Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour
Description
Come and join us on a trip to our favourite place on Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho Island.Where you can find an island, on a lake, on an island, on a lake, on an island on the sea! Mou Waho Island is a protected nature reserve and is home to many native New Zealand birds including the curious and flightless Weka. A short walk takes you to the top of the island where you will be exposed to breathtaking panoramic views of the Arethusa pool, Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks. Our water taxi leaves Wanaka Marina twice-daily travelling 15km up Lake Wanaka, passing Mou Tapu Island and the steep cliff of fisherman's cove to Mou Waho Island. Your friendly and knowledgeable skipper will inform you of the fascinating geology of the alps and the glaciers that created the lake as you travel along its sparkling waters. Trip includes a 1.5+ hour freedom walk on the island. This part of the tour is non guided so that you can explore the island at your own pace.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will meet you on the jetty. From here we will boat 15km up the lake to the scenic reserve, Mou Waho Island. Your skipper will inform you about the history and geology of the lake while cruising the sparkling waters of Lake Wanaka
Our favourite place on Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho Island! Where you can find an island, on a lake, on an island, on a lake, on an island on the sea! Mou Waho Island is a protected nature reserve and is home to many native New Zealand birds including the curious and flightless Weka. A short, steep walk takes you to the top of the island where you will be exposed to breath taking panoramic views of the Arethusa pool, Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks. Our water taxi leaves Wanaka Marina twice-daily travelling 15km up Lake Wanaka, passing Mou Tapu Island and the steep cliff of fisherman's cove to Mou Waho Island. Your friendly and knowledgeable skipper will inform you of the fascinating geology of the alps and the glaciers that created the lake as you travel along its sparkling waters. Stay for 1.5 hours on the island to explore at your own pace.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum numbers apply
- A 20/30 minute walk up hill is involved. (Optional)
- Due to uneven surfaces and the steepness in places, the walk is not recommended for those with walking disabilities but they are more than welcome to join us on the boat trip and skip the walk and stay at the bottom of the island.
- The time on the island is non guided so you can explore it at your own pace.
Reviews(267)
OUTSTANDING! The views, history and tour was brilliant. James was knowledge and lovely! THE VIEWS were the best ever. Untouched serenity! Thanks james and crew
Excellent experience for hikers, I would have given it a 5 star rating if I were one. Definitely recommend it for the views
Wonderful guide and everything went smoothly
It is not a guided tour of the Island. It is a boat trip and a drop off to the Island only where visitors make their own arrangements with no accompanying guide. There is some commentary on the boat trip going to the island which is very basic, partially correct and has no reference to the significant restoration programme which has been undertaken on the island.
Hi Richard. I’m sorry but I think you booked the wrong tour. This is indeed not a guided tour, nor does it state anywhere that it is a guided tour. There are guided tours to the island with other operators which costs $295 pp. You chose our water taxi for only $135 so complaining that it isn’t guided when you pay for a non guided tour is pretty unfair. We do our best to give as much information on the boat as possible as a little extra and most guests really appreciate that, see all other raving reviews. But with the limited time we have, we can’t give you all information on a non guided tour. We totally understand that if you expected a fully guided tour, that you were disappointed, but we do have to lay the responsibility with yourself, you booked the water taxi instead of a guided tour. Kind regards Brent & Krystle
It was a great trip. Brent as a guide was great. The island is fantastic.
Easy and relaxing . Tour guide was very friendly and informative . Enjoyable afternoon .
A challenging hike but well worth the effort. The lake was like glass and the view from the very top was amazing. Our water taxi driver/guide was very informative.
This was a lovely trip. Skipper Hannah was so friendly. The walk up was not too difficult but magic viewing stops all the way and the island in the lake etc is so unique . A myst see Hannah on the way y
We had a lovely trip to Mou Waho! Our guide was very knowledgeable and set us up well to explore the island. The track was well maintained and we loved the views. Beautiful birdsong surrounded us as we walked through native bush. We even got to see a Buff Weka, a species you can’t see on the mainland. Highly recommend!
Brent the boat driver was very knowledgeable about the history area of the lake. The boat was very comfortable. We were dropped at the island and hiked up to the the tiny lake on the island which is pretty. We didn't hike to the lookout but I would encourage everyone to do this. The views looked incredible
