Queen Charlotte Sound

Key Cruising Areas & Recommended Anchorages

The most accessible and developed of the Sounds, home to resorts, lodges, and numerous secure bays.

Picton & Waikawa

  • Facilities: Full marina services, fuel, groceries, and water.
  • Use: Ideal base or provisioning stop.
  • Notes: Busy in summer — keep speed down within harbour limits.

Endeavour Inlet

  • Anchor: Sand and mud bottom, 6–10 m.
  • Features: Historic Furneaux Lodge and Punga Cove Resort; walking access to the Queen Charlotte Track.
  • Holding: Excellent; sheltered from most directions except strong northerlies.

Resolution Bay

  • Anchor: 8–12 m, sand.
  • Why stop: Scenic and quiet alternative to Endeavour Inlet; great swimming.

Ship Cove / Meretoto

  • Significance: Historic site of Captain Cook’s anchorage.
  • Anchorage: 8–10 m, mud bottom; good holding.
  • Note: Day anchorage only — can get wind-funnelled at night.

Bay of Many Coves

  • Anchor: 10–15 m, sand and mud.
  • Facilities: Bay of Many Coves Resort; good diving and kayaking.

 

Weather & Conditions

  • Prevailing Winds: Northerlies in summer; cold southerlies can funnel sharply through the Sounds.
  • Sea State: Generally sheltered, but the main channels (especially Queen Charlotte and Pelorus) can get short steep chop when wind opposes tide.
  • Tides & Currents: Up to 2 knots in some passages; strongest near French Pass and Tory Channel.

Tip: The weather can change quickly — anchorages calm in the morning can be gusty by afternoon. Always allow for swing and scope.

Charts & Resources

  • NZ Charts: NZ6151 (Marlborough Sounds overview), NZ6152 (Queen Charlotte), NZ6153 (Pelorus), NZ6154 (Kenepuru).
  • Cruising Guide: Marlborough Sounds NZ Cruising Guide by Malcolm Pitt & Robyn Pitt — the local “bible”.
  • Marine Services: Havelock, Picton, and Waikawa marinas offer fuel, provisions, maintenance, and haul-out.
  • Weather Info: Marlborough Marine Radio (VHF 60/65/66) provides local forecasts and traffic reports.