Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour to Blumine Island
Recommended by 96% of travelers
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Picton, New Zealand
- 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Benefit from marine biologists' wildlife-spotting skills on this half-day morning or afternoon eco-tour from Picton. Cruise to Blumine Island in outer Queen Charlotte Sound, a predator-free bird sanctuary known for its rare orange-fronted kakariki and king shags, and search sheltered waters for wild dolphins. See rare seabirds, marine mammals, and endangered land birds protected in their natural environment. Light refreshments are provided to keep you energized.
- Cruise the calm Marlborough Sounds from Picton
- Visit predator-free Blumine Island with marine biologists as guides
- Spot rare orange-fronted kakariki and king shags with high success rates
- Tour includes light refreshments and live commentary
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- National Park fees
- Light refreshments
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- E-Ko Tours1 Wellington Street, Picton 7220, New Zealand
Follow 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 point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
E-Ko Tours
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Queen Charlotte Sound
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Gary_M
Brilliant trip, can't fault anything. Seeing marine wildlife and bird life on the island.
Bella the guide was very knowledgeable and kept us informed of different species and activity taking place.
The highlight was the nesting box with 2 blue penguin chicks.
Reviews
4.8
based on 56 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Gary_M, Nov 2025
Brilliant trip, can't fault anything. Seeing marine wildlife and bird life on the island.
Bella the guide was very knowledgeable and kept us informed of different species and activity taking place.
The highlight was the nesting box with 2 blue penguin chicks.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Kia ora Gary — what a brilliant review to read, thank you! 🐧🌿
We’re stoked you enjoyed your time out in the Sounds and got to experience a proper slice of Marlborough magic — dolphins dancing, seabirds soaring, and those adorable blue penguin chicks stealing the spotlight. (We can’t blame them — they’ve been practising their “aww” faces all season!)
Bella will be over the moon to hear your feedback — she’s a walking field guide with a heart of gold, and she loves sharing her passion for the wildlife that calls this place home.
Thanks for choosing E-Ko and helping support the conservation work that keeps those chicks safe and fluffy for future visitors to meet.
Ngā mihi nui,
The E-Ko Crew 🐦🐬💙
Sharon_T, Mar 2025
Our guide Will and Captain Andy provided great commentary and shared so much information along the way.
The weather was beautiful and we got to see lots of birds and other wildlife.
The walk up Motuara Island is steep but well worth it for the birds you will see along the way and the views at the top.
Mara_L, Feb 2025
Captain Andy and Hannah were a lovely crew - very accommodating for my 3 and 5 year olds. They especially loved taking a turn at the wheel and hot cocoa on the way back. Wonderful, local company worth supporting!
Anne_K, Jan 2025
It was fun! we have seen a lots of animals. Beautiful few on the island we visit. if you want to see some beautiful things of New Zealand. This is a great way. :)
Mary_N, Nov 2024
Very friendly and helpful staff. Great wildlife views. Wonderful location. Staff made a real effort to find the wildlife
Joy_J, Apr 2024
Fantastic day out with beautiful scenery to view on the Sounds. Captain took particular attention looking for the wildlife. We saw fur seals, penguins and king cormorants. Spending an hour on the island was great. Will our guide had a wealth of knowledge of the area as we cruised and of the wildlife on the island.
A well worthwhile trip.
Claire_R, Feb 2024
A worthwhile visit on quite a wet and windy day. The tour guide Alice was very informative and made every effort to give us a good trip despite the weather as did the driver of the motor boat. We didn't see any dolphins but we had a good view of a variety of sea birds and fur seals.
Karlin_O, Feb 2024
I started up the hill to the viewpoint w/ the guide but the pace for me was too fast so I went back to what is called "the bird bath," a small enclosure of water and sat with three others. The birds came to us and were fairly close: Saddleback, Bellbird, Yellow-crowned parakeet. There may have been others but that's all I could identify. My husband said the view was 360 degrees around at the top of the trail and he could even see the north island. On the boat trip coming & going we saw King, Pied and Spotted shags and Australasian Gannets alongs with the requisite fur seals. Good trip--glad we went!
barbara_b, Feb 2024
Will was a fantastic guide. Entertaining and informative. Clearly the best guide and I am not just saying that so that Paul has pay up!
drog2002, Jan 2024
The Hector dilphin pod tgat encircled tge boat fir maybe 20 minutes was pretty cool. Enjoyed tge gyide Will's humor an informational banter. The Captain was also quite enterand informative.
Philipp I, Jan 2020
We arrived late. But the Team was helpful that we could join. The tour is given, but the explanations and the information given by the crew was very good.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Thank you for touring with us, we are glad that you got to learn a lot about the Marlborough sounds and its wildlife
From $132.66
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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