Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Picton, New Zealand
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Take in a slice of rustic Marlborough living on this mail boat cruise of Tōtaranui / Queen Charlotte Sound. Life in the sounds is remote, and this tour offers the chance to share in the excitement of mail day. Enjoy a free morning in Picton before spending your afternoon cruising past isolated bays, with a unique route on offer each day. Ask your skipper about the history of the Queen Charlotte Sound, and benefit from their help spotting the wildlife that frequent these waterways.
- Traverse the Queen Charlotte coastline without a 4-day hike
- Visit bays and coves that you can’t reach by car
- If time allows, stretch your legs with a stop along the journey
- Purchase an eco-friendly keep cup to enjoy complimentary refreshments onboard
What's Included
- Commentary on board
- Restroom on board
- Food
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1 London Quay, Picton 7220, New Zealand
Please meet us at the Beachcomber Cruises Office on the waterfront - the Corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, we are a black building with Blue Signage.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.1:30 pm
Itinerary
Queen Charlotte Sound (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to consume on board
- Closed-toe walking shoes suitable for walking are recommended
- Not accessible for motorized wheelchairs
- Please Note: The stop at Ship Cove only occurs during Summer months of 1st Oct to 30th April
- We are not able to pick up / drop off at the Cruise Ship Terminal - you must make your way to our booking office
- Please note that this tour departs sharply on schedule at 1:30pm
- The boat used for the tour can vary from a smaller 9 seater to a 99 seater catamaran and is not guaranteed
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 70 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
Reviews
4.7
based on 322 reviews
Tracy_P, Mar 2026
Comfortable transport and excellent commentary by skipper. Fantastic scenery and experience. Plenty of space for all on board. We stayed on the top deck all trip with warm clothes for a brisk breeze
Breda_J, Mar 2026
This was a wonderful experience. Great way to see the beauty & remoteness of the Sound. The additional quirkiness of the mail delivery made it a unique trip. Would highly recommend.
Karen_K, Feb 2026
Very enjoyable experience. Great way to experience Marlborough Sounds. The captain was fantastic - he provided very interesting info and background about the area.
Steven_W, Feb 2026
Take a jacket and sun screen. Excellent trip saw dolphins, fish farm and seals, great ride to beautiful bays with houses where we delivered mail to. Captain kept us all informed throughout, would definitely recommend.
Ron_H, Dec 2025
Nice relaxing cruise in the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound. Good informative Captain of the history of the area. Inside and outside seating. Clean tidy Catamaran.
Brenda_T, Dec 2025
A wonderful commentary by the skipper. We thoroughly enjoyed going to the different drop off points.
Donna_H, Nov 2025
An afternoon watching how those that live in various areas of the sound get their deliveries as a result of no roads. Daryl our skipper was amazing. Having grown up in the area his commentary was interesting and informative and delivered in a fun and engaging manner. It was amazing to see the day to day operations of this vital cog of industry in this magnificent part of New Zealand.
I’d highly recommend it
Brent_P, Nov 2025
The captain was very informative, the staff were really friendly and the cruise was awesome . Well worth the money
malcolm_r, Nov 2025
A fabulous trip with great views and commentary. A great way to see the Sound and understand the environment.
Debra_T, Nov 2025
Beautiful sunny day. Dillon was a great guide and was fun seeing each mail stop. The commentary about salmon farms and the resorts was informative.
Mark_M, Aug 2025
My partner & I enjoyed the cruise. The day started off cloudy in the morning but it was lovely & sunny for the afternoon cruise. It was good to go to different bays/coves delivering the mail with good commentary too. Took a lot of nice photos & videos of the beautiful scenery
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hello Mark_M thank you for your review. Great to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Mailboat with us, its always a winner when the sun comes out!
dawn_w, Mar 2025
Fun way to see the sound. Beautiful views along the way. Boat was very crowded, and despite the Captains request for those up top to switch places half way with those downstairs no one did. Also the ones who got the top deck would stand along the edges but not give up their seats. Not. reflection on company, It was fun despite the rather rude group. Try to snag the seats outside on the bag of the boat. if upstairs is full
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi dawn_w thankyou for your review! We are sorry to hear that you were not able to get an upstairs seat on your tour and we are grateful for your understanding.
David_C, Feb 2025
Great way to see the sound up close and personal. The commentary gives a great insight into the area and the isolation of those living on the sound.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thankyou for your review about our Mailboat Cruise! You are so right, it really does give a great insight into how people live in these remote areas.
Peter_J, Feb 2025
Great way to see Marlborough Sounds and catch a glimpse of how the remote communities live. Very enjoyable- the skipper provided an interesting commentary. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi Peter, thanks for your review. Sounds like you had a great time :)
Cynthia_A, Jan 2025
This was an awesome experience. Highly recommend this activity. The boat captain was very informative & we learned a lot about the Marlborough Sounds. It’s a beautiful part of the world & a great place to visit
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hello Deb, Leonie and Cyn - thankyou for your review of our Mailboat Cruise. It sounds like you learned a lot in your afternoon our with our team!
Susan_C, Nov 2024
The skipper shared his knowledge of the area, with little fun facts. A lovely way to spend an enjoyable few hours.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi Susan, thankyou for your review of our Mailboat Cruise. We do think that our skippers do a great job at keeping our passengers entertained whilst Mabey learning some new facts about our area.
