"Really nice activity! Well organized, expert explanations and a very beautiful walk. Highly recommended!"
Lake Wanaka · 3-hour water taxi trip from Wanaka Marina · 2 hours on Mou Waho Island · from about $79
Wanaka Tours: Lake, Island and Waterfall Days Compared
Half days that start in town: island walks on Lake Wanaka, waterfall cable climbs, a bike trail from Hawea and a 4x4 on Mount Burke. Here is where each one starts, how much of it is walking or riding, and the Mou Waho water taxi trip rated 4.9 from 384 reviews.
From
$79
per person
Free cancellation
- 4.9 / 5 384 reviews
- 2 hours On Mou Waho Island
- 3 hours Wanaka Marina and Back
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What the Mou Waho Island Trip Includes
In the operator's own words: the water taxi with commentary, a walk to the island's hidden lake, the weka that live on the reserve and time on the beach. The walk is self-guided.
In the Operator's Own Words
- Enjoy a cruise on Lake Wanaka and learn about the history of the area
- Discover the hidden lake within the island within the lake
- Meet the curious Wekas, a rare flightless native bird which lives on the island
- Enjoy the freedom of being able to explore the island in your own way
- Go for a swim in the lake on the island
What's Included
- Water Taxi to and from the Island
- Commentary on the boat with a couple of stops
- Self guided walk on the Island
- Walking poleS
- Activity sheets for kids
Good to know: Please be advised, the walk up to the hidden lake and view point is steep and rocky in places but not long and there are benches along the way to rest · Guests who aren't up for the walk but mobile enough to get on and off the boat and the island are more than welcome to join the tour anyway to enjoy the lake and the bird life on the island
How the Mou Waho Water Taxi Trip Works
Four steps, from the jetty at Wanaka Marina to the island's hidden lake and back.
Meet at Wanaka Marina
The trip starts at Wanaka Marina on Lakeside Road, on the bigger jetty across from the toilet block, where the water taxi comes in. Start times vary; check availability for your date. The operator welcomes guests who are mobile enough to get on and off the boat even if they skip the walk.
Water Taxi to Mou Waho
The water taxi crosses Lake Wanaka with commentary and a couple of stops on the way. The guide covers the island's geology and history. The operator calls Mou Waho the most remote of the lake's five islands.
Two Hours on the Island
The walk on the island is self-guided, with walking poles provided. It takes about 20 minutes to the hidden lake and 5 more to Tyrwhitt Peak, the island's highest point. The operator says the path is steep and rocky in places but not long, with benches to rest on. Children get activity sheets.
Beach, Then Back to Wanaka
Time left over goes to the island's small sheltered beach, with a swim in the lake if you want one, before the water taxi back to the marina. The island is a predator-free reserve where weka live. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.
Photo Gallery
Wanaka's Lake and Island Tours in Photos
Photos from the operators' own listings on the booking platform.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. The listing's terms: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Three Wanaka Tours
The Mou Waho water taxi trip, the beginner waterfall cable climb and the Hawea-to-Wanaka bike trail, compared from each operator's listing: where it starts, how long it runs, how hard it is and what is included. Prices as of October 2026.
| Feature | OUR PICK Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour (Wanaka Water Taxi & 4x4 Explorer) | 2-Hour Beginner Waterfall Cable Climb (Wildwire Wanaka) | Trail Ride on Bike or E-Bike (nzbiketrails) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starts From | From about $79 per person | From about $116 per person | From about $76 per person |
| Rating | 4.9 / 5 from 384 reviews | 4.9 / 5 from 121 reviews | 4.9 / 5 from 219 reviews |
| Length | 3 hours, Wanaka Marina and back | 2 hours at Twin Falls | 3 to 4 hours, Wanaka to Hawea and back by bike |
| Start Point | Wanaka Marina, Lakeside Road, the bigger jetty across from the toilet block | The farm gate at Twin Falls, about 20 minutes' drive from Wanaka on the Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Road | Loading bays outside the Wanaka i-SITE, 103 Ardmore Street |
| Getting There vs Being There | Water taxi both ways, 2 hours on the island | Up to 1 hour climbing, then a 15-minute descent | 25-minute shuttle to Hawea, about 2.5 hours riding back |
| What Is Included | Water taxi, commentary with a couple of stops, walking poles, kids' activity sheets | Guide, safety equipment and briefing, a training climb, a small snack | Bike, helmet, rack bag, repair kit, pump and lock, briefings, shuttle, trail donation |
| How Hard, in the Listing's Words | The walk to the hidden lake is steep and rocky in places but not long | Moderate fitness and full body mobility; no climbing experience needed | A grade 1-2 family friendly ride of about 30 km |
| Limits | Guests who skip the walk are welcome if they can get on and off the boat | Minimum age 10 and 40 kg; not over 120 kg | Not for children under 8, under 130 cm or over 120 kg |
| Guiding | Commentary on the boat; the island walk is self-guided | Instructor; no more than 5 people per guide | Host briefs you; the ride itself is self-guided |
| Best For | Families and first-time visitors who want time on an island | A first via ferrata with a guide close by | Riders who want trails, not roads, with an e-bike option |
| Check Availability | See the Waterfall Climb | See the Bike Trail |
Six More Guided Days From Wanaka
Other Wanaka Tours
A guided Mou Waho walk, a shorter Stevensons Island cruise, two waterfall cable climbs, a bike trail from Hawea and a 4x4 trip on Mount Burke. Titles are the operators' own; prices are the booking platform's.
