Motuara Island Cruise & Walk from Picton

For an introduction into the miraculous native wildlife in Marlborough Sounds, visit Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary with Beachcomber Cruises. Motuara Island is a scenic reserve in the Queen Charlotte Sound, just 32km from Picton. Predator-free and home to a huge variety of native birds, Motuara Bird Sanctuary offers fantastic lookout points over Ship Cove, as well as bird viewing stations, which you can enjoy while walking along the island track.

Your half day tour with Beachcomber Cruises begins in Picton, where you can meet the friendly crew and set off for a scenic cruise out to Motuara Island. Upon your arrival, follow a moderate gradient track for 800m (one-way) that leads to the island’s many viewpoints, including a bird viewing station just 5 minutes from the jetty and wooden nesting boxes where you may spot a Little Blue Penguin. Showstopping scenery on Motuara Island can be found further along at the island’s highest point (128m) and the Cook Straight Lookout. Gaze out at superb views over the historic Ship Cove, and even all the way to the North Island.

Some of the wildlife you might encounter at Motuara Bird Sanctuary includes the South Island Saddleback, King Shag, NZ Robin, Bellbird, Silver Eye, NZ Pigeon, Maud Island Frog & Marlborough Green Gecko.

After a morning on Motuara Island, return to Picton onboard the Beachcomber Cruises vessel with a stop off at Ship Cove along the way!