GenFrancis, Nov 2024
Beautiful scenery through the Malborough Sounds. We expected to be able to stretch our legs a few times and visit a few of the islands but were told that there was not enough time. We picked up quite a few walkers and that took some time to get them loaded. If this was the reason that we did not get to experience setting foot on the islands then it would have been much better to be running 2 separate services. I thought it was cool to be part of the mail delivery service and see how people interacted with it, However, In hindsight I would have booked a cruise if I knew this before. The captain/postie clearly knew is stuff and when we could hear him it was interesting but it was almost impossible to hear when on the top of the boat, outside enjoying the views
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hello, thankyou for your review. We appreciate all feedback so are very grateful for your response, we are sorry to hear that you didn't have the best time with us - we hope that all our guests have a fun and memorable experience. We are glad to hear that our team provided some interesting comments for you to learn some new facts, unfortunately on a windy day it can be hard to fully enjoy the commentary outside.
Karen_M, Nov 2024
If you want a trip around Marlborough Sound, this is the perfect way to get on the water. The captain provided lots of interesting commentary on all aspects of life in the area. In the summer months, the boat could be crowded and might not be as enjoyable. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi Karen, thankyou for your review! We are really pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Mailboat Cruise with our team. Great to hear that you found it interesting.
Christopher_B, Nov 2024
Just liked the experience
Dusky dolphins plus the knowledge of the skipper on the history of the region
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi Christopher, thanks for your review of the Mail Boat. It sounds like you had a great time, especially if you got the added bonus of seeing some wildlife, that's always extra special!
John_R, Nov 2024
Our skipper was a born Kiwi who provided interesting info understandably. It was a great experience! Saw many dolphins!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi John, thanks for your review of the Mailboat. Im glad to hear that you enjoyed your cruise with our team.
Kmccasker, Oct 2024
So glad we did this trip. Got to see the sound at its best and calling into the little settlements delivering mail etc was interesting. Highly recommended
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hello, thankyou for your review. We are really happy to hear you enjoyed your cruise on the Mail Boat with us - it really is an interesting afternoon.
Carmelo_U, Sep 2024
Not the boat they advertised but a small water taxi. No tiolet on board. No commentary only driver who was not confident about the weather conditions.
Water taxi engine broke down for about a hour. Delivered a couple of boxes & mail bags precariously . Did not do the full tour. Would like half of our payment back as did not deliver the stated inclusions & it was terrible weather. Enclosed inside taxi. Very choppy. Hard to see out of closed windows . For safety reasons the company should have canceled it before. Actually wasted 2 of our days to fit the tour in. The booking company Viator is no help. If you can’t deliver you should not take people’s hard earned money!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hello, thankyou for your review and your feedback. All feedback is very important to us so we can review how we can continue to provide great service, it sounds like we didnt do so well on this occasion and I am sorry to hear that you didnt have a good time. Please rest assure that we never operate in unsafe conditions, we cancel passenger sailings when the weather is too extreme but it is important to understand that not everyday is smooth sailing in the Marlborough Sounds and we do have days where the weather is less that favorable.
Jane_T, Mar 2024
This was a really fun and interesting adventure for 4 hours or so. The boat holds quite a few people (30+) between the top and bottom areas. but everyone moves around to get good pictures. The driver goes from cove to cove to deliver mail and packages to residents and resorts in these areas. The boat is met at the dock by the owners and sometimes their dogs too. For the most part the driver does not provide much commentary and even if he does, it was difficult to hear with all the people. That was fine--I did not take this tour for the commentary anyway. It's a great way to see the bay and how people live and would totally recommend this low key tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello Jane_T
Thank you for your review, we are really pleased to hear that you enjoyed the tour with us - the Mailrun certainly is a fun unique tour!
DeborahAnn_A, Mar 2024
Packed a cooler with some wine and cheese and crackers, dressed in layers, then sat back and watched the beautiful scenery. Very cool to be able to get into the bays and see the isolated homes of the people who live there. The dogs coming down for their treats were so entertaining!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your review! We are really happy to hear you enjoyed the Mail boat with us, great idea to bring some nice snacks on board with you ;)
Bree_M, Mar 2024
Plenty of seating on the top deck! Great views and excellent commentary along the way of the area history. Syopping in various island ports to drop mail and supplies a treat. Highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Bree_M
Thank you for your review, great to hear that you enjoyed the tour with us!
Roberrt_R, Mar 2024
Boat trip was excelent way to see the sound and the picturesque coves visited as the mail was delivered
However the promised coffe did not appear and therewas no tie to buy one ay the only stop where we could disembark.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your review, great to hear you enjoyed the tour with us! We do have tea and coffee on our large vessels with the purchase of a re usable keep cup, im sorry that this was not announced - we will remind our skippers to let passengers know.
MARIA_L, Mar 2024
Bring a hat and sunscreen. Windburn
Lovely ladies at the office.
Beautiful day Beds to have snacks onboard to buy
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your review, we are happy to hear you enjoyed the tour with us!
Donna_R, Mar 2024
Beautiful views of mountains and pristine sound , enjoyed the mail deliveries. Very enjoyable afternoon.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your review, we are really pleased to hear that you enjoyed the Mail Boat with us
Zinovy_D, Feb 2024
Special experiences:
A) Cruising among dozens of islands.
B) Blue cod feeding.
Our guide/skipper Jason was very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your review, we are happy to hear you enjoyed the mailboat with our team. Thankyou for choosing to travel with us!
Graeme_H, Feb 2024
A fantastic day out on Queen Charlotte Sound seeing all the remoter bays and houses. This was made better by the commentary from the skipper Jason
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your review, we are happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour out on the MailBoat with our team. Thank you for choosing to travel with us!
From $72.86
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise
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