30 KM OF TRAILS, E-BIKE OPTIONWānaka And Hāwea: Trail Ride on Bike or E-Bike
A shuttle from the Wanaka i-SITE to Hawea, a briefing, then a self-guided ride of about 30 km on river trails back to Wanaka, with bike, helmet, rack bag and repair kit.
GUIDED WALK, DOC FEES INCLUDEDMou Waho Island: 3-Hour Cruise and Guided Nature Walk
A 3-hour trip from the Wanaka lakefront near 100 Ardmore Street by fast boat to Mou Waho Island, with a guided walk to the lake on top and Department of Conservation fees.
NO CLIMBING EXPERIENCE NEEDEDWanaka: 2-Hour Beginner Waterfall Cable Climb
A 2-hour beginner climb at Twin Falls, about 20 minutes' drive from Wanaka: a training climb, then cables, rungs and suspension bridges with a guide, safety gear and a snack.
320 M OF CLIFFS, LUNCHWanaka: 4-Hour Intermediate Waterfall Cable Climb
A 4-hour intermediate climb from the farm gate at Twin Falls near Wanaka: 320 m of cliffs on cables and bridges with a guide and safety gear, and lunch at the top.
BOAT AND 4X4, MAX 5 PEOPLEWanaka: Mount Burke 4x4 Explorer and Boat Tour
A 4-hour trip from Wanaka Marina for up to 5 people: a guided boat ride to the foot of Mount Burke, a 4x4 drive above the lake with commentary and a gourmet picnic.
SHORTEST ISLAND WALKStevensons Island 2-Hour Cruise and Nature Walk
A 2-hour catamaran cruise from the Wanaka lakefront near 100 Ardmore Street to Stevensons Island, with a short guided walk to the top and afternoon tea.
Choosing a Wanaka Tour
Which Wanaka Tour Is Yours?
Which island, how much walking each trip involves, what the waterfall climbs ask of you, and what a Wanaka hike looks like when the big tracks are closed.
Wanaka tours are mostly short and close to the water. The town is a smaller base than Queenstown: in GetYourGuide’s catalogue in October 2026 it lists 69 products and about 2,800 reviews, against about 39,900 for Queenstown. What it offers instead is the lake itself. Of the seven guided half days on this page, four go by boat, two climb a waterfall west of town, and one rides trails back into Wanaka from Lake Hawea. Our pick is Wanaka Water Taxi’s trip to Mou Waho Island, from $79 per person and rated 4.9 from 384 reviews: three hours from Wanaka Marina, two of them on a predator-free island with a lake on top of it.
See dates for Mou Waho Island →
Why base yourself in Wanaka
Wanaka is about 70 km from Queenstown over the Crown Range Road; the route through Cromwell is longer. Staying in Wanaka puts the lakefront tours a short walk away. The two island cruises board by the old jetty near 100 Ardmore Street, the bike shuttle leaves from the i-SITE at 103 Ardmore Street, and the water taxi and the 4x4 trip start at Wanaka Marina on Lakeside Road. The waterfall climbs are the exception: you meet the guides at Twin Falls, about 20 minutes’ drive west along the Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Road, and the listings name no transport, so plan on a car.
If you are still deciding between towns, see the South Island itinerary by base town. The lake cruises and wine tour on the other side of the Crown Range are on the Queenstown tours page.
