Heli Lunch at Bay of Many Coves: Marlborough Sounds Scenic Flight from Wellington
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness required—short walks at the resort are gentle; must be able to board a helicopter.
Overview
A short helicopter crossing from Wellington delivers you into the Marlborough Sounds for a dramatic waterfront approach and a gourmet three-course lunch at Bay of Many Coves. Expect sweeping aerial views, forested shoreline, and a weather-dependent but deeply memorable half-day escape.
Heli Lunch at Bay of Many Coves: Marlborough Sounds Scenic Flight from Wellington
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The helicopter rises over Wellington’s corrugated coastline and the city shrinks to a scatter of roofs and harbor cranes. On clear days the Cook Strait opens like a silver seam between islands; the rotor’s thrum becomes a steady heartbeat that keeps you present. Sixty minutes later the chopper eases into a narrow inlet and Bay of Many Coves appears: a sheltered pocket of glassy water, steep native bush, and a low-lying resort perched where forest meets shoreline.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book for flexible weather
Flights are weather-dependent and require minimum passenger numbers—plan a buffer day in your schedule and provide accurate weights at booking.
Dress in layers
Rotor wash and sea breezes make the flight cooler than the ground; a windproof mid-layer keeps you comfortable on boarding and exit.
Protect camera gear
Use a polarizing filter and set a fast shutter speed; secure straps and keep lenses covered from salt spray during landing and takeoff.
Manage motion sensitivity
If prone to airsickness, take preventative medication and choose a window seat facing forward when possible.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose and common dolphins
- Little blue penguins and occasional New Zealand fur seals
History
European charting in the 18th century opened these sounds for shipping and settlement; Māori used the waterways for seasonal fishing and travel long before. The area supported whaling and early logging in the 19th century.
Conservation
Several islands in the sounds are predator-free sanctuaries; visitors are asked to use reef-safe products, avoid disturbing nesting birds, and carry out all waste to protect fragile shorelines.
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Adventure Hotspots in Wellington
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Light windproof jacket
Blocks wind and spray on the helipad and during the chopper approach.
Camera with polarizer
Reduces glare on water and helps capture the sound’s textures from the air.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin during outdoor time at the resort and prevents chemical runoff into sensitive waters.
summer specific
Motion-sickness tablets
Useful for those sensitive to helicopter flight or choppy conditions over Cook Strait.