FAQs

Final check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure. Please ensure you have left enough time to find parking. We welcome you to check-in earlier wherever possible.

Cougar Line’s office is located at Picton’s Town Wharf – look for the purple flags on our roof. Please see our location map for directions.

Yes, some of our vessels have suitable wheelchair access to lower decks. Please contact us so we can advise you in the best way possible.

Yes. Let us know when you book that you are bringing your bike and we will safely transport it, and you, to your chosen starting point on the track. 
Bikes are transferred at an additional charge of $10 each way for standard mountain bikes, and $20 each way for e-bikes.

Yes, we can. Kayaks are transported at the same cost as a passenger. Just let us know when you book and we can sort that out.

Yes, we can deliver to almost any point within the Queen Charlotte Sound, on either our dedicated freight runs or one of our scheduled passenger services. Please contact us to discuss delivery.

The Queen Charlotte Sound is very sheltered and does not experience the large rolling sea swells seen in the Cook Strait. While the sound is often extremely calm, the sea can become choppy, particularly in the afternoon. Normally these conditions last only a short time as we move between sheltered bays and inlets.

The maze of bays and inlets that makes up the Marlborough Sounds can be a confusing place for first-time visitors. However, we do need the property name, jetty number and the bay it is in so we can drop you at the right place. In the first instance ask the person renting you the house to provide you with these details. Alternatively, talk to us and we’ll try to help you find it. 

Definitely. All of our vessels are safe for all ages – passengers must follow the instructions of the skipper and crew at all times.

We have scenic cruises and Queen Charlotte Track experiences that are great for a range of ages and abilities.

Yes, we can drop luggage to many accommodation points along the track.

 
Our Round Trip Track Pass includes daily bag transfers, as well as transport to and from the track.

Yes. The luggage limit is 2 items per person, at 23kg each (as well as 1x small carry on). Anything above that will incur an additional charge.

We strongly recommend that all luggage should have a waterproof liner or contents in plastic bags, so that in the event of a heavy rainfall when bags are being transferred from boat to jetties your belongings are protected.

If you wish to travel outside our scheduled cruise times or want to go directly to your destination without other stops along the way, contact us about our on-demand water taxi service.

We are open daily (except Christmas Day).

Summer Hours:

7:00am - 5:00pm

Winter Hours:

8:00am - 4:00pm

Yes, when space is available. We always welcome visitors to come in for a chat about what they’d like to see and do in the Marlborough Sounds, and to find the best way to get you there and back again.

Check-in and bookings close 30 minutes prior to departure. This helps our vessels run to schedule

We have a fleet of 6 catamarans ranging in size from 11 meters to 18 meters which are all comfortable and maintained to the highest safety standards. See more information about our fleet.

We can't guarantee which vessel you’ll travel on as this depends on passenger numbers.

Definitely. Check out our Cruise & Walk options to spend a day on the track or stay overnight using our Round-Trip Track Pass to get you to and from the track.

Absolutely – and be sure to stay for lunch. Our Cruise & Lunch day trip to our sister lodges, Punga Cove or Furneaux Lodge, is a great way to visit the area for a day.

The most popular way to walk the Queen Charlotte Track is North to South, from Ship Cove/Meretoto to Anakiwa.

This is the direction our boats travel, so if you are walking this way, we can help move your luggage with our Round-Trip Track Pass.

We sure do. Check out our day walk options and scenic cruises. 

The teams at Wilderness Guides or Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company can put together Queen Charlotte Track Experiences that include transport and accomodation.

Currently, two of our vessels offer an on-board bar and snacks. 

If you are not purchasing lunch and/or dinner at a Marlborough Sounds lodge, please make sure you bring enough food and water for your chosen activity, as there are no shops where we’re going.

Cougar Line has no customer parking, however, Picton has a number of paid parking areas which allow overnight stays.

We suggest leaving plenty of time for car parking during busy summer months before your check-in time as a lot of the car parks fill up quickly.

Council info on parking in Picton

The weather in the Marlborough Sounds can change suddenly so to get the most out of your experience, prepare with warm clothing, a waterproof jacket, a hat, sensible footwear and sunscreen.

If you’re walking or biking between Punga Cove (Camp Bay) and Anakiwa along the Queen Charlotte Track, you’ll require a Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (QCTLC) pass.

Passes are available for purchase from the Cougar Line office and are not included in Cougar Line’s standard fares.

For Cougar Line’s scheduled departures, date changes to your booking are possible up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure time at no additional charge, and are subject to availability.
Booking changes within 48-6 hours will incur a fee.
Depending on intended travel season, differences in scheduled departure times or rates may apply as at the date of rebooking. 

For ‘special hire’ private charters, date changes to your booking are possible up to 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure time, and are subject to availability. Depending on intended travel season, additional charges may apply.

If your booking is cancelled within 48 hours of your scheduled booking, or on the day of your booking, a 100% tariff charge applies.

For Cougar Line’s scheduled departures, date changes to your booking are possible up to 6 hours prior to your scheduled departure time. Amendments within 48-6 hours prior to original departure will incur a fee, and are subject to availability.

The 'Cruise and Lunch' is the only trip that includes a meal. Unless otherwise stated all food and beverage is to be purchased separately. 

Absolutely – as long as it’s located in Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui. For transport in the Pelorus Sound, try the Pelorus Mail Boat.