Stewart Island: Village and Bays Tour
5

Stewart Island: Village and Bays Tour

By RealNZ
Recommended by 98% of travellers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 1h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Live commentary on board
  • Knowledgeable guide
What's not included
  • Gratuities


Start:
  • 12 Elgin Terrace, Oban 9818, New Zealand
    Please head to "The Red Shed" Visitor Centre 15 minutes before departure to check in.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2264P20

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travellers can participate
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2264P20

    From
    $59.00
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
    Itinerary
    • 12 Elgin Terrace, Oban 9818, New Zealand
      Please head to "The Red Shed" Visitor Centre 15 minutes before departure to check in.
    • 1
      Explore Oban and the surrounding bays in our modern mini-buses. Our guides enjoy sharing their local knowledge of the history and environment of Stewart Island.
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • RealNZ
      1,278
      New Zealand
      Joined in May 2009
    • 54Maggie
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Highlight of our NZ tour
      Highlight of our NZ holiday. Enjoyed seeing other wildlife on the way and our guides were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We saw about 6 wild kiwis and really appreciated how well organised and prepared our group was for tramp in silence. Wonderful evening
      Written 10 February 2025
    • sarahs12345418
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wild kiwi spotting
      Quite hard work with a lot of walking through the bush but we saw 3 wild kiwis so it was worth it. Guides were professional and courteous
      Written 28 January 2025
    • Nikola15131
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The Best Possible Kiwi Experience!
      The best experience ever! We spotted sea lions, (which came to play next to our boat), albatrosses (who thought that we are a fishing boat) and in the end also kiwi! Everything was underlined with a great tour guides India and Natasha, who were sooo patient with spotting the kiwi! They stayed with us longer than was scheduled, just to let us enjoy the kiwi. They knew answer to each of our questions and you could really feel the personal approach from them to you. Before spotting the kiwi we also enjoyed the orange moon on the beach all together. If I knew it is those two girls having the Ulva tour the day after, I would even go for that one instead of doing it by myself.
      Written 15 January 2025
    • Righteeoh
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The highlight in our Rakiura Stewart Island holiday
      Spent an unforgettable evening and night on the Wild Kiwi encounter, made special by our guides Karen and Natasha. A quick change of schedule to an alternative boat and skipper was no trouble for this crew, who wowed us with their knowledge, professionalism and care for their customers. We set off to cruise til sunset, learning about the bird life and environment of the region. We saw mollymawks, titi, the rare hoiho, Northern royal albatross, seals, sea lions, shags and little blue penguins. When we landed at The Neck, we were expertly prepared for a silent trek to observe the elusive tokoeka kiwi. I can’t fault these guides. They managed our expectations, they kept us safe from sea lion surprises on the beach, they searched relentlessly and kept our spirits up with breakout sessions when it seemed the kiwi might remain unseen. Finally, when we accepted our loss and the crew were on unpaid overtime (though you wouldn’t know it) we saw one on the beach, with an ongoing view of it feeding in the bush. And on our way back to the boat, another beauty strode across the path and showed itself, while we held our collective breath. How fortunate we were to have 2 sightings. To celebrate our endeavours, hot chocolate, tea and bikkies on the boat hit the spot and the late hour of arrival approx 1 am did not dampen the experience one bit. It was truly special. I can’t recommend it enough.
      Written 13 January 2025
    • 938gerardk
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fantastic Ferry trip Bluff to Stuart Island return
      Fantastic Ferry trip Bluff to Stuart Island return. Absolute must do adventure. The Island is really beautiful. Friendly, relaxed, lots to do, doc centre, accomadation for every pocket. Recommended
      Written 5 January 2025
    • Mikey-J1966
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Well organised but no kiwi spotted
      Meet at 7.45 at pontoon where you can often see penguins. The boat is a stable catermeran and although it was lumpy at times, I felt quite safe. As per previous reviews we visited various spots and saw seals, brief glimpse of a penguin and various birds. For the kiwi spotting, we split into 2 groups and set off after a briefing. Unfortunately, we didn't see any kiwi on our tour but heard them very close by. On the beach, we saw a sea lion emerge briefly and left the area quickly. Returned to dock about 0100 Hrs. It was a well organised trip but would have been nice to see a kiwi in it's natural environment.
      Written 10 December 2024
    • 58jenniee
      0 contributions
      2.0 of 5 bubbles
