96 Boating New Zealand
South Island robin, endangered saddleback/tīeke or yellow-
crowned parakeet/kākāriki.
It’s not the only island worth a visit; Blumine/Oruawairua
Island also hosts a DoC campsite and walking track. This
offers access to gun emplacements built during WWII. From
a boating perspective, its drawback is an exposed beach and
mooring area. Meanwhile, Long Island is a rocky, narrow and
exposed piece of land designated a Marine Reserve.WEATHER
As with any boating, the key point to remember when
venturing this far out of Queen Charlotte is conditions can
change rapidly. You’re exposed to Cook Strait and the vast
expanse of water needs to be respected. The wind can whip
down the coast between Endeavour Inlet, Resolution Bay, Ship
Cove and Cannibal Cove and with an opposing tide conditions
can become unpleasant. Also remember that you’re a long way
from Picton if a problem arises.
If you want to investigate the ‘other’ side of the sound, it’s
about an hour from Picton, past Tory Channel and into Patten
Passage, a narrow stretch of water between the south-eastern
side of Blumine Island and Arapaoa Island (formerly known as
Arapawa Island).
It was from the summit of a hill on Arapaoa Island that
Captain Cook first viewed the sea passage between the Pacific
Ocean and Tasman Sea, and which he subsequently named
Cook Strait. And, while we’re talking history, Captain Cook
named Queen Charlotte Sound after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who by marriage to King George III was the Queen of
the United Kingdom and Ireland until her death in 1818.
Patten Passage is a popular, sheltered and productive spot
to cast a line but, if conditions are favourable, we’ll often
push on further towards Pickersgill/Matapara Island, a scenic
reserve and a great spot to cast for kahawai.
Out here, you’re within the wide expanse of the exposed
East Bay. There are a number of small and well-sheltered
anchorages, but again, if you’re heading this far you need to
take plenty of fuel and be very aware of the conditions. I’ve
been caught out here in nasty weather and it’s a very long,
slow and unpleasant trip back to Picton.
Throughout the sound there’s also abundant sea life –
everything from orcas to dusky, bottlenose and Hector’s
dolphins, seals, little blue penguins, small fluttering
shearwaters, shags and gannets.
Queen Charlotte is a boating mecca and, for our family,
holds many special memories. Our first visit was a little
overwhelming and intimidating because, being new to
powerboating, we weren’t sure how far should we venture, let
alone where we should go biscuiting or cast a rod. It’s taken a
number of years but I’m beginning to understand the secrets
of the Sounds as well as the changeable weather.
If you’re heading to Queen Charlotte, use the significant
online content to help you plan your boating visit. The
excellent selection of sites includes DoC, Marlborough Marine
Radio, Ports of Marlborough as well as websites with fishing
and tide details. BNZBELOW Two big-game anglers
looking for a fight.