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Four hours exploring the Queen Charlotte Sound — visit historic Ship Cove, spot wildlife, and enjoy onshore time at Captain Cook’s landing site.
Depart from Picton at 9:00 AM for a four-hour cruise through the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, heading towards Ship Cove. This historic site is where Captain Cook anchored his ship, the Endeavour, in the 1770s for supplies. You'll get time to explore the beach, see the monument, and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
During the cruise, keep an eye out for local wildlife and enjoy the serene landscapes. After your visit to Ship Cove, the vessel will make pick-up and drop-off stops for other passengers before heading back to Picton.
Reviews
Unfortunately, the entire trip was marked by heavy rain, which limited visibility. However, our skipper shared plenty of information to keep it engaging. We got off at Ships Cove and walked a small stretch of Queen Charlotte, but it was very slippery. I would still recommend this trip to others.
Bring some warm clothing since it can get cold on the water. Daryl, our driver, was both informative and entertaining.
The skipper was excellent and provided insightful commentary, making for a wonderful morning despite the unfavorable weather conditions, which were beyond anyone's control.
The three-hour trip was truly enjoyable. Our captain, Ian, provided helpful information about our stops to drop off luggage and passengers at different coves. The visit to Ships Cove for a walk was fascinating, making for a delightful morning cruise.
Our experience with Beachcomber Cruises was fantastic. Daryl provided insightful and entertaining commentary. The tour was a wonderful way to explore the stunning Marlborough Sounds. We highly recommend it as an excellent value and perfectly timed to take in the sights.
We enjoyed a pleasant boat ride around the sound and a brief visit to the Cook monument in early March. While it was sunny and beautiful, the chilly weather made it quite cool on the open deck.
The tour lasted about 3.5 hours, but I wouldn’t really classify it as a tour since there was no commentary. The Skipper, Dylan, briefly introduced himself and mentioned the location of the life vests, but the next time he spoke was at Ships Cove, just to tell us when to return to the ship. He didn’t provide any information about the bays, wildlife, or our current location. There were around 12 of us who had booked the half-day cruise, and we all expected some insights about the bays and coves we visited. After the Ships Cove stop, the last two hours felt quite tedious, and we had to rely on Google Maps to know where we were. It felt like a complete waste of both money and time. It's disappointing to pay $120 for a tour with no guidance. I even asked at the box office afterward if the tour was meant to lack commentary, and they said it should have included it and suggested I write a negative review. So, here it is. I’m giving it 2 stars: one for the beautiful scenery and another for safely returning to Picton on time.
We had an amazing day, thanks to the fantastic service from the team and our Boat Captain, Greg. Spotting the dolphins was an incredible surprise. We truly appreciate it and plan to return.
The tour of the Sound was incredibly relaxing. We enjoyed the beautiful greenery and wildlife along the shore. We were lucky to spot several dolphins playing around our boat and even racing us from one dock to another. Greg, our captain, provided extensive insight about the area and marine life. Thank you, Greg, and happy birthday once more! You truly made this excursion a memorable experience.
We had a fantastic time on this cruise. Our guide and boat operator, Dylan, provided excellent commentary while managing everything else on the boat. He shared fascinating facts, and the scenery was stunning. I highly recommend this tour.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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