Blumine Island Nature & Heritage Day Tour

Your adventure begins with a fully guided wildlife cruise through the spectacular waterways of Queen Charlotte Sound. Relax and enjoy the scenery while E-Ko’s experienced crew brings the landscape, wildlife and conservation stories of the Marlborough Sounds to life.

Keep watch for playful dolphins, encountered on approximately 90% of our tours, and the endangered New Zealand king shag/kawau, seen on approximately 98% of trips. Complimentary binoculars and E-Ko species identification cards help you enjoy every wildlife encounter.

Step ashore on predator-free Blumine Island/Ōruawairua—an extraordinary conservation success story created through major Department of Conservation investment and years of collaboration with E-Ko Tours, Blacks Fasteners, Untouched World and other generous supporters.

Today, Blumine supports an exceptional abundance of native birds. Its permanent freshwater source, regenerating forest and predator-free environment allow birdlife to thrive. Based on E-Ko’s experience across the Marlborough Sounds islands, Blumine now offers one of the richest and loudest dawn choruses in the region. The remarkable sound of birds throughout the forest is living evidence of what successful restoration can achieve.

Explore independently using your complimentary Blumine Island map. Follow peaceful coastal and forest tracks, discover secluded bays and stop at beautiful viewpoints overlooking Queen Charlotte Sound.

One of the day’s greatest highlights is the opportunity to see the nationally critical orange-fronted kākāriki living freely in its natural habitat. E-Ko helped with the island’s kākāriki restoration programme, and our special viewing location has achieved a 95% historical sighting rate.

The island also protects a highly significant Second World War historic area. Continue along the Ōruawairua Track to explore the western gun emplacement and the fascinating remains of the military village. Walk among observation posts, magazines and historic structures while imagining life on this remote island during the 1940s.

The track is generally gentle, with a few short, steep sections adding to the adventure. The western battery and military village sites are open to explore; the eastern gun emplacement is currently closed.

Blumine Island is now a world-class nature and heritage destination with public access, yet it remains peaceful and largely undiscovered by mass tourism. This is a rare opportunity to experience the island while it is still one of the Marlborough Sounds’ best-kept secrets.

Wildlife sighting percentages are based on E-Ko’s historical experience and cannot be guaranteed on an individual departure.