- Scenic & Mail Boat Cruises
- Mail Boat Cruise
- 1:30pm The Mail Boat Cruise
The Mail Boat Cruise
- Description
Summer schedule departures - 1st Oct - 30th April Monday through to Saturday.
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, you route will 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 *
Winter schedule departures - 1st May until 30th Sept 1.30pm Monday / Wednesday / Friday only
Summer departures 1st Oct 1:30pm Monday through to Saturday departures
Winter departures 1st May until 30th Sept 1.30pm Monday / Wednesday / Friday only
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.
Tour Best Bits
- Delivering mail to the local residents; say hi to the kids waiting for their school work
- 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
Cruise Route Map
- Monday and Thursday: Inner Sounds
- Tuesday and Friday: Tory Channel
- Wednesday: East Bay and Endeavour Inlet
- Saturday: Endeavour Inlet
- Sunday: Sunday Afternoon Cruise
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Or call us on +64 3 573 6175
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Touring Queen Charlotte Sound on a Picton Mail Boat Cruise
This classic new zealand tour by beachcomber offers a relaxing day on the water..
Last updated Oct 9, 2020
When researching must-stop places on your New Zealand road trip, you probably won’t come across Picton – we didn’t. However, most visitors still end up in this small, but picturesque port town because it is where the interisland ferry picks up and drops off passengers on the south island . It is also the heart of the scenic Marlborough Sounds – making it the perfect place to plan a day on the water. Luckily for weary travelers, the Beachcomber Picton Mail Boat Cruise offers a unique and relaxing way to see this area – by delivering mail to residents in the remote reaches of the sounds!
For us, our visit to Picton wasn’t due to any plan to hop between islands. Instead, we were on our way to Abel Tasman National Park from Christchurch and wanted to take the opportunity to explore this beautiful area of the Marlborough Sounds and give our bodies a break from two weeks of too much driving (mainly in the Northland ). Getting to sit on a boat for half a day, take in the views, and have a glimpse into life in this area of the world sounded ideal.
Table of Contents
About the Beachcomber Picton Mail Boat Cruise
Based in beautiful Picton, Beachcomber Cruises has multiple tours that showcase this area of New Zealand, but their mail boat cruise is definitely the most unique! For more than 150 years, the mail has been delivered by boat in the Queen Charlotte Sound area of the picton mail boat cruise. They are the “only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water.” In addition to post, they also deliver groceries to residents – so a very important job!
In addition to the chance to see wildlife while you cruise along, you also get to take a quick wander around Ship Cove (in the summer months) about mid-way through the four-hour tour. This is where Captain Cook anchored to replenish supplies 250 years ago (as of Jan. 2020).
With the famed Queen Charlotte Track nearby, many hikers also use the boat as a way to shuttle between parts of this trail as well. So, you’ll meet all sorts of interesting people on your ride!
Depending on which day of the week you visit, the boat takes a different delivery route, showcasing another part of the sounds. So, just be sure to plan accordingly depending on what you’d like to see most.
Exploring Queen Charlotte Sound on the Saturday Picton Mail Boat Cruise
After reviewing the mail boat delivery routes and keeping our schedule in mind, we decided Saturday would be the best day to take our Picton Mail Boat Cruise . It just seemed to have the most variety. However, all of the routes look like they go into similar rural places. On weekdays, we were told you may even see kids waiting on their schoolwork! So cute!
After checking in at the office as instructed, we boarded the two-level boat and immediately noticed a big stack of mail bags next to the captain – things were getting official!
Soon we were speeding off away from Picton and toward our first mail delivery spot. On the way, we spotted a few different types of local birds and even some more elusive Hector’s Dolphins (easy to distinguish due to their rounded dorsal fin).
Becoming a Mail Delivery Pro
A fun surprise was that we were able to volunteer to hand over the mail to the local residents. Of course, I jumped at the chance for this unique experience. The captain instructed me to wait until we were really close and not to trip over the step at the door (wonder how many times that has happened? haha!). All the locals we met were so happy – maybe because it was mail day or maybe because they live in a remote paradise, but either way it made for a nice day.
I think the best resident we met had to be the helpful pup waiting with its owner at one of the docks. The captain was ready with a treat to keep this keen doggo from offering his help on the boat. You can tell the people who deliver the mail to these far-off places are really an important part of the community – really the thread that connects these scattered neighbors.
A Stop at Ship Cove
Another highlight of the trip was our short stop at Ship Cove . With a mail delivery schedule to keep, we only had about 15 minutes, but that was plenty of time to walk over to the little beach, admire the monument listing the times Captain Cook was anchored there, and spot some more new bird species!
It is a very jungle-esque area and some more adventurous souls actually got dropped off there to camp! While an intriguing option, we were happy to just get our quick look at this historic and beautiful place before hopping back on the boat for coffee and tea. Of course, we were the last ones on, because … pictures. There’s a good reason this was known as Cook’s favorite base while in New Zealand.
