New Zealand · PICTON TOURS

15 Picton Tours to Build a Day Around

55 tours  ·  from $16

The 15 best picton tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise from Picton - Setting out from Picton on a changing route
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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise from Picton

1.Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 541 reviews · 4 hours · from $75Our pick

Join Beachcomber Cruises in Picton for a four-hour Queen Charlotte Sound mail boat run. Your skipper delivers post, groceries, and freight to remote homes and lodges while sharing local history. Boats range from a nine-seat vessel to a 90-seat catamaran, and dolphins or seals may appear along the route.

“I liked that you were able to sit either inside or out. The skipper was very informative in a friendly fashion.”

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Beyond the Vines - Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour - What the winery rotation means for your day
Food & Drink, Full-Day, Marlborough Wine Tours, Picton Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Picton

Beyond the Vines – Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour

2.Beyond the Vines – Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · from $136Top rated

Travel from Picton or Blenheim with guides such as Gavin, Hamish, Lynley, or Keith, visiting several Marlborough wineries in a group of up to 11. Taste Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and boutique varieties, then stop at Saint Clair for lunch at your own cost.

“The tour was great Gavin our guide was fantastic very knowledgeable and friendly made the tour relaxing enjoyable”

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Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton - Cruising from Picton through Queen Charlotte Sound
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Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

3.Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 383 reviews · 8h 30m · from $66

Cruise from Picton with Beachcomber Cruises through Queen Charlotte Sound, stopping at Historic Ship Cove before a 12.7 km or 17 km self-guided hike. Expect skipper commentary, native bush, sound views, and a well-earned drink at Furneaux Lodge or Punga Cove.

“Excellent boat trip and good instructions about the walk and pick up points. Really recommend doing this as a way to see the Queen Charlotte Sound and learn about the area. The walk itself was lovely - especially as we had amazing weather and great views of the turquoise water through the trees. Not to be missed!”

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Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Picton to Christchurch - Leaving Picton through Marlborough country
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Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Picton to Christchurch

4.Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Picton to Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 345 reviews · from $164

Travel one way from Picton to Christchurch aboard the Coastal Pacific, with panoramic windows, GPS-triggered commentary, a café carriage, and an open-air viewing deck. The 5-hour-40-minute route follows 98km of Pacific coastline, passing vineyards, seals, Kaikoura, native bush, and the Canterbury Plains.

“Comfortable seats with beautiful views. Coastal views amazing. Good food and snacks. Very nice workers onboard. Downside, just this run were AC made it too cold and the train was 20+ minutes late which meant it was dark when we arrived. Also to know, the outdoor viewing car had no seating so I’d standing is an issue don’t go out there.”

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Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise - Kenepuru Sound, bays, and remote homes
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Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise

5.Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 321 reviews · from $86

Board the Pelorus Mail Boat in Havelock for about five hours among the bays and inlets of Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. Captain Ross and the crew deliver mail, groceries, and freight to remote homes while you watch for dolphins, seals, and blue penguins. Bring lunch and warm layers.

“So much natural beauty- great commentary and crew. So cool to see the transport and mail soupy team to the remote sounds in action. Lunch at Rawa bar on the waterfront was brilliant- great food in a stunning setting. Well done all round.”

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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise - Leaving Picton at 1:30pm
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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise

6.Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 295 reviews · from $75

Set out from Picton at 1:30pm on a four-hour Queen Charlotte Sound mail run. Your skipper delivers mail and supplies to isolated bays, shares local history, and points out wildlife. Boats vary from small water taxis to catamarans, and Ship Cove visits run only from October to April.

“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.”

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Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton - Leaving Picton at 9:00am
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Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton

7.Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 252 reviews · 3 hours · from $66

Leave Picton at 9:00am with Beachcomber Cruises for a three-hour ride through Queen Charlotte Sound to Ship Cove. Expect live English commentary, a short walk ashore at Captain Cook’s former anchorage, possible dolphins or seals, and a return through Endeavour Inlet.

“We spent the morning on the cruise which was beautiful! We didn’t have the weather in our corner but it was still an amazing experience. The views were great and information along the way was very interesting. I personally don’t do well with water activities however was absolutely fine! Smooth and still, even with a bit of rocking, the boat is big enough to not really feel it.”

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InterIslander Ferry - Picton to Wellington - Aboard the Kaitaki or Kaiārahi
Picton Tours, Tour Reviews

InterIslander Ferry – Picton to Wellington

8.InterIslander Ferry – Picton to Wellington

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 247 reviews · from $58Best value

Travel by InterIslander ferry from Picton to Wellington in about 3.5 hours. You can bring a car or walk on, carry two 23-kilogram bags, and enjoy Queen Charlotte Sound, Cook Strait, onboard cafés, lounges, and viewing decks.

“Good on board was excellent. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Boarding in Picton was somewhat chaotic in that there were quite a few stairs that needed to be negotiated to get on board and we were not prepared for that challenge. Read more”

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Discover Marlborough Wine - Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour - The Blenheim departure at 1:00 pm
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Discover Marlborough Wine – Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour

9.Discover Marlborough Wine – Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · from $117

Spend four to five hours touring Marlborough’s vineyards from Picton or Blenheim. Your guide, possibly Gavin, Glenn, Keith, Hamish, Phil, or Paula, leads you to four wineries for tastings of sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, riesling, and more. Transfers are included, but eat before you go.

“Tour excellent, 4 wineries and 20 tastings Tour guide Nic enthusiastic, informative and very helpful with local knowledge. Would highly recommend this tour.”

