Paua Pearl Farm
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Port
Picton, New Zealand
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$259.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
A Heart for Community:
Connect with the heart and soul of a vibrant community. Whether you're meeting friendly locals, encountering heirloom cultures, engaging with Native peoples, exploring hidden corners, or discovering beloved eateries, let lasting memories begin with warmth, hospitality, and genuine connection.
Take a short shuttle ride to Picton Marina and board a boat to cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound. Commentary from your friendly skipper and guide enhances this trip through a myriad of waterways and tranquil bays. One hour away, your destination is Whekenui Bay on Arapawa Island. Just 75 square kilometers (29 square miles), this island is flanked by Queen Charlotte Sound, Tory Channel and Cook Strait.
From the late 1820s until the mid-1960s, Arapawa Island was a whaling base in the Marlborough Sounds. Today, it's all about salmon, mussel and oyster farms.
Whekenui Bay is home to the Radon family. Mike and Antonia Radon welcome you to their property, where gorgeous blue (or paua, pronounced "pawa") pearls are grown. They will personally guide you on a tour of the farm. Discover how the blue pearl came to be and how they are produced. Depending on the time of year, you may see paua (a shellfish similar to abalone) of all sizes -- from dust-like specks in a larval rearing tank to full-size paua with pearl inserts. This is an amazing opportunity to glimpse a part of New Zealand's marine life and aquaculture that most people don't even know exists.
Head up to the Radon homestead for light refreshments. Take the time to view the rare and exclusive pearls in custom-made jewelry. This is the only place in the world where you can buy these sublime pearls.