Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour
5

Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour

By Wanaka Water Taxi and Wanaka 4x4 Explorer
Recommended by 99% of travellers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 13 per group
Duration: 3h 15m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Extensive live commentary onboard
  • 1.5+ hour freedom walk on the island
  • Landing and facility fees
What's not included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off


Start:
  • Wanaka Marina, Lakeside Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
    We depart from the newer jetty with the silver bridge in the Wanaka Marina. Parking in the marina is on the sealed area only. If this is full, you can drive 200m past the marina to where the road splits and you can park on the left side of both roads right after the split.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    • Infants must sit on laps
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 66546P1

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • 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.
    • Most travellers can participate
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 66546P1

    From
    £64.78
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
    Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • Lakeside Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
      We depart from the newer jetty with the silver bridge in the Wanaka Marina. Parking in the marina is on the sealed area only. If this is full, you can drive 200m past the marina to where the road splits and you can park on the left side of both roads right after the split.
    • Pass by
      Wanaka Water Taxi and Wanaka 4x4 Explorer
    • 1
      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.
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Wanaka Water Taxi and Wanaka 4x4 Explorer
      359
      Wanaka, New Zealand
      Joined in December 2016
    • V755IAjoem
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Superb!
      An amazing time with Crystal and Sean, me and my parents had an amazing time. Very good views for minimal physical exertion, and very good chats!
      Written 15 February 2025
    • neilmE1465QM
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      AMAZING TRIP
      We booked last minute, what a brilliant time and the scenery was fantastic. Shaun took us to the top of the mountain where only the people booked on the tour were able to go. His knowledge of the area and NZ is outstanding. The picnic at the top was well prepared. Worth every penny a must on your bucket list.
      Written 10 February 2025
    • FrankGeorge
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great way to see Lake Wanaka!
      Fantastic tour with very friendly and knowledgeable guides. Amazing views from the water and the station. Climbed to about 1,000m in the 4WD for incredible views from the side of a mountain over Lake Wanaka. Highly recommended.
      Written 1 February 2025
    • annegN5660OU
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A soul finding experience.
      Such an awesome trip!!!! We were totally in awe of the scenery, the knowledge Tony our driver had of the area, and the absolute serenity atop the mountain. We felt completely safe with Tony’s driving skills and could not think of a better place for outstanding views to have a picnic. Would 100% recommend this trip 😊
      Written 15 January 2025
    • KateT779
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fabulous Day
      Excellent day with lovely Krystal skippering the boat and then Tony taking us off road to magnificent views! With a delicious picnic at the top… it was just a perfect day !
      Written 8 January 2025
    • 423rocios
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Stunning views!
      We had an amazing time on the Lake Wanaka boat and 4x4 tour! David, our guide, was fantastic from start to finish. He had a great attitude, shared interesting details about the area’s history, geology, and the early settlers, and truly made the experience special. The boat ride offered breathtaking views of glacier-carved mountains and remote islands, and the transition to the 4x4 vehicle was seamless. As we climbed above the lake, the panoramic views of Lake Wanaka were absolutely stunning—unlike anything we’ve ever seen! The picnic spot was perfect, peaceful, and offered a chance to soak in the beauty and serenity of the area. David’s knowledge and enthusiasm added so much value to the trip. If you’re looking for a unique and memorable experience in Wanaka, this is it.
      Written 3 January 2025
    • johncY6018LC
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wanaka 4x4 explorer
