Catamaran Cruise, Wine Tour, Lunch

Marlborough Ultimate Day Out including Cruise, Wine Tour & Lunch

★ 4.6 27 reviews

from $233.34 per person

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Duration: 8 hours
Meeting point: Picton/Blenheim
Cancellation: Every tour here can be cancelled free
Run by: The Original Marlborough Wine Tours

Overview

This full day pairs two halves of Marlborough that most visitors have to organise separately: a morning catamaran cruise out of Picton with Beachcomber Cruises to Ship Cove and back, then an afternoon wine tour with tastings and a shared lunch platter. The tour day runs from 9am to 4.30pm, and the whole thing lasts about 8 hours.

The cruise is the shared Beachcomber Ship Cove run, not a private charter, and it also carries Queen Charlotte Track walkers and their luggage. In peak summer it can stop at several bays on the way back to Picton, so the boat doubles as transport for the Sounds as well as sightseeing. One reviewer praised the skipper as knowledgeable and friendly and called the morning on the water a highlight, while another likened the vessel to a water taxi making drop-offs and pickups.

After docking, an experienced wine guide takes over for the afternoon. Lunch is a shared Marlborough platter at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen, followed by tastings at 2 to 3 wineries, with standard tasting fees included. The other cellar doors rotate between corporate, family-run and boutique operations. The group is capped at 10. Bookers staying in Blenheim choose that option at checkout for pickup between 8.00am and 8.15am, at a higher price; Picton travellers make their own way to the Beachcomber office on London Quay.

A view of Queen Charlotte Sound from a hillside above Picton, green bush hills dropping to calm blue water, a single small boat in the distance.

What's Included

Included

Catamaran cruise from Picton to Ship Cove and back with Beachcomber Cruises
Shared Marlborough lunch platter at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
Wine tastings at 2-3 wineries, with standard tasting fees included
Experienced wine tour guide
Transport from Picton into the wine region and back to your accommodation
Pickup from your Blenheim accommodation between 8.00am and 8.15am (Blenheim option)

Not Included

Food and drinks beyond the tastings and the shared lunch platter

Itinerary

Meet at Picton wharfPicton travellers make their own way to the Beachcomber Cruises office on London Quay before the cruise departs.
Blenheim pickup (optional)Blenheim option only, at extra cost. Pickup from Blenheim accommodation between 8.00am and 8.15am.
Catamaran cruise to Ship CoveShared Beachcomber Cruises catamaran from Picton to Ship Cove and back, also carrying Queen Charlotte Track walkers and luggage.
Queen Charlotte Sound cruiseViews of the Marlborough Sounds from the water, with possible stops at several bays on the return in peak summer.
Lunch at Saint Clair30 minutes at Saint Clair Family Estate Vineyard Kitchen for a shared Marlborough lunch platter, admission ticket included.
Wine tastingsTastings at 2-3 wineries, with standard tasting fees included. The wineries other than Saint Clair rotate between corporate, family-run and boutique cellar doors.
Return transferTransport back to Picton, with a drop-off at your accommodation.

GuideIncluded

PickupIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how the day goes, from what to pack for the morning on the water to how the shared cruise actually works.

Pack for the boat. The listing recommends a hat, a jacket, sunglasses and snacks for the morning on the water. The cruise is exposed to the Sounds weather, so layers are the safer bet.
Shared cruise. The catamaran is the regular Beachcomber Ship Cove service, not a private boat. It carries track walkers and luggage, and in peak summer it can stop at several bays on the return, so allow for a stop-and-start ride. One reviewer called the morning on the water beautiful despite this.
Pace of the day. One reviewer felt the afternoon was slow, with only 3 wineries in 4 hours and long drives between them. Another found the excursion well broken up with plenty of stopping points. Come expecting a relaxed pace rather than a maximum-coverage wine sprint.

Minivan parked at the edge of Marlborough vine rows under late sun.

Food and drink. The shared lunch platter at Saint Clair and standard tasting fees are included. Anything else you eat or drink beyond that is at your own cost, which is why snacks for the morning are suggested.
Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 10 travellers and needs at least 4 guests to go ahead. One reviewer described the wine tour driver as very friendly and knowledgeable.

How this price compares with 8 other tours in the same category (from-price per person, USD, the 8 lowest shown)

Winemakers Tour, Tasting Fees Included$143.68
Beyond the Vines Small Group$143.68
5 to 6 Hour Full-Day Tour$154
Day of Wine, Hotel Pickup$162.07
Wine Tasting Plus Cruise Combo$183.91
Gourmet and Scenic, Blenheim Start$186.78
Full-Day From Blenheim, Lunch Included$218.39
Catamaran Cruise, Wine Tour, Lunch (this tour)$233.34

Two companies, one day. The cruise and the wine tour are run by different operators, as one reviewer noted. The wine guide meets you after the boat, and transport runs from Picton into the wine region and back to your accommodation.

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Common issues. The day needs a minimum of 4 guests and good weather, and if either is missing it can be cancelled, in which case a different date or a full refund is offered. The cruise is a shared service that doubles as transport for track walkers, which one reviewer found disappointing and compared to a water taxi; another reported a voucher mix-up over lunch despite the listing stating the platter is included. Blenheim pickup costs extra, and some accommodation outside central Blenheim carries a further fee. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and one reviewer wished more wineries were fitted into the afternoon given the driving time between stops.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The catamaran cruise from Picton to Ship Cove and back, a shared Marlborough lunch platter at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen, wine tastings at 2-3 wineries with standard tasting fees, an experienced wine tour guide, and transport from Picton into the wine region and back to your accommodation. Food and drinks beyond the tastings and the shared platter are not included.

Is Lunch And Wine Tasting Extra?

No. The shared lunch platter and standard tasting fees are part of the package. Anything you order beyond the platter and the included tastings, such as extra drinks or food, is at your own expense.

Where Does The Tour Start And Is Pickup Included?

Picton travellers make their own way to the Beachcomber Cruises office on London Quay before the cruise departs. If you are staying in Blenheim, choose the Blenheim option when booking for pickup between 8.00am and 8.15am from your accommodation; this transfer costs more, and some pickups outside central Blenheim carry an extra fee.

How Long Is The Day And What Time Does It Finish?

The full experience runs about 8 hours, from 9am to 4.30pm. Blenheim pickups happen earlier, between 8.00am and 8.15am, and the day ends with a drop-off at your accommodation.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Within 24 hours, no refund or changes are accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum of 4 travellers is not met, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or Wheelchair Users?

Infant seats are available and most travellers can participate, so children can join. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.