Marlborough waters attract

Marlborough’s waters shape many of the attractions the locals offer. Come from Wellington by crossing Cook Strait, watch the land blend with the sea. Hills rise out of the energy intense Strait currents. Cook Strait connects to deep Sounds – New Zealand’s answer to the fjords of Europe.

Ferries

Big and small vessels use these waterways – the scheduled ferries take passengers, road vehicles and freight everyday.


Power boating

Power boats, some coming from harbors in Wellington province, some from other parts of the top of the South, some from Marlborough’s marinas, use these waterways for fun and more serious projects.


Yachting

Yachts, sometimes under sail and sometimes under power, cross the Strait and manoeuvre their way around the Sounds.


Kayaking

Kayakers in two person craft skud from bay to bay, and one person kayaks potter within bays, safely along the shoreline to be ready from an unseasonable gust that might take them to more challenge positions.


Mucking around in boats

Locals and visitors also muck around in boats – usually small aluminum dingys able to be dragged across rocky beaches.


Swimming

Swimmers are happiest in the inland waters during summer warmth.


Fishing

Those who go fishing might come back with permitted catches of cod, snapper, kawhai, groper, kingfish, shark, paua, scallops and other species – and should have returned un permitted catches back to the sea. Fishing people need to observe the seasons and the catch rules, determined for many species by New Zealand’s Ministry of Fisheries.


Mussel and salmon farming

Marine farming, currently focused on mussels and salmon, attracts visitors with the help of cruise boats and water taxis.


Dolphns and seals

Marlborough locals may also take visitors to see marine wildlife, such as dolphins and seals.

Whale watching

But you are best to carry on the Pacific coast to Kaikoura nearer Christchurch to watch the whales. The orca species of whale sometimes visits Pelorus and other places.


Seabirds and landbirds

When you go across the water or stay put near the foreshore expect to see seabirds such as gulls and shags. as well as landbirds.

Holiday homeds

In Queen Charlotte Sound there are relatively more people, New Zealand holiday homes, and support services, readily reached from Picton.

Work in thre Sounds

In larger Pelorus and associated Sounds there are relatively fewer New Zealanders holiday homes and more evidence of a working Sound – illustrated by the mussel floats and ropes, barges carrying the fruits of the aquaculture farms and water taxis ferrying locals and visitors back and forth to Havelock port, or accommodation.

Some of the inner Pelorus and Keneperu Sounds are also linked by roads, but the outer Pelorus, closer to the fishing zones of Cook Strait, are reached best by strong powerboats.

Aquaculture and seafood trail

The seafood features of Marlborough’s cuisine can be expected where diners seek quality – and on parts of an embryonic aquaculture and seafood trail linking Marlborough and its neighbours.

Renewable micro hydro energy

Water coming down the hills of the Sounds in streams is also a source of hydro energy, typically on a micro scale, and based on pelton wheels known to the former farmers as well as isolated establishments.


Sustainable water uses

The Wairau river is an important current and prospective source of water for irrigating the pastoral and horticultural industries. But as with water in many other parts of the world there is growing attention to the management of available water – so that locals get their water use in balance with its availability.


Conservation

New Zealand’s Conservation estate covers much water and land in Marlborough – and, working with different sections of the community, is in the care of the New Zealand Government Department of Conservation. DOC allocates concessions to some tourism enterprises in places such as the Queen Charlotte Track – who in turn run businesses designed to enhance the visitor experience. DOC also helps educational purposes, by arrangement taking school and other groups to see and care for protected species in island and isolated locations.


Contemplate the joys of nature

Sit down at the waters edge – and contemplate the joys of nature!

Find out more

Find out more when you get to Marlborough’s waters, and now with links to those who know the Sounds.

•    Marlborough Sounds Marinas

•    New Zealand Tourism Guide - Marlborough

•   Pleasure craft
o    Kayaks
Sea Kayaking Adventures

•    Yachts
Real Adventures

•    Dingys
Trade a boat

•   Powerboats
Marlborough Powerboats

•    Swimming
Kid Spot

Fishing

•    Seasons, species, places
Sounds Connection

Wildlife
Jasons travel

The Conservation estate
Department of Conservation