The
Marlborough Sounds are located in the northern part of the South Island, stretching from
Tasman Bay to
Clifford Bay and making up almost 20% of the total coastline of the island. There are three sounds:
Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sound. Queen Charlotte is the most famous as one passes through it when taking the ferry from Picton to the capital
Wellington. In Kenepuru, the smallest of the three, visitors find the most beautiful spots in the area whilst seakayaking. Between Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru lays a walking track which is 71 km long, called “
Queen Charlotte Track”; this track takes leads along a beautiful and diverse landscape and treats the visitor’s eyes with stunning views. Except in Picton, the sounds are not densely populated; the steep and forested hills and small bays make the area difficult to access. The main channels of the Marlborough Sounds have calm water and are
popular for sailing. Cook Strait between the two main islands however is infamous for its
strong currents and rough waters, especially during periods of stronger wind.