      This tour was fantastic, offering exceptional views of Lake Wānaka and the surrounding landscape. Our driver, Tim, was incredibly knowledgeable and made the experience feel truly personalized, which we really appreciated. We had a wonderful time as a family on a beautiful, warm day eating cake,fruit and drinking coffee —it couldn't have been better.
      Written 28 December 2024
    • Luckie23
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A must when visiting Wanaka
      Unbelievable, staff were friendly, informative, skilled & friendly. We totally recommend this experience for spectacular views that the general public have no access to.
      Written 27 December 2024
    • cheekyscot
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Something different - a unique way to see beautiful scenery.
      Our experience was wonderful. There were four of us on our trip so it was a very personalised experience. Hannah our boat driver was friendly and welcoming and skilfully took us up and down the Lake. Tony our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and skilful at 4x4 wheel driving! The views were incredible, Mt Burke being the perfect vantage point to see both up and down Lake Wanaka with (better views than having walked 5hrs + up Roy’s Peak); the surrounding mountains, as well as a view of Mou Waho Island. The small but tasty picnic was an opportunity to relax, soak up the surroundings while chatting to Tony and the other two people on the trip. It’s was a wonderful way to spend the morning and we didn’t want to leave.
      Written 3 December 2024
    • 857dirkv
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Highlight from our NZ trip
      My folks and I had one of our best days in NZ on this tour. Captain Hanna took us for a lovely boat trip across the lake to Mount Burke. From there on our guide Charlie drove us up the mountain. The ride was good fun with some steep and bumpy sections, a muddy track, and sheep and little lambs all around. The panoramic views from the mountain are hard to describe and out of this world. Pictures don't do it justice. It's like looking at a painting. It's also a very private spot. You could hear a pin drop, not a vehicle or person around in miles. Magical! A special thank you to Charlie, a very passionate and knowledgeable guide who made us feel at ease and shared a lot of interesting and fun facts. All the best!
      Written 16 November 2024
    • Curious24399749856
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An unique experience
      An unique experience. With the most beautiful sights and great guidance along the way. A once in a lifetime trip to the top with a great view
      Written 13 November 2024
    • DiW480
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing views and a great day out
      Fabulous day out with Wanaka WaterTaxi's- Tony was a great guide, lots of information and easy to talk to. The views from the tour are amazing, lots of photo opportunities (and he was very patient and happy to stop on request). Warming soup for a picnic lunch on a cold day.
      Written 26 April 2024
    • brentt981
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Unbelievable Views
      The views just kept getting better and better. A very beautiful, relaxing ride. We were met at Wānaka and took a water taxi to where we met the Land Rover to view some of the once in a lifetime views.
      Written 4 April 2024
    • Blackorchid_v
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      100% WORTH IT
      The perfect short-trip sight-seeing tour with Wanaka Water Taxi was 100% worth it! WIth a short trip across the lake and then a fun, bouncy ride up the side of a hill to overlook the magnificent Lake Wanaka (which is so vast!), this unusual sightseeing tour was fun, exciting and not too intense. We had a lovely tea and some light snacks overlooking the water, too. I'd recommend this fantastic tour to anyone!
      Written 26 March 2024
    • yvettecruz2024
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing!
      Such an amazing experience! Loved every minute of it. Great commentary and such a hidden beauty of Wānaka.
      Written 19 March 2024
    See all 359 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    We perform checks on reviews.
    Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
    Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
    When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
    Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
    Learn more about our review moderation.
    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles143 reviews
    Excellent
    139
    Very good
    3
    Average
    0
    Poor
    1
    Terrible
    0

