What to do and see in Picton, South Island: The Best Boat Tours & Water Sports

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!

Natural Encounters Walks, have been providing walking holiday packages of the Queen Charlotte Track for many years. A uniquely different multi day walk, with a wide range of accommodation options and daily luggage transfers combined with restaurants or bar meals plus having your overnight luggage waiting for you when you arrive each day makes this walk perfect for a holiday in comfort. We are locally based in Picton, New Zealand and have a huge amount of knowledge in creating the perfect walking holiday for our guests. Our walk packages on the Queen Charlotte Track have been designed to create the maximum walking holiday in style making your experience as enjoyable as possible.

Diving the world famous Mikhail Lermontov wreck since 1986, we have very experienced guides who know the wreck inside and out. We also offer an Inner Sounds Tour out of Picton. We offer SSI, PADI & TDI/SDI SCUBA Training, technical, retail and logistical support to divers from all over the world.

Personal customised boat trips in the Queen Charlotte Sound for bird/wildlife watching,diving, fishing and enjoying nature at its best.

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.

Cruise departure from Picton Marina at 1.30pm daily for an afternoon scenic cruise in the Queen Charlotte Sound. Enjoy local seafood including Regal salmon, Cloudy Bay Clams and Greenshell mussels with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for the definitive wine/food match. ​ Discover the natural beauty of the Queen Charlotte Sound, departing Picton, while cruising aboard our luxury launch that departs from daily, all year round. Cruise near a King salmon farm, learn about aquaculture in the Marlborough Sounds and take in the picturesque scenery.

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.

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.

Fun-filled, flexible daily tours to the best of Marlborough's wineries! Your Sounds Connection guide will take you right to the heart of New Zealand's premier wine region in comfort, safety and style. Sample the best the wineries have to offer, and learn some of the secrets of fine wine appreciation. Tour options include half-day wine tours, full-day wine tours, a gourmet wine experience tour, and private wine tours. Our daily tours offer you: - Small relaxed group settings - The convenience of door-to-door pick up from accommodation in Picton or Blenheim - The expertise of our friendly local tour guides - A completely relaxed and friendly atmosphere - Flexible itineraries to match your preferences and ensure you fully experience Marlborough's varied wine styles Discover the magic of Marlborough with Sounds Connection.

Water Taxi Service operating in Queen Charlotte Sound.