Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour
Overview
Available languages
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. This part of the tour is non guided so that you can explore the island at your own pace.
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.
The time on the island is non guided so you can explore it at your own pace.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
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.
What‘s Included
About 2 hours freedom walk on the island
Extensive live commentary onboard the boat
Landing and facility fees
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Guide on the island
Options
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
264 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
It is not a guided tour...
Richard S,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00It is not a guided tour of the Island. It is a boat trip and a drop off to the Island only where visitors make their own arrangements with no accompanying guide. There is some commentary on the boat trip going to the island which is very basic, partially correct and has no reference to the significant restoration programme which has been undertaken on the island.
Great excursion, anytime again
julialU9947TJ,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great trip. Brent as a guide was great. The island is fantastic.
Another great day in the South Island.
janinebQ7983QP,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Easy and relaxing . Tour guide was very friendly and informative . Enjoyable afternoon .
A challenging hike but...
Barbara J,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A challenging hike but well worth the effort. The lake was like glass and the view from the very top was amazing. Our water taxi driver/guide was very informative.
A must do
Nicky A,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a lovely trip. Skipper Hannah was so friendly. The walk up was not too difficult but magic viewing stops all the way and the island in the lake etc is so unique . A myst see Hannah on the way y
Simply Stunning!
Trip43363260509,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a lovely trip to Mou Waho! Our guide was very knowledgeable and set us up well to explore the island. The track was well maintained and we loved the views. Beautiful birdsong surrounded us as we walked through native bush. We even got to see a Buff Weka, a species you can’t see on the mainland. Highly recommend!
Beautiful and relaxing Boat ride to the island
Teri C,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Brent the boat driver was very knowledgeable about the history area of the lake. The boat was very comfortable. We were dropped at the island and hiked up to the the tiny lake on the island which is pretty. We didn't hike to the lookout but I would encourage everyone to do this. The views looked incredible
Amazing trip to a very special place
AuntyR0,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked this quite late as we weren't sure about our timings. We are so pleased we did. The whole trip was wonderful. We were a bit too close to departure time and the boat had actually left. Miraculously they came back for us, which was brilliant. The guide was just the right level of informative. The walk to the top of Mou Watou was a bit challenging for me (65 year old had a stroke) but with time and walking poles it was fine. We were blessed with good weather, in the wet I might have struggled a bit, but anyone of normal fitness/agility would not struggle. The views are stunning, loads of bird song, and our guide told us about a different path where we had even more stunning views. Would not hesitate to recommend this, worth every penny.
Fabulous boat trip to Mou Island
Go617943,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hannah was a great guide with lots of interesting information AND enough time approx. 2 hrs to explore the island on our own. Mou island is extraordinary, calm, lots of singing birds and mystic lake overlooks. Boattrip with only 8 people in the afternoon sun was fantastic.
Fantastic Tour!
RockyTagliata,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a phenomenal way to spend four hours in Wanaka. Hannah was our captain and she was incredibly well informed about the lake, the mountains, the wildlife, and the history of the area. It’s a small group tour and the small boat allows for everybody to have great sight lines. We were there on a beautiful day and Mou Waho offers an unlimited number of gorgeous vistas. The trail to the top is not that difficult. If you can stand cold water, I recommend a swim in the Arethusa Pool (which is a lake on an island on a lake on an island). If you can swim a bit (about 125 yards), you can swim out to a little island and stand on an island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island. I would also recommend taking the small trail to the other side of the island (it is directly off the marked trail to the top). The views from that side are also spectacular and we also got to hear the sound of rutting deer from across the water. I highly recommend this trip.
From NZ$139.00
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Operated by Aqua Adventures Wanaka LTD trading as Wanaka Water taxi Wanaka 4x4 Explorer