Operates: Year RoundCheck in time at Picton: 1pmDepart Picton: 1:30pmArrive Picton: 5:30-6pm

Adult: 15 years +Children: 5-14 yearsInfant: 4 years & under

Marlborough Sounds Magic Mail Run

South Island

Beachcomber Cruises

from

NZ$132

per adult

Book Now

Experiences

Cruises

Family-friendly Tours

Half-Day Tours

South Island

Start: Picton

Duration: 1 day

Travel Time: 5 hours

Experience the Magic Mail Run in the Marlborough Sounds

The Magic Mail Run is a top-rated adventure and a rare chance to travel aboard the official Mail Boat in Queen Charlotte Sound. Each trip is different as the route changes daily, making every journey a surprise. Watch the excitement of Mail Day as supplies are delivered to families living in remote bays and inlets.

Along the way, your skipper shares fascinating stories about the region’s history and the people who call the Sounds home. Keep your camera handy for unexpected encounters with dolphins, seals, and seabirds. With its mix of local life, nature, and scenery, the Magic Mail Run is one of the most memorable ways to experience Marlborough.

Please remember: Our reservations team will tell you the route for the Rural Post Mail Deliveries cruise when you check in. If there's time, the Mail Boat Cruise might make a quick stop at one of the beautiful spots in the Queen Charlotte waterways. We'll explain your route when you check in.

Aerial view of a Beachcomber mail boat arriving at a remote lodge in Marlborough Sounds.

Beachcomber Mailboat docked at the marina in Picton with forested hills in the background.

Man and dog waiting beside a Beachcomber Mailboat on a jetty in the Sounds.

Two mailboats cruising through Marlborough Sounds with scenic coastline in the background.

New Zealand fur seal peeking over rocks on the shoreline in Marlborough Sounds.

Close-up of canvas mailbags labelled for remote bays on the Beachcomber Mailboat.

Aerial view of a Beachcomber mail boat rounding a bush-clad point in Queen Charlotte Sound.

Skipper at the helm of a Beachcomber Cruises vessel giving a guided commentary.

Passengers sitting on deck during a Beachcomber Mailboat cruise from Picton.

Beachcomber skipper delivering live commentary inside the boat’s cabin.

Mailboat arriving at a secluded jetty surrounded by native bush.

Mailboat travelling calmly through Marlborough Sounds near Picton.

Skipper steering the boat through Queen Charlotte Sound with scenic views from the cabin.

Pair of New Zealand fur seals resting on sunlit rocks near Motuara Island.

Mail Boat Cruise passing through Queen Charlotte Sound with a dolphin leaping in the foreground.

Operates: Year Round
Check in time at Picton: 1pm
Depart Picton: 1:30pm
Arrive Picton: 5:30-6pm

To help reduce our environmental impact, Beachcomber Cruises no longer uses single-use cups on any of our vessels. Reusable souvenir keep cups are available for purchase at the office before departure. We also provide complimentary tea and coffee for you to enjoy during the tour.

Adult: 15 years +
Children: 5-14 years
Infant: 4 years & under

48 hours or more before travel: Full refund**
Less than 48 hours: No refund

Note: **Refund excludes credit card, payment or booking fees if applicable, which are non-refundable.

Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*

Marlborough Sounds Magic Mail Run

South Island

Beachcomber Cruises

Experiences

South Island

Experience the Magic Mail Run in the Marlborough Sounds

Booking Options