Jump on board our iconic Mail Boat cruise visiting spectacular bays in the Marlborough Sounds

The Mail Boat Cruise

The Mail Boat Cruise in Queen Charlotte Sound delivers mail and supplies to local residents, offering a unique tour experience with scenic views, wildlife encounters, and insightful commentary.

Operates

Year Round

Check in time

1pm

Departure time

1.30pm

Return trip pick up

Return to Picton

5.30-6pm

Duration

Half Day

Distance

Walk/Ride From/To

Approx. Walk/Ride time

Pricing & Bookings

From NZD

Adults

15+

122

Child

5-14

Infants

0-4

Free

Pricing is indicative only. Final pricing is determined at time of booking.

Private Charter

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Watch our introductory video about our Mail Boat Cruise

Overview

The Mail has been delivered by boat for over 150 years in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, and we are proud to uphold that service! We are the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui making this a truly unique and interesting tour!

Designed to take you off the beaten tourist path, so you can experience the real Queen Charlotte Sounds / Tōtaranui.

Come along with us on the Mail Boat Cruise and share the excitement of Mail Day as the skipper delivers the New Zealand Rural post bags, groceries and freight to the residents that call the Queen Charlotte Sound waterways home.

Operating from Monday to Saturday, no one day is the same as the route changes daily covering a different area delivering the Mail. People often ask what the best day to go is, or what route we like the best, but each mail route has its own highlights.

Sit back and relax, take in our skippers amazing wealth of knowledge as they provide an interesting and informative commentary. The Mail Boat vessel Matua presents excellent viewing areas and is the most comfortable way of cruising and taking in the vista of the waterways of the Queen Charlotte Sounds. Keep your camera handy for any wildlife encounters!

If time allows the Mail Boat Cruise will take a short stop at one of the brilliant locations within the Queen Charlotte waterways, your route will be shown upon check in.

Beachcomber Cruises are proud to say we no longer use single use cups, we sell our own keep cups, so you can enjoy tea and coffee on board selected vessels.

* Please advise us prior to booking if you have an evening travel connection *

On board Facilities

To reduce environmental impact Beachcomber Cruises no longer use any single use cups on board any of our vessels. We have reusable souvenir keep cups available to purchase in the office prior to departure, we then provide complimentary tea and coffee to enjoy during the tour.

Highlights

Say hello to the local residents as we deliver their mail
View the resident wildlife and marine mammals such as New Zealand Fur Seals and visiting dolphins
Learn the history of the Queen Charlotte Sound and its residents from your friendly skipper
If time allows the Mail Boat Cruise will take a short stop at one of the brilliant locations within the Queen Charlotte waterways, your route will be shown upon check in.

Timetable

Summer departures 1st Oct

1:30pm Monday through to Saturday departures

Winter departures 1st May until 30th Sept

1.30pm Monday / Wednesday / Friday only

Please note

The arrival time back into Picton is an estimate only which varies each day and is dependent upon a number of factors including the route, how much mail there is to deliver and how many pick-ups/drop-offs we have along the way. During the warmer months we generally arrive back at the later estimated time, in winter it tends to be earlier. If time is limited please let us know at the time of booking, so we can discuss the best option for you.

Add-ons

Route Map

Please Note:
Routes marked on the map are an indication only. The actual route taken may vary dependent on a variety of factors.

Monday and Thursday: Inner Sounds
Tuesday and Friday: Tory Channel
Wednesday: East Bay and Endeavour Inlet
Saturday: Endeavour Inlet
Sunday: Sunday Afternoon Cruise

Start of Queen Charlotte Track Walk/Bike

End of Queen Charlotte Track Walk/Bike

Boat Cruise

Queen Charlotte Track Walk/Bike

Pricing & Bookings

From NZD

Adults

15+

122

Child

5-14

Infants

0-4

Free

Pricing is indicative only. Final pricing is determined at time of booking.

Private Charter

Hidden

Currently Unavailable

This product is currently unavailable. Please contact us for more information.

Hidden

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Environment

Cruise & Walks Prices

Terms & Conditions

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