Mills Bay, deep into the Kenepuru Sounds, within the wider Pelorus Sound, became one of our go to spots for our first summer on the boat. Safe anchorage with protection from north and south winds, an epic native forest and great low tide beach.

This has become our go to bay whenever we have guests on board as it has it all, especially a totally epic sunset and fantastic swimming with clear water and a sand / fine shells / small quartz pebble beach to play on.

Browns Bay, one bay to the north of Elaine Bay, is a great option to stay and still be close to all of the action of Elaine Bay. Safe anchorage if you stern tie, with protection from north and south winds, an epic native forest, bush walk and great low tide beach.

We love Chance Bay. It is the perfect hideaway from all sorts of weather, has stunning native bush, is purely boat access only and has some of the best all weather protection and fantastic anchoring in all of the Marlborough Sounds. The bonus is exploring the river by kayak or tender at high tide - it's Jurassic Park meets Indiana Jones!!

Long Bay, and Ferndale immediately to the east of it, are some of those fantastic wild weather escape places that are also pure paradise, and a great all round "Marlborough Sounds" experience. It can be blowing a HARD 30 - 35 knots from the north or nor west in the Kenepuru Sounds quite often, but all is quiet in Long Bay. Surrounded by amazing New Zealand coastal forest this bay is GOLD and a place we keep coming back to. 

To many, including us pre boat, Lochmara Lodge is the kind of place you immediately think of when someone says they are heading into the Sounds for a holiday. It is the total epitome of what the Marlborough Sounds is. The whole experience here is top notch and you will absolutely create memories of a lifetime with even just a day stay here. But if you decide to stay a little longer you will easily spend a couple of days exploring the 11 acres of Sounds paradise that they have carved out here. Visiting here on your own boat is well catered for and gives you a completely refreshing change from the normal cruising schedule.