The Wanaka tours compared
| Tour | From | Rating (reviews) | Length | Start point | On the water or road vs at the place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour (Wanaka Water Taxi & 4x4 Explorer) | $79 | 4.9 (384) | 3 h | Wanaka Marina, Lakeside Rd | 2 h on the island, the rest on the water taxi |
| Mou Waho Island Cruise and Guided Nature Walk (Lake Wanaka Cruises) | $101 | 4.9 (77) | 3 h | Lakefront near 100 Ardmore St | 30 min cruise each way, 2 h guided walk |
| Stevensons Island Cruise and Nature Walk (Lake Wanaka Cruises) | $50 | 4.6 (185) | 2 h | Lakefront near 100 Ardmore St | 45 min cruise each way, 10-minute island walk |
| Trail Ride on Bike or E-Bike (nzbiketrails) | $76 | 4.9 (219) | 3-4 h | Wanaka i-SITE, 103 Ardmore St | 25 min shuttle to Hawea, 2.5 h self-guided ride back |
| 2-Hour Beginner Waterfall Cable Climb (Wildwire Wanaka) | $116 | 4.9 (121) | 2 h | Farm gate at Twin Falls | Up to 1 h climbing, 15 min descent |
| 4-Hour Intermediate Waterfall Cable Climb (Wildwire Wanaka) | $212 | 5.0 (77) | 4 h | Farm gate at Twin Falls | 320 m of cliffs, lunch at the top, 45 min descent |
| Mount Burke 4x4 Explorer and Boat Tour (Wanaka Water Taxi & 4x4 Explorer) | $186 | 5.0 (40) | 4 h | Wanaka Marina, Lakeside Rd | 30 min boat to and from the 4x4, then the hill and a picnic |
Prices, ratings and review counts from our October 2026 data check; operators use seasonal pricing, so treat them as the shape of the market, not a quote.
All prices are per person, and every tour here cancels free up to 24 hours before.
Mou Waho or Stevensons Island
Two operators run Mou Waho. Wanaka Water Taxi’s $79 trip gives you two hours on the island on your own, with walking poles and kids’ activity sheets. Lake Wanaka Cruises’ $101 trip adds a guide for a two-hour bush walk to the island’s lake and a lookout, and its price includes the Department of Conservation park fees. Its walk is 1 km and rises 150 m, and the operator advises an above-average level of fitness. Both say the walk is optional: you can stay on the beach.
Stevensons Island is the short version, from $50. A catamaran cruises into Stevensons Arm, lands on the beach, and a guide leads a 10-minute walk that rises 50 m to the top of the island, then tea, coffee and a cookie before the cruise back. A guest from the United Kingdom wrote: “If you don’t fancy the climb or have mobility problems, you can stay on the boat, but it’s worthwhile if you can.”
A Wanaka hike, a climb or a ride
If your Wanaka hike is Roys Peak, the Department of Conservation rates the 16 km return track for high fitness and closes it for lambing from 1 October to 10 November every year; it suggests the Isthmus Peak Track as a similar walk during the closure. The guided island walks here are much shorter, and the climbing and riding days ask for a different kind of effort.
Wildwire’s waterfall climbs use cables, iron rungs, ladders and suspension bridges at Twin Falls, with no more than 5 people per guide and no climbing experience needed. The beginner climb spends up to an hour on the rock; the intermediate climb covers 320 m of cliffs to lunch beside a 60 m waterfall, and the operator calls it the highest waterfall climb in the world. Both ask for a moderate level of fitness and full body mobility, with a minimum age of 10.
The nzbiketrails ride is self-guided: a shuttle takes you to Hawea, the host sets up your bike and explains the route, and you ride about 30 km of grade 1-2 trails along the Hawea and Clutha rivers back to Wanaka, with support on the trail if needed. The operator recommends e-bikes on this trail.
Book by the day you want:
Island on your own, 2 hours ashore
Wanaka: Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour
Three hours from Wanaka Marina: a water taxi with commentary, then a self-guided walk to the hidden lake and Tyrwhitt Peak, or time on the beach.
Check dates →First climb, no experience needed
Wanaka: 2-Hour Beginner Waterfall Cable Climb
Two hours at Twin Falls with a training climb, up to an hour on cables and suspension bridges over pools, a small snack and a 15-minute walk down.
See this tour →Trails only, e-bike option
Wānaka And Hāwea: Trail Ride on Bike or E-Bike
A shuttle to Hawea, a briefing, then a self-guided ride of about 30 km on river trails back to Wanaka, with bike, helmet and repair kit included.
See this tour →Season and what to expect
The lake trips run subject to the weather and minimum numbers, and Lake Wanaka Cruises advises a warm jacket in any season. The Mount Burke operator says it can be breezy on the mountain and hot in summer, so bring a layer and a hat. If you drive the Crown Range between May and September, carry chains and know how to fit them.
Who each tour suits
Families and first-time visitors: the Mou Waho water taxi, or Stevensons Island for the shortest walk. Walkers who want a guide’s explanations of the island’s plants and birds: the guided Mou Waho trip. Active travellers: a waterfall climb, or the bike trail if heights are not for you. Couples or a small group who want to get “away from the crowds”, in the operator’s words: the Mount Burke 4x4, limited to 5 people, with a picnic on the hill. For the long days to Aoraki, see Mount Cook tours; for whether to drive between bases at all, see guided tours or self-drive.
