Beachcomber Cruises

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Beachcomber Cruises

Based in Picton with the Queen Charlotte Sounds as our playground. Specializing in Cruising and Walk

Based on the Picton waterfront the Beachcomber Fun Cruises office have the best views – it’s amazing that we actually get any work done! But as wonderful as they are, it gets even better when you venture into the beautiful Marlborough Sounds or more specifically the Queen Charlotte Sound. Our boats are out on the water 364 days of the year, rain or shine. Every day is different, you never know who

or what you may meet, be it frolicking dolphins, playful seals or a lone blue penguin. We have a number of different options including our “World Famous” Magic Mail Boat, Ship Cove and Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary Cruises. Cruise out to a lodge for lunch, walk all or part of the Queen Charlotte Track, whatever you want to do we can make it happen. On this page we’ll share some of our photos, let you know what we’ve been doing and of course any specials. Hopefully you’ll get to know us better and we’ll get to know you too. Life’s great in the Marlborough Sounds but with friends it’s close to perfect!

11/07/2025

11/7/2025 Beachcomber Cruises - New vessel update.
🌧️It was raining so hard.

⚓ Vessel Hull Plates.
Hull plates are the metal plates (typically made of marine-grade steel or aluminum) that form the outer shell or body of a vessel’s hull. They’re welded together to create the watertight structure that allows the boat to float and move safely through water.

Have a great weekend
💙Jess

TCC boats

03/07/2025

🚤 WE’RE HIRING! – Join the Beachcomber Cruises Crew 🌊
Location: Picton Waterfront
Seasonal Roles: Reservations & Skippers
Must love weekends: Because we need you then! 😉

🌟 🌟 RESERVATIONS SUPERSTAR WANTED 🌟 🌟
Do you love talking to people, juggling emails like a pro, and being the calm in a sea of bookings? We’re looking for someone with great communication skills, a good sense of humour, and a love for fast-paced fun. You'll be the first point of contact for guests planning their Queen Charlotte Sounds adventures — so bring your best phone voice and your sharpest typing fingers.
📢Must be available weekends 📢

⚓ SKIPPERS – SET SAIL ON SOMETHING SPECIAL
Are you a qualified skipper who can handle a mic and a crowd? We need confident, capable legends to take the helm of our larger Beachcomber vessels. You’ll be sharing stories, showing off the spectacular Queen Charlotte Sounds, and giving guests an unforgettable experience — all with a smile and a smooth ride.

📢 Must be available weekends📢 Also enjoy a good yarn and working with an awesome team. 📢

🛳 Why Beachcomber Cruises?
Because we’re a great team. We work hard, laugh harder, and love where we live and what we do. The summer season is flat out — but it’s also full of stunning days, good people, and memories made on the water.

👉 Think you're the one? Send us your CV and tell us why you’d be a great fit.
📧 [email protected]

27/06/2025

🛥️✨ Park the car then you can sit back and relax with Beachcomber Cruises 🛥️✨

Cruise through the stunning Queen Charlotte Sounds.
🐬 Spot dolphins, seabirds, and seals
🏡 Meet the locals living off the grid
🌿 Soak up epic scenery and local stories
📸 A photographer’s dream from start to finish!
📍 A Kiwi experience you’ll never forget

23/06/2025

🛥️✨ Did someone say private vessel 🛥️✨

Cruise through the stunning Queen Charlotte Sounds with Picton Water Taxis

🌿 Soak up epic scenery and local stories
📸 A photographer’s dream from start to finish!
🕐 On demand departures

20/06/2025

📮 Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises – Only in the Queen Charlotte / Marlborough Sounds! 🛥️✨
A truly unique New Zealand experience!

🐬 Spot dolphins, seabirds, and seals
🌿 Soak up epic scenery and local stories
📸 A photographer’s dream from start to finish!

16/06/2025

📮Start you Queen Charlotte Track/sounds adventure with Beachcomber Cruises.
A truly unique New Zealand experience!

🐬 Spot dolphins, seabirds, and seals
🌿 Soak up epic scenery and local stories
📸 A photographer’s dream from start to finish!

14/06/2025

📮 Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises – Only in the Marlborough Sounds! 🛥️✨
A truly unique New Zealand experience!

