Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
South Island, New Zealand
- 5 to 10 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Explore the scenic waterways of the Marlborough Sounds on a small-group half-day cruise by mail boat from Havelock. The historic Pelorus Mail Boat delivers mail, groceries, and freight to residents along this remote inland waterway where the boat is the main link to the outside world. Hear commentary from the crew about the region, and perhaps have time to disembark at spots along the way (conditions permitting).
- Travel on the regional mail boat to experience Marlborough Sounds up close
- Look for New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, blue penguins and other wildlife
- Learn about the region’s wildlife and history from live commentary
- Gain insight into the remote community
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Food and drinks, unless specified. Please bring packed lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Pelorus Mail Boat LtdPier B Havelock Marina, Havelock 7100, New Zealand
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.10:00 am
Itinerary
1
Kenepuru Sound
5 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Pelorus Mail Boat
5 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Please review and acknowledge our Swimming Waiver on our website before participating in any swimming activities. https://www.themailboat.co.nz/about-us/swimming-waiver/
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Rachel_D
We loved the Mailboat experience! The scenery was fabulous, and it was fascinating to see how people live out in the Sounds and to feel a part of the experience. The Wilson Bay Farm tour was excellent - really genuine and engaging. It was interesting to learn about the Mussel farming too. It felt like a really authentic experience - the best boat tour we did in New Zealand (and we did quite a few)! Highly recommended!
Reviews
4.8
based on 332 reviews
Paul_H, Apr 2026
A great day perfect weather. Hosts were knowledgeable and very accommodating in diverting from their plan to show us a memorable experience especially when we saw wildlife.
Marie_M, Mar 2026
It is a very great way to see all the bays , with a friendly captain and staff. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and would recomend it to anyone.
Janet_L, Mar 2026
Just book it! It is an amazing day out on the water with the most stunning scenery, fab commentary and magical place for lunch!
Best value for money and such special memories!
Rachel_D, Mar 2026
We loved the Mailboat experience! The scenery was fabulous, and it was fascinating to see how people live out in the Sounds and to feel a part of the experience. The Wilson Bay Farm tour was excellent - really genuine and engaging. It was interesting to learn about the Mussel farming too. It felt like a really authentic experience - the best boat tour we did in New Zealand (and we did quite a few)! Highly recommended!
Carole_C, Feb 2026
We had a splendid day. Took a packed lunch that we had at the farm stop. There is also the option of lunch at the lodge next door.
Pelorus Sound is magnificent and visiting all the isolated communities to deliver mail and groceries is very interesting.
Thank you Ross and Mark for a very professional and fun cruise.
Clare_T, Feb 2026
Full day out on the post boat. Ross was fab at explaining about the Mussel farms and general life in the Sounds. Visited several jetties to drop off mail/groceries/fuel etc!!
Couple of scenic stops and lunch at stunning Te Rawa .
Definitely recommend as a different way to spend the day and see the stunning Pelorus Sound from a different perspective
Cosimo_C, Feb 2026
Bring a jacket if sitting upstairs wind can be cold also if can bring a packed lunch you can have it at the farm stop.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks for the helpful tips! Great advice about bringing a jacket for the upstairs seating and a packed lunch for the farm stop.. these little details can make the day even more enjoyable.
Valerie_E, Jan 2026
Ross the captain was a very knowledgeable man and made the day with all his narratives. You would be amazed with the amount of homes in the sounds.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so pleased Ross’s stories and local knowledge helped make your day special on the Pelorus Mail Boat!! He really does love sharing the magic of the Marlborough Sounds. And yes, the number of homes hidden around the bays is always a surprise! We hope to welcome you back again one day.
Heather_H, Dec 2025
Great day out. Interesting to see people living so remotely.
The Boat crew were friendly and helpful.
We had to change the day we booked, not a problem.
Loved the dogs, goats, and the big fat pig that greeted the boat.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so pleased you enjoyed your day on the Pelorus Mail Boat and meeting some of the friendly locals.. both two- and four-legged! Seeing how people live in such remote parts of the Marlborough Sounds is always a highlight. It’s also great to hear our crew could help with your change of plans. We really appreciate you travelling with us and hope to see you again.
Alison_P, Dec 2025
Well worth doing to gain a glimpse of rural NZ in remote places,along with a service provided for those people
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We’re so glad you enjoyed getting a glimpse of rural life in the remote bays of the Marlborough Sounds and seeing the Pelorus Mail Boat in action as a real working service for local communities. It’s a special part of what makes the trip unique. We really appreciate you joining us.
Rob_R, Nov 2025
We were so lucky to have flat calm conditions. We were prepared to get sea spray as we like being on deck. Didn't need our parkas. We almost got too hot !! Puffa jackets were good in a bit of breeze on the way back.
