Two Islands Wildlife Stay
Two Islands Wildlife Stay from Picton
Stay longer in Picton and experience two of the Marlborough Soundsโ most important predator-free wildlife islands. This package combines Motuara Island and Blumine Island / ลruawairua, giving you time to walk, watch, learn and connect with rare native wildlife in protected island sanctuaries.
Why Youโll Love This Tour:
- ๐๏ธ Two predator-free islands โ Visit Motuara Island and Blumine Island / ลruawairua in Queen Charlotte Sound.
- ๐ฆ Rare bird focus โ Look for orange-fronted kฤkฤriki, New Zealandโs rarest forest bird.
- ๐ฆ King shag viewing โ Watch for the endangered King shag, found only in the Marlborough Sounds.
- ๐ญ Birder-friendly experience โ More time to watch, listen, photograph and explore important bird habitats.
- ๐ฌ Wildlife on the water โ Travel with E-Ko guides watching for dolphins, seals, penguins and seabirds.
- ๐บ๏ธ Self-guided Blumine Island card โ Includes tracks, toilets, pickup points, distances, timings and emergency information.
- ๐๏ธ Historic gun emplacements โ Discover Blumine Islandโs wartime history with key sites marked on your island card
- ๐ฅพ Island walking time โ Enjoy time ashore to walk, observe wildlife and explore at a relaxed pace.
- ๐ Based from Picton โ Turn a Picton visit into a richer Marlborough Sounds wildlife stay.
- ๐ฑ Conservation story โ Learn how predator-free islands protect rare wildlife and support long-term restoration.
Tour info in brief
| 9.5 hours | |
| Daily Departures: |
8.00 AM, |
| Pricing: | Adult: From $516 Winter and $611 Summer .Per Person twin share Child: N/A Infant: N/A |
| Location: | 1 Wellington Street, Picton |
| Briefing: | 0745 AM |
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 Two Islands Wildlife Stay gives you more time to experience the wildlife, scenery and conservation story of the Marlborough Sounds. From Picton, travel with E-Ko to Motuara Island and Blumine Island / ลruawairua โ two predator-free island sanctuaries with rare native birds, forest walks and outstanding views across Queen Charlotte Sound. King Shags and Orange Fronted Kakariki .
Along the way, your local wildlife guides will look for dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, seabirds and other marine life. On the islands, take time to walk, watch and learn about habitat restoration, endangered species and the role these sanctuaries play in protecting New Zealand wildlife.
This is a relaxed, nature-focused stay for travellers who want a deeper Picton wildlife experience.
What people are saying about us
What to expect
Expect a slower, richer wildlife experience across two predator-free island sanctuaries in Queen Charlotte Sound.
Motuara Island offers excellent birdwatching, native forest, island tracks, seabird activity and wide views across the Marlborough Sounds.
Blumine Island / ลruawairua gives guests a deeper self-guided island experience, with time to explore tracks, coastal scenery, historic gun emplacement sites and rare wildlife habitat.
For birders, the key highlights are the orange-fronted kฤkฤriki, New Zealandโs rarest forest bird, and the endangered King shag, a Marlborough Sounds species found nowhere else in the world.
During the boat journeys, E-Ko guides will watch for dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, little blue penguins, shearwaters, gannets, King shags and other seabirds.
Guests visiting Blumine Island receive a self-guided island card with clear visitor instructions, track details, pickup points, toilets, walking distances, timings and emergency information. The card also marks the historic gun emplacement locations.
This stay is designed for travellers who want time to walk, observe, photograph and understand the wildlife, not just pass through quickly.
What to bring
Please come prepared for a full wildlife day in the Marlborough Sounds. Weather can change quickly, and Blumine Island is remote with limited facilities.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a warm layer, rain jacket, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle.
For the full-day Blumine Island section, guests must bring their own lunch, water and personal supplies.
For birdwatching and photography, we recommend binoculars, camera, spare battery or phone power bank, and a small day pack.
Bring any personal medication you may need, including seasickness medication if required.
Guests visiting Blumine Island should use their self-guided island card for tracks, toilets, pickup points, walking distances, timings and emergency information.
Blumine Island has limited facilities, so guests must be self-sufficient while ashore and follow all timing, pickup and safety instructions.
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.