New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds, a maze of coves, caves, islands, cliffs, beaches and wildlife encompasses 20 percent of the country’s 937 miles of coastline. It would take a whole summer to paddle every nook and cranny of this region. Most travelers visiting New Zealand think they see the Sounds when taking the ferry from north island (Wellington) to south island (Picton). In fact, they have glimpsed only a fraction of what lies between the sea and sky.
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Huge ridges, towering mountains (pushing 4,000 feet) and deep waterway drop-offs (varying in depth from 115 feet to 400 feet) instantly transport you into a sea kayaking dream. You will hear the calls of the bellbird and glimpse the cheeky weka, a native flightless bird that hangs around campsites and will steal anything. You will also share the water with stingrays, fur seals, dolphins and whales.
The weather can be extreme. The wind hits huge towering cliffs and bounces off causing the gusts to swirl in all directions. If the wind is strong it will whip around the many vast bays and cause “williwaws” (a term created by explorers when describing conditions on an expedition in Antarctica), small tornadoes that seem to come from everywhere. On days when the Sounds are covered in williwaws, kayakers have been known to be uplifted by winds over 60 miles per hour. Educated kayakers will wait these out on a beach, boiling the billy for a brew!
The area offers challenging sections for experienced paddlers as well as sections suitable for novices. Trips range from one-day excursions, to four-day journeys that explore the three sounds. One of the most scenic trips is a paddle throughout the outer Queen Charlotte Sound. You will spend three days exploring the numerous bays and coves in the Sound as you work your way back to Picton. Queen Charlotte Sound (called Totaranui by the indigenous Maoris) has fewer mussel farms and more natural bush than the other two sounds. More experienced paddlers can head to the outer coastlines fronting the famous Cook Strait with its rugged, ocean-beaten shoreline dotted with caves, stacks and blowholes offering hours of exploration.
Shore-side campsites are managed by the Department of Conservation. Here you can slip into the deep waters to gather green-lipped mussels (found only in New Zealand) to satisfy your hunger from a long day’s paddle. The rich ocean currents from the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea, which embrace the Sounds, support one of the world’s richest food chains and ecosystems—an extensive seafood restaurant. Kayakers can feast, while commercial fishing of the protected waters is not allowed.
The journey is over far too soon as you round the final head leading back into Picton. Most vow to return and take a little more time. Plan on this from the outset of the trip.
MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS ADVENTURE COMPANY, NEW ZEALAND
This outfitter is based in Picton, making it easy to get to all parts of the Sounds. The intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds create a wonderland for sea kayakers. The Marlborough Sounds consists of 1500km of New Zealand's coastline, so finding a corner to call your own in a sea kayak is not difficult. Marlborough Sounds are founding members of SKOANZ (Sea Kayak Operators Associaton of New Zealand) and abide by a strict code of practice which ensures that your sea kayaking experience is enjoyed with the utmost safety and comfort in mind. They are the oldest sea kayaking company in the country (20 years) and know the Sounds intimately. Our commitment to safety and outstanding service has been recognized by many awards, most recently the New Zealand Tourism Award for Leisure Activity. With all kayak rental, provide a full safety briefing which takes up to 2 hours, and during that time we discuss with you itinerary planning, weather, paddling techniques, capsize and re-entry etc. If you are unsure whether your paddling experience is enough to take a rental for a few days, then they may suggest that you take our Beginners Package - which includes the guided day trip and then follows on with your multi-day rental.
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company
London Quay, Picton, New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 573 6078
Fax : +64 3 573 8827
New Zealand Free Phone:0800 283 283
Australian Free Phone: 1800 007 083
Website: http://www.marlboroughsounds.co.nz/
OUTDOOR TRAVEL ADVENTURES (OTA), USA
OTA takes care of everything from flights and accommodations to local guides. Outdoor Travel Adventures (OTA) is a leading provider of adventure, nature, and luxury travel. Trip is designed with the independent traveler in mind. All arrangements are pre planned so you can enjoy exploring and joining adventure activities throughout the country and combine world-class sea-kayaking and snorkeling with treks through rain-forests, visits to isolated villages, picnics on beaches, side-trips and surprises. Also provide Time sea-kayaking refresher course, and/or a swim /snorkel off the beach to provide life enhancing travel experiences, complemented by superior customer service and an unwavering commitment to quality. The OTA team personally interacts with over 200 operators to ensure reliable and exciting adventure products for their clients. Outdoor Travel Adventures has created adventure product lines for Qantas Vacations to Australia and New Zealand and has formed a travel alliance with San Diego Travel Group, one of the country’s largest and most respected travel companies.
Outdoor Travel Adventures, Inc
2927-A Canon Street
San Diego, CA USA 92106
Local: 1-619-523-2137
Toll Free: 1-800-554-9059
E-mail: info@otadventures.com
Website: http://www.otadventures.com/