Guest Reviews
What Guests Say
4.9/5
from 384 verified guests
"A Hidden Gem - this Island Tour was absolutely stunning! The island and views were so beautiful, I could be there all day and still not get enough! Our guide was fantastic - I really appreciated how knowledgeable and passionate he was, and he shared lots of interesting information, which made the experience even more enjoyable. I would highly highly recommend doing this :)"
"Fast and punctual service. On the outward journey, the guide told us a little about the history of Lake Wanaka"
"Such a nice day time activity to do! Bring your boots and get ready for a lovely view at the top. Our tour driver gave us loads of facts and insights and answered all the questions."
"The activity was wonderful. We had a small group and our guide provided us with some great information about the island and local area. A must do activity"
"The tour exceeded all my expectations. Our guide was incredibly kind, polite, and professional. He had extensive knowledge of the area and explained everything in such a clear and engaging way. What really stood out was his passion -he didn’t just share facts, he seemed really passioned telling us the stories about the landscape, nature and wildlife. The island itself turned out to be truly wild and breathtaking. It felt authentic, raw, and absolutely beautiful. 100% must have"
"Lovely guide. Very informative and relaxed. Great mountain and lake views. Saw a cheeky Weka up close."
"Our tour guide James was friendly & informative. Such a spectacular view from the top. Really enjoyed it."
Read all 384 verified reviews
See All ReviewsBook the Water Taxi to Mou Waho Island
Three hours from Wanaka Marina: a water taxi across Lake Wanaka with commentary, then two hours on Mou Waho Island to walk to its hidden lake and Tyrwhitt Peak or sit on the beach. Walking poles included. Rated 4.9 by 384 guests on the booking platform. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Starting from $79 per person.
Check Availability & BookCan't Make These Dates?
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More tours here from the booking platform. Each listing states its own cancellation terms.
Wanaka Tours FAQ
The questions people ask before booking a guided half day from Wanaka, answered in the first sentence. Tour details come from each operator's listing; track rules from the Department of Conservation.
Most Wanaka tours are lake trips, with waterfall climbs, a bike trail and a 4x4 for more effort. Wanaka Water Taxi's Mou Waho trip is rated 4.9 from 384 reviews, and both Wildwire climbs and the nzbiketrails ride are rated 4.9 or higher. All of them run 2 to 4 hours. The Wanaka tours comparison sets them side by side.
Book the water taxi trip to explore on your own, or Lake Wanaka Cruises' trip for a guided walk. Both take 3 hours. The water taxi gives you two hours on the island with walking poles; the cruise adds a two-hour guided bush walk and includes the Department of Conservation park fees. See the guided Mou Waho trip.
From 10 minutes on Stevensons Island to a 1 km walk rising 150 m on the guided Mou Waho trip. On the water taxi trip it is about 20 minutes to the hidden lake and 5 more to Tyrwhitt Peak, steep and rocky in places. All three operators say the walk is optional. See the Stevensons Island cruise.
The guided walks here are island walks of up to two hours, not a mountain day. Roys Peak, a 16 km return track rated for high fitness, is closed for lambing from 1 October to 10 November each year, and the Department of Conservation suggests the Isthmus Peak Track during that time. The guided Mou Waho walk is the longest on this page.
No: Wildwire says its guides will assist you and no experience is needed. You do need a moderate level of fitness and full body mobility, and the minimum age is 10. The beginner climb takes 2 hours; the intermediate climb takes 4 hours, covers 320 m of cliffs and includes lunch. See the intermediate climb.
You drive to Twin Falls, about 20 minutes from Wanaka on the Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Road. The meeting point is a locked farm gate with the operator's sign, in front of the waterfalls; the operator says if you reach the ski field road or a gravel road, you have gone too far. Arrive 15 minutes early. See the beginner climb.
No: the ride itself is self-guided, with a host who briefs you and support on the trail if needed. A shuttle takes you from the i-SITE to Hawea, and you ride about 30 km of grade 1-2 trails back to Wanaka. The operator recommends e-bikes; children under 8 cannot join. See the bike trail ride.
Yes if you drive: Wanaka is about 70 km from Queenstown over the Crown Range Road. The tours on this page start in or near Wanaka, and their listings include no transport from Queenstown. Carry chains on the Crown Range between May and September. For tours that start in Queenstown itself, see Queenstown tours.
Still have questions? Email us at info@southislandguidedtours.com