Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi
Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi
Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi
5
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Adventure is allowing the unexpected happen to you! Experience Ulva Island - the pristine forested island and one of few predator-free sanctuaries in New Zealand- and the unique beauty of Paterson Inlet. Freedom Tours, guided walks and sight seeing with the Ulva Island Ferry for those who prefer the charm of a vintage wooden ferry or with a fast pace custom built vessel.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Steven O'BWhangarei, New Zealand23 contributionsAnother great cruise on the MV WairangiOver 20 years ago with Lew at the helm, we motored out of Tutukaka, Northland on the MV Wairangi to go snorkelling around the poor nights, a great day out. This month, at the other end of the country, with Rakiura at the helm, we motored out of Paterson inlet, Stewart Island on the MV Wairangi to go bird watching towards Bench Island, then back around the inlet. Rakiura shared the recent history of the Wairangi and put us in great spots to see & photograph the birds. It was a most enjoyable couple of hours thanks to Rakiura & crew. Thank you, Rakiura Adventures, for keeping this historic ship in use & in such good condition.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 November 2023
- David2 contributionsPick-up from Christmas VillageThe guys were amazing! We and our 4 packs were picked up by lighter from the tricky rocky beach, ferried to the main vessel and taken at fabulous speed in tough conditions to Golden Bay. This added to our great tramp from Masons Bay - and we got to the pub in time for dinner!Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 20 February 2024
- ria kNew Zealand6 contributionsInshore pelagicThis Inshore pelagic was fantastic . We were dry inside the boat but mainly stayed outside because there was so much to see. We had a great guide in Peter who took us to all our checklist of birds and marine mammals that we wanted to see . The white capped mollies were amazing and the Shag colonies awesome. Especially fantastic were the sea lions. All in all a great afternoon. Highly recommendedVisited September 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 26 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
81 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
8
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Bridget I
7 contributions
Nov 2021
A very easy and enjoyable trip across to Ulva Island and back. It was well priced and comfortable with the option to sit inside which was handy since it was raining during our trip. Great service, would definitely use this ferry again.
Written 18 November 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.
Robert E
Carterton, New Zealand35 contributions
Jan 2020
AS I was the only one on this tour we did the sea part in the smaller vessel. The skipper was really good taking me in close to see different bird life and when we saw two seals he followed them so we could see their antics. He gave me a tour around the islands I really enjoyed.
Written 20 January 2020
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 Robert! An amazing place, isn't it! :)
Written 29 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marion Q
Not Applicable44 contributions
Feb 2021 • Friends
Rakiura, the skipper, did a number of drop offs and pick ups for us while we were on the island including our freshwater landing pick up and my snorkeling trip.
He’s obviously experienced, safety conscious and caring. Between them the different companies work together and it feels like they know the whereabouts of every visitor to the island and are looking out for them (which apparently is true - it’s like hanging out with unobtrusive extended family).
I’d recommend ulva Island ferries for your trip to the island but also for all your other water taxi needs. Flexible, accommodating and friendly.
He’s obviously experienced, safety conscious and caring. Between them the different companies work together and it feels like they know the whereabouts of every visitor to the island and are looking out for them (which apparently is true - it’s like hanging out with unobtrusive extended family).
I’d recommend ulva Island ferries for your trip to the island but also for all your other water taxi needs. Flexible, accommodating and friendly.
Written 10 February 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.
JB R
36 contributions
Feb 2021
Rakiura, named after the island, runs the water taxi service and we highly recommend organizing a tor with him. Over 2 h he took us to see albatross and mouton birds around small islands. We then spent 15mn with a group of 4 seals that were having a lot of fun chasing the boats... Rakiura knows them well and knows what works with them. He finally dropped us on Ulva island and picked us up about 1h30 later... a must do on Stewart Island!!!
Written 2 March 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.
Megan B
Palmerston North, New Zealand5 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
We had the best experience of the worst weather!! The swell in the inlet was rough and Rakiura provided a masterclass in skilled boat driving (if that’s what you call it). I was grateful to have arrived safely and appreciated the ease and skill that made it look easy.
If you were at all anxious on the water, be assured you and in the best hands.
If you were at all anxious on the water, be assured you and in the best hands.
Written 21 December 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.
Harry D
Christchurch, New Zealand25 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Great place. We booked the ferry via the red shed but this was much more expensive than going by a water taxi. It did include a guided tour though which was good. Seen some birds that we can’t see back home. Stewart island is ace and worth a visit. Our motel was ace with great. Views and the pub is fantastic with ace pub grub
Written 21 July 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.
Yang Y
18 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Overall good experience and friendly staff except the lady who sold us tickets being a bit cold. Politely asked her to recommend a few places for viewing kiwis/penguins and whether we can walk to the lighthouse by foot. She seemed to dodge our questions. Not sure why. Thought we would disturb kiwis/penguins? We never got too close. One very positive thing is asking questions online and getting friendly reply very soon.
Written 3 June 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.
Lesley B
Paraparaumu, New Zealand32 contributions
Oct 2020
What an amazing experience! Ulva Island is like stepping back in time when you can imagine all of Aotearoa was covered in bush. Adding to the journey was the boat ride there and back. We opted for the leisurely cruise across to the island taking in the scenery as the island got closer. I enjoyed the quiet, cruisey pace and appreciated the low thrum of the engines over the noisy water taxis.
On the way back, the wind was up a bit, so the captain handed out rugs to keep us cosy for the 15 minutes we were on the water. It's the small thoughtful touches which make the difference.
Take the ferry, not the taxis - and enjoy the ride.
On the way back, the wind was up a bit, so the captain handed out rugs to keep us cosy for the 15 minutes we were on the water. It's the small thoughtful touches which make the difference.
Take the ferry, not the taxis - and enjoy the ride.
Written 14 December 2020
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.
Steven O'B
Whangarei, New Zealand23 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Over 20 years ago with Lew at the helm, we motored out of Tutukaka, Northland on the MV Wairangi to go snorkelling around the poor nights, a great day out.
This month, at the other end of the country, with Rakiura at the helm, we motored out of Paterson inlet, Stewart Island on the MV Wairangi to go bird watching towards Bench Island, then back around the inlet.
Rakiura shared the recent history of the Wairangi and put us in great spots to see & photograph the birds. It was a most enjoyable couple of hours thanks to Rakiura & crew.
Thank you, Rakiura Adventures, for keeping this historic ship in use & in such good condition.
This month, at the other end of the country, with Rakiura at the helm, we motored out of Paterson inlet, Stewart Island on the MV Wairangi to go bird watching towards Bench Island, then back around the inlet.
Rakiura shared the recent history of the Wairangi and put us in great spots to see & photograph the birds. It was a most enjoyable couple of hours thanks to Rakiura & crew.
Thank you, Rakiura Adventures, for keeping this historic ship in use & in such good condition.
Written 20 November 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.
carlbray
Wellington, New Zealand122 contributions
Jan 2020
We hiked to Freshwater hut and we'd been wondering what to do about the weather warnings. The water taxi came in to pick up some other people and we were able to get picked up too. The skipper even found us accommodation, so we had somewhere to sleep. The next day a massive storm hit so we were pleased to get out.
Written 11 January 2020
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.
Glad we could help! Safe travels!
Written 29 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*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.
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