Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi
Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi
Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi
5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
Cruise Stewart Island in affordable comfort & style! Offering tours and water taxi services to the Ulva Island bird sanctuary, Freshwater River, meet our stunning ocean birds such as Albatross and Yellow-Eyed Penguins up close and personal on a Pelagic Birding Tour, come dolphin and seal spotting, or explore the historic Norwegian Whaler's Base. Our tour vessel is equipped with bathroom, kitchenette, lounge-style seating and a heated cabin, this is cruising in style! Our brand new water taxi seats up to 19 passengers and also features a heated cabin, toilet and excellent viewing, designed especially to maximise your Stewart Island experience!
Stewart Island, New Zealand
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Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi
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(10 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
136 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
8
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Siobhan T
2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We did the Pelagic cruise, and it was amazing - saw MANY different birds, and three different types of penguins - super impressed! plenty of time to view each type of bird, and the sea lions. Our skipper was very knowledgeable, and knew exactly where to find all the types of birds
Written 4 October 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.
Hi Siobhan! thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review of your Pelagic experience with us! It sounds like the island really turned it on for you, thank you for choosing us! :) Alina
Written 17 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
hanrightoz
Perth, Western Australia, Australia155 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
What a fantastic tour this is from start to finish!! From Janna being so helpful in the booking & Rob & Dan for the tour!! We went & did the Land & Sea Bird Tour & saw so much with the guys being super helpful & friendly!! If you have a chance to do it, go for it as you won’t be disappointed!!
Written 8 September 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.
Hi guys thank you so much for your review of our Pelagic & Ulva Island combo tour, and for your kind words about our awesome staff! We hope you enjoyed your stay on Rakiura/Stewart Island, safe travels 🏝
Written 9 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Streefland
Auckland Central, New Zealand12 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We stayed on Rakiura’s MV Waitangi . This was a unique experience which we thoroughly enjoyed . Rakiura was a very responsive host who was there to taