Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton
4.8
Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton
By E-Ko Tours
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About
Free cancellation • Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
Reserve now & pay later • Secure your spot while staying flexible.
Lowest price guarantee • Find a lower price online? Get the difference refunded!
Ages 0-99, max of 30 per group
Duration: 3–4 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
Highlights
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- National Park fees
- Light refreshments
What's not included- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Start:
- E-Ko Tours, 1 Wellington Street, Picton 7220, New ZealandFollow the BLUE line from the Visitor Information Center with the sea on your left until you reach E-Ko Tours - look out for the seal! Check-in 15 minutes prior to departure
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 29441P3- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 29441P3
From
$149.00
per adult
Select date and travellers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 1 Wellington Street, Picton 7220, New ZealandFollow the BLUE line from the Visitor Information Center with the sea on your left until you reach E-Ko Tours - look out for the seal! Check-in 15 minutes prior to departure
- 1
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Top rated
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- 853jeffreyg0 contributionsGreat tour but did not expect to be charged in US$The Cruise was fabulous, the crew informative and entertaining. I have no hesitation in recommending this cruise. However I booked the cruise for two people on the TripAdvisor website and was charged US$174.18 (A$285.85) When I booked I did not realise I was being charged in US$. I live in Australia and was in NZ at the time I made the booking. There was no reason to charge in US$. When I checked the Trip Advisor link it does not state the currency to be charged. I expected to be charged either Australian or New Zealand currency.Written 20 March 2025
- CChick310 contributionsAmazing experience & highly recommend!Nicky & the team were fantastic. Super knowledgable and super friendly. We were lucky enough to see dolphins right next to the boat. Perfect experience in Picton.Written 15 March 2025
- Colin D0 contributionsBrilliant tour.Fantastic trip. Skipper Paul and expert guide Will were excellent. Highly recommend. Fluttering shearwaters, king shags, seals and dolphins all spotted... amongst others.Written 9 March 2025
- imil20250 contributionsPlayful dolphins made our dayWe will never forget the Marlborough Sounds and Picton. The tour was amazing. Our Guide Will was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The wildlife was amazing, fur seals, a King Shag, many more rare birds in the Sanctuary and... To top it all: many Hector's dolphins greeted us and jumped and swam around the ship. No words to describe the experience. Loved every second, highly recommend this small company.Written 9 March 2025
- paulr6850 contributionsDo if in PictonLast minute trip which did not disappoint. Great experience with lots of excellent information and a chance to see many rare species of bird and dolphins. In addition excellent Eco credentials. Would highly recommend as a 1/2 day activity if in Picton.Written 3 March 2025
- TrevorJW0 contributionsFabulous trip with great guidesGreat Trip. We saw a huge range of birds, seals and several pods of dolphins. Dan and Hannah were superb at both finding and great information. Even saw 7 King Shags which are rare.Written 2 March 2025
- mvdhors0 contributionsGood tour and luckily we saw a lot of wild birds and seals and Hector dolphins.Beautiful boat trip and environment. Nice people who informed us and drove the boat, with a lot of knowledge. And…we were so lucky to sea many (sea-)birds, seals and playful Hector dolphins!Written 2 March 2025
- judithbN4118MJ0 contributionsBird watchers paradise with Dolphins!We had a fantastic trip thanks to our guide Niki and captain Daniel. We saw penguins and so many birds. We had the most fantastic experience watching 5 Hectors Dolphins playing all around us at one of our stops. The stop at Motuara is a bird watchers paradise. The walk up was good and the view at the top was beautiful. We watched and listened to birds the entire time. Thanks for the best tripWritten 2 March 2025
- AKF19540 contributionsEnjoyable afternoonEnjoyable afternoon on the sounds. Staff knowledgeable and helpful and went the extra yard to ensure everyone got to see the wildlife. Hot drink and biscuits appreciated by all as weather was not the best.Written 27 February 2025
- yusuew0 contributionsAmazing sightings of birds and dolphinsGreat experience with a lot to f birds and dolphins sightings. Knowledgeable and professional guides. Highly recommend for birdwatchers and naturalists.Written 27 February 2025
- AnneMarie C0 contributionsWonderful guide and driverDelightful day on the sounds Dan the driver Hannah the guide were wonderful informative enthusiastic Ensured dolphinsWritten 26 February 2025
- lizzymcbizzy_ls0 contributionsFun morning exploring!Great trip with Cam and Dan! Saw Hector Dolphins and Bottlenosed Dolphins as well as seals. Saw lots of birds on Motuara Island. Highly recommend.Written 25 February 2025
- Connector040675762760 contributionsGreat voyage of discoveryGreat way to see Marlborough Sound. We were lucky to have a calm, sunny, morning and saw the rare Hector’s dolphins and saddleback/tieke amongst other creatures. Hannah and Dan, our guide and captain, were very knowledgeable and entertaining. We also saw where Captain Cook raised the flag and moored his ships. Recommended.Written 24 February 2025
- Mark R0 contributionsVery different then just a trip on the soundGreat wildlife. Guides were helpful. Lots of birds pointed out. Dolphins were spotted and spent some time playing with our boat.Written 24 February 2025
- Philip_Cools0 contributionsNice tour in PictonOur tour was guided by Hannah, captain was Andy. Although we did not see any seals/dolphins, we got to see a lot of birds during the boat trip and on Motuara island. Hannah & Andy talked about the species we saw and could answer any question. Highly recommended tour if you visit Picton.Written 22 February 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.8
43 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
leahjc14
Gold Coast, Australia1 contribution
Jan 2025 • Couples
We had such a fun trip seeing the beautiful wildlife and scenery of Queen Charlotte Sound. We were lucky enough to have encounters with a number of the animals that our guide mentioned in the briefing before departing from Picton harbour so that was great. The trip was enhanced by the knowledge of the Captain and the guide and also the lovely little surprise of a hot drink and an alcoholic drink on our return trip.
Would definitely recommend!
Would definitely recommend!
Written 5 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ute B
3 contributions
Dec 2022
The tour was an absolutely amazing experience. The entire crew went out of their way to ensure that my expectations were not disappointed. After an insightful introduction and being outfitted with quality binoculars, I was able to see Hector and Dusky dolphins, fur seals and many seabirds. The hike on Motuara was another highlight. Many thanks for the detailed explanations about the flora and fauna of the island!!! Highly recommended!
Written 28 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pam K
6 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
As a wildlife biologist, I chose this because I was looking for a real wildlife tour run by knowledgable people and not something just set up to run tourists around. This is the real deal - a small locally owned company with very environmentally minded folks with a lot of wildlife experience. While one can never plan on wildlife sightings in the wild, these folks know their stuff and know where to look. I saw more endangered species in 4 hours then I have seen in my entire time in new zealand. Knowledgeable and very ethical in their wildlife treatment, I was totally enchanted. You can't do better than Nicki and Paul
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jwhite6
Melbourne, Australia34 contributions
An amazing experience taking the kids around the sounds. The tour was very well run, both the staff were knowledgeable and enthusiastic adding to the experience. They went out of their way to find dolphins for us and seemed just as excited as us when we found them
Written 17 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
422iana
Dunedin, New Zealand3,601 contributions
Loverly day and we got to see a pod of over 20 dophins at the end of the day. We were a little worried, but after the captain asked a local we were able to see a great show. Great that they we stayed out longer to get this experience.
Written 14 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MichaelACox
Falkirk, UK95 contributions
Feb 2020
The reception staff are friendly, the tour we picked was on a good sized vessel with a keen and enthusisatic guide and a an experienced skipper, both very knowledgeable. What set this trip apart, for us, apart form the volume and diversity of wildlife we saw, was the fact that the skipper and guide were both accommodating and went out of their way to help us see, and photograph, what we were looking for. A lot of other trips so far have been tourist machines, go there, see that, take the Instagram photo. Not E-Ko, this felt personal, enthusisatic and as a consequence we adored it and would recommend it to anyone. Thank you very much E-Ko!
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, we are so happy we were able to give you a great tour with our native wildlife.
Written 6 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynne S
Bangkok136 contributions
Feb 2020
An excellent,professional company, who were very obliging about shifting the time of our booking to accommodate us when other travel plans had to be changed. Really appreciated that.
A low key trip but very pleasant. We saw a couple of Hectors dolphins playing briefly not too far from the boat. Saw a pair of King Shags on a rocky ledge, very close to the boat. Actually saw a seal in the water as well as later a couple on the rocks.
Motorua Island - delightful just to sit by the tiny water pool to watch birds come to drink and bathe. Saw yellow crowned parakeets, robins - one even confidently hopped onto my knee!, the saddleback, silvereye, fantail, bell bird .... marvellous and all in about 45 minutes.
The boat was nice and comfortable and the group size reasonably small. The captain Glenda and guide were good.
A recommended half day trip if you are in Picton.
A low key trip but very pleasant. We saw a couple of Hectors dolphins playing briefly not too far from the boat. Saw a pair of King Shags on a rocky ledge, very close to the boat. Actually saw a seal in the water as well as later a couple on the rocks.
Motorua Island - delightful just to sit by the tiny water pool to watch birds come to drink and bathe. Saw yellow crowned parakeets, robins - one even confidently hopped onto my knee!, the saddleback, silvereye, fantail, bell bird .... marvellous and all in about 45 minutes.
The boat was nice and comfortable and the group size reasonably small. The captain Glenda and guide were good.
A recommended half day trip if you are in Picton.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad that you enjoyed the wildlife, the bird life on Motuara Island are particularly lovely to watch! thank you
Written 6 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
edm1887
Birmingham, UK515 contributions
From the briefing to the return to Picton this was an excellent experience. Our guide Will was very well informed about the wildlife we saw, and his tour on Motorua Island was the highlight for us. We learned a lot about the native land and sea birds and plants but sadly saw no dolphins. Highly recommended for the information provided and their commitment to the environment. Thank you Will!
Written 8 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ash E
Manchester, UK25 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This is one of those cruises that we both really enjoyed.. the boat was turned off when the dolphins were spotted and we spent some precious time with the hectors dolphins. Miranda Van Der linde the guide who also happens to be a marine biologist is very knowledgeable and was happy to answer our questions. She also looked up a book about birds and we enjoyed chatting to her. Keep it up and very well done.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So happy Miranda was able to give you a great experience, she loves wildlife as do we all! Thank you for touring with us
Written 6 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laurie S
Seattle31 contributions
We had the best experience on our Moturara Island boat cruise! I wish I could give our rating more than 5 stars. We lucked out the day was beautiful and it was a small group, but what really stood out was the crew. You could tell they loved their jobs - and working with each other. They were constantly on the look out for critters in the water and on land. They found many, so we could stop, learn more, and take photos of them in their natural habitat. The visit on Moturara Island was awesome! There were so many birds flying over head while we hiked to the top, stopping along the way to learn more about the birds while taking in the beautiful scenery. We also appreciated their conservation efforts for the animals on the island. Heading back to Picton, we enjoyed yummy snacks and gorgeous views. There are many companies that conduct similar tours - don’t hesitate to book with E-Ko Tours!
Written 4 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your glowing review - we really do LOVE our jobs and sharing this stunning corner of paradise
Written 9 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
when does the tour begin, and from where?
Written 8 August 2018
when does the tour leave, and from where?
Written 8 August 2018
It leaves from Picton. We went on the afternoon tour about 1 pm but there were earlier tours.
Written 22 August 2018
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