Ulva Island
Ulva Island
5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Ulva Island and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
10 within 3 miles
Attractions
9 within 6 miles
Contribute
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
709 reviews
Excellent
611
Very good
80
Average
14
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Pete M
Chicago Southland, IL149 contributions
Feb 2020
Ulva is one of New Zealand's conservation gems. This is the easiest place to see a range of rare birds including mohua/ yellowhead and tieke/ South Island saddleback. While there are kiwi on the island and I know others have seen them I didn't but there were heaps of red crowned and yellow crowned parakeets and Stewart Island Robin. The tracks are of a high standard (gravel) and I'd recommend allowing at least 2 hours to do the loop track 3 to give plenty of tiem for bird watching and enjoying the scenery. You can get there with either the Ulva Island ferry who run a scheduled service or a water tqxi who run as required- you need to book a time for drop off and pickup. We travelled with Rakiura charters who were great and spot on time.
Written 16 February 2020
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.
Kiwifreespirits
Auckland, New Zealand113 contributions
Feb 2021
We did a self guided walk using the guide book ( $2) we bought in Oban before going We used the excellent Rakiura Charters Water Taxi to get to Ulva having spent a wonderful few hours with them before hand around Patterson Inlet and the Mussel and Salmon Farm area in Big Glory Bay . Great people !!.
We allowed ourselves 3 hours on Ulva . Way too short !!! . Should have made it 4 ( it was a fine day which helped ) to give sufficient time to just stop listen and watch frequently eg . Late in the walk we saw a Kiwi very close to us . But we were tight for time and could only spend 2 or 3 minutes looking which was frustrating. Many of the birds are very friendly eg Stewart Island robins that hop on your shoes and check out the laces , Wekas who hang out at the two beaches etc .
We allowed ourselves 3 hours on Ulva . Way too short !!! . Should have made it 4 ( it was a fine day which helped ) to give sufficient time to just stop listen and watch frequently eg . Late in the walk we saw a Kiwi very close to us . But we were tight for time and could only spend 2 or 3 minutes looking which was frustrating. Many of the birds are very friendly eg Stewart Island robins that hop on your shoes and check out the laces , Wekas who hang out at the two beaches etc .
Written 7 March 2021
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.
Maree R
Christchurch, New Zealand1,287 contributions
Jun 2020
What a fabulous island. Self guide books are available from the shelter at the start for $2 and then you just follow the tracks. There are so many birds, take your time and youre sure to spot over half the birds listed in the book. Every time we sat we would have company from a stewart island robin. This really is a must do when in Stewart Island.
Written 24 June 2020
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.
HeatherG488
Tauranga34 contributions
Feb 2020
I am a solo traveller and was wanting to do the seabird trip but there were no other bookings on the day i wanted to go, so was encouraged to do the guided tour of Ulva. Yes, it was very expensive and I could have done it on my own for much less, but it was good to be on a trip with four serious bird-watchers and an incredibly knowlegeable guide. We arrived on the island early, so it was lovely and peaceful. We saw all but the kiwi and the sea lion, so I was pretty happy. So excited to see an adult saddleback as well as a juvenile and a very young one. Another highlight the yellowhead.
Written 29 February 2020
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.
Beach Girl Becca
Queenstown, New Zealand20 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We did the self-guided tour with the guide book we purchased at the Information center for $2. It was a great day and very informative, we saw many of the birds listed in the guidebook though we unfortunately did not get to see any Kiwi or seals or sea lions. The paths were well marked and fairly easy walking through the forests. Would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a wildlife experience. You can definitely self guide and save the extra money by only paying for the ferry or taxi over.
Written 26 January 2020
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.
Gillian S
21 contributions
Jan 2020
We took the 10am ferry across and Peter the skipper was great - informative and knowledgeable. We paid $2 into the honesty box and purchased a lovely booklet about Ulva island - full of coloured birds and info about what to expect. We took our time looking around and standing very still - on many occasions we had birds on the ground as well as above. We managed to get the 12.15pm ferry back.
Written 14 January 2020
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.
