The SoundsWILD Company, based in Picton, is a leading sea kayaking outfit in the Marlborough Sounds. Owner and chief guide Steve Maley has more than ten year's experience as a sea kayaking guide and all of his staff are highly trained and experienced. Just as importantly, the entire SoundsWILD team love what they do and are a dedicated and friendly crew who love sharing their knowledge and passion for sea kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds with you. SoundsWILD prides itself on its reputation as the provider of the most personalised and friendly sea kayaking service in New Zealand. Our clients return year after year because we really believe in value for money and giving you the vacation of a lifetime. We will discuss all of your specific needs, requirements and interests with you to ensure that your SoundsWILD sea kayaking adventure is perfect for you. No other sea kayaking company provides this level of personalised service. We are one of the best-priced companies - we're also big on looking after all who come paddling with us.
About the Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough Sounds are a labyrinth of bays, coves and campsites. Around one-third of New Zealand's coastline is in this unique area; your playground of 900 kilometres of foreshore reserve! The area will surprise and delight you with its wildlife, native forests and history. The Sounds are rich in Maori history, from the many areas of old pa sites to the myths and legends about the creation of this strangely shaped area. Maori occupied this area for thousands of years, appreciating the rich mineral belt and mining it for argillite to make tools and weapons. Tasman and Cook both sheltered in the Sounds when discovering this beautiful country. Cook introduced new crops to local Maori and also introduced pigs, sheep and goats. Eventually Europeans were to settle in this area for whaling, farming, gold mining and forestry. The birds you'll see around you, both on the water and at your campsite, are amazing. Sooty shear waters, gannets, shags, terns, tui, wood pigeon (kereru) and the weka. Dolphins are often seen on trips, sometimes up close and sometimes playing in the distance. In the more remote areas we visit, you may see the common dolphin, the largest of these beautiful and friendly creatures. The adults are big and playful and often provide clients with an unforgettable encounter. The campsites we use on our trips are secluded and away from the madding crowd. Most of the time your group will be the only ones there and if you are sharing, it will only be with a few people. For seafood lovers, there are fish to catch and mussels and oysters to collect off the rocks (in the Pelorus Sounds only). It's so clean here - the water is giardia free and you can still take it from the creeks without needing to treat it. When you visit New Zealand, come and see the Marlborough Sounds - it's like going back in time.
Day Guided Trips
The Classic Full-Day Guided Tour
SoundsWILD offers a fantastic 1-day sea kayaking tour in and around the unique Marlborough Sounds. Led by an experienced and informative SoundsWILD guide, you will be paddling in the presence of some of our most fascinating native birds and outstanding marine life.
Collecting you from your pick-up point in Picton, we will take you to the start point at Ngakuta Bay via the scenic Queen Charlotte Driveway. The views offered from this vantage point are spectacular and we are more than happy to stop for photo opportunities.
Once at Ngakuta Bay, your SoundsWILD guide will give you an extensive briefing on how the kayaking gear works and on safety when paddling. Then we're off!
We will take you out to beauty spots such as Davies Bay and Mistletoe Bay for your picnic lunch. The water you will be paddling in has very little boat traffic and you will witness outstanding native bush and fabulous beaches.
At lunchtime you can relax and take in the stunning scenery whilst your SoundsWILD guide prepares your picnic-style lunch. A typical SoundsWILD lunch includes fresh bread, tomatoes, hummus, pickles, salami or ham with local cheese & more. To finish we have freshly made coffee or tea with cookies. This tasty feast is included in the cost of your day guided trip.
After lunch we let you decide the pace of the afternoon and either explore the Sounds in more detail or begin to paddle leisurely back to the finish point.
This trip can be tailored to suit people of all ages and levels of kayaking experience and/or fitness.
SoundsWILD will supply everything you'll need for a great day.
This trip leaves Picton daily at 9am and returns to Picton around 4pm.
Cost: $80 per person: includes a great lunch, all kayaking equipment and transport to and from the start point.
The 1-Day Sea Kayaking Expedition
1-DAY SHIP WRECK PADDLE If you have already been sea kayaking in New Zealand and are seeking something a little more adventurous this time, or even if you have never sea kayaked before but simply wish to get out to some of the more remote areas of the Marlborough Sounds, this trip is the one for you.
We will take you on a sea kayaking adventure to some of the less visited beauty spots in the Sounds, such as St Omar and Broughtons Bay in the Kenepuru Sound. Here you have the opportunity to visit mussel farms and a ship wreck from the Bygone era.
We leave Picton at 8.30am and on the way to our start point, we travel along the beautiful Queen Charlotte drive with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Once at the start point, your SoundsWILD guide will give your group an extensive briefing on how the gear works and all aspects of safety when paddling.
At lunchtime you can relax and take in the views while your guide prepares a picnic-style lunch. A typical lunch includes fresh bread, tomatoes, hummus, pickles, salami and ham with local cheese & more. To finish we have freshly made coffee and tea with cookies. This tasty feast is included in the cost of your day-guided trip.
After lunch we continue to explore the remote Sounds before making our way back to the finish point later in the afternoon. We arrive back in Picton around 5.30 pm.
Cost:$110 per person: includes a great lunch, all kayaking equipment, and transport to and from the start point. Please note: The 1-Day Sea Kayaking Expedition is subject to a minimum of three people. (SoundsWild requires 24 hours notice for trip planning).
