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WanakaBoats & yachts

Our most recommended Wanaka Boats & yachts

Lake Wanaka Happy Hour Cruise

1. Lake Wanaka Happy Hour Cruise

Set off on a 1-hour cruise on Lake Wanaka to enjoy crystal-clear waters and beautiful scenery. The perfect end to a great day or the perfect beginning to a great night. Marvel at the scenic beauty and take pictures while cruising to remember this relaxing experience.  As you cruise along, enjoy a local wine, beer, or soft drink with some cheese. Spend a beautiful evening and meet your fellow travelers while cruising down the waterfalls and other areas.

Stevensons Island 2-Hour Cruise and Nature Walk

2. Stevensons Island 2-Hour Cruise and Nature Walk

Embark on a leisurely 40-minute cruise among spectacular mountain scenery to Stevensons Peninsula and then into Stevensons Arm, home to the Mount Burke high country sheep station. Rolling green pastures precede Mount Gold and Mount Burke which rise majestically into the Eastern skyline. Relax in comfort as you cruise to Stevensons Island for a beach landing. Your guide will take you ashore via the front loading ramp for a short hike to the summit of the Island. Stevensons Island is an inspiration for photographers. On return, complete your experience with afternoon tea and another 40-minute scenic cruise back to the Wanaka waterfront.

Wanaka: Jet Boat Ride on Clutha River

3. Wanaka: Jet Boat Ride on Clutha River

Experience the water like never have before on a jet boat adventure in Wanaka. Skim across shallow water, over sand bars, through rapids, and around rocks at speeds in excess of 80 kilometers per hour. Departing from Wanaka’s waterfront, enjoy a short jaunt across the lake taking in stunning snow-capped mountain views, and prepare to enter one of the world’s swiftest-flowing rivers, the Clutha River.  Of course, a jet boat ride wouldn’t be complete without the iconic Hamilton Spin, a high-speed maneuver causing the boat to spin rapidly on the spot. Your expert driver will raise your adrenalin, demonstrating the maneuverability of the jet boat and pushing it to its absolute limits, safely and skillfully navigating you on an unforgettable adventure.

Wanaka: Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

4. Wanaka: Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

Join the longest and most spectacular jet boat tour in New Zealand on a half-day adventure from Wanaka. Travel at speed over the shallow braids of the Matukituki River, drift into turns and experience exciting spins! Stop in deep pools to breathe in the magic of the landscape and hear stories about the land from the local guides. Then, get off the beaten track on a 50-minute nature walk through the moss covered forests, waterfalls and glacial streams of Mount Aspiring National Park. Walk in awe beneath Avalanche Glacier (when conditions permit) or go into McGills Creek to enjoy one of the most beautiful and serene forest walks. Hear stories about this unique ice-carved landscape and get unmissable photo opportunities of the towering glaciers, shimmering waters and more. After your walk, you'll get to enjoy another ride in the jet boat back down the river. Your complimentary shuttle bus will be waiting to return you to Wanaka Town Centre.

Wanaka: Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour

5. Wanaka: Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour

Hop aboard a comfortable water taxi and make your way to Mou Waho Island. Along the way, your tour guide will explain the island's unique geology and history. Of the Lake Wanaka’s 5 islands, Mou Waho is the most remote and the most beautiful. Once there, you will have 1.5 hours to yourself to enjoy this special place. Hike 20 minutes to the island’s hidden lake. Created by glacial action thousands of years ago, this secluded lake contains an island itself. This island is known as the “island on a lake, on an island on a lake on an island in the sea.” (Close your eyes and visualize that for a moment). Walk 5 minutes from the hidden lake to reach Tyrwhitt Peak, the highest point on the island. From the top of the peak take in the luscious panorama of lakes and jagged peaks. Witness the diverse bird life of this predator-free nature reserve. See the elegant kereru (wood Pidgeon), the adorable korimako (bellbird), the delightful Tomtit, and the Weka. Wekas are charismatic birds that disappeared from the mainland of New Zealand but were introduced to these islands as a part of a breeding program in 2002. When you spot one, stop and say hello. These birds are particularly charismatic and cheeky characters and are often attracted to human interaction. Relax on the island’s small sheltered beach. Cool off with a swim in the waters of Lake Wanaka before taking the water taxi back to Wanaka.

