Relaxed Wildlife Stay
Relaxed Wildlife Stay
The Relaxed Wildlife Stay is designed for travellers who want to slow down, stay two nights in Picton and experience Queen Charlotte Sound without a rushed schedule.
This package includes 2 nightsโ Picton accommodation and a standard 4-hour E-Ko wildlife cruise. Your local guide will search for dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, seabirds and other coastal wildlife when conditions allow.
It is a good fit for ferry travellers, couples, mature travellers and visitors who want a simple wildlife stay with easy timing and local interpretation included.
Why Youโll Love This Tour:
- 2 nights Picton accommodation
- 4-hour Motuara Island Sanctuary and Dolphin Watching Tour
- Wild dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and seabirds when conditions allow
- Guided visit to Motuara Island predator-free wildlife sanctuary
- Calm sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound
- Local E-Ko wildlife and conservation guides
- Good fit for ferry timing, later starts and relaxed travel
- Winter from $304 pp twin share / Summer from $399 pp twin share
Tour info in brief
| 4 hours | |
| Daily Departures: |
8.00 AM, 1.30 PM |
| Pricing: | Adult: From $304 Winter and $399 Summer .Per Person twin share Child: N/A Infant: N/A |
| Location: | 1 Wellington Street, Picton |
| Briefing: | 7.45 AM, 1.15 PM |
No Seasickness Guarantee
Relax in the knowledge that youโll be with the only NZ operator that guarantees you will not get seasick.
Your booking helps conservation
Supporting local species, islands and marine life in Queen Charlotte Sound.
Your booking helps conservation
Supporting local species, islands and marine life in Queen Charlotte Sound.
About the Tour
The Relaxed Wildlife Stay is a simple 2-night Picton accommodation package with a 4-hour E-Ko wildlife cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound.
It is designed for travellers who want an easier schedule, later starts and more time to settle into Picton before joining their wildlife experience.
Your E-Ko guide will travel through the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound and look for dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, seabirds and other coastal wildlife when conditions allow. Along the way, you will learn about the local marine environment, predator-free islands, native wildlife and conservation work in the Marlborough Sounds.
This package is best suited to couples, ferry travellers, mature travellers and visitors who want a relaxed wildlife stay outside the peak summer season.
What people are saying about us
What to expect
Expect a relaxed 2-night Picton stay built around E-Koโs 4-hour Motuara Island Sanctuary and Dolphin Watching Tour.
After settling into Picton, join your E-Ko wildlife cruise from the waterfront. Travel through the calm sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound in search of wild dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, penguins, shearwaters, gannets and other seabirds when conditions allow.
Your experience also includes time ashore on Motuara Island, one of New Zealandโs important predator-free wildlife sanctuaries. Walk through regenerating native forest, listen for birdsong and look for native birds such as saddleback, kฤkฤriki, robins, bellbirds, kererลซ and little blue penguins.
At the island lookout, enjoy wide views across Queen Charlotte Sound and, on clear days, towards Cook Strait. After the island visit, return by boat through the Marlborough Sounds while your guide continues looking for wildlife along the way.
This stay is best for travellers who want a simple Picton accommodation package with wildlife, scenery, island conservation and local guide interpretation included.
What to bring
Bring clothing and footwear suitable for both the boat cruise and the Motuara Island walk.
Recommended:
– Sunhat
– Sunblock
– Good walking shoes
– Water bottle
– Raincoat or light weatherproof jacket
– Warm layer, especially outside summer
– Camera or phone for wildlife and scenery photos
The tour includes time on the water and time ashore on Motuara Island, so dress for changing Marlborough Sounds conditions.
Where are we?
We are located conveniently on Pictonโs 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.