Multi-day Guided Sea Kayaking Safari
Freedom is the name of the game and with our multi-day guided sea kayaking safari, you have the freedom to choose the style and length of kayaking adventure that will best suit you and/or your group. We know the best campsites, huts and lodges - and can even direct you to the best fishing spots in this area of amazing natural beauty.We highly recommend more than one day in the magical playground that is the Marlborough Sounds. Having an experienced SoundsWILD guide with you on a multi-day sea kayaking adventure can really take the stress out of your trip. We look after your safety and plan the trip to fit with your ideas and suit your requirements. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the wonders of the Marlborough Sounds, especially the secret nooks and crannies your SoundsWILD guide can show you. We are a small and flexible company and pride ourselves on making your trip with Soundswild one of the very best experiences you will have in New Zealand.
Please note:
1. We use the whole Marlborough Sounds on these trips and can discuss your requirements with you to give you the trip of a lifetime. 2. SoundsWILD will pick you up from the airport or ferry and drop you at one of Picton's best backpackers or B&Bs the night before you leave on your adventure.
We have two types of multi-day guided trips for you to choose from:
Tour 1: Fully Catered Deluxe Safari
Treat yourselves to a fully catered sea kayaking expedition. Sit back and let us plan a menu to suit your tastes, including local food & some of Marlborough's famous wines. These trips can take you to mussel farms, shipwrecks and deserted Islands in the outer sounds. Along the way you have the option of staying at wonderful campsites or in stunning lodges like Lochmara Lodge (Queen Charlotte Sound) or Hopewell (Kenepuru Sound). The options are endless so if you have any queries please contact us. We provide all kayaking gear including paddle jackets and dry bags. If you need any camping gear we can supply whatever you need for no extra charge. This style of trip allows you to concentrate on your paddling, soaking up the scenery, and taking photographs, while we take care of the food and sleeping arrangements. Just let us know your preferred choice of food and whether you like red or white wine, or beer. You will need to bring clothes for paddling in and for around the campsite.
This trip can be booked at fairly short notice and is subject to a minimum of 2 people.
Cost: 2 days $280 per person; 3 days $420 per person; 4 days: $560 per person. Costs include all equipment and transport.
Tour 2: Self-catered Multi-Day Safari
If you are happy to arrange your own meals, but still want to benefit from having an experienced SoundsWILD guide along to show you the best areas to paddle and to keep a look out for your safety, the self catered safari is the trip for you. Your SoundsWILD guide will plan a trip that will knock your socks off. You will get to see some amazing scenery, wildlife and marine life, and will be taken to the best campsites and/or lodges around. And here at SoundsWILD we really believe in customer service, so we'll still take a few bottles of that fine Marlborough wine. We provide the expertise, you get the chance to relax, unwind and explore, and when the trip's over you get some fantastic memories to take away and keep. There is an amazing adventure out there awaiting you! Bring a group of friends and we will make it a holiday to remember. This trip can be booked at short notice and is subject to a minimum of 2 people.
Cost: 2 days - $190 per person; 3 days - $285 per person; 4 days per person - $380. Costs include all equipment and transport.
Independent hire
We will provide your group with the ultimate sea kayaking experience.
Independent rentals are a unique way of experiencing the Marlborough Sounds. Soundswild prides itself on paddlers having a true wilderness experience to aid this there will be a small transport charge on independent rentals so you can get to the most beautiful and remote areas of the Sounds.
If you are a newcomer to the outdoors don't stress we have all the kit you need .
All independent trips start with a full briefing and we invite you to take part in a day-guided trip for the first day of your adventure so you can feel more relaxed on your adventure. (Lunch and Transport will be included with the guided option.)
1 DAY $ 50.00 2 DAYS $ 90.00 3 DAYS $120.00 4 DAYS $150.00
ADDITIONAL DAYS WILL COST $25.00 All Prices quoted in New Zealand Dollars and include GST.If you are a new comer to the outdoors, don’t stress, we invite you to come and take part in a day-guided trip, so you can feel more relaxed in your Sea Kayak. We can plan a trip to suit your level of skill & we have all the gear you will need. We can also provide camping gear. (Lunch is provided if you take part in a Day trip)
2 Day trip options in the Queen Charlotte Sound:
One option is to begin with a day-guided trip starting from Ngakuta Bay and paddling over to Mistletoe Bay for lunch. You will have the choice of camping there or paddling up to one of the other secluded campsites or lodges (eg. Lochmara Lodge). On the second day, paddle back to Ngakuta Bay or the Picton foreshore for a pick up at 3.30pm.
Another option is to start from Ngakuta Bay then head up to Kumutoto Bay for the night. On day 2 head up to Bay of Many Coves for lunch and back to Waikawa for your pick up around 3.30pm
Or another exciting option in a different Sound- This 2 day trip is great start paddling from Ohingarow Bay in Maru Sounds which is in the Pelours Sound. Paddle over to the Kenepuru Sound & head down to Hopewell Backpackers or camp @ tractor beach. The next day paddle down to Portage Bay the shop will take you & your Kayak over the hill & drop you in the Queen Charlotte Sound where you will paddle back to Nagkuta Bay for your pick up at 3.30pm.
Need more details?
For more information fill out the form below and click "send", or simply phone us at Activities-nz on 64 4 972 0798.
The Marlborough Sounds are a labyrinth of bays, coves and campsites. Around one-third of New Zealand's coastline is in this unique area; your playground 
th our multi-day guided sea kayaking 
(Lunch and Transport will be included with the guided option.) 