    These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
    This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

    Paula C
    12 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our 10am tour was cancelled due to weather but they were great at keeping in touch and rescheduling to 1200. Our skipper, Hannah, was lovely - handled some choppy water really well and gave us a bit of interesting info about the lake and area. The boat is a little tired ...needs some maintenance to spruce it up - paint peeling, seat covers torn, window covers seemed to be worse for wear and not closing properly but did the job of getting us to the island and back - though the price is a little steep when you compare to other offerings in terms of quality of the boat.
    Written 29 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Roving39490347915
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2024 • Couples
    Mou Waho island well worth a visit. Great company to go with as well when making that trip: they sent clear instructions on finding the meeting point and were punctual in setting off to take us out on a most memorable afternoon tour.

    Special mention to our guide, Brent: he was professional and knew his facts in detail, while also always providing a lighter and very well-humoured side to the delivery of key information.

    As a result of the great job that Brent did, the tour came across as more informative than expected in the first hour and seemed worthwhile for that alone - and then when we got to the Mou Waho, it went to another, even better level.

    All in all, we thoroughly recommend this tour and we found it an excellent thing to do while in Wanaka - a wonderful destination that I really hope to return to.

    Quick tip to any tourists who might be interested: worth taking swimwear and footwear that will allow you to walk in comfort, as the hike up to the lookout stop Mou Waho is definitely worthwhile!
    Written 31 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    This is just awesome to read! You have captured exactly in detail what Brent is always trying to do! So great to hear he has nailed it! And you loved it so much! Thank you so much for joining us and for the great review! Cheers Brent & Krystle
    Written 26 January 2025
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Jo Bulluss
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2025 • Solo
    Great trip from start to finish. The commentary on the boat ride out was really interesting and a beautiful way to experience Wanaka. Brent had great knowledge and a fun way of sharing it. We got 2 hours at Mou Waho to explore, swim and relax. The scenery was stunning and even though it was a busy summer day, you could still enjoy moments alone. The track is well maintained and while uphill, there are benches along the way if you want to take a little break to enjoy the view. Perfect trip to get out on the lake, enjoy a bit of nature and, at 3 hrs, you still have time for other activities in Wanaka.
    Written 9 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Sophie P
    13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2024 • Family
    This was a beautiful trip across Lake Wanaka with Krystle who gave us lots of information and entertaining stories along the way. She was very helpful and made sure we optimised our time on Mou Waho Island. The island was very lovely with lots of bellbirds singing and a friendly weka. We swam around the island in the lake on Mou Waho island in Lake Wanaka!
    Thank you!
    Written 2 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much Sophie! It was so lovely to have you two aboard! And great it all worked out with some extra time for a swim! What a beautiful place for a swim isn't it! Cheers Brent & Krystle
    Written 2 December 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Susan B
    Toronto, Canada11 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A unique opportunity to view the landscape from the water as you boat to the island for a manageable hike to the top. Stunning views and time to sit and take it all in. Our Skipper was wonderful, drove carefully and shared local knowledge as we traveled.

    My one caution is that it was a very windy day and the lake was extremely rough. I have a bad back and the pounding of the boat on the waves put my back at risk. While the Skipper did comment in advance it would be a rough ride, I had no sense of just how rough it would be. Ideally they would have cautioned anyone with back issues to reconsider booking for a calmer day.
    Written 25 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Excellent advice Susan. It is hard to comprehend how rough the lake can get, but it sure can get rough. For anyone reading this, if you have any worries, NW winds are the one that make the lake rough, other directions are fine. Feel free to give us a call about conditions, and please believe us when we say it will get rough. In case of rough days, we are more than happy to reschedule you or give you a refund if a bumpy ride is not for you. Luckily spring is almost over and we will get to the calmer season, plus this summer is predicted to be a La Nina weather pattern which means lots of calm days on the lake. Thank you so much for joining us Susan, at least you 4 had the island all to yourselves which is definitely special. Kind regards Brent & Krystle
    Written 26 November 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Gavin B
    Paihia, New Zealand46 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2023 • Family
    Wow!!! What a fantastic way to explore the lake. Krystal was fantastic, friendly and very knowledgeable and we learned heaps about local fauna, geography and history. Mou Waho was a real treat and the local weka didn’t disappoint (keep your keys in your pocket). Will definitely be back.
    Written 4 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    And what a delight it was to have you two! Thank you so much for joining me. And we will take you on the Wanaka 4x4 Explorer Tour next time! Cheers Brent & Krystle
    Written 5 November 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Knefknok
    Delft, Nederland141 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had booked the combination with the visit to Mou Waho and the 4x4 tour. A few days before the excursion was to take place, we received an email from Krystle with the weather forecast and that we could also split excursions and have a better chance of good weather. I gladly took advantage of this and the trip to Mou Waho was perfect. Brent provided a lot of information and was very friendly. The island itself is very beautiful, just like the rest of Wanaka, but a steep climb! We enjoyed this day. The next day we would go with the 4x4. In the morning we received a message that it was very stormy and whether we wanted to continue. Ultimately we decided together to cancel it. So kind that they thought along with us! The previous discount on the booked trip was also retained and the price was adjusted to Mou Waho only. Super! If you are in Wanaka then this is a must. Nothing but praise for these people :)
    Google
    Written 7 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Ah wat lief! Ik vond het super gezellig met jullie te kletsen en fijn dat jullie toch nog van een prachtige dag op Mou Waho hebben kunnen genieten! Dank!! Groeten Brent & Krystle
    Written 9 March 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    barbrajayne
    Picketts Valley, Australia69 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This 3-4 hour boat trip to Mou Wahu is a brilliant way to immerse yourself in the stunning landscape of this area, especially if you don't want to drive out of town to experience a great walk and panoramic views.

