PICTON, WAIKAWA AND HAVELOCK; QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND, TORY CHANNEL AND PELORUS SOUND, TOP OF THE SOUTH ISLAND

Marlborough Sounds: boating safety

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The Marlborough Sounds are a maze of drowned river valleys at the top of New Zealand's South Island, with marinas at Picton, Waikawa and Havelock. Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel are also the route of the Cook Strait ferries, so small boats share narrow water with large ships.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 111
Call 111 and ask for Police. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

New Zealand: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

The Marlborough Harbourmaster can be reached through Picton Harbour Radio on VHF 18 or Marlborough Marine Radio on VHF 01, 05, 63 and 65.

Marlborough District Council ▾
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “Picton Harbour Radio on VHF 18 Marlborough Marine Radio on VHF 01,05,63,65”

Marlborough Sounds Marinas (Picton, Waikawa, Havelock) have visitor jetties and berths for boats up to 10 m on a first-come basis; longer boats should contact the Marina Service Centre.

Marlborough Sounds Marinas ▾
marlboroughmarinas.co.nz (2026-10-14): “We offer visitor berths and jetties, for vessels up to 10 metres in length . These are available for unscheduled stays on a first-come, first-served basis”

Weather

Marlborough-Nelson Marine Radio broadcasts marine forecasts and tides daily on all its channels (e.g. 65) at about 08:35, 11:35, 13:35 and 17:35, plus safety and navigation warnings through the day.

Marlborough District Council · Marlborough District Council ▾
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “Marine weather forecasts and tides are broadcast daily on all of the Association’s channels commencing at approximately 0835,”
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “1335, 1735. Safety messages and navigation warnings are also broadcast throughout the day.”

Local rules

Navigation bylaw: 5 knots or less within 200 m of shore, a structure or a dive-flag vessel, and within 50 m of another vessel, raft or swimmer. Everyone on boats 6 m or shorter must wear a lifejacket. Boats need two forms of communication, and a VHF near Tory Channel Entrance or French Pass.

Marlborough District Council · Marlborough District Council ▾
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “When within 200m from shore, structure or a vessel flying a dive flag, your speed should be 5 knots or less. When within 50m of another vessel, raft or person in the water, your speed should be 5 knots or less.”
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “Vessels are to have 2 forms of communication. Vessels operating near Tory Channel Entrance or French Pass are to have VHF radios.”

Keep at least 500 m ahead of and 50 m to the side of or behind ships over 500 GT. A restricted area in Picton Harbour keeps recreational boats out of the port working area unless going to a marine service provider there.

Marlborough District Council · Marlborough District Council ▾
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “Vessel less than 500 GT are to keep clear or vessels over 500 GT by at least 500m ahead of the large ship, and 50m either side or astern of the ship.”
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “There is a restricted area in Picton Harbour to keep recreational vessels clear of the main port working area.”

Hazards

Tory Channel Entrance has strong tidal streams, little sea room and a blind corner, with up to 24 fast ships a day in summer. It is a Critical Navigation Zone: listen on VHF 18 and make an 'all ships' call on VHF 18 at the charted reporting points or 10 minutes before East Head.

Marlborough District Council · Marlborough District Council ▾
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “The Eastern Tory Channel Entrance presents a number of hazards to the mariner. These include strong tidal streams, limited sea room and a blind corner.”
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “Make an ‘all ships’ radio call on VHF 18 at the reporting points indicated on Chart NZ 6153 or 10 minutes prior to passing East Head.”

At night, quick-flashing blue lights in Picton Harbour (Waitohi Wharf and the Picton Marina breakwater) show that a ferry is departing; they flash for about 10 minutes.

Marlborough District Council ▾
marlborough.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “quick flashing blue lights operate in Picton Harbour every time a ferry departs at night. These lights continue to flash for approximately 10 minutes.”

Hospital and medical

Wairau Hospital in Blenheim has a 24-hour emergency department (entrance on Hospital Road).

Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora ▾
healthnz.govt.nz (2026-10-14): “Wairau Hospital has a 24-hour emergency department. It is accessible via the Emergency entrance on Hospital Road.”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Marlborough Sounds?

Call 111 and ask for Police. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Marlborough Sounds?

The Marlborough Harbourmaster can be reached through Picton Harbour Radio on VHF 18 or Marlborough Marine Radio on VHF 01, 05, 63 and 65.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Marlborough Sounds?

Marlborough-Nelson Marine Radio broadcasts marine forecasts and tides daily on all its channels (e.g. 65) at about 08:35, 11:35, 13:35 and 17:35, plus safety and navigation warnings through the day.

Read before you sail

Cold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf 269 nmBay of Islands 363 nmSydney Harbour AustraliaHobart / D'Entrecasteaux Channel AustraliaNouméa New CaledoniaGold Coast / Moreton Bay AustraliaPort Phillip (Melbourne) AustraliaFiji — Port Denarau Fiji

Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com