Tennyson Inlet, (New Zealand) is the southern arm of Pelorus Sound in the Marlborough Sounds. Tennyson Inlet encompasses Duncan Bay to Tawhitinui Reach. This area is about ten kilometers long [1]. Tarakaipa and Tawhitinui Islands are the two largest islands in the inlet. There are three main settlements which are used mostly for recreation.
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Tennyson Inlet contains three main settlements. These settlements are Duncan Bay, Penzance Bay, and Elaine Bay (south to north). The other bays are Te Mako, Ngawhakawhiti, Tuna, Godsiff, Deep, and Tawa bay.
State highway number six (SH6) provides road access to Penzance and Duncan Bay, howmainever Elaine Bay is accessed via Croisilles-French Pass road. Road access to Elaine Bay began in 1957 [2]. Duncan and Penzance Bay could be accessed in 1960 through Opouri Valley, which is the current route. This road was constructed for logging potential in the area [2].
Tennyson Inlet is popular for fishing and boating because the boat ramps being a short distance from Nelson and Blenheim. Duncan Bay is especially popular because it is the closest place to launch a boat in the Marlborough Sounds from Nelson. There are walking tracks along some of the inlet which connect the bays together. The native and undisturbed forest is also a major attraction for this area. Many baches, or holiday homes are present in this area, permanent resident numbers are low.