    Depending on how many people book this tour, you will be in a small group in one of the smaller taxi boats, or on one of the larger boats, which leave from the marina a short walk from the main town area.

    On the way to the island, we were given plenty of information on the natural history of the Wanaka area as well as local stories as we stopped briefly near Ruby Island and Mou Tapu.

    The island itself is quiet and serene, and after a bit of a climb up the bush track (about 30 minutes walk with several seats on the way up if you want a stop) you arrive at the summit to take in the amazing views over the little lake on the island itself, to the expanse of water and snow capped mountains all around.

    You will have an hour or so to soak up the scenery, sit on the rocks and probably meet one of the weka birds that come up to see if you have anything to feed them ( don't!)

    There are picnic tables and basic toilets down by the boat ramp.

    Thank you Wanaka Water taxis for a great half day out!
    Highly recommended.
    Written 19 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much to take the time for such an extensive review. That will for sure help other travellers. And yes you are totally right about our 2 vessels and what sets us apart, we really only take small groups. No 20-30 people on our trips! But small and personal. It was a pleasure to have you aboard. Kind regards Brent & Krystle
    Written 30 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Explore03139859248
    62 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The trip was awesome and we had a beautiful day. Brent, our captain, did a fine job and gave us a nice history of New Zealand and the area in terms of geology, glaciers, etc. The group size was perfect and we met people from several countries which was fun. Once on the island you can explore at your own pace with little foot traffic to compete with. The views were spectacular! Would highly recommend.
    Written 19 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Awesome to hear that you had an awesome experience. Thank you so much for joining us! Cheers Brent & Krystle
    Written 26 November 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    SHELLYJ
    Leicestershire, UK213 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a really lovely half day out to Mou Waho Island on the water taxi.
    Krystal, our guide, was very informative and fun and gave us lots of interesting information about the islands we passed on the way, and about the island we were visiting.
    We were dropped off and left to explore for 2 hours, during which we climbed to the lake at the top, where some brave folk went swimming!

    We were treated to a visit by the rare Buff Weka birds, who only exist on this island, and a couple of others, after their near extinction in the early 1900’s.
    They were very friendly and inquisitive and really made our trip!
    As an unfit, older person, I have to say that the walk up to the lake was a little challenging and uneven but not too taxing.
    We took a picnic and drinks with us, which we ate on the beach.
    There was also a small picnic area and a couple of basic toilets on the island.
    We had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
    Written 4 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much Shelly! We really appreciate the great review. Thanks for joining us! Cheers Brent & Krystle
    Written 26 January 2025
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Showing results 1-10 of 139
    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour provided by Wanaka Water Taxi and Wanaka 4x4 Explorer

    All Wanaka HotelsWanaka Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Wanaka
    All things to do in Wanaka
    RestaurantsFlightsHoliday RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire