Pelorus Mail Boat
4.7 27 reviews
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A full day out on Pelorus Sound delivering mail, groceries and supplies to people who genuinely live out there, no road access, just a jetty and a waiting pig or two. It's one of those experiences that's hard to explain until you're on the water watching a goat trot down to collect a parcel. Use promo code RANKERS for 10% off, which helps keep us going at Rankers too.
The crew consistently get a mention across reviews. Friendly, knowledgeable, and good at making a long day feel worthwhile. There's complimentary tea and coffee on board and decent commentary as you go. Dolphins are a regular bonus, and on a good day you'll get out near the Tasman where seals and blue penguins show up.
Few honest notes though. It's a long day, around seven hours, and a handful of reviewers felt it ran a touch longer than needed. The boat can also get pretty full, so if you're after elbow room just be aware of that. Price sits at the higher end for what's included meal-wise, but the experience itself is genuinely unlike most things you can do in Marlborough. I'd say it's worth it.
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Details
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Organisation |
Pelorus Mail BoatCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Outer Marlborough Sounds |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Mail Run day cruises operate year-round on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Saturday Mail Runs operate over summer. Postie's Day Off Sunday cruises operate from January 2026. All cruises depart at 10am, with check-in at 9:30am, and return between 3:30pm and 4:30pm. The D'Urville Day Out and Pelorus Day Out operate on specific, limited dates. |
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Promo Code 10% Off |
Use discount code RANKERS with Pelorus Mail Boat and 10% off. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Boat Cruises
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Reviews
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Perhaps 2 hours too long.
Seifert -
Interesting day.
Jill -
An absolutely fantastic trip.
Trish Barber -
Good day on the water with excellent scenery.
nadinef -
Excellent.
Schweisshelm
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What a wonderful trip Brittany and Nicole were wonderful hosts.
A trip certainly not to be missed we met awesome residents who live in these places along with their friendly pets pigs goats and dogs scenery to die for. The bonus was to see multiple dolphins alongside the boat
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An absolutely fantastic trip.
I would recommend doing this day trip to everyone.
The skipper and his crew were the best.
Trish
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What a wonderful way to see the Marlborough Sounds.
We had discovered this trip whilst driving through Havelock and thought it would be a good way to see some of the more outlying parts of the Sounds.
We were not disappointed and fortunately we were blessed with a beautiful
Jim was great host and his brother was on hand to assist the day we sailed. He was able to provide a most informative commentary during the trip identifying the more interesting aspects that we visible from the boat as well as descriptions of the islolated homesteads who do not have traditional mail deliveries.
Complimentary tea and cofee is provided during the duratin of the trip and Jim brings round his tin of biscuits periodically.
The trip takes you out right to the Tasman Sea where you will see seals and if you are lucky blue penguins and dolphins. You will also have the opportunity of seeing up close the mussel beds in the Sounds.
This is a full day tour and extremely good value for money and we have no reservations in highly recommending this trip to future passengers
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Did the Friday cruise on the mail boat to the outer edges of the sound with the ginger Jock Jim and his faithful sidekick Penny who picked us up from Picton.
The trip was in good weather and there was commentary as we were shown the sights as they did their mail run to the locals. We got to see a pod of dolphins swimming with the boat and feed the pigs that are tame on the jetty as he delivered mail to one of the properties.
Was a full day and excellent value for money at $128 with free pickup and drop off in Picton. Free tea and coffee were provided.
Highly recommended as a good day out.
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A wonderful way to explore the Sound and discover all about the remote communities dotted along its scenic coast.
Our hosts, owner/skipper, Jim and his co-skipper Penny were truly professional as diligent 'Posties', crew and guides. Thanks!
Where else in the World would you have dogs, pigs, sheep, hens & people waiting at the end of a jetty waiting for their post???
A 'must do' when we visit again.
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We had a great day on the Pelorus Mail Boat.
