Magic Mail Boat Cruise

You will see

Hidden Bays & Inlets
School work, books and mail being delivered to the local school children and residents
Ship Cove and Captain Cooks Monument
Wildlife and marine mammals such as NZ Fur Seals and visiting dolphins

Itinerary
Summary
Prices & Times
Feedback
FAQ

From Cruise Port: Picton

This is a very popular trip and a great way to expore the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. The Mail Boat is the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound. Share the excitement of mail day as we deliver the mail and groceries to the families that live in these beautiful and remote places. No one day is the same as the route changes daily but we always stop at Ship Cove.

Ship Cove was named by Captain James Cook on 15 January 1770 when his ship The Endeavour anchored here to replenish supplies of food, water and wood. It became a favourite anchorage of Captain Cook and he returned here a further four times between 1770 and 1777 which has since been commemorated by a memorial. Take the opportunity to go ashore and explore, read the information panels, take pictures or just walk along the beach. We'll then return to Picton delivering mail and uplifting guests as we go.

Please note that if the departure time of your cruise ship changes to an earlier time meaning that you can no longer take this trip, then you must advise us as soon as possible. If you do so then a full refund will be provided. If you fail to notify us then no refund will be given.

From Cruise Port: Picton

Included

Complimentary Tea & Coffee
Skippers commentary about the history and people of the Marlborough Sounds

Not Included

No meals are included

Instructions

Meeting point is on the main water front of Picton (corner of Wellington Street and London Quay) we have our PIC-1 sign in the window

Restrictions

This afternoon cruise runs from 1.30pm to 5.30pm or 6pm, so only suitable for cruise ships that are in port until at least 7pm.
This cruise does not operate on Sundays

Standard Tour Schedule Options
	start time	end time
Magic Mail Boat Cruise	13:30	18:00
Note: Start and end times may be revised to suit ETA / ETD of ship in port

Standard Tour Prices (current)
Adult price	NZ $117.00
Child price (5 to 14 yrs)	NZ $73.00

NOTE: Prices may vary depending on your Date of Travel.
Our Booking procedures quote the applicable prices before you commit to a Booking.

PIC-1 Magic Mail Boat Cruise
A trip with the mailboat is a must do if you're in Picton and the weather is nice. We took the trip to Furneaux Lodge, where we went ashore. Then we walked to Punga Cove where we were picked up again by the mailboat. On our way back to Picton we even encountered some dolphins. Both captains gave good info about the sounds and wildlife we encountered during the trip. We also made a small detour to see a salmon farm in action - with seals waiting for a free meal! This trip is a nice way to see more of the Sounds and hike a part of the Queen Charlotte track as well. Well organized, friendly staff and well worth the money!
Jeroen B, via TripAdvisor [Apr 18]

In early March I was in Picton and didn't want to miss an opportunity to see the Marlborough Sounds Helped by a warm sunny day , it was a superb afternoon out Interesting to see the mail still being delivered by sea , the captain knows most of the residents by name We dropped off mail at a very exclusive hotel for the rich and famous , but Im no good at identifying movie stars ! Saw lots of dolphins , who were loving playing by the boat , which was a real bonus Visited Ship Cove and the Captain Cook Memorial , lovely spot Free tea and coffee included , a generous touch , lovely afternoon out , I would certainly go again
flatworm, via TripAdvisor [Apr 18]

This is a unique and fun experience if youâ€™re thinking about taking a cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. Lucky us, we enjoyed a very sunny day out on the water. After ten minutes on the boat we encountered a huge group of happy dolphins, this was already one of the highlights of this trip! And it just got better and better. The sounds are amazing, views were stunning and the fact that youâ€™re also doing something for the people who are living here (aka delevering their mail ;-) makes the whole thing a unique experience. Happy dogs are waiting for you (and their treat), while you sail through bright blue water surrounded by green islands. Sometimes we had the feeling we were somewhere in tropical Asia in stead of NZ! This cruise was absolutely a highlight during our 6 weeks trip through New Zealand, highly recommended.
Kristel B, via TripAdvisor [Apr 18]

How far is the cruise meeting point from the cruise terminal?

Its less than 1 kilometer, so allow 15 to 20 minutes walk. If your ship is docking in Shakespeare Bay though [ a little further] then the cruise line offers a free shuttle bus from the Ship to the Memorial steps in the middle of the town centre which is very close by our office. The shuttle usually run approximately every 15-20 minutes.

What is the age range for a child ticket?

The age for a child ticket is from 5 to 14 years inclusive.

The tour ends by 5.30 or 6pm latest, but my ship departs at 6pm, can i do this?

No, you should allow at least one hour from the time the tour ends [usually 6pm] to when the ship departs, to give you enough time to be back before the "on board time' which is normally 30 minutes before sailing. Best to book a morning tour.

Can I bring my wheelchair on this tour?

We do not have any specific wheel chair facilities. Depending on the tide there can be several steps to get on the boat including a small step in every door way on the boat. We can if needed depending on the tide move the boat to a jetty with less steeps, However we would highly recommend that you have some mobility to ensure you are able to get on and off the boat safely and have a comfortable journey.