited by Captain Cook several times in the 18th Century as well as being a significant historical site of early Maori occupation.
Your guided walk along the Queen Charlotte Track begins at Ship Cove and ends at Endeavour Inlet. Bush is mainly a mixture of stunning podocarp and beech forest with punga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. This day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track.
Many beautiful views are to be had across the Queen Charlotte Sound. Your informative local guide will talk about the European and Maori history of the area as well as provide detailed information on the birds and plants you encounter along the way.
We will supply a freshly packed lunch and you can enjoy a cup of plunger coffee or tea along the trail while taking in the views of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.
At the end of the walk, take the opportunity to purchase a cold drink or warm beverage at the historic Furneaux Lodge while you await collection by water taxi. A great way to toast a fantastic day out walking the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds.
Return to Picton late afternoon
Price: $695 per person
Departs: 7:30 am
Duration: 3 Days
This is the ultimate trip combining camping under the stars and a taste of the best activities on the Queen Charlootte, Marlborough Sounds. A pre-tour briefing is held on the day of your departure at the Wilderness Guides office. Details will be forwarded with your booking confirmation.
Day 1 – Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, Endeavour Inlet/water taxi to Punga Cove
Make your way to Wilderness Guides HQ on the waterfront and after an extensive briefing, depart on the water taxi to Ship Cove where your walk begins. This scenic and historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s as well as being a site of significance for local Maori. Bush is mainly a mixture of stunning podocarp and beech forest with punga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. This day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. Your walk concludes at the historic Furneaux Lodge where you catch a water taxi across Endeavour Inlet to Punga Cove.
Day 2 – Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage Bay
Mountain bikes are delivered this morning by water taxi for your ride from Camp Bay to Portage Bay.
Ascend to the main Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will be riding mostly along the exposed ridgeline with stunning views over both Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Bay of Many Coves is a welcome stop to enjoy the vistas. NB. You also have an easier option to ride the scenic Kenepuru Road.
The track is wide but is steep in places so watch for drop offs and rocky areas. There is a lot of undulation with many short steep hill climbs to challenge you. Take a break at Black Rock Shelter before the final hills and then descend to Torea Saddle and down the road to Portage Bay, your destination for today.
Day 3 – Torea Bay to Picton/Ngakuta Bay
Your kayak is delivered to Torea Bay this morning (near Portage) for your independent kayak around the picturesque bays and coves of Queen Charlotte Sound concluding to either Ngakuta Bay or Picton Harbour (weather dependent).
There are numerous bays and coves to explore along the way and lunch can be had at a secluded beach of your choice. Be on the look-out for dolphins and little blue penguins as well as New Zealand fur seals on the points you pass.
A wonderful way to finish three days of adventure!