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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise

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Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

The Mail has been delivered by boat for over 150 years in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, we are the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound making this a truly unique tour!

Come along on the Mail Boat Cruise and share the excitement of Mail Day as the skipper delivers the Rural post bags, groceries and freight to the residents that call the Queen Charlotte Sound waterways home.

If time allows the Mail Boat Cruise will take a short stop at one of the brilliant locations within the Queen Charlotte waterways, you route will shown upon check in.

Available to purchase for $6 in the office before you depart are Beachcomber Cruises keep cups, we no longer use single use cups on board our vessels due the huge environmental impact. Upon purchase of a Beachcomber Cruises keep cup guests can enjoy tea and coffee onboard for the duration of the tour.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to consume on board

Closed-toe walking shoes suitable for walking are recommended

Not accessible for motorized wheelchairs

Please Note: The stop at Ship Cove only occurs during Summer months of 1st Oct to 30th April

We are not able to pick up / drop off at the Cruise Ship Terminal - you must make your way to our booking office

Please note that this tour departs sharply on schedule at 1:30pm

The boat used for the tour can vary from a smaller 9 seater to a 99 seater catamaran and is not guaranteed

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

1

Queen Charlotte Sound

Cruise through the tranquil waterways of the Queen Charlotte Sound, see wildlife and native flora and fauna along the way

Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Commentary on board

Restroom on board

Food

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Options

Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise

Reviews

4.71

324 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

263
40
12
6
3
  • I don’t mind giving feed...

    Brian S,May 7, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    I don’t mind giving feed back but I am not writing an essay for you!! Cruise was excellent No more to say

  • Unforgettable beauty and experience

    anjac993,May 1, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We had the most beautiful afternoon on the Queen Charlotte Mail Cruise. Calm water, clear autumn skies, breathtaking beauty, just one of those days that feels unreal! Dylan, our skipper, really made it. He shared so much along the way that added to the whole experience, and you can tell he genuinely cares. I loved seeing how he interacted with the local dogs waiting on their jetties for the mail and their treats 🐾. Highlight of our trip! Would absolutely recommend!!

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  • Interesting experience

    Purlieu lady,Apr 8, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    This was such an interesting experience, the weather wasn't great so it was a really good way to spend an afternoon, moving inside and out on the boat according to the weather. We helped pass the mail and grocery parcels to waiting customers whose properties were not reachable except nby water, and gave their dogs biscuits! We also saw some wildlife , but not as much as we hoped. Skipper Greg as fun and informative.

  • Gentle enjoyable experience with friendly crew and opportunity to take photos

    needles66,Mar 26, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We loved the mail boat cruise and the concept of picking up bags that tourists wanted moving from one area to another to facilitate their hiking. The crew were friendly and the check in staff were excellent too. We had come in on a cruise ship and the whole thing dovetailed perfectly. We saw seals at the king salmon farm and took some great scenery photos.

  • Comfortable transport and...

    Tracy P,Mar 26, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Comfortable transport and excellent commentary by skipper. Fantastic scenery and experience. Plenty of space for all on board. We stayed on the top deck all trip with warm clothes for a brisk breeze

  • Very good apart from the on/off access.

    shirleyfT2983NR,Mar 18, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    4.00

    It was a very enjoyable cruise. However they need better access on and off the launch, as for elderly people (I am 84) it was very difficult getting on and off as there is quite a big gap to step across.

  • A const-effective way of seeing the Sound.

    G9567DSbarbaras,Mar 14, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    4.00

    A beautiful afternoon of sun and sparkling sea and therefore a good cruise, goign onto some small and outlying bays. This added to the atmosphere. The commentary was generally good, if a bit lackng in interesting detail, and easy to hear even on the upper deck. The pilot was interesting to talk to one to one. some of what he told us that way would have made interesting commentary. I saw a square brown disk being handed over at each landing stage and thought it was a 'we have deleveredd' token of some sort - till the thrid one was given direct to the ubiquitous dog - and he ate it. The mail boat pilot as kindly distributing dog biscuits!

  • Queen Charlotte Track 4 day walk on the mail boat.

    Airsails,Mar 9, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Once again we walked the track, not the full track but had 4 great days. Easy 12-16kms each day using the mail boat to get to and from Picton each day. Stayed in a lovely apartment on the waterfront each night with the pub and restaurants right on your door. Beachcomber were great, allowing us to swap days around to suit our pace and weather and even a 10% discount for a multi day booking. We highly recommend this way of doing the Queen Charlotte Track, very relaxed and enjoyable. The afternoons waiting for the boat back to Picton are especially nice at Punga Cove and Furneux Lodge, cafe and bar at both.

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  • Mail boat run

    435jeanettew,Mar 9, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    This was a great trip, the commentary was informative, we saw dolphins, rays and seals. We got off at a memorial for captain cook at the start of the Queen Charlotte Walk. Only thing we didn’t know you had to have your own cup if you wanted a hot drink.

    435jeanettew's photo 1
  • You've Got Mail!

    Breda J,Mar 8, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    This was a wonderful experience. Great way to see the beauty & remoteness of the Sound. The additional quirkiness of the mail delivery made it a unique trip. Would highly recommend.

From NZ$132.00

4.71
(324 reviews)
  • Free cancellation
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