Marlborough Sounds, Sea inlet system in South Island, New Zealand
The Marlborough Sounds form an intricate network of deep bays and waterways at the northern tip of South Island. Forested hillsides slope down steeply to the water, creating many islands, inlets, and sheltered anchorages.
Captain Cook explored these waters in the 1770s and charted the coastline for the British Crown. His voyages opened the region to European discovery and later settlement.
Māori communities relied on these waters for fishing and developed canoe routes across the peninsulas to connect different settlements. The places where they lived and worked remain visible along the shoreline today.
Picton port is the main gateway and connects the region to South Island's road and rail networks. Many remote locations are best reached by boat.
A rare seabird species nests only on the rocky outcrops throughout these waters and nowhere else on Earth. This unusual bird is known for its distinctive rough facial features.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