Jim, the skipper was very friendly and provided and informative natural history and historical background to the Sounds and their inhabitants. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip, the scenery was spectacular and it was a treat to be able to chat to the locals about their lives. I'd recommend this trip to everyone.
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xcellent way to get out on the Marlborough Sounds.
Delivering post to the locals. Full day of sailing 9.30 to 4.30pm. Morning spent delivering the post, afternoon the opportunity is provided to get off the boat and walk.
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Interesting day.
Great scenery, good information by crew. Seating cramped and if vessel fully booked, would have been inadequate.
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Wonderful tour, but too expensive ($128pp) without meal, only tea, but very interesting.
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$128 per person is overprices.
Very friendly skipper who told us a lot of interesting stories.
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What a wonderful trip Brittany and Nicole were wonderful hosts.
A trip certainly not to be missed we met awesome residents who live in these places along with their friendly pets pigs goats and dogs scenery to die for. The bonus was to see multiple dolphins alongside the boat
-
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An absolutely fantastic trip.
I would recommend doing this day trip to everyone.
The skipper and his crew were the best.
Trish
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$128 per person is overprices.
Very friendly skipper who told us a lot of interesting stories.
-
A wonderful way to explore the Sound and discover all about the remote communities dotted along its scenic coast.
Our hosts, owner/skipper, Jim and his co-skipper Penny were truly professional as diligent 'Posties', crew and guides. Thanks!
Where else in the World would you have dogs, pigs, sheep, hens & people waiting at the end of a jetty waiting for their post???
A 'must do' when we visit again.
-
-
Did the Friday cruise on the mail boat to the outer edges of the sound with the ginger Jock Jim and his faithful sidekick Penny who picked us up from Picton.
The trip was in good weather and there was commentary as we were shown the sights as they did their mail run to the locals. We got to see a pod of dolphins swimming with the boat and feed the pigs that are tame on the jetty as he delivered mail to one of the properties.
Was a full day and excellent value for money at $128 with free pickup and drop off in Picton. Free tea and coffee were provided.
Highly recommended as a good day out.
-
xcellent way to get out on the Marlborough Sounds.
Delivering post to the locals. Full day of sailing 9.30 to 4.30pm. Morning spent delivering the post, afternoon the opportunity is provided to get off the boat and walk.
-
What a wonderful way to see the Marlborough Sounds.
We had discovered this trip whilst driving through Havelock and thought it would be a good way to see some of the more outlying parts of the Sounds.
We were not disappointed and fortunately we were blessed with a beautiful
Jim was great host and his brother was on hand to assist the day we sailed. He was able to provide a most informative commentary during the trip identifying the more interesting aspects that we visible from the boat as well as descriptions of the islolated homesteads who do not have traditional mail deliveries.
Complimentary tea and cofee is provided during the duratin of the trip and Jim brings round his tin of biscuits periodically.
The trip takes you out right to the Tasman Sea where you will see seals and if you are lucky blue penguins and dolphins. You will also have the opportunity of seeing up close the mussel beds in the Sounds.
This is a full day tour and extremely good value for money and we have no reservations in highly recommending this trip to future passengers
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We had a great day on the Pelorus Mail Boat.
Jim, the skipper was very friendly and provided and informative natural history and historical background to the Sounds and their inhabitants. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip, the scenery was spectacular and it was a treat to be able to chat to the locals about their lives. I'd recommend this trip to everyone.
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Wonderful tour, but too expensive ($128pp) without meal, only tea, but very interesting.
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Interesting day.
Great scenery, good information by crew. Seating cramped and if vessel fully booked, would have been inadequate.
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We paid $120 each for a 7.5 hour tour on a large launch delivering mail + stores to 45 families who live in the Sounds.
Free tea & coffee. Very informative tour. Maybe a little expensive but quite unique. you can take this tour from Havelock or Picton. A free bus will pick you up in Picton and deliver you to Havelock where the tour leaves from and will take you back to Picton when the tour is finished.