Top 10 Things to do Adventurous in Marlborough Sounds, South Island

Wilderness Guides is an outdoor adventure company based in Picton, owned and operated for the past 20 years by Steve and Juliet Gibbons, New Zealanders and Marlborough people with a passion for the outdoors. The owners are hands-on and have a background as outdoor guides in the area and with their close-knit team and dedicated team, offer a truly personalized service for all guests. Tours offered are quality and authentic New Zealand wilderness experiences with an emphasis on education, conservation, local history and culture as well as New Zealand native flora and fauna. This is combined with the finest of local food and wine. These include guided and independent walks on the Queen Charlotte Track from one day to many days in length, mountain bike hire and packages for the Queen Charlotte Track (one of NZ’s Great Rides) and a wide variety of sea kayaking options in the Marlborough Sounds. This is where your adventure begins!

KAYAK NEW ZEALAND'S MOST BEAUTIFUL RIVER. Are you looking for a fun and easy way to discover spectacular New Zealand’s scenery? Do you want to spend a great day out with your family or friends? Are you a Hobbit fan and you don’t want to miss any of the famous filming locations? Then, the Hobbit Kayak Tour is for you!

Do you want a friendly and personable diving experience? You'll find it here. We have professional staff who care about your comfort. Enjoy the beauty of the Marlborough Sounds on our sturdy ex-commercial marine farming boat as you travel to your dive site. The boat has a cozy cabin allowing you to change after the dive and we can supply you with hot drinks and soup to keep you warm.

An all day cruise through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds delivering mail and groceries to remote and secluded properties. The Pelorus Sound is the largest of the Sounds and the Mail Boat is a lifeline to the people living in this boat access wonderland. You will hear a great selection of stories about life in the Sounds, its history, and how the mail has been delivered like this since 1918. You will also get to experience the marine and bird life in the area including 5 types of dolphins, Australasian gannets, rare shags, seals and many more. A full mussel farm tour is also included and there is usually an opportunity to see the mussel boats operating during harvesting or seeding. We will stop off at a local lodge and passengers are able to buy lunch or bring your own lunch and come with us to a local farm for a tour. You will also be able to enjoy a bush walk or swim if you would like. We operate 7 days in summer, which is November to April.

Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co are based on the Picton waterfront, with a large base where sea kayaks and bikes can be hired from, and all our guided trips depart. Sara and Dave have owned the business for 24 years and their mature, experienced staff enjoy providing the best adventure activities possible every day. Our sea kayaking trips are designed to give you as much time as possible on the water. Sharing the special parts of the Sounds is what our guides love to do everyday or if hiring a sea kayak and exploring on your own is your preferred option, then we can help you do this safely and with quality equipment. Hire a mountain bike and ride all or part of the Queen Charlotte Track on one of our quality mountain bikes. Serviced daily, our bikes are set up for the rugged terrain of the track. Our walking package options are designed for both the independent and guided walker and ensure that your walk on the QCT is as hassle free and enjoyable as possible.

Pelorus Air operate exclusive air tours/scenic flights into and over the Marlborough Sounds, some including a remote landing at a beach in the Outer Sounds.

We provide award-winning, wildlife and conservation focused guided cruises and dolphin swimming experiences through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Those looking for the thrill of a lifetime can join us for our Dolphin Swim or View Experience or you could take part in our fully guided cruises to your choice of bird sanctuary islands or Historic Ship Cove. A clean green paradise of bush and sea full of natural beauty, history and wildlife is waiting to be explored and experienced. E-Ko Tours is Qualmark Enviro-Gold certified and the only local operator able to actively search for Dolphins. We provide degree qualified, professional guides on all our Tours.