Arapawa Blue Pearls is a family-run business based on Arapaoa Island in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. We are the country’s only producer of naturally blue pearls, grown slowly and sustainably in the clear waters surrounding the island. Our work combines aquaculture, craftsmanship, and care for place. From breeding and raising pāua to nurturing pearls over several years, every stage of the process happens on the island and is guided by respect for the land, sea, and living systems that support us. Sustainability and animal welfare are central to how we operate, with a strong focus on low-impact practices and long-term stewardship. The jewellery we create is designed to reflect this connection to place. Each piece is made using our own pearls and is crafted to highlight their natural colour, shape, and individuality. No two pearls are the same, and we celebrate these differences rather than trying to standardise them. Our collections are timeless, understated, and inspired by the colours and textures of the Marlborough Sounds. In addition to jewellery, we offer visitors the opportunity to learn about pearl farming and island life through guided visits to our pearl farm. These experiences provide insight into sustainable aquaculture, the patience required to grow a pearl, and what it means to live and work on a remote island. Everything we do at Arapawa Blue Pearls is shaped by place, process, and people, creating jewellery with meaning, provenance, and a genuine connection to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Boat access only – guests must arrive by private boat or pre-book a water taxi at an additional cost. This property is located on remote Arapaoa Island in the Marlborough Sounds and is not accessible by road. Guests must either use their own vessel or arrange transport with Beachcomber Cruises, which operates scheduled water taxi services from Picton. Food & supplies: Basic essentials are provided on arrival. As there are no shops on the island, guests should bring their own food for the duration of their stay. If you forget something or would like to order additional supplies, groceries can be ordered online and delivered by mail boat. Full details are included in the guest information booklet, or you’re welcome to contact us for help before or during your stay. Set among native bush with sea views and a deep sense of place, our accommodation offers a peaceful island escape for guests seeking nature, quiet, and an authentic New Zealand experience away from crowds. Each property is privately located and thoughtfully set up for comfort, with well-equipped living spaces, comfortable bedding, and outdoor areas to relax and take in the natural surroundings. With no shops or traffic nearby, guests can truly slow down, enjoy the sounds of the water and birds, and reconnect with nature. Our accommodation is part of a family-run island property, where sustainability, care for the land and sea, and warm hospitality are central to everything we do. Guests are welcome to explore the shoreline, swim, fish, or simply unwind with a book and the view. Guests may also choose to book a visit to Arapawa Blue Pearls, New Zealand’s only blue pearl farm, located nearby. This optional experience offers insight into sustainable pearl farming and island life, guided by the people who live and work here.

Arapaoa Island sits at the entrance to the Marlborough Sounds, just across the water from Picton. Shaped by steep hills, sheltered bays, and long stretches of coastline, the island has a rugged, timeless character deeply connected to its maritime past. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Arapaoa Island played an important role in New Zealand’s shore-based whaling industry. Several bays were home to whaling stations, and the island supported small, self-sufficient communities who lived and worked by the rhythms of the sea. Guests today can walk from the property to the site of an old whaling station, where the landscape still holds traces of this working history. The island’s relationship with the sea continues today. Large ferries and commercial vessels travelling from Cook Strait into Tory Channel pass directly by the island, following the same route that has been used for generations. As they make the turn into the channel, ships navigate using leading lights located on our farm, which remain an active part of this important maritime passage into the Marlborough Sounds. With no towns, shops, or road access, Arapaoa Island remains largely undeveloped and accessible by boat only. Life here is quiet and closely tied to weather, tides, and the surrounding environment. Native bush, birdlife, and calm bays define the landscape, while the coastline invites exploration on foot or by water. For visitors, Arapaoa Island offers a rare opportunity to stay in a place where history is not contained in museums, but woven into everyday life, from walking past whaling-era sites to watching ferries glide past the shoreline, guided by lights that still serve their original purpose.