• Admin
• Jul 17, 2024
• Charters

The intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds make up a fifth of the New Zealand coastline.

According to legend, the Marlborough Sounds were formed when Kupe, a great Maori warrior, was chasing a giant octopus and finally caught it in Cook Strait. The battle that ensued formed the waterways and headlands of the Sounds.

The Marlborough Sounds are best explored on water, with a range of cruises and activities from self-guided kayak excursions to chartered luxury yachts. There are four Sounds that link together to make the Marlborough Sounds, each offering a different experience: the Queen Charlotte, Pelorus, Kenepuru, and Mahau.

The Queen Charlotte Sound

The Queen Charlotte Sound is the most well-known and visited of the four sounds and is also the scenic highlight of the inter-island ferry journey from Wellington to Picton. At the head of the Sound is Ship Cove, where visitors can trace the steps of Captain Cook. Motuara Island, now a bird sanctuary, is where he claimed British sovereignty over the South Island. Queen Charlotte Sound is also home to the Queen Charlotte Track, a 71-kilometer trail that traverses historic sites, secluded bays, skyline ridges, and coastal bush.

Activities in the Marlborough Sounds

There are numerous water activities in the Marlborough Sounds. You can join a guided tour, hop on a mail boat to meet locals, or explore on your own by sailing or kayaking. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy dolphin swimming and visits to wildlife sanctuaries. After a day of sightseeing, relax with a glass of Marlborough wine and some freshly caught mussels in Havelock, the Green Shell Mussel Capital of the World.

Exploring the Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds are located at the top of the South Island and are a cruising paradise with their network of submerged mountain valleys, numerous islands, tranquil sheltered bays, bush-clad hills, and almost 1500 km of deep-water coastline. The two major Sounds, Queen Charlotte and Pelorus, form the heart of this cruising area. D’Urville Island, the largest offshore island, is separated from the mainland by the narrow, tidal channel of French Pass. The scenery ranges from towering forest-clad mountains to tranquil bays and rugged shorelines.

Marine Farming

The Sounds are also used for marine farming, with the most famous being the green-lipped mussel farms found mostly in Pelorus Sound, but also in Tory Channel and Port Underwood. There are also a few Paua farms and several salmon farms.

Wildlife

Much of the wildlife in the Sounds is best viewed from the water. You might visit the gannet colony in East Bay or see various bird species, including blue penguins, shags, terns, mutton-birds, and sea gulls. On land, you can find parrots, saddlebacks, robins, fantails, bellbirds, and the large wood pigeon. Dolphins (common, bottlenose, dusky, and the rare Hectors) are frequent visitors, and you might even see Orcas. Seals are abundant, and the underwater realm offers numerous species to admire, including blue cod, sea perch, gurnard, terakihi, kahawai, snapper, and kingfish. Green-lipped or blue mussels, paua, crayfish, butterfish, and scallops are also within reach.

The Marlborough Sounds offer a unique combination of land, sea, and human history, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.