Marlborough. Pelorus Sound

Pelorus is the largest sound in Marlborough region, New Zealand. It is a huge system of drowned river valleys, formed after the last ice age about 10 000 years ago. Pelorus coastline stretches along the outskirts of New Zealand for almost 400 kilometers!

The economy of this region depends not only on the sea — fishing and cargo transportation are on par with the forestry and tourism industries. Pelorus is a unique nature reserve to which only scientists and conservationists have access. We are talking about Maud Island, which is home to unique species of animals and plants.

The first mention of these areas dates back to 1642, when Abel Tasman sailed here. Then, after nearly a century and a half, a group of French and Russian pathfinders also began exploring the area of the modern Pelorus Sound.