The weather turned a little warmer and less windy on the ride back to Picton, and we soaked up some rays in the peaceful outdoor area as many others sipped their hot drinks inside. Always happy to be on the water!
Tips for a Great Trip on the Beachcomber Picton Mail Boat Cruise
- Make sure it is for you . If you are looking for an adrenaline rush or constant entertainment, the laid-back vibe of this cruise is probably not a good fit for you. But, if you are genuinely interested in this historic mail delivery method and want to see more of this scenic area of New Zealand’s south island – definitely go for it!
- Pack everything . Even if it is sunny, you may get cold out on the water. So, bring a jacket as well as sunscreen and whatever you’d like to eat and drink since they don’t have anything available onboard aside from some coffee/tea offered mid-way through.
- Check-in and line up early. In order to get everyone on the boat faster, you are supposed to check-in at the office about 30 minutes early and line up 15 minutes before departure. There are modern, clean, one-person toilets nearby and some cafes, but be sure to get in line early to get a good seat!
- Grab a great seat . Initially, we thought that the best seat was at the top in the sunshine, but the weather quickly turned windy and cold once we were moving – so keep that in mind. At the very back, you are also likely to get splashed a little bit. I’d recommend grabbing an inside window seat – since you can hear the captain better and still see everything going on around you.
Special thanks to Beachcomber cruises for hosting us on the Picton Mail Boat Cruise. As always, opinions are our own.
About the Author: Brooke Baum
Brooke is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager for various blog sites. After five years of full-time travel with her husband Buddy, they made the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, their permanent home base. However, they still travel regularly and are always planning their next trip.
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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise
- Commentary on board
- Restroom on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- 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.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- 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
- Most travellers can participate
- 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
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 70 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Similar experiences
- You'll start at 1 London Quay 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. See address & details
- Pass by Queen Charlotte Sound
- You'll return to the starting point
- Global25528487494 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic QC walk and views Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge 17km walk It takes about an hour to get there and back on the smaller boat, depending on the mail drop/ pick up. It was a pleasant trip with lots of commentary on history and facts. The walk takes about 5 hours with a few breaks in between. It's intermediate level with a couple of uphills at the start. Beautiful views and seats to rest along the path. The track wasn't as well maintained as thought, but still very doable. Read more Written April 28, 2024
- Coastal17683145500 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful trip Outstanding service Wonderful trip with great commentary. Outstanding scenery. Captain of the boat provided kind and Outstanding service with assisting my elderly mother....many thanks Read more Written April 26, 2024
- Traveler57575348312 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommended. The skipper, Aaron was knowledgeable, friendly and good-natured. My family used the water taxi service to be dropped off and picked up from the Queen Charlotte Track. The boat had plenty of room and comfortable. Top deck was open for great views. Highly recommend! Read more Written April 17, 2024
- mjh976 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful half day trip Loved the half day trip to Ship Cove. Very lucky with the beautiful weather. Saw a penguin but no dolphins due to the time of year. Could easily hear the commentary from the top deck but was harder to hear inside the boat. Would have loved to stay a little longer at Ship Cove. Read more Written April 7, 2024
- Wander08299315569 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great trip Skipper provided a very interesting commentary. We walked from Ship Bay to Furneaux Lodge. Only snag is there is not too much to see for a lot of the walk due to the bush. But you do get to see lots of wekas. Good quick boat ride both ways and friendly staff. Read more Written March 31, 2024
- 896Tweetie 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful Boat Tour, Great Company! Excellent boat tour of the Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton. Beautiful day, calm water and gorgeous scenery. The narration by the captain was interesting. the 2 short stops to get ashore were nice. Overall a very enjoyable tour. A very relaxing way to see this area. The staff at Beachcomber was all very friendly, flexible and helpful. We've a tight schedule to make the last shuttle bus back to the cruise ship terminal. Becky at the Beachcomber office offered to ask the shuttle bus to come closer to the boat dock for us to get on in case the tour boat sometimes come back a little late. When we informed the captain of our tight schedule he made sure that we arrived back to the dock even a few minutes ahead of schedule time. Now that's great customer service. Read more Written March 12, 2024
- A321BIRD 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles A Magic Island An amazing island with just the right amount of time to ascend to the summit and the incredible panoramic views. Excellent views of the unique bird species found on the island. I was disappointed with the very short time we had by the Cook Memorial - the excuse that “we’re running late” by the boat skipper isn’t, I feel, good enough! Consequently it was a very rushed visit for everyone on that particular sailing. Read more Written March 11, 2024
- wrightd2311 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Two great trips We went out with Beachcomber twice and had two great trips. We went out on the Mailboat and had a great time popping in to lots of interesting little coves to deliver mail and groceries. The skipper Jason was very informative and fun, really passionate about the ecosystems of the sounds, both above and below the water. On the second day they took us to Mistletoe Bay for our walk to Anawika. The timings were great and everything worked as planned. A really great team all round. We would highly recommend these trips. Read more Written February 23, 2024
