Bird Watchers Private Charter
Private Birdwatching Charter – Seek New Zealand’s Rarest Species
Join our expert wildlife guides on a private birdwatching adventure through the calm waters of Queen Charlotte Sound.
Search for the world’s only King Shag colony and the elusive Orange-Fronted Kākāriki on predator-free Blumine Island – two of New Zealand’s most endangered birds.
With a 99% success rate and decades of local knowledge, this is a must-do experience for serious birders and nature lovers alike.
Why You’ll Love This Tour:
- 🦜 Rare birds – King Shags and Orange-Fronted Kākāriki, found only here in Marlborough
- 👨🏫 Expert guides – over 50 years of birding and photography experience
- 🏝️ Explore Blumine Island – a predator-free bird sanctuary
- 🌊 Smooth, calm cruising – our exclusive No Seasickness Guarantee
- 🐬 Bonus wildlife – often see dolphins, seals, and seabirds
- 💚 Protect wildlife – every charter supports local conservation
Tour info in brief
| 4 hours | |
| Daily Departures: |
0800 AM |
| Pricing: | Adult: $2012.50 Child: Infant: |
| Location: | 1 Wellington Street , Picton |
| Briefing: | 0745 AM |
No Seasickness Guarantee
Relax in the knowledge that you’ll be with the only NZ operator that guarantees you will not get seasick.
HELP Save the Endangered Species (Taonga)
See how your money gets used for Local Conservation
About the Tour
Bird Watchers Private Charter
For Birding Watching Groups or Clubs
This specialised experience focuses on two Critically Endangered species – the New Zealand King Shag and the Orange Fronted Kakariki, New Zealand’s rarest bush bird Lots of other species are also encountered on the cruise through the beautiful calm waters of Queen Charlotte Sound to our predator-free bird sanctuary islands.
Note there is no jetty or pier onto the island, so you may end up with wet feet jumping on and off the vessel – but it’s worth it for the experience!
Departs Picton at 08:00 for a 4-hour-long search for our rare and Critically Endangered species ,the King Shag (taonga) and Orange Fronted kakriki, only found here in Marlborough.
There are just 830 of the King Shags on the planet, but we have 99.9% success rate finding them on the way to Blumine Island. You have one of our specially trained Captains to guide you and make the photos perfect. Fifty years combines local Knowledge. 🙂
Blumine Island, our next stop is THE place to see the incredibly rare Orange Fronted Kakariki. We have a 90% success rate finding this elusive bird and bird watchers from all over the world come here to see (and usually photograph) this prized species. We Sponsor this program and put the original 54 birds on their years ago. Now up to 6 generations later they have adapted to us and the island conditions and are now being translocated to other areas in NZ. A great Success story.
Before we drop you off on the island we will share our secret method for successful spotting with you. After your time on the island we will pick you up at 11:00 for a cruise back to Picton as we search for dolphins and other wildlife before returning you safely to shore by 12:30.
We also supply biscuits and hot drinks on this tour.
- Briefing: 0745
- Duration: 4 hours
Prices
- Adult: (16+ years) $2012.50 incl GST
- Maximum 14 passengers
All our birdwatchers tours are only available through phone or email bookings – contact us and we’ll take care of you.
What people are saying about us
What to expect
Orange-Fronted Kakariki, New Zealand’s rarest bush bird – 90% success ( only 300)
King Shag ( only 830 worldwide ) Close encounters with Bird Species and great commentary.
Dolphins Often and lots of other Endangered Bird Species 🙂
What to bring
Camera Equipment- Cellphone will do as we get close 🙂
Binoculars Sunscreen
Sunhat and sunglasses
Bird Species book
Where are we?
We are located conveniently on Picton’s main waterfront with car parking close by and only a 1-minute walk from the main street.
Just look for the Dusky Dolphin outside our shop.
Before your tour starts feel free to take a seat inside the shop or outside on our sun drenched deck and enjoy the stunning views.
Customers can also get online with our free WiFi, and purchase a tea or coffee to enjoy on the deck.
You will Never Miss your Ferry
Our tour schedules are integrated with the Interislander – so there is no chance that you’ll miss your ferry.