Exploring the Marlborough Sounds by mail boat is a truly unique experience. Our full-day cruises are a chance to see an authentic, fascinating slice of daily life in our remote part of the world.
The Pelorus Mail Boat has been delivering mail, groceries and goods to residents in remote locations in the scenic Marlborough Sounds for more than a century.
All our Mail Boat day cruises include stunning scenery, spectacular wildlife, and an adventure you will never forget.
**Please bring packed Lunch as Te Rawa Lodge is closed until October 2027**
All our routes guarantee stunning scenery, the chance to spot amazing wildlife and fun, entertaining commentary from our onboard crew.
The only difference is that we don’t deliver mail or supplies on Sundays. Instead, we focus solely on showing you some of the best scenery of the Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere.
The Marlborough Sounds is a very sheltered area so it is rare for the Pelorus Mail Boat not to operate.
You are welcome to phone us for a skipper’s weather report, which is the most accurate local weather information you will get for our trip.
If the weather is not to your liking, you're welcome to change your booking to another date up to 24 hours prior to your sailing departure time.
On the very rare occasion that we cancel a sailing due to bad weather, you will be offered the option of an alternate date or full refund.
Autumn and winter weather in the Marlborough Sounds can be some of the best of the year, with glassy calm water conditions and more marine life including dolphins. Just bring an extra layer or two and a woolly hat, and you’ll enjoy some spectacular light and colours.
Yes. We are a genuine Royal Mail delivery service to the Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere community. We also deliver freight, groceries and transfer residents and holiday makers to and from their properties.
We see all sorts of wildlife and every day is different. The weather, tide, time of year and luck all play a part in what we see.
We regularly come across little blue penguins, white-fronted terns, fluttering shearwaters, rare king shags, spotted shags and pied shags. We may also see New Zealand fur seals, stingrays and dusky dolphins, common dolphins and bottle nose dolphins, along with very occasional sightings of orca.
An eclectic range of residents' pets also come out to meet us at the jetties – from dogs to chickens, kunekune pigs, ostriches, goats and even llamas.
Yes - Visa, Mastercard are welcomed, and we also accept debit card transactions.
Bring your own lunch. Havelock has a number of great cafes, a bakery and a small supermarket where you can stock up before you board our cruise.
We provide complimentary tea, coffee and water onboard.
Yes - there are two toilets onboard.
We do have partial wheelchair access. Some mobility is required and we appreciate prior notice. We can take a maximum of two wheelchairs per cruise.
Havelock Marina, where we are based, has a pay and display parking area. We suggest leaving plenty of time for car parking during busy summer months before your check-in time.
Our return time varies quite a bit depending on the number of deliveries on the day, what the tide is doing and also what we see on the day. We run a relaxed schedule to ensure our passengers enjoy what we see on the day, so this can vary our return time.
Yes, we can carry kayaks, bikes and dogs. However, we do have limited space at certain times of year so please contact us with your specific requirements. Dogs are not permitted on the mailrun, only on transfers.
Yes – check our Transfers page and map for more information.
Yes we do - you can purchase a voucher here.
The inner Marlborough Sounds is very sheltered and does not experience the large rolling sea swells seen in Cook Strait and the open sea. While the Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere is often calm, the sea can become choppy, particularly in the afternoon. Normally these conditions last only a short time as we move between sheltered bays and inlets.
Talk to us and we’ll help you find it. The maze of bays and inlets that makes up the Marlborough Sounds can be a confusing place for first-time visitors. Our local staff have many years of in-depth local knowledge to help pinpoint your holiday home location before you go – please ask us when you book.
Definitely. Our cruises are safe and fun for all ages, and children aged 4 and under travel free. Passengers are advised to always follow the instructions of the skipper and crew.
All passengers can take one bag (20kg maximum) for free but there is a charge for additional bags.
A charge may also be applied for extra freight other than general luggage and groceries, e.g. lawnmowers, boat motors etc. These are loaded at the discretion of the skipper and due to loadings on the boat on the day.
We strongly recommend that all luggage should have a waterproof liner and contents in plastic bags, so your belongings are protected in case of a heavy rainfall when bags are being transferred from our boat to jetties.
Yes we do, when space is available. We advise passengers to book earlier than their day of travel to avoid disappointment.
Yes we can. Our 15-metre catamaran can accommodate up to 99 passengers. Please see our Charters page for more information, or contact us directly.
All passengers need to check in at 9.30am for our 10am departure time. This is to allow enough time for boarding and for the day's mail deliveries to get away on time.