      Disappointed
      We did this tour in December 2024. Whilst we enjoyed the experience, we did not see any kiwis, which was a huge disappointment given that was the key reason we travelled to Stewart Island. We were a group of 14 with two tour guides. We were all on our group for the tour. As there were two tour guides I'm not sure why we didn't split into two groups to personalise the experience and maximise chances of seeing one. The tour guides were knowledgeable and engaging, but unfortunately I think the size of the group impacted on our chances of seeing a kiwi. We managed to see other wildlife (including the penguin trifecta) at the start of the tour which was great. I would encourage RealNZ to look into your group sizes in the future.
      Written 7 December 2024
    • R2135LXsophiep
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Successful kiwi spotting
      Jac and Sarah were fantastic! They were excellent kiwi spotters and worked as a team to make sure everyone in the group had a good view. We also had awesome views of white capped albatrosses.
      Written 2 December 2024
    • JoAlice09
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Don't hesitate, do it!
      I booked this tour because I really wanted to see kiwis in the wild but didn't want to be wandering around bushland by myself late at night. And I'm so glad I did! Not only did we see 3 Tokoeka kiwis on our bush walk, we also did a pelagic cruise around Rakiura and Ulva Island (the cruise started at 7.30 but sunset is around 9) from which we spotted Fiordland Crested Penguins, Yellow Eyed Penguins, Pied and Spotted Shags, Brown Skuas, plus some NZ fur seals and sea lions. The kiwi walk itself was awesome, we split into two groups and silently walked through the bush and onto the beach. It was quite fun and I would have enjoyed it even if we didn't see kiwi, but I'm so very happy that we did on multiple occasions. We could also hear them calling out in the distance. It was amazing. The boat got back to Oban at I think 1am so it is a very late night but absolutely worth it. Our guides Jac and I can't remember the other girl's name but she had long wavy brown hair - they were both fantastic, full of enthusiasm and knowledge.
      Written 13 November 2024
    • oonitoon
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wildlife at its best.
      We went on this tour in the vague hope that we would see kiwis in their natural habitat. We saw them and more. The cruise picked us up around 7.30pm, we toured around Bench Island, Ulva and Steward Islands. We saw Fiordland Crested Penguins, the rare Yellow Eyed penguins, little blue penguins, NZ fur seals, sea lions and to top it all kiwis. The team on board were all excellent and extremely knowledgeable. They split the group of 11 of us into two groups for the bush walk so it felt really personal. The bush walk a great experience. Highly recommend this tour. We got back to Oban around 12.30am, exhausted but buzzing.
      Written 11 November 2024
    • Brubble512
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Very good ferry journey
      This is a review of the Stewart Island ferry. The ferry crew are very organised getting you and your luggage on board, although it looks a bit chaotic at the start. The ferry crossing was quite smooth with no issues. About a 1 hour journey. Luggage was unloaded quickly at the other end and we were off to our guest house. Great.
      Written 8 November 2024
    • M3730ZManthonyc
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing Experience
      I couldn't recommend this tour enough. There were nine of us on the tour and four staff members, who were all knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. The beach walk to see the Kiwis was brilliant; we saw two in their natural habitat, not to mention the penguins, seals, albatrosses, and dolphins! It was the highlight of my trip around the South Island, and it was worth every cent!
      Written 13 October 2024
    • 764tons
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Steep fun on the e-bike!
      Good service and fine fully charged e-bikes. Located next to the ferry and good advise for discovering the island around the harbor.
      Written 29 September 2024
    • judwil61
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A wonderful trip on a beautiful day
      I can't speak highly enough of the crew who took us over and our outstanding guide Natasha. She clearly loves the fauna and flora of the island and shared her knowledge and passion with us.
      Written 23 April 2024
    • Long L
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      太棒了!
      My kids just live this trip! Such a beautiful place to explore and our guide just amazing! 非常值得的一次旅游,美丽的小岛和沙滩,丰富的自然景观和野生动物植物,导游的解说也非常棒,我的孩子说他们上了一堂生动的自然课!
      Written 19 April 2024
    See all 1,278 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    We perform checks on reviews.
    Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
    Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
    When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
    Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
    Learn more about our review moderation.
    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles58 reviews
    Excellent
    49
    Very good
    8
    Average
    1
    Poor
    0
    Terrible
    0