Sun block and sun glasses essential. The commentary was fantastic : information about all the stopping/delivery points, the environment and the sea.
A huge bonus towards the end of the journey was a pod of maybe 20 dolphins in a feeding frenzy. Seabirds everywhere.
Kaye_W, Aug 2025
Remember to take your lunch & warm clothing, fabulous day, Mark & Ross were amazing hosts, so lucky to see a pod of bottlenose dolphins. Ross's commentary of the history & knowledge of the area was excellent.
Sharon_G, Apr 2025
It is a long day, but we saw beautiful fjord estuaries as we traveled from stop to stop. It was fun to be greeted by dock dogs as we made each delivery. A small child running around the boat throughout the day was tiring. Our weather was great!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We're so pleased you enjoyed the stunning estuaries and the charm of each stop, dock dogs included! We're glad the weather was on your side and hope the overall experience left you with great memories. We appreciate your honest comments and hope to welcome you back aboard again soon
Richard_B, Apr 2025
Very pleasant day on the waters of the sounds with great commentary and onteresting time with Kelly Foot and co
Response from Host, May 2025
Thanks so much for joining us! We're glad you had a great day out on the Sounds and enjoyed the commentary and company.
Tracey_K, Feb 2025
Such an awesome experience getting to cruise around lots of little bays in the sounds. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day on the water
Tony_L, Feb 2025
Excellent communication from crew.We loved the whole trip.Weather wasn’t the best but enough seats inside as it got very cold on the top deck.
zeev_s, Feb 2025
The mailboat cruise was an extraordinary experience and a unique opportunity to get to know life around Pelorus Sound. At the various stops for receiving and delivering mail and packages, you can understand a little more about how life is around the water, from relatively isolated people. The meeting with a family that lives there, raised children and makes a living from raising sheep, is a unique experience.
The mailboat tour is highly recommended.
Michael_C, Jan 2025
It does exactly what it says on the tin!
Really unique experience and very friendly crew who provided an excellent commentary!
Krista_N, Jan 2025
The best way to get close to the Pelorus Sound - the bays, the islands, the inlets, but also to get an idea into the lives of people living in the remote parts of Marlborough Sounds. Bonus- we got dolphins swimming along the mailboat for good 10 minutes and saw a seal savouring an octopus!
Robert_T, Dec 2024
It was bad weather, not anybody's fault. Then the main thrusters broke down having just being repaired the day before, so we did not get so far and limped back home.
Glenys_T, May 2024
Meeting the locals along the way as they received their mail, beautiful scenery, and dolphins. The boat was very comfortable and the pilot and host were very interactive and informative.
Charlene_S, Apr 2024
We did this as a family for my birthday and was such a great experience.
We loved Wilson farm and the people was very special. Thank you for adding to great family memories for us. Definitely worth the money.
William_M, Apr 2024
I had a negative outlook after being ripped of by your company and would like a credit back
Paying an extra 25% for trip and also paying US $ as well
William Mikkelson
Kathy_S, Mar 2024
Wonderful scenery, fascinating locals, great staff - a wonderful day out and suitable for all ages. Couldn’t fault the experience
Trina_P, Mar 2024
Loved the boat trip. Loved the lunch. Most of all loved the informative and hilarious commentary from the Captain! That made our day!
Julia_H, Mar 2024
The "small" group is about a group of 60 people. If you are not one of the lucky 5-8 persons having a good seat/ spot on the boat, you won't experience the interactions of the locals with the crew. The crew is very great. But if you are one of the unlucky ones having not a good seat, you won't see a lot of the woulderful area. Would be a nicer experience if it would be really a small group.
Tina_G, Mar 2024
We loved seeing the people and dogs coming for the mail, enjoyed learning about the sounds and visiting the farm a very enjoyable experience. Staff were friendly and knowledgable. Thank you for a lovely day out
John_L, Feb 2024
The whole trip was brilliant from start to finish .
Skipper’s dry sense of humour was entertaining as well
WILLIAM_T, Feb 2024
As a returning customer, I found the trip to be really enjoyable. The commentary from the captain was very informative and amusing, and it was great that he had first hand experience of growing up on the sounds. I brought my cousin with me who is visiting from Ireland. He thought the whole trip was excellent. The lunch at the restaurant was super and even better than anticipated. I would recommend this day trip to anyone visiting this area of New Zealand. Stunning scenery.
Gill_R, Feb 2024
Realising how remotely people live. Enjoyed the farm tour. How sad that they have such difficulty selling their wool. Hard life. My husband was very disappointed that he could not get to eat any mussels!
From $83.77
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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