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Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton - Motuara Island and its bird sanctuary
Boat Tours in Picton, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Picton Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton

10.Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 180 reviews · from $104

From Picton, E-Ko’s 4.5-hour cruise searches for dusky, bottlenose, and Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, and little penguins. You’ll walk Motuara Island with a guide, use free binoculars and species cards, and return with hot drinks, biscuits, and local wine on afternoon departures.

“This is more focused on birds and less on dolphins. Why we saw two dolphins. Fifteen minutes out of four hours was focused on the dolphins. Bird watching was outstanding. Many varieties. The island has a steep walk to the top The guide Will was outstanding. Extremely knowledgeable and fun. Dan the boat driver maneuvered the boat to allow everyone to view the birds.”

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The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River - Getting ready with a wetsuit and safety gear
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The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River

11.The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · from $133

Meet at Bluemoon Lodge in Havelock, collect your wetsuit and safety gear, then raft the Pelorus River with a professional guide. You will visit filming spots from *The Desolation of Smaug*, hear about local milling and mining, and return by vehicle. Guide Jade is one named guide associated with the experience.

“We had a great time kayaking! Jade was a wonderful guide. There is a shower and hair dryer available if you decide to swim. I would definitely recommend!”

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Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour - Four or five cellar doors, with some variation
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Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

12.Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · from $155

Meet your guide at Picton i-Site, then ride a comfortable minibus through Koromiko Pass to four or five Marlborough cellar doors. Guides such as Bruce, Lucinda, Lisa, John, and Marsley share local wine knowledge, with a vineyard walk, lunch stop, and chocolate tasting included.

“This tour was disappointing. Four or five winery tastings were advertised. Only three were provided. A complimentary subpar glass of wine was provided at a lunch we paid for so I guess that’s how they came up with 4. Unfortunately only one of the three wineries visited could be considered by someone who enjoys wine as an above average Marlborough vineyard. The other two lower tier wineries included an organic vineyard and a two acre vineyard winery in the hills outside of Marlborough valley. Disappointingly, this winery didn’t produce a Sauvignon Blanc which is what Marlborough is known for. The only better than average winery visited, the tour only provided…”

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Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton - Three or four wineries, with a changing lineup
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Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton

13.Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · from $114

From Picton, your guide takes you through Marlborough’s vineyards for tastings at three or four wineries. Expect sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, rosé, and sparkling wine, plus commentary from guides such as Andy, Chris, Rose, or Brett. Eat first, since lunch is not included.

“The family had a great time on this trip. David was an excellent leader. Entertaining us during the drive and doing his best to keep the group moving along. The entire group was fun and we alll enjoyed ourselves. Highly recommend.”

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Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton - Leaving Picton at 9:00 am
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Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton

14.Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 145 reviews · from $65

Leave Picton at 9:00 am for a 3.5-hour Beachcomber Cruises trip through Queen Charlotte Sound. You’ll visit Captain Cook’s Ship Cove, hear live commentary, and may spot dolphins, penguins, seals, and native birds. The return boat also serves remote bays, so expect a scenic cruise with some water-taxi duties.

“I would highly recommend this morning boat ride through the Marlborough Sound in Picton. The boat is lovely, clean and easily accessible to all ages. The tour guide was excellent, gave us history and facts about the Sound and we had a nice stop at the location where James Cook landed with his sailors. The birds were chirping and came very close to us. The trip started at 9 and ended at 12 with plenty of time to shop and eat locally. Well worth the money.”

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Half day Sea Kayak Guided Tour from Picton - What makes the western sound worth seeing by kayak
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Half day Sea Kayak Guided Tour from Picton

15.Half day Sea Kayak Guided Tour from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · from $74

Paddle from Picton into Queen Charlotte Sound with Wilderness Guides for about four hours. Your guide provides safety instruction, kayaking equipment, and a dry bag, while pointing out eagle rays, jellyfish, seabirds, seals, and local history. Children from age 8 can join with an adult.

“Our guides, Helen and Alex were exceptional in their knowledge of fauna, sea creatures and sea birds. Helen being a sailor knew a bit about how challenging the waters are. The kayaks were well equipped and it was fun for my husband and I to kayak together in one kayak. We each have our own so this was a new experience. Thank you.”

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New in Picton Tours

★ 5.0Flight Experience our Water and Wilderness Scenic TourFrom $18551 reviews
★ 5.0Marlborough Wine Tour – Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion TourFrom $17628 reviews
★ 4.5Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from PictonFrom $5970 reviews
★ 5.0Queen Charlotte Track – Ultimate one Day Walk and CruiseFrom $2289 reviews
★ 5.0Private Shore Excursion: Explore Marlborough from Picton4 reviews
★ 5.0Exclusive Picton Wine & Scenic Adventure: VIP Cruise Experience6 reviews
★ 4.0Private Excursion: Scenic and Seascape Delights from Picton5 reviews
★ 5.0Private Marlborough Winery TourFrom $52717 reviews
★ 4.5Marlborough Sounds Day Visit to LochmaraFrom $5813 reviews
★ 4.0Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from PictonFrom $6836 reviews
★ 4.5Hop on Hop off Wine Tours MarlboroughFrom $8046 reviews
★ 4.5Captain Cook and Dolphin CruiseFrom $10426 reviews
★ 5.0Marlborough Sounds Greenshell Mussel Tasting CruiseFrom $11151 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Guided Sea Kayak Trip from PictonFrom $7430 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Wine Tour from PictonFrom $15539 reviews

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