    John L
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2023
    Hearing about all the places to visit, a little history and having a perspective from a kiwi who is obviously enrolled in this place. As a kiwi to hear a balanced view of a great part of the country with a balanced and mature view of our great place was uplifting. Most kiwis never visit this place but if they has someone like Rhys introducing them to it they would be back more than once for another view. Thanks for looking after us Rhys. Cheers
    Written 13 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    This review made our day. Thank you for sharing. We'll be sure to pass on the kind words to Rhys.
    Written 1 February 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Matt
    Tewantin, Australia3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic tour! Our tour guide Reece was very knowledgeable, had a great sense of humour and showed us all the little bays and local highlights.
    Seeing the Sea Lion relaxing in the sand was great.

    Would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Stewart Island to give a better perspective of the uniqueness of what island life entails.
    Written 7 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    We're delighted to hear that you had a fantastic time on Stewart Island with us! It's wonderful that Reece, our tour guide, impressed you with his knowledge, sense of humour, and ability to showcase the local highlights. Witnessing the sea lion relaxing in the sand must have been a memorable moment.
    Written 9 April 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Diane C
    Kamloops, Canada9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2022
    Didn’t have much expectations for this tour. The tour guide was outstanding in articulating the history and able to tell a good story. She kept everyone engaged while she was driving the bus of which she also did a phenomenal job. We were able to see quite a bit of the island with stops to take pictures and enjoy the beautiful scenery that Stewart Island has to offer.
    Written 6 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks for taking the time to write a review. We think it is a great way to become orientated with the island.
    Written 8 December 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Paul S
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2023 • Couples
    Can highly recommend this bus tour around Stewart Island.
    Our driver Rhys was so knowledgeable of the island, and linked culture and history seamlessly into his narrative.
    Excellent information and interaction with “ the tourists”.
    Written 16 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Rhys will be thrilled to hear you enjoyed his tour! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
    Written 1 February 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    PerthRJB
    Perth, Australia24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We flew to Stewart Island for a very short stay (only 5 hours) and chose the bus tour to fit as much in as possible in a short time. Our group was small, and we received very personal service from the guide/driver. Rhys was very informative and entertaining. He had a real working history of the settlement and island. He pointed out all the local attractions and things to do on such a short visit. What a ripper bloke! The tour unfolded stunning panorama after panorama. Highly recommended!
    Written 11 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us! It's fantastic to hear that you made the most of your short stay on Stewart Island. We're thrilled that Rhys provided you with informative and entertaining commentary, showcasing his deep knowledge and passion for the island's history and attractions. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more exploration and unforgettable experiences in the future!
    Written 22 February 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Greg F
    Auckland Central, New Zealand1,167 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2021
    We used the Stewart Island ferry on our way from Oban back to Bluff and onward to Invercargill by coach.

    The weather at the time or crossing was rough, to say the least. We waited in the waiting room prior to boarding as the staff loaded the luggage on to the ferry.
    Even though it was sunny, we had wind speeds of 40 k/hour and 3-5 meter swells. The captain was excellent in keeping us informed and the staff were attentive to anyone who felt seasick. The crossing was an adventure in itself and an enjoyable experience if you could fight back the sea sickness.

