The Marlborough Sounds is a bit of a favourite place for me. Fantastic
scenery and a massive selection of bays and coves and places among the fiord
like fingers that make up the Sounds. They're broken into Pelorous
Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds. They're the main ones anyway, the
ones that folk know the area by. Pelorous and Kenepuru are my favourite,
though many folk say Queen Charlotte is prettier. None of the Marlborough
Sounds could be described as fantastic sailing; however there are many good
sailing areas. I think the idea is to stick to them, enjoy the sailing.
One has to be careful when transiting while under sail, there are some fairly
treacherous areas that keep you on your toes. The wind can bounce all over
the place. The worst sailing conditions are in the Southerly; it's
probably best to be under motor or sheltering at one of the zillions of bays.
In general, better sailing exists out of the Sounds, out into Cook Strait and
east or west of the Strait. Good fishing, scallops and rock oysters too.
Click a picture to see a larger view.
