New Zealand Tourism Online

Adventure Kayaking Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand

Sea Kayaking Adventure Tours Introduction

Sea Kayaking Adventure Tours specialize in small or large group guided tours sea kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds' remote, unspoiled areas.

We've developed programs that allow you to genuinely experience the destination, immersing yourself in the environment with our Marlborough Sounds adventure kayaking tours.

We are a nature-based paddling adventure travel company. Every aspect of our lives (personally and as tour leaders) is naturally geared toward the enjoyment of the environment without unduly changing it.

Paddling is a great way to be active and see some of the most interesting sights of New Zealand!

Kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds

You can expect personalized service, quality and value with Sea Kayaking Adventure Tours. We offer expeditions and guided trips that are tailored to those who want safe nature-based adventure. We offer:

• Single day kayak tours
• Overnight kayak tours
• Three day Queen Charlotte tours
• Four day expeditions
• Five day Pelorus tours

There is also the possibility of half-day mountain biking along the Queen Charlotte track or a leisurely paddle on one of our 'sit on top' kayaks.

Sea Kayaking Adventure Tours in the Marlborough Sounds, will provide you with high quality traditional sea kayaks and equipment, professional kayak instruction, delightful meals and an overall ecstatic time in paradise.

While kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds you will learn about the natural world and the efforts to preserve it. Our guides are enthusiastic, experienced professionals with years of experience in the outdoors to back them up.

Let us make your trip to the Marlborough Sounds a truly memorable one.

For more information about our Marlborough Sounds adventure kayaking tours, please contact us or visit our kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds Web site.

About the Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds maritime park is located at the top end of the South Island and covers an area of 50 825 ha. Unlike many parks it is not a single unit but separated into 104 different reserves, allowing a wide range of social activities to occur within the many confines of its watery expanses.

The Marlborough Sounds area is made up of three main bodies of water—the Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds.

This collection of drowned river valleys is a natural wonder unparalleled in New Zealand. Bordered by forested hills rising almost vertically from the water's edge, the Marlborough Sounds is a true scenic highlight and is easily explored from either Picton or Havelock.

The sounds are home to a wide variety of marine and bird life, with a number of specific wildlife sanctuaries dotted throughout it's waterways and inlets. Seabirds are in abundance and include species such as petrels, blue penguins, gannets and terns.

The local marine life enables visitors to experience them close to hand including seals, dolphins and at times whales. A sea kayak adventure in the Marlborough Sounds is an ideal way to get close to the 'locals' without unduly disturbing them.

Hectors dolphins are also to be found within the sheltered waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. These gentle creatures are currently endangered and and are endemic to New Zealand waters.

Besides the waterways of the Marlborough Sounds there are also many tracks and walk ways that penetrate the 1475 km of costal inlets. One of the most accessible is the Queen Charlotte Track. This magical walkway is an excellent choice to combine with one of our Marlborough Sounds sea kayak adventures.

Throughout the Marlborough Sounds you will be able to find nature reserves that are open and accessible from the water. Paddle your kayak up to one of these islands and go explore the protected worlds they contain.

Highlights of the Marlborough Region

The Marlborough region is situated on the north-eastern corner of New Zealand's South Island, due west of Wellington in the North Island.

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest grape growing and wine making region with 65 wineries, 290 grape growers and 4054 hectares in grape production.

Main centres in Marlborough:

• Picton – Marlborough's main commercial port and access to Queen Charlotte Sound
• Havelock – the gateway to the Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds
• Renwick – just minutes from Blenheim, another good base to explore the wine region
• Wairau Valley – a place to stop en route to the Nelson Lakes National Park
• Blenheim – the main town of Marlborough and a central base for vineyard visits
• Seddon – traditionally a farming area, now known for its craftspeople and gardens
• Kekerengu – nestled on the East Coast on the way to Kaikoura with its own blend of attractions

Picton – Picton is a small seaport at the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound, offering a relaxed setting with easy bush walks, beautiful beaches and an outstanding climate.

Daily ferry services link Picton to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, situated at the southern end of the North Island.

For more information about our Marlborough Sounds adventure kayaking tours, please contact us or visit our kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds Web site.

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