    On arriving in Bluff, the coach was ready for us to head to Invercargill once we picked up our luggage. Overall, after leaving at 12.30pm we got to Invercargill by 2.20 pm. (1 hour crossing by ferry and about 25 minutes coach - the driver does drop off people to IVC airport first if needed)

    The service is quite reliable (ours was delayed by 20-30 minutes) if you have flight connections, but I wouldn't be aware that things can change rather quickly with the weather and it's good if you have a back up plan. Luckily we were booked the following morning out of Invercargill to Auckland and hence it did not stress us out if the ferry was delayed.

    *Tip: Fly one way and take the Ferry the other. Great to experience the different perspectives of crossing the Foveaux strait
    Written 30 April 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    ArpanD
    Kolkata (Calcutta), India84 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2023 • Couples
    One of the best tours we had in the entire 15 days at New Zealand. It's a long day which starts with a pickup from Invercargill. The driver didn't have much to speak, maybe there isn't too much of content or it was the early hours but she went the extra mile and included a drop till Bluff for photo-op which was awesome. Then she dropped us at the ferry and the ferry ride was great. It was a bit bumpy and if you are not careful, may get a bit nauseous. Once you get down at Stewart Island, probably an usher or guide would be handy because the pickup point of bus tour of the island is a 2 minute walk away and we had to scramble to first check and then reach there on time. The bus tour was the best and the walks and hikes on the island in Rakiura was well managed, informative and well-paced. Our bus guide knew the city in India where we came from and that made for a nice little chitchat topic. He even made the entire bus cheer for us newlyweds which was a lovely touch. Clearly the best guide we had so far in NZ. It's a rushed tour and you are only back in Invercargill at around 6pm so be mindful of the fact and make sure you have some dinner options handy because restaurants close early there.
    Written 24 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Jonny487
    Auckland, New Zealand196 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    虽然我们一般都是自己探索一个新的地方,我们这次参加了这个小小的旅行团,结果非常满意!我们的导游是一个非常优秀的女士,解说非常详细,涵盖了历史背景和自然景观!We usually do self guided tour but we booked this tour as time limited. It’s such a beautiful experience! Our guide is a great lady who has covered historical and cultural topics during our short tour. There are many beautiful stops in this short tour! Highly recommend!
    Written 19 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    We're delighted to hear that you had a beautiful experience on Stewart Island It's fantastic that our guide was able to provide insights into both the historical and cultural aspects of the tour, enriching your understanding along the way. We're thrilled that you enjoyed the various stops throughout the tour and appreciate your high recommendation.
    Written 6 May 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Larissa K
    Auckland, New Zealand186 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We did the Real NZ Ulva Island Tour, Kiwi Tour and the Stewart Island Mini Bus Tour around the island.

    We liked all 3 tours and it was a good way to see the Island, especially since this was our first time here. I would recommend all of them. They were all different in their own way and we saw different things on each tour.

    The Ulva Island Tour and Kiwi Tour involves a boat trip and guided walk. The mini bus tour goes for about 1.5 hours showing the Island by road. All great tours.
    Written 3 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    It sounds like you had the ultimate Stewart Island experience! Thank you for exploring this beautiful place with the RealNZ crew.
    Written 12 February 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Ezra710
    Christchurch, New Zealand1,404 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2021 • Couples
    We cruised from Oban to Bluff and then caught the bus to Invercargill (all pre-booked), having flown in to Oban 11 days prior. The bus dropped us at our motel, which was greatly appreciated! The sailing was reasonably smooth and quick (1 hour). The whole trip took about 100 minutes. Basic facilities at the Oban terminal (lounge upstairs, where you can watch the un/loading and catch some last views across the harbour). Free tea & coffee on board, along with snacks to purchase.
    Written 15 January 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Showing results 1-10 of 58
    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Stewart Island: Village and Bays Tour provided by RealNZ

    All Stewart Island HotelsStewart Island Hotel Deals
    All things to do in Stewart Island
    Theatre & Concerts in Stewart IslandDay Trips in Stewart Island
    RestaurantsFlightsHoliday HomesTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire