IF YOU’RE VISITING BY BOAT

Exploring the Marlborough Sounds on you own boat demands plenty of spare time and, fortunately for those who prefer to sample it at a leisurely pace, the region boasts three excellent marinas to use as a base or stopover.

Picton, Waikawa and Havelock all provide marine and engineering facilities, as well as restaurants/cafés, toilets and showers, laundry, fuel, pump-out stations, waste oil disposal centres, a rubbish removal service and a launching ramp for trailer boats. PICTON MARINA 254 berths, catering for vessels from 8m-35m. WAIKAWA MARINA 600 berths, with visitor berths from 8m-20m. HAVELOCK MARINA 340 berths, able to accommodate vessels between 10m and 30m. Be aware that the entrance to Havelock channel is more tidal than the other marinas, but it’s well-surveyed with excellent navigation markers. The channel has been dredged to 2.1m at chart datum.

With permanent moorings available, all three are good places to leave your boat for extended stays. Note: If you are planning to cruise the Sounds this summer, consider downloading the Marlborough Sounds Cruising Guide App. Available for Android and Apple phones, it’s an invaluable accessory for itinerary planning.