- H5807KPchrisg 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles It was great until ....... We took Beachcomber Cruises to/from two different landings on Endeavor Inlet on Queen Charlotte Sound and hiked between the landings. We arrived in plenty of time to catch the return, and we were told that we would arrive back in Picton by about 5PM. About 25 minutes after leaving our pickup point, they turned around and went back to pick up several more passengers. We reached Picton at almost 6PM. When we complained to Beachcomber, they failed to acknowledge any fault. From other passengers, we learned that Beachcomber had agreed to alert the late passengers prior to their arrival and failed to do so. Almost 50 passengers had to sit on the boat's uncomfortable seats for an extra 55 minutes and miss their dinner plans. Read more Written February 21, 2024
- 55fergusg 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent trip Excellent tip, knowledgeable pilot, wonderful views and stops Worth every cent Highly recommend this if you are thinking of going Great staff Read more Written February 21, 2024
- Julie_from_MI 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great day on Marlborough Sound. The boat ride was beautiful. On the island, I felt rushed to climb to the viewpoint and get back down on time. We enjoy seeing birds but are not experienced birders. We could hear more than we could see. Read more Written February 16, 2024
- Carol S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommended We loved the mail boat trip. The commentary from the driver was fascinating and heartfelt. Highly recommended to adults. Children may not find it occupied then enough. Read more Written February 9, 2024
- davidE2069R 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great time Very informative guide / boat captain. We appreciated the information he provided. Brought us to and picked us up from a Great hike on queen charlotte trak Read more Written February 4, 2024
- EmmaW2038 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Arapawa Paua Pearl Farm We booked a private tour with Beachcomber Cruises to the Arapawa pearl farm. Our skipper JC was informative and provided some awesome information travelling in comfort out to and from Arapawa from Picton. Scenery was just Amazing! The Pearl farm is well worth a visit with some lovely items for sale. Wonderful half day out of Picton and highly recommended!! Read more Written January 31, 2024
- MountainsExec 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Trip to Pearl Farm We did a trip out to the Arapawa pearl farm with Beachcomber Cruises - both the trip and the location highly recommended. Comfortable trip thru amazing scenery with a friendly and knowledgable crew. The Pearl farm is well worth a visit with some lovely items for sale On the way back we saw seals and more amazing scenery. Wonderful half day out of Picton and highly recommended Read more Written January 28, 2024
More to explore in Picton
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise provided by Beachcomber Cruises
- New Zealand
- North Island
- Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours
- Day Cruises
Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise
- 4-hour cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound on the mail boat, from Picton
- Travel with the only official New Zealand Post rural water delivery service in the region
- See remote communities in the Marlborough Sounds, which constitute a fifth of New Zealand's coastline
- Visit Ship Cove (1st Oct to 30th April), a favorite anchorage of Captain Cook and site of early contact between Maoris and Europeans
- Learn about the history of the region from your experienced captain
- Disembark at Ship Cove to see the Captain Cook memorial, Maori wood carvings and stroll along the beach
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Live commentary on board
- Tea and coffee
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Departure & Return
The Waterfront, Picton
Returns to original departure point at approximately 5:30pm-6:00pm.Please notify us at the time of booking if you have a connection or are visiting with a cruise ship.
What To Expect
View the magnificent scenery of the Marlborough Sounds and get a glimpse of daily life in the remote outposts via New Zealand Post rural delivery service through Queen Charlotte Sound.Meet the mail boat in the afternoon at the Picton waterfront, and relax with complimentary tea and coffee on board. The 4-hour boat tour travels into various bays, coves and inlets detailed by the captain, then wraps up with a stop at Ship Cove (1st Oct to 30th April) where Captain Cook anchored the Endeavor in 1770.You have 15 minutes here to explore the beach and see a memorial to Captain Cook as well as wood-carved Maori statues. Read informative displays about the island and search for birdlife such as oyster catchers, weka and paradise ducks.Mail routes change depending on the day of the week; see the Itinerary for a sample of scheduled delivery.ItineraryMonday and ThursdayStart by cruising through Queen Charlotte Sound to Kaipapa, a small cove in Kumototo Bay. Continue into Blackwood Bay to drop off mail, then pass a king salmon fish farm en route to Ruakaka Bay where the boat stops at a local residence. Then deliver mail to the Bay of Many Coves Resort and make a few more mail stops at Arapawa Island before pulling into Ship Cove.Tuesday and FridayThe mail boat heads to Curious Cove and then the Tory Channel, traveling along one side past Te Pangu as far as Whekenui, where the Tory Channel enters Cook Strait. Return along the other side of the channel, making a few mail drops along the way, before heading to Ship Cove. Wednesday and Saturday The mail deliveries stop first near the East Bay King Salmon Farm on Arapawa Island. Then sail to the top of East Bay for a couple of mail drops. On Saturdays, the run goes to Cape Jackson, a community that only receives deliveries once per week due to the distance. On your return, stop at Ship Cove.Please note: This is a sample itinerary that can change based on what time of the year you visit.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- 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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel At least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Your Contact Details
Questions or requests.
Do you have questions or specific requests regarding this tour?
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