About this tour
When Mia from our BugBitten team booked this heli-lunch, she was expecting a bit of flash—and that's exactly what she got. You fly out of Wellington by helicopter, cross the Cook Strait, and land at Bay of Many Coves, a proper 5-star resort tucked into native bush on the South Island. The whole thing takes 3 hours, including a 3-course meal with wine at their waterfront restaurant, surrounded by quiet waters and forest. It's the kind of thing you do for an anniversary or when you want to feel like you've genuinely left the mainland.
Highlights
- Helicopter flight over Cook Strait delivers proper views, not a quick hop
- Bay of Many Coves resort is genuinely isolated—no crowds, just native bush
- 3-course meal with NZ wine included, waterfront seating overlooking the sounds
- Post-lunch time to walk through forest or sit by the water, not rushed
- Live commentary on the flight gives the route context and history
- Accessible for wheelchairs throughout resort and dining areas
- Minimum numbers required mean flights operate only when viable
What to expect
The day starts in Wellington—you'll need to arrive early enough to get briefed and suited up before helicopter departure. The flight itself is the draw: you're crossing open water with proper scenery unfolding below, and the pilot talks you through what you're seeing. Landing at Bay of Many Coves is the shift moment—suddenly you're in a quiet, forested pocket of the Marlborough Sounds, and the resort feels genuinely remote.
Lunch is a proper sit-down affair at the waterfront restaurant: three courses, decent wine, and views across the bay. It's not rushed. After eating, you've got time to actually be there—walk into the native forest, sit by the water, or just decompress. Then it's back in the helicopter for the return flight to Wellington. The whole rhythm feels intentional rather than tick-box tourism.
What travellers say
- Helicopter flight is genuinely scenic, not a gimmick
- Resort location delivers real seclusion from Wellington crowds
- 3-course meal and wine included, waterfront setting, no upsell pressure
- Post-lunch downtime lets you actually experience the Sounds, not just transit
- Accessible for wheelchairs and families with small children
- Live pilot commentary adds substance to the journey
- Cook Strait weather can force cancellations or reschedules last-minute
- Minimum passenger numbers mean flights don't always operate reliably
- 3-hour window is tight—more about the flight than extended resort time
- Early start from Wellington may not suit everyone's schedule
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works brilliantly for special occasions or if you want to do something genuinely different from standard Wellington day trips. The isolation of the resort is real—you're not sharing the experience with hordes. The flight itself is the thing: you get proper helicopter time and actual commentary, not a flyover. Wheelchair access is solid throughout.
Weather over the Cook Strait can be choppy, and flights are subject to minimum passenger numbers, so you might get cancelled or rescheduled if bookings don't stack up. The timing is tight (3 hours total), so you're not spending ages at the resort—it's more about the flight and meal than lounging. It's not cheap, and any extras (drinks beyond the included wine, snacks) cost extra. Early morning departures aren't everyone's cup of tea. Bring sunscreen and a light layer—you're exposed on the water and in the helicopter.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.