Captain Cook Cruise to Ship Cove | E-Ko Tours | Shaara Deals

Beyond the dolphin swim, E-Ko Tours also runs a nature cruise and history tour along Queen Charlotte Sound to Ship Cove — the exact spot where Captain Cook first made landfall on the South Island. Shaara Deals has the Captain Cook Cruise listed from $174.

What the cruise covers

You'll cruise the calm, sheltered length of Queen Charlotte Sound with degree-qualified guides delivering fun, informative commentary, watching for playful Hector's, bottlenose and dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and numerous seabirds along the way. The cruise lands at historic Ship Cove, where you're welcomed ashore by the resident wekas, oyster catchers and paradise shelducks before spending roughly 35 minutes exploring untouched native forest and hearing the history behind the site — with spectacular views of Motuara Island and the open ocean in Cook Strait.

What's included

• A personalised small, fully guided group tour (1-to-15 guide ratio)

• Onboard binoculars for wildlife viewing

• Complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits

• Complimentary local wine on the afternoon tour

• Kids' toys, books and drawing boards onboard

• Free professional wildlife photos, downloadable from E-Ko's website afterwards

• E-Ko's exclusive No Seasickness Guarantee

Cruise Details

• Price: from $174 per person

• Duration: approximately 4 hours

• Location: departing Picton, Queen Charlotte Sound

• Operator: E-Ko Tours

• Product code: COOK

Good to know before you book

This is E-Ko's wildlife-and-history cruise rather than the swim-focused option — if getting in the water with dolphins is what you're after, Shaara Deals also lists E-Ko's separate Swim with Wild Dolphins tour, which departs earlier in the day and includes the swim experience. Both operate in the same sheltered Marlborough Sounds waters with E-Ko's No Seasickness Guarantee.

FAQ

• Does this include swimming with dolphins? No — this cruise is focused on wildlife viewing and the Ship Cove landing; for the swim option, see E-Ko's separate Swim with Wild Dolphins tour, also on Shaara Deals.

• What's at Ship Cove? The historic landing site where Captain Cook first made landfall on the South Island, with native forest, resident birdlife and views of Motuara Island.

• Is food included? Yes — complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits, plus local wine on the afternoon tour.

• Is this good for kids? Yes — kids' toys, books and drawing boards are provided onboard.

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound to historic Ship Cove. Book with E-Ko Tours through Shaara Deals now: https://shaaradeals.co.nz/deal/6a951b318c8cb2aa24fed732