Sally A
Wanaka, New Zealand564 contributions
Mar 2021
Ulva Island falls ito the ‘must visit’ category of Rakiura (Stewart Island) For your fist visit I recommend doing it in a very small group with a guide. We used Peter Tait from ‘Sails Ashore Lodge: Ulva Island Discovery Tour. Peter has a passion & knowledge of the Ulva Island bush and bird life, based on a lifetime of experience living at Stewart Island. While walking around the island, he pointed out so many details that we would have missed, had we been on our own.
Written 4 March 2021
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.
Regina d
Gisborne, New Zealand56 contributions
Feb 2020
We took a water taxi to Ulva island which was only $25 per person return, only $5 more each than the ferry and it meant we could select a pick up and drop off time with the taxi service. The trip is only 15 minutes from Golden Bay Wharf which is 700m up a hill then down so 15-20 minutes walking from Oban. Don't miss this astounding island. The island is predator free and the bird life is truly amazing. We saw cheeky weka, rare robins, kakariki (native green parrot), bellbirds, saddlebacks and they are not afraid of people so many photo ops. There is a selection of walking tracks, short or long and very well maintained. The beauty of the rainforest is wonderful, I took so many photos as there were just so many things to see. My friend's Mum recommended Te Wharawhara/Ulva Island as a special place and after going there I could not agree more. The beaches are really pristine, there are some composting toilets and picnic tables to enjoy lunch or a snack if you pack it. I think you need at least 3 hours to appreciate and explore, a day is even better.
Written 1 March 2020
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.
Sara W
8 contributions
Oct 2020
An amazing place to stop and listen to the songs of a variety of native birds, and if you are very lucky (as I was) you may even see a kiwi out and about during the day!!! Pick up an Ulva Island Guide for $2 and see the historic sights and photos of the birds you can see. The Ulva Island Ferry (the Ranui) is a lovely way to get to the island, with the first trip leaving at 9am. Allow around three hours and take some water and snacks/lunch.
Written 30 October 2020
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.
michelleskinz
Wanaka, New Zealand49 contributions
Feb 2020
Every New Zealander who is even slightly interested in birds should make the trip to Stewart Island and over to Ulva Island. This predator free sanctuary is so easily accessible and an absolute joy to visit. We had previously done a guided walk but this time chose to do a self-guided trip and we were well rewarded by taking our time, stopping and waiting and watching. We enjoyed seeing South Island Robin's, KaKa and Kakariki, Tui, Tomtits, Grey Warbler's, Wood Pigeon's, Weka's, a Rifleman and a juvenile SaddleBack (a highlight which came with only 5min left on the island!!). If you choose a self-guided option we would definitely recommend allowing at least 3hrs.
Written 15 February 2020
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.
HI, you mentioned that Peter from where you were staying took you. Where were you staying? Thank you
Written 24 June 2019
We booked late and could only get a room at the backpacker. But that place freaked me out - a guy from the next room barged in on me in bed, because his key opened MY door. He scooted out ASAP, decent fellow, but - I don't recommend THAT experience.
But I don't think you mean me, because I took a package tour to Ulva, at night to see live kiwi.
Written 2 July 2019
Hi! I wanted to visit Ulva Island after hearing so much but it's only possible for me to go in June and alone. Should I go ahead anyway?
Written 2 March 2018
Hi, We are planning a trip to Stewart Island next week. Wanting to know the cost of ferry to Ulva island and where is the best vantage point to find saddle back and rifleman for photography.
Many thanks :0
Written 7 May 2017
Costs $20-25 round trip--there's a boat with set times ($20), or for $25 you can set your times.
Written 16 May 2017
Can someone help me out with a 'plan' for a day trip to Stewart Island- we were going to knock a visit to the Island out of the trip to NZ , but we are sold on going now having read about it.
Can you give me a suggested company to use for 'guided tour half day ' for Ulva ( think we want / need to know what we are looking at and for!) and a company for a tour round the island as well.
Will get the early ferry over ( arrive 9am I think ) and the late one (5pm) back. I can't quite 'gel' this idea into a day plan as I keep getting' conflict is bookings' flashing up when I try to book it all on one web site. Or am I trying to do too much in one day?
Written 5 September 2016
You could also try "Beaks and feathers". For the the Ulva Island trip, she was a lovely guide and we saw really interesting birds and learned a lot about the flora on the island also. It was a small group size (4 of us) as well which was nice.
Written 23 September 2016
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing