Motueka to Havelock New Zealand

We continued on south towards Nelson to Havelock, the entrance to Marlborough Sound, where we had 2 nights scheduled in a holiday park. We'd scheduled a boat ride for the following morning for a 2-hour tour. We woke to torrential rain and at 7:15 got a call from the skipper that it was really blowing and he was cancelling! Another reason we should have changed our ferry ticket, but now we were within the 24hr no change window and were stuck!

Our morning run from Havelock took us along a windy road along the various bays on the inner portion of Marlborough Sound to the town of Picton. This is the port for all the ferries crossing to and from Wellington on the North Island.

The ferry, about 600' takes about 1 hour to get loaded.

It departs slowing, working its way through the channels to get out to the entrance to Cooks Straight.

About half way out the channel the water color changed.

I've been watching for mountain ranges and valleys that create multiple layers. I think these with 8 and 9 layers are the most yet!

The exit from Marlborough Sound to Cooks Straight.

Welcoming dolphins!

There were many pods that would head straight for the ship then disappear. No bow riding for these guys.

A lone fishing boat.

The arrival in Wellington Harbor is by lining up the Channel Markers on the hillside.