On the Water
3–4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$110
per adult
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company - Day Tours
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company - Day Tours
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company - Day Tours
5
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Full view
About
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.
Picton, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company - Day Tours
Full-day Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 98% of travellers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$150
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
294 reviews
Excellent
255
Very good
35
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Gary Monnery
Reigate, UK14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We booked the 2 day kayaking trip that involved Morven (scottish) ☺️. Our instructor taking us out on the first day in a group . We visited many coves and bays having lunch at mistletoe bay . Later in the afternoon we paddled to st Daveys bay where we set up camp. The group then left us. So we camped on our own right in the waterside where there was water and a toilet facility . 2nd day was just me and my daughter with a guide map of the queen Charlotte sounds. We visited many bays and had a 10am brunch at Momorangi bay where it has a very good cafe shop for teas/coffees sandwiches etc. After which we paddled back to picton visiting many bays on the way . We got back about 2pm on the 2nd day . But you could take longer if you feel like it . It was the best time ever spent with my 18 year old daughter. A real bonding Moment in our lives that will never be forgotten. Just like the Sounds themselves. You will never forget its beauty. As for the staff at marlborough adventure company. They are fantastic. So helpful. Happy. polite and Morven our guide was great fun . Good banter and a good host . This is a 10 out of 10 trip . We will never forget it ❤
Written 9 January 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.
Richard Ralph
Te Awamutu, New Zealand22 contributions
Jan 2020
Four 74+ year olds did this fantastic walk in January. It was overall harder than we expected and the first day turned out to be about 17 kms rather than the 12 kms we were expecting! We had beautiful weather to see the stunning scenery, great accommodation (though we had upgraded) meals and packed lunches. The water taxis were excellent at taking the luggage on to the next place and it was always at our door on arrival. One of our party fell the first day, so missed a couple of days out but found it no problem to take the water taxi to the next place instead. We met lots of interesting people along the way but were glad that we did it in five and not four days. The MSAC were very helpful before we booked it and organised a really good trip. Highly recommended.
Written 25 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.
Shannon
Auckland Central, New Zealand4 contributions
Apr 2022
We hired kayaks for a day of the Queen Charlotte Track. We are experienced kayakers and wanted to take our kids with us in two doubles to take a break from walking, without the expense of a fully guided tour - which wasn't needed. Other outfits wouldn't allow a group that included a 12 year old, but we were so grateful that Marlborough Sounds Adventure let us. It was a fantastic day amongst an excellent family holiday. They took care of all the boat transfers too and helped with advice on how to plan the trip. Fantastic experience.
Written 24 April 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.
Jane M
10 contributions
Jan 2020
I selected a two day hike and 2 day kayak trip as I really liked the thought of mixed activities! This turned out to be a great decision, the main reason being the guide, we had Nicky take us hiking and Lucy took us paddling! I knew we needed support when kayaking and didn’t really think whether or not a guide was being supplied for the walk. Both guides were amazing, Nicky a scientist answered all our questions about local species and “pests” and Lucy led us out on a windy challenging kayak and then kindly re organised our trip to return by mountain bike! The accommodation ( well maintained lodges with room makeovers) and special attention at all our lodges were exceptional, we concentrated on the hiking and relaxing and our guides organised the room keys and the welcome drinks. I have never experience such exceptional hospitality. Thank you, Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company. The kayaking day saw us transported by water taxi to Kenepuru sound via Portage so we dodged the long third day up and over the ridge!
I now see that with lots of research, there are many ways to walk the track, but this company saved me all this time, it was a perfect balance of challenge, information and relaxation.
I now see that with lots of research, there are many ways to walk the track, but this company saved me all this time, it was a perfect balance of challenge, information and relaxation.
Written 15 January 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.
riethmaier2016
Canton of Appenzell, Switzerland6 contributions
Oct 2020
We did the 5 day Freedom Walk, including one day kayak.
Brilliant overall. Very well coordinated organisation of boats, walk, accomodation and kayaking. Good information on what to expect and what is in store each day.
Lovely scenery.
I am 70 and could cope comfortably with the walk even though it required a fair bit of endurance and my fitness while better than average was not outstanding. .. .having a set end goal each day helped with getting there!!
Extremely happy with the experience and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and is reasonably fit.
Brilliant overall. Very well coordinated organisation of boats, walk, accomodation and kayaking. Good information on what to expect and what is in store each day.
Lovely scenery.
I am 70 and could cope comfortably with the walk even though it required a fair bit of endurance and my fitness while better than average was not outstanding. .. .having a set end goal each day helped with getting there!!
Extremely happy with the experience and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and is reasonably fit.
Written 28 October 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.
Rob C
Mornington, Australia14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We had an amazing 4 day walk / paddle with MSAC. The accommodation, dining was absolutely first class including lunches prepared every day. The views were stunning from both land and water, our guides, Polly and George, walking and paddling respectively were simply outstanding. We highly recommend the Queen Charlotte Sound Hike/Kayak with MSAC.
Written 30 January 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.
bushbowler
Newcastle, Australia63 contributions
Jan 2020
As a group of 54 - 72 year old walkers, we found this walk quite challenging in parts, there are a lot of hills!! The track can be fairly rough in parts so you need to watch your footing, our four days walking were broken into 14k, 21k, 35k(ridiculous) and 21k. I had envisioned coming back at sometime and mountain biking the trail...no way!! If you plan to ride, as previously mentioned, there are hills..big long hills which you may find walking is the only option, parts of the trail are very gnarly plus you have to contend with walkers on the sometimes narrow trail.This trail is for advanced riders only and MSAC have a duty of care to advise clients of this, on our last day walking, two people had taken falls off their bike due to inexperience.
Written 13 January 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.
Sharon
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
A very professional company and a great way to spend a day in Marlborough. We did the half day sea kayak and half day mountain bike on Queen Charlotte track. It’s a trip for the fit - the equipment is new and the bikes top of the line but note - the track is very technical and was overwhelming for some members of our party who have never mountain biked before. If you are up for the challenge though it’s worth it! The scenery was stunning. Stop at the 7.5km mark for lunch for extensive views of the sounds.
Also worth noting you will be expected to help with the equipment- lifting into ferries and boats etc.
Also worth noting you will be expected to help with the equipment- lifting into ferries and boats etc.
Written 26 January 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.
630steverb
Marlow, UK4 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We really enjoyed our 4 days on the Queen Charlotte track. Transport and accommodation were great, and the route was very easy to follow. The weather in early December could have been better, but we only had one day of rain (on day 2). This made the track a bit slippery in places on the last 2 days, but we still managed to finish each day well within the guide times in the handbook.
Written 9 January 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.
WanderingButterfly
Newcastle, Australia59 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
I booked this kayaking day tour for my partner and I as it was highly rated and I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. Having a fear of deep water and having never have kayaked before, I can honestly say I felt comfortable all day. It was beautiful and awesome fun to kayak across the Marlborough Sounds. The amount of wildlife we saw up close, especially sea birds was really special. The water was really flat (with only slight waves at times) and we did a mix of kayaking close to the shoreline and kayaking across one side of the Sounds to the other. We also kayaked across to Charlottes Pass, had lunch then went for a short walk. Our guide George was a legend; a really nice bloke who made you feel very at ease We had a great group of other tourists with us as well, which made for a really fun day.
Would highly recommend!
Would highly recommend!
Written 18 January 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.
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