Cruise through the stunning Queen Charlotte Sound as we deliver real mail to remote homes, jetties, and lodges – just like we’ve been doing for decades. 📬💌

🐬 Spot dolphins, seabirds, and seals
🌿 Soak up epic scenery and local stories
📸 A photographer’s dream from start to finish!

12/06/2025

📢 Help Us Name Beachcomber Cruises New Boat📢

Picton based, locally owned and operated business Beachcomber Cruises is proud to be building a brand-new vessel to join our fleet on the stunning Queen Charlotte Sound — and we’d love for you and your students to be part of its story.

Specs:
⚓11.7m Passenger Cat
⚓2x (or Twin) CUMMINS QSB6.7 380HP
⚓Licensed for 40 people
⚓Locally built in Picton by Tory Channel Contracting
⚓Launching December 2025

Beachcomber Cruises encourage name suggestions that reflect:
• Our beautiful Tory Channel and the Queen Charlotte Sound
• Local Marlborough names
• The sense of family and community that connects us all
• The special local character of Picton and the wider region

If we choose a name submitted by the public they will receive:
• A Beachcomber Cruises Summer Travel Pass (*T&C apply)
• An invitation to the new boat’s official launch and naming ceremony
• A Beachcomber Cruises prize pack

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeLmcaSWJS_s9rqx1OTPeqEJDBA38ezC-Oy_npv-r27kk0O2w/viewform

Submissions close 30th June 2025.

We look forward to seeing the creativity and local pride shine through in your entries.

Thank you for helping us in this exciting moment for Beachcomber Cruises and our community.

10/06/2025

📮 Delivering Mail by Boat – Only in the Marlborough Sounds! 🛥️✨
Join us aboard the Beachcomber Cruises Mail Boat Cruise – a truly unique New Zealand experience!

06/06/2025

📮 Delivering Mail by Boat – Only in the Marlborough Sounds! 🛥️✨
Join us aboard the Beachcomber Cruises Mail Boat Cruise – a truly unique New Zealand experience!

Cruise through the stunning Queen Charlotte Sound as we deliver real mail to remote homes, jetties, and lodges – just like we’ve been doing for decades. 📬💌

🐬 Spot dolphins, seabirds, and seals
🏡 Meet the locals living off the grid
🌿 Soak up epic scenery and local stories
📸 A photographer’s dream from start to finish!

🕐 Departs Mon, Wed and Friday in winter
🕐 Departs Monday to Saturday in summer
⏳ Half-day experience
🎟️ Book online or at our Picton waterfront office
[email protected] 035736175
www.beachcombercruises.co.nz
📍 A Kiwi tradition you’ll never forget
#

Address

1 London Quay
Picton
7220

Telephone

+6435736175

Website

http://www.beachcombercruises.co.nz/

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Our Story

Located in Picton, and family owned and operated since 2006, Beachcomber Cruises are the largest Queen Charlotte cruise, transport and Queen Charlotte Track specialist.

With a current capacity of over 400 passengers at any one time, we have 8 newly built boats which were built and designed catering for the independent travellers, families, groups and functions, providing you the best in safety and comfort. With our skippers wealth of knowledge and excellent viewing areas these vessels are without a doubt the most comfortable way of cruising the waterways of the Queen Charlotte Sounds!

We offer schedule cruises as well as facilitating one- and multi-day walks of the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track.

Our affiliated business Picton Water Taxis, offer Private on-demand water taxi transfers for all your needs within the Queen Charlotte Sounds.

Our offices are open from 7am-6pm during the summer, 8am-5pm in winter and we are contactable 24 hours.

Our services include:

• Scheduled Sightseeing Cruises featuring the Magic Mail Run – the only licensed NZ Post delivery service in the Queen Charlotte Sound, Historical Ship Cove Cruise, Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary Eco tour and more.

• Queen Charlotte Track Transfers.

• One Day and Multi-Day Cruise & Walk packages.

• Queen Charlotte Sound Lodge transfers.

• An on-demand Water Taxi Service (Picton Water Taxis).

Our boats are out on the water 364 days of the year, rain or shine. Every day is different, you never know who or what you may meet, be it frolicking dolphins, playful seals or a lone blue penguin.

Come and experience the Queen Charlotte Sounds with us.