Wanaka: Mount Burke 4x4 Explorer and Boat Tour

6. Wanaka: Mount Burke 4x4 Explorer and Boat Tour

Climb aboard a water taxi and cross Lake Wanaka towards the head of Stevenson’s arm. Gaze at the constantly changing vista of steep walls and alpine peaks. Learn about the fascinating history of this area devoid of people. Venture past Stevenson’s Island and disembark at the foot of Mount Burke. Board a 4x4 vehicle with your guide, and climb high above the lake. Take in the expansive panorama of crystal clear water and the rugged summits of Mount Aspiring National Park. Breathe in the quiet solitude of Wanaka. Hear stories of the early settlers who sought farmland, gold, and a better life in New Zealand. Enjoy a gourmet open-air picnic. Choose between a morning tea menu of fruit and muffins with tea and coffee, or an afternoon menu of fruit, cheese and crackers and local wine (red, white, or rose). Of course, you can choose to have wine in the morning, coffee in the afternoon, or to enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage. The choice is yours.

From Wanaka: Ruby Island 1-Hour Cruise and Photo Walk

7. From Wanaka: Ruby Island 1-Hour Cruise and Photo Walk

Take a relaxing cruise out to Ruby Island and enjoy a guided walk of the island with many photo opportunities. The grade is easy, suitable for children and seniors. Your friendly local kiwi guide will take you ashore on Ruby Island. Discover the intriguing history dating back to the days of prohibition. Often called the jewel of Wanaka, Ruby is small but very photogenic. The eclectic mix of exotic and native plants adds a foreground to the colors of the lake and the mountains behind. After your walk, return to the vessel for the short cruise back to the Wanaka waterfront. Please note that if you want a more extensive cruise into the mountain scenery please choose the Stevensons Is cruise or the Mou Waho Is cruise.

Mou Waho Island 3 Hour Cruise & Nature Walk

8. Mou Waho Island 3 Hour Cruise & Nature Walk

Visit Mou Waho Island on a 3 hour cruise experience departing from Wanaka's lakefront. Mou Waho is a predator free Department of Conservation reserve. See first-hand the results of conservation efforts including the Mountain Stone Weta and the rare flightless Buff Weka, extinct on the mainland since 1920. Take a relaxing cruise out to Mou Waho Island on our fast super taxi. On arrival, enjoy a 2-hour guided bush walk that takes you up to a lake right on top of the island. The guides have extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna, geology and both colonial and Maori history. Marvel at magnificent mountain and lake scenery in every direction. Your guide will then take you even higher to a lookout rock. On the scenic cruise back to the Wanaka waterfront, relax and take in the mountain views.

Wanaka: Full Day Packrafting Tour

9. Wanaka: Full Day Packrafting Tour

Join us on the adventure of a lifetime, paddling one of New Zealand’s most spectacular mountain rivers in our fun, inflatable packrafts. Location: Matukituki River, Mount Aspiring National Park Start your action packed day with a scenic shuttle drive beneath the towering mountains, glaciers and waterfalls of the Matukituki Valley. A stop on the way to enjoy a short walk to one of the beautiful valley waterfalls. After refreshments its gear-on, safety brief and paddle tuition before heading down-river on our stable and strong packrafts. Ride the wave trains, paddle into calm eddies and float with the river flow. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the river bank and play in turquoise swimming holes as you continue paddling down river. By the time the day is done your guide will have you paddling like a pro. This really is the perfect mix of fun, excitement and adventure in the most beautiful landscape there is.

Frequently asked questions about Wanaka Boats & yachts

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Other Sightseeing Options in Wanaka

Want to discover all there is to do in Wanaka? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Wanaka

Took the water taxi from wanaka Marina, cruised for about 40-50 minutes with the gentlemen giving us a great talk about the area, stopping at a few places to tell us the history. Got to Mou Waho island and walked up to the lake, it was steep and took us 30-40 minutes. Got to lake and swam for 30 minutes then back to boat. Cruise home was about 30-40 minutes. It was amazing, book it. We are keen to do it again.

The happy hour wine cruise was great value. We enjoyed a glass of wine and cheese platter sitting enjoying the amazing scenery - were lucky with the weather with a clear sky. We were able to wander around capturing some wonderful photos. The staff were cheerful and friendly. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Booking was a very easy process.

Really fantastic. They over delivered on everything! We would recommend this.

Friendly staff, relaxing journey, excellent views and tasty cheese

Knowledgeable guide, enjoyable little trip around the lake