Marlborough Cruise Ship Tours and Activities

Choose from a wide selection of shore excursions and tours for when your cruise ship docks in Picton for the day. Explore the quiet, sheltered waters of the Marlborough Sounds by boat, by foot, sea kayak or even by plane. Join a group to discover the world famous wineries and taste the local Sauvignon Blanc grown throughout the Marlborough region. Travelling there on a historic steam train from Picton to Blenheim and visiting Peter Jackson's collection of planes at the Omaka aviation centre are just some the activities possible to book.

Cruise Ship Shore Excursions

Tours & Sight-Seeing Marlborough

A large selection of tours and activities around the Marlborough region. Half and Full Day Wine Tours, Bike Hire through the vines, Omaka Aviation Museum, Seafood Cruise, Dolphin Watching Tour, guaranteed to get you back to your cruise ship to depart on time.

Marlborough Wine Tour Excursions

Half - Full Day Wine Tasting

Our local wine tour operators have a range of excursions to suit your style of tour. Small group tours or private half or full day tours with you own personal guide can be arranged. Not only wine, the Marlborough region has several craft beer breweries that can be visited as part of your tour. All cellar doors can post wine purchased by you oversea's if required. All tours guaranteed to get you back to your ship on time.

Walk & Sea Kayaking Cruise Excursions

Sea Kayak & Walking Tracks

The Marlborough Sounds is perfect for sea kayaking even if it is your first time or you have kayaked before your in for a treat with calm, sheltered bays with an abundance of wildlife on offer. From half day to full day guided tours with the assurance of returning you back to your cruise ship well before departure.  

Car Hire for Cruise Ship Passengers

Rental Cars in Picton

Hire a car for the day and explore the Marlborough region at your leisure before returning to your cruise ship. Being the gateway to the South Island, Picton has all the top rental car providers located here.
​Our search booking engine compares available rental cars with the best, possible price's.

Wildlife Marlborough Sounds

Eco Cruise Excursions

Experience wild dolphins, see endangered birds up close and much much more on a wild life cruise of the Marlborough Sounds. Get up close to nature, swim with the Dolphins and visiting a predator free bird sanctuary island are just a few of the activities you can do in the area before returning to your cruise ship.

Marlborough Sounds Day Cruises

Marlborough Sounds Cruises

Ideal for cruise ship visitors to experience half and full day cruises of the Marlborough Sounds. Visit green lipped mussel farms and sample the local seafood or ride along in the boat that delivers mail to the residents in this area. Return transport to your ship in Picton.

Marlborough Plane Tours

Scenic Flights

A scenic flight of the Marlborough Sounds is one of the most thrilling ways to see the area and comes highly recommended.
​Tour participants see the full grandeur of the Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds in one experience that can only be done by air. And get to stop by a remote beach to soak up the wilderness.

New Zealand Shore Excursions

Tauranga shore excursions
​Akaroa Shore Excursions
Picton Cruise Ship Schedule 2022 - 2023

New Zealand Cruise Ship News

Picton's Concerns For Returning Cruise Ships 2022.

6th April. A number of concerns has been raised by Picton's Smart and Connected group regarding congestion caused by to many cruise ship passengers descending on the town once visitors return Read More...

19 Cruise Ships Visits For Akaroa this summer.

9th May. The return of cruise ships to Akaroa is on the horizon this summer possibly starting as early as October Read More...

Recent Cruise Ship Arrivals

1st December 2022. Majestic Princess.
3rd December 2022. Ovation of the Sea's

18th January 2023 Seabourn Odyssey

only the best

Sample The Best of Marlborough

Local tours from Picton and Blenheim experiencing the region with the locals.

Cruise Ship Excursions include 
Winery Tours
Eco Cruise Tours
Sea Kayaking
Wildlife Tours
​Walking Tracks
​Vehicle Hire
​Scenic Flights

Relaxing Adventures 

ONLY THE BEST - Marlborough Experiences
The Marlborough region has something for every cruise ship visitor. From stunning scenery to adventure sports, gourmet food and award winning wines to boutique gift shops and art galleries. The region attracts people to live such as fishermen, hunters, farmers to artists, photographers and craftsmen, as it's diverse landscape appeals to a wide variety of the population.

The area has a full and varied history, since Maori occupation of the land the Marlborough area has appealed due to it's rich contrast of resources. Captain Cook spent over 100 days during his various visits to the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand at Ship Cove to take advantage of the settled weather and plentiful fresh water and food. Since European settlement, activities such as sealing and whaling, logging, gold mining and pastoral farming have been a part of Marlborough's history.

The landscape and wildlife show that Marlborough was ideal for all these activities however recently the main economic staple has changed from pastoral farming to viticulture and marine farming as well as tourism.

ONLY THE BEST - Marlborough Tour Operators
Monday — Friday
9am — 5pm
Saturday
9am — 5pm
Sunday
​9am — 5pm