Mou Waho Island Cruise and Guided Nature Walk
Description
Cruise to unique Mou Waho Island for a guided nature walk to the natural glacial lake on top of the island . Once aboard our fast lake cruiser, guests can relax in comfort and enjoy a 30 minute cruise among spectacular mountain scenery with commentary on local history, geology and culture. On the island you will have 2 hours ashore for a guided walk. Learn about the island and its unique bird-life from our knowledgeable guides as you hike to the summit enjoying outstanding photo opportunities. Mou Waho Island is a predator-free Department of Conservation nature reserve with a natural glacial formed lake at its summit. Here you can see first-hand results of conservation efforts including the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920), the Mountain Stone Weta and many other native birds. Please note that the walk goes up 150 m vertically over 1 km.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Cruise on Lake Wanaka to the famous Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. Your knowledge kiwi skipper will provide commentary along the way.
Pass Ruby Island with a the 1920's dance hall on top
Your guide will take you ashore for a guided walk on this predator-free nature reserve. Learn about the geology, history and biology of this fascinating island while enjoying abundant photo opportunities.
Visit a beautiful natural glacial lake on top of the island and it has small island in it. So there are islands in a lake, on an island in a lake, on an island in an ocean!
Cruise back to Roys Bay Wanaka for a well deserved lunch
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- This experience requires a minimum of 4 adult bookings to run
- Boarding is at 8.45 am. You may not be admitted if you are not present at this time.
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
- Good fitness is required for the walk. Please do not attempt the walk if you have age, medical or fitness related disabilities.
- Good fitness level required
Reviews(77)
Very cool trip, would do it again
Fantastic trip, extremely knowledgeable guide Tim, made it awesome. Knew heaps of interesting facts about wildlife and nature making it a great experience. STUNNING scenery, definitely worth it if you have some spare time in Wanaka.
Jamie, our Captain and Nature Guide, provided a pleasant and informative trip to Mou Waho island on a beautiful Saturday morning. There was ample time on the island and plenty of photo opportunities. Jamie was gracious and offered to be a professional photographer, even incorporating a trick pano shot. Highly recommend.
Expensive as found cost was in usd after I had booked. Not that interesting.. just a walk up a hill on a lake
It may pay to ask Viator customer service why they show prices in USD. We don't agree with this practice either however we have no way of controlling what Viator do.
Tour was excellent, scenery outstanding. Note of caution, walk up to top was a little more strenuous than I was expecting but view of lake and from the top was worth it. Just would have liked more time to do it all.
The climb to the top of the island is a must. It is not too steep and accessible to all ages. The view of the lake at the top of the island, which is itself in the middle of Lake Wānaka, is breathtaking.
Be careful to note correct starting point as the App had the wrong information. Luckily we had arrived early so could get to the correct place as another guide had helped us out. The tour itself was great. A lovely climb to the top of the island with fantastic views. Our knowledgeable guide pointed out wild flora and fauna. Well worth a visit but you do need to be moderately fit to do the walk.
What a wonderful time - in all respects!
Lovely cruise on Lake Manipuri. This got us to the bus. Good narrated bus ride to Doubtful Sound, where we boarded another boat and cruised all over. We had fog to begin then glimpses of blue sky. Waterfalls everywhere! It was very peaceful much different than what I’ve heard Milford is. I prefer fewer tourists.
What a great trip! Reon is everything to be appreciated in a guide. Even paced, a good listener and completely knowledgeable. This was our second time with him and we still would look forward to another trip?
