2-Hour Scenic Cruise in Lake Mapourika
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the true beauty of the West Coast in a small personalized cruise on Lake Mapourika. The Jurassic rainforest fringed bays which reflect the surrounding Alps and Glaciers will leave you in awe of its beauty. Explore a kiwi conservation area with your knowledgeable local skipper and enjoy watching curious native birdlife in the surrounding rainforest shoreline.
Evening cruises, with a glass of wine (BYO) in the summer time are a wonderful way to end the day.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Lake Mapourika
Discover the true beauty of the West Coast in a small personalized cruise on Lake Mapourika. The Jurassic rainforest fringed bays which reflect the surrounding Alps and Glaciers will leave you in awe of its beauty. Explore a kiwi conservation area with your knowledgeable local skipper and enjoy watching curious native birdlife in the surrounding rainforest shoreline.
What‘s Included
Coffee and/or Tea
Options
2-Hour Scenic Cruise in Lake Mapourika
Reviews
108 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Gentle cruising
Hazelcambers,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Gentle cruising around lake, very friendly and informative skipper who made the cruise worthwhile. Nice boat, very comfortable.
Good Lake Views
Ankur K,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Nice lake view along with a good commentary from the guide. Got to know about the history as well as different species of birds and plant life around the lake. No coffee/tea as someone forgot to put the cups in boat , funny . A bit expensive overall
Very enthusiastic …
David N,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00… and knowledgeable guide Carl which did add to the rather lacklustre background scenery. The cruise we - and other couples thought - was rather pricey for what it was but Franz Josef itself offers very little in the way of an alternative.
Great morning activity
Mblumenfeld1,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joe was our guide and he was personable knowledgeable and very accommodating. The path taken was not strenuous but very rustic. Just a wonderful experience.
Franz Josef Wilderness Rain or Shine
wilson52016,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We arrived at Franz Josef with limited visibility due to wet and foggy conditions - but Joe assured us the tour would still be worth it, even if we couldn’t see the glacier. Turns out he was right, he was very knowledgeable and engaging with all 9 passengers and we learnt a lot about the area and how it is being protected for years to come. The peace and serenity was awesome on the lake, with avid wildlife chatter. Great tour, great guide - highly recommend!
A Magical Journey Through Time and Nature
Pioneer666992,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We absolutely loved our 2-hour scenic boat ride. Carl was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and his passion for the area and conservation was truly inspiring — it made us want to be more involved ourselves. We learned so many fascinating facts along the way, including seeing the very same trees that appeared in photos from the early 1900s, which was pretty special. The scenery was moody, magical, and unforgettable, and the hot chocolate was the perfect finishing touch. A wonderful experience from start to finish. We highly recommend this trip.
Wilderness Trip
GrandTour22440680268,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved our Wilderness trip on the lake which took us across to the other side where we then did an easy climb into the native bush finishing off with a hot chocolate and biscuit , then back across the lake to where we started. A few of the group decided the finish our trip by jumping into the water for a swim. So much to see and learn from our guide Joe along the way (apparently quite famous on the coast) We are lucky to live in such a beautiful country
Cruise on the Lake.
B43PXbenw,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chad, the tour guide and boat operator was awesome, as he described local details as we explored the Lake. We caught a glimpse of the Frank Joseph Glacier in the distance. We listened to the sounds of nature/ birds etc and enjoyed a cup of tea and biscuits. The bus took us to and from the lake. Definitely recommend this tour to others.!
Amazing early morning scenic cruise
vdrkrans,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The weather was beautiful, the lake was like a mirror and our captain Chad was really amazing! Very relaxed, knows his stuff and showed really beautiful spots on the lake as well as the amazing reflection from the mountains on the water. As per usual (😉) he sailed 10 minutes longer and really made the difference. we can recommend this tour strongly!
Kayak in Lake Mapourika
Daydream34892971573,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience kayaking on Lake Mapourika. Ollie & Justin have been great guides, sharing lots of fun facts. No kayak experience required. It was good value and worth it, even if weather was a bit chilled nearing evening time. Will strongly recommend if anyone visiting Franz Josef - definitely a must-do there!
From NZ$125.00
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Related Experiences
Operated by Franz Josef Wilderness Tours