Two Islands Wildlife Stay

Stay longer in Picton and experience two of the Marlborough Sounds’ most important predator-free wildlife islands: Motuara Island and Blumine Island / Ōruawairua.

This wildlife stay is designed for guests who want more time in nature, stronger birdwatching opportunities and a deeper conservation experience. Travel with E-Ko through Queen Charlotte Sound, with opportunities to see dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, little blue penguins, shearwaters, gannets, King shags and other seabirds along the way.

Birding highlights include orange-fronted kākāriki, New Zealand’s rarest forest bird, and the endangered King shag, a Marlborough Sounds species found nowhere else in the world.

Motuara Island offers native forest, island tracks, birdlife, seabird activity and wide views across Queen Charlotte Sound. Blumine Island / Ōruawairua gives guests a deeper self-guided island experience, with time to explore tracks, coastal scenery, historic gun emplacement sites and rare wildlife habitat.

Guests visiting Blumine Island receive a self-guided island card with clear visitor instructions, track details, pickup points, toilets, walking distances, timings and emergency information. The card also marks the historic gun emplacement locations.

For the full-day Blumine Island section, guests must bring their own lunch, water and personal supplies. Blumine Island is remote and has limited facilities, so please come prepared for the full day ashore.

This is a relaxed, nature-focused experience for birders, photographers and travellers who want more than a quick cruise. It combines island walking, wildlife viewing, local guiding and self-guided exploraorough Sounds stay.