Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours 15 minutes

Mobile ticket

Come and join us on a trip to our favourite place on Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho Island.Where you can find an island, on a lake, on an island, on a lake, on an island on the sea! Mou Waho Island is a protected nature reserve and is home to many native New Zealand birds including the curious and flightless Weka. A short walk takes you to the top of the island where you will be exposed to breathtaking panoramic views of the Arethusa pool, Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks.

Our water taxi leaves Wanaka Marina twice-daily travelling 15km up Lake Wanaka, passing Mou Tapu Island and the steep cliff of fisherman's cove to Mou Waho Island. Your friendly and knowledgeable skipper will inform you of the fascinating geology of the alps and the glaciers that created the lake as you travel along its sparkling waters.

Trip includes a 1.5+ hour freedom walk on the island.

Note: Christmas Day Mou Waho Island Tour includes a Xmas picnic and will run a bit longer so we can all celebrate together.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Minimum numbers apply

A 20/30 minute walk up hill is involved. (Optional)

Due to uneven surfaces and the steepness in places, the walk is not recommended for those with walking disabilities but they are more than welcome to join us on the boat trip and skip the walk and stay at the bottom of the island.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Landing and facility fees

1.5+ hour freedom walk on the island

Extensive live commentary onboard

Hotel pickup and drop-off

What To Expect

Wanaka Water Taxi and Wanaka 4x4 Explorer

We will meet you on the jetty. From here we will boat 15km up the lake to the scenic reserve, Mou Waho Island. Your skipper will inform you about the history and geology of the lake while cruising the sparkling waters of Lake Wanaka

Admission Not Applicable

Lake Wanaka

Our favourite place on Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho Island! Where you can find an island, on a lake, on an island, on a lake, on an island on the sea! Mou Waho Island is a protected nature reserve and is home to many native New Zealand birds including the curious and flightless Weka. A short, steep walk takes you to the top of the island where you will be exposed to breath taking panoramic views of the Arethusa pool, Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks. Our water taxi leaves Wanaka Marina twice-daily travelling 15km up Lake Wanaka, passing Mou Tapu Island and the steep cliff of fisherman's cove to Mou Waho Island. Your friendly and knowledgeable skipper will inform you of the fascinating geology of the alps and the glaciers that created the lake as you travel along its sparkling waters. Stay for 1.5 hours on the island to explore at your own pace.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

8.30AM EARLY BIRD EXPRESS

8.30AM Early Bird Express: Faster early-morning water taxi-only service to Mou Waho Island. No commentary, shorter boat ride, same time on the island.
Duration: 3 hours: 2.5 to 3 hour (shorter than our usual tour).

Mou Waho Island Tour

Mou Waho Island Tour: Enjoy fascinating insights from your skipper en route, then explore the island on your own
Duration: 3 hours: 3-3.5 hours

Reviews

4.93

192 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

186

Water taxi to the island and not much more
zitavskeho,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
We were somehow disappointed by this excursion. It represents a boat trip to the island with some broad explanations of the skipper and then drop off where you can freely walk on the island. The lake on the island is impressive but that’s all and not worth the price and the time. The skipper remains in the boat and will not show you around for birds and these are difficult to spot. This is too expensive for what it is worth.
A wonderful trip.
S6675NTkk,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a wonderful trip! The boat ride out was education and fun. Visiting the Island was beautiful and the views were outstanding. There was plenty of time to see both sites and sit to enjoy a quick picnic lunch. Being in our sixties, some parts of the paths were steep, but if you take your time you get there. It was well worth the trek.
Worth your time
Eurf,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fun and relax 3 hour activity. Our skipper, Brent, was very informative about the formation of the lake, the history of the islands and the town. The Island itself had some very beautiful views and just before we left a Weka bird came out of the bushes to greet us. Really enjoyed the experience of the trip
We are grateful for such experiences
678sabineh,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A fast-paced drive across Lake Wanaka. We learned what effort is put into keeping predators away from these islands, and made a short but incredibly beautiful hike to a lake on an island in a lake on an island. Where is there such a thing? Highly recommended with Hannah.
Extraordinary
marieodilem301,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great trick. Crossing the lake allows to see the mountains around and hiking on the island is superb with this lake on this island, itself in a lake
Unmissable Wanaka experience
mav335,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a wonderful trip. Everybody at Wanaka water taxi was so helpful. The weather forecast for the day we had booked was very poor so we were contacted by Wanaka water taxi to rearrange to take the trip a day earlier. James on the boat was so caring and informative. Mou Waho island is just beautiful with a lovely scenic walk up to the lake and then the summit. With outstanding views of lala Wanaka and the mountains with the chance to see an island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island in the ocean.
A perfect activity for a low-effort day
832vit,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
James was our tour guide and skipper. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed the little hike on the island very much.
Excellent Tour to Mou Hua Island
Stay07857363484,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our Ferry Captain James gave us a detailed briefing of what to expect during the Ride to the island. It made our ride less scary despite the choppy waters and we felt completely at ease. He was very informative and acted as our guide. Overall a very Good experience. Highlight of our NZ tour.
Unique place MOU Waho island
380madhus,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Look out point trek and tyrwhit summit - where you will find the most unique thing in the world - an island (unnamed) in a lake ( Arethusa Pool) on a island ( Mou Waho island) in a lake on an island ( South Island NZ) in the sea. I recommend - Wanaka water taxi and skipper James for amazing trip to island 😍👍
A lake on an island, on a lake, on an island
sassyzhart,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a beautiful afternoon on the water. Thankful we could reorganise to suit better weather. A nice small group, easy to access the meeting point, a comfortable boat trip. A few stops along the way to visit other islands, and then arriving at our island with plenty of time to explore in our own time. The hike to the top was steep and muddy so good hiking shoes are recommended- the hiking poles we were offered also came in handy. There are plenty of stops along the way to rest if needed and take beautiful photos. The stop at the lake is a great place for a picnic and swim! The push to the summit is worth it for the views and not really much further than what has already been walked. A quicker ride on the way home.