PADDLEBOARD THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS

Updated: Sep 22

The Marlborough Sounds are something special - with secluded bays, sleepy bachs, lush forest and sparkling blue waters. With 1500km of New Zealand coastline making up the Marlborough Sounds, there are hidden beaches around the bends.

Among them, the Kenepuru Sound stands out for its calm turquoise waters and sheltered paddling. The reflections of the rolling green hills lush with native bush are stunning on the water here, especially at sunrise and sunset!

The Kenepuru Sound is the smallest of the three big ones that make up the Sounds. My friend Garth and I headed over for a few days to stay in a friends bach, overlooking Broughton Bay, so it was the perfect trip to start exploring. I wanted to paddle to a mussel farm, explore the historic shipwreck laid to rest and try my hand to fishing off my paddleboard so off we went!

Paddleboard in the Marlborough Sounds

Broughton Bay is sheltered, sleepy and accessible at all tides, making it a great launch spot from the beach. With lots of bays to tuck into, you can find shelter from the wind, but be aware that the wind can pick up throughout the day on the Sounds. Dolphins can be known to be milling around in the Sounds, enjoying the calm. We didn't see any, but they had been in the bay the day before, so my eyes were peeled!

After launching, we headed to the west of Broughton Bay, past Schnapper Point to the farm, marked on your NZ Topo map. I hadn't seen a mussel farm from the water before, so we paddled over, and it was really cool! These farms are a vital part of the local economy, producing some of the finest green-lipped mussels in the world. Paddling alongside the farm, you'll see the long lines of mussel ropes stretching out beneath the water. We saw some of the workers harvesting the mussels too, which was pretty cool .

This is the perfect place to drop a line and catch a fish. I unfortunately didn't catch anything I wanted to eat, just three spikey Sharks (!). Don't worry, they weren't very big, so they were released back into freedom. Spikes and inflatable boards didn't seem the best combination, but my friend Garth and his kayak had that job of untangling line and hooks under control from his boat (phew!). Mussels are in abundance around all the shores perfect for picking (not from the farm!), and cooking up back home - and they were delicious - make sure you check for crabs inside or you can chomp on some extra protein, like Garth did.

From here, it's a great paddle to visit the impressive Amokura shipwreck beached nearby in St Omer Bay that you can paddle right up to. As you approach, the rusted remains of the ship come into view, a stark contrast to the pristine waters that surround it. I loved wandering around the wreck, stopping here for lunch and having too much fun on the rope swing.

This area is filled with stunning bays so you can plan your own route to make the best of the wind strength and direction and relax into the peace of the Sounds.

I was so relaxed that on this trip, in classic Jo style, I left two coats and a pair of shoes at the bach,

and managed to steal a saucepan in the kayak and take it back to Nelson. Enjoy :)

Paddleboarding in the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand

route

PADDLING INFO for kenepuru sound

rating

Beginner Friendly

ROUTE & conditions

The Sounds are not too affected by tides in general, so your route should be determined by the winds, so make sure that you paddle into the head wind on your way out and use the tail wind to help you back when you turn around.
Although there are lots of bays and coves to tuck into, the wind can tunnel down the middle so it is advised to plan carefully and be prepared for the conditions to change. The winds tend to pick up in the afternoon especially in the summer, so do be careful and check the forecast as you don't want to get caught out. So it is best to head out early morning or jump on for a gentle paddle around at sunset.

WHERE TO PARK & LAUNCH

The Kenepuru road is windy and narrow, running to Kenepuru Head. It is currently closed to non residents after the floods in 2021, however as at the end of August 2024, they plan to open it in September 2024 for access again. You can check the status of the road works here.

Free parking at the water front in Broughton Bay. Broughton Bay is on Kenepuru Road, just keep following the road to the bay.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

You are mainly on your own for this one! So bring lots of snacks and treats, or paddle around to Te Mahia Bay in the summer months to the Te Mahia Bay Resort or the cute wee food truck - the tinkering tinker.
In the summer months, you can stop at Lochmara Lodge to stay and to eat at their bay side restaurant. Or stop at the cute Queen Charlotte Tavern before you turn off to Kenepuru Sound.

WHERE TO SLEEP

The closest campsite to this paddle is in Portage, Picnic Bay, ( no booking, first come, first served) on the waterfront or Cowshed Bay (booking required).
Or, if you prefer a bed for the night, check out Te Mahia Bay Resort in the summer too.

LOCAL INFO

No permits or permissions are needed to paddleboard here. NZ Maritime Law states a requirement to wear a buoyancy aid when paddleboarding (body or airbelt) and have two forms of communication (e.g. phone and whistle)
Be aware of sand flies, bees and wasps which are strive here in the summer.
Check the local fishing rules to check your limits, zones and seasons you are able to fish.
The Sounds have so many incredible paddling spots, so also check out paddling on the Pelorus Sound and Queen Charlotte Sound too. More paddles to come and share with you!