Nature and Wildlife Tours
3–4 hours
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$96
per adult
Beachcomber Cruises
Beachcomber Cruises
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Full view
About
Family owned and operated, Beachcomber Fun Cruises is one of the major operators on the Queen Charlotte Track and take great pleasure in offering a selection of boat trips through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds - these include their world famous Magic Mail Run and a host of Scenic Cruises, easy and quick day trips are covered with their lunch'n'cruises. They also have a host of flexible trips that let customers explore the wonderful Queen Charlotte Track. Beachcomber Cruises is a gold Qualmark endorsed visitor activity.
Picton, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Beachcomber Cruises
Boat Tours
4–5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$95
per adult
Travellers talk about
(87 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
933 reviews
Excellent
724
Very good
140
Average
34
Poor
14
Terrible
21
David C
Fiskerton, UK6 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Absolutely fantastic trip, well organised and professional. Water taxi out and got picked up by the mail boat. Lots of information from both captains. Even saw pod of dolphins on the way back to Picton. Would definitely recommend using Beachcomber Cruises if you go to Marlborough Sounds.
Written 23 November 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.
Flyer64057
New Forest National Park Hampshire, UK11 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Fabulous Mail boat cruise up the Queen Charlotte Sound, great weather, great commentary and knowledgeable input from the skipper, postman and everything else and even sone dolphins. 10 out of 10!
Written 20 November 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.
Karen P
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Great day out on the boat. The comentry from Jason was very informative. People could ask questions and go up to the front where Jason was. They provided towels to dry the outside seats as it had been misty raining at the start. They helped me on and off the boat as I could only use my left arm properly due to an injury. Thank you to all of you.
Written 20 November 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.
Ashleigh
Tauranga, New Zealand3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
The whole experience with Beachcomber was amazing. Everyone is very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Jason, our skipper, is a massive asset to the business and is so knowledgeable and involved in the ocean, Marlborough Sounds and the restoration projects under way there. Couldn’t recommend this business more!
Written 7 November 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.
Hi Happiness26564063371
Thank you for your reveiw, we are really pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time on the cruise with Jason. We think our team do a fantastic job so its great to hear this feedback from our guests.
Safe Travels!
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
keithclover
Bath, United Kingdom10 contributions
This was a fantastic trip, as much an education as a sightseeing tour. Our skipper, Jason, was knowledgeable and shared his passion about the region and the local environment. I have never learnt so much on a trip. We saw dolphins with pups, seals and were informed all the way by Jason.
I will never look at a pine tree in the same favourable way again!!
Thank you Jason and the team. A great experience.
I will never look at a pine tree in the same favourable way again!!
Thank you Jason and the team. A great experience.
Written 3 November 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.
Hi keithclover
Thank you for your review and for your great comments, we are really thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your cruise with Jason - he certainly is a great tour guide with plenty of knowledge to share!
Enjoy the rest of your time away
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Freedom76742
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
We did the boat cruise to the Queen Charlotte Track, Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge - first of all our captain and guide Jason was fantastic - learned so much we were curious about - the sound, history, marine and forest ecology, Maori history, saw dolphins etc. Gorgeous walk on the track through incredible forest (that he told us about) At the office we queried the time from drop off to pickup of 5 hrs 45 min for a 17.5 km walk (dropped at 10:15, pick up at 4) -was it enough time-it was - we had to keep a pace & shorten our stops on the way but very doable - not a hard walk but if you want to walk more leisurely/enjoy the views then suggest leaving at 8 not 9 am. Thanks Jason and Beachcomber!
Written 1 November 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.
Hi Freedom76742
Thank you for your review, its wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the transport to the Queen Charlotte Track with Jason. Thank you for your advice about the walking times, we do try and provide the best average timing we can to suit all walkers but its good for guests to know what kind of pace to keep - good tip to leave at 8:00am if you want more time on the track.
Enjoy the rest of your travels
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Step_by_step250
Hawthorn, Australia5 contributions
Lovely half day cruise.
Jason - boat pilot had a wealth of information to share. We loved listening to the history, current day event and positivity for future.
Would have loved a cup of tea/coffee onboard.
Jason - boat pilot had a wealth of information to share. We loved listening to the history, current day event and positivity for future.
Would have loved a cup of tea/coffee onboard.
Written 28 October 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.
Hi SaintTez
Thank you for your review, we are really happy to hear that you enjoyed your cruise with us. We do have tea and coffee available on select departures, im sorry that you missed out on this - we will make sure that guests are aware of facilities on board upon check in.
Enjoy the rest of your trip
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kubra S
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Solo
Wonderful crew and views. Captains were so fun. Everyone should see that track. Don’t get lost. It’s impossible but I did 😄
Written 26 October 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.
Hi 999kubras
Thank you for your review, we are really pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Queen Charlotte Track. We are sorry to hear you got lost but glad that you found your way back again!
Enjoy the rest of your travels
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beth & Martin
Auckland7 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Had the most informative mail boat trip with Jason the captain - his knowledge & genuine passion for the area, sea, land & birdlife was obvious & made our trip so much more enjoyable!
Written 24 October 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.
Hi bethe20
Thank you for your review, great to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Mail Boat with Jason, we certainly thinks he does an amazing job!
Enjoy the rest of your travels
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
emily d
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
I was so super impressed with the crew at Beachcomber. They couldnt have been more helpful with everything from the start to end of my trip. As a solo traveller they took the stress out of my whole trip and made everything super easy and stress free, even accomodating my many requests and last minute changes while i was on the track! Highly highly recommend this kiwi as operator for a smooth sailing trip to the sounds! Special shout out to Donna and Ella for dealing with my many enquiries!
Written 24 October 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.
Hi emilydG4812GC
Thank you for your review, we are really pleased to hear that you enjoyed your trip to the Queen Charlotte Track. Great that Donna and Ella were able to help you out with your planning.
Enjoy the rest of your travels!
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrea E
Christchurch, New Zealand90 contributions
Hi, is there food and drinks available please?
BeachcomberPicton
picton, nz3 contributions
If you are cruising with us on the Mail Boat or Ship Cove Cruise there is tea and coffee, Feel free to bring food and drink with you.
Karen W
Forbes, Australia15 contributions
could you please let me know if the pick up point for the Marlborough sounds cruise is near where our cruise ship Norwegian jewel will dock on Dec 7th 2019?
BeachcomberPicton
picton, nz3 contributions
Hi ,
We depart from the Corner of London Quay and Wellington Street.The Cruise Ships generally dock in a bay just outside Picton and run a shuttle to the Picton Information Centre. It is then just a 5- 10 minute walk to our office. You can also grab a map from the Picton information centre if your still struggling to find us.
Linda G
Orem, UT30 contributions
We will be coming from the Ms Nordam Holand America Cruise ship. Our dock hours are 10 AM to 8PM. Would this tour work for that time frame? Do you have cruise ship passengers that regularly take this cruise. Am I at risk of not being back in time?
Linda G
Orem, UT30 contributions
We will be coming from the Ms Nordam Holand America Cruise ship. Our dock hours are 10 AM to 8PM. Would this tour work for that time frame? Do you have cruise ship passengers that regularly take this cruise. Am I at risk of not being back in time?
Brewbloke
17 contributions
They have cruises that go for 2hrs in the morning or for 4-5hrs in the afternoon. Definitely back by 530-6pm...