Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Lake Cruise and Mou Waho Island Nature Walk
• A “must see” in Wanaka, take a 30 minute cruise to the remote, predator free Mou Waho Island nature reserve, home to the rare and flightless Buff Weka, (extinct on mainland NZ)
• Optional one hour return guided bush walk, taking you up to reveal the island’s secret- a lake on top of the island!
• Morning (or afternoon) tea overlooking both lakes, and the panorama of the spectacular Southern Alps.
• Plant a native tree on the island as part of this unique eco-experience!
• Morning or afternoon tea supplied.
• Departures 9.00am and 1.30pm, allow 4 hours.
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A minimum of 2 Adults per booking is required
A maximum of 10 people per booking
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Professional local guide
Morning tea or Afternoon tea
Snacks
Coffee and/or Tea
Plant a Tree!
Private transportation
Lake Wanaka
Enjoy a 30 minute cruise each way on Lake Wanaka.
Step off the boat and onto Mou Waho. This predator free island is a nature reserve for the Buff Weka, extinct on mainland NZ. Enjoy a guided walk to the top of the island where you will discover the Lake on an island, on a lake, on an island! Enjoy morning or afternoon tea, and help us give back by planting a native tree!
Option 1: Lake boat cruise to magical Mou Waho Island, then a fully Guided Nature Walk to the summit of the island to see the "Lake on top of the island!" and plant a tree!
Free of Charge Infant Policy: Infants 0-3yo Free of Charge
128 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sandy M,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
This was a wonderful day on the water and the trail on the island. Views were better and better as we went up. Our guide was knowledgeable and personable. I’d recommend it to. Nine who can hike up and down the trail




MKKmrd,
Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
A great excursion! We had great weather, and the boat trip along the beautiful mountains over the deep blue Lake Wanaka was already an experience! The walk with Michael over the island was really great. He showed us so much and explained about the typical plants and and birds as well as some geological backgrounds and environmental protection measures! The nature and tranquility on the island are just fantastic! Unconditional recommendation for all nature lovers!!! Thank you, Michael, for the nice guidance. Our little tree is planted, and in (at the latest) 10 years when we come back, hopefully a stately tree.:)
Eva E,
Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
We had the best time seeing Wanaka from the lake and doing a perfect length hike to the top of the island. We learned so much about the plants and animals in the area too! Boat ride might be a little chilly/splashy in the winter :)


John D,
Jun 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
The Mou Wahu Island Nature Walk was awesome! Our guide, Michael, welcomed us at the Wanaka Marina. He is friendly and answered our questions about places to visit around Lake Wanaka. We enjoyed the conversation on the relaxing boat ride to Mou Wahu. The nature walk was fun! Michael has so much knowledge about the flora and fauna. We learned about Manuka, Kanuka, and many other plants and trees. We learned about the different species of birds and of the conservation efforts in New Zealand and on the island in particular. We saw some Wētā which was very cool. The island is very beautiful with its own lake and great views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains. We had some nice tea and biscuits. I even got to plant a native tree on the island! It was a fun experience. I'd like to do it again.

RBonTheLake,
Mar 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a good trip fantastic. We booked the 9am tour and there were 10 of us. Marcus was our guide and he was wonderful. He was knowledgeable, answered all questions, and accommodated everyone on the tour. Fortunately everyone on our trip was able to keep up on the hike so we were able to also go the the west side of the island where we stopped for tea and cookies. It was so peaceful there – to just sit, have a cup and enjoy the beautiful view. At the end of the trip we planted a tree in memory of Jill, the sister of one of the other tourists, who passed away recently. It was a very sweet thing to watch her actually plant the tree in memory of her sister. They could easily have just planted the tree but to ask if anyone had anything special to commemorate/memorialize added that special touch. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect morning to begin the day.
nancyfL8458RJ,
Mar 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
A pleasant afternoon trip from Wanaka - short boat ride, hike and “high tea” atop Mou Waho. Note the Nature Walk is more like a hike with a few steep and rocky sections. Our guide was very good in providing a nature guide as well as stopping periodically to make sure everyone was ok with the hike.
Inspire43767269948,
Mar 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Great trip made all the better by our guide Michael who was so friendly and informative taking time to explain about the wild life we saw and the trees and shrubs. Our boat ride was fast and exciting to the island with the lake on a lake a nice leisurely hike to the top for a beautiful view topped off with a cup of coffee and a biscuit which Michael supplied for us . Well worth it .





ljem2020,
Mar 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
What a brilliant tour! The boat was great and got us to the island quickly. The island tour was excellent with lots of information and ecological context. Brilliant guide. The scenery was magnificent and weather perfect. Seeing a black fantail was a bonus.
Footprints109322,
Mar 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
This tour consisted of taking a small power boat to an isolated island on Lake Manaka. Once there we hiked up to the top of the island and enjoyed some excellent views. The walk was about 1.5 hours. Our guide Michael was a super guy and a very good guide. He knew a great deal about the plant and animal life on the island and explained the ecosystem of the island. He was also very patient with some slower folks on the walk. I really liked the way the company is so conservation minded. The guides plant a small tree on each of their tours. Michael said the company has planted over 10,000 of these trees!. I would recommend this excursion to anyone.



pennysS9029YC,
Mar 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Lovely tour with excellent guide. All on time. Competent and knowledgeable. Will recommend. Lucky with weather. Lake a millpond.
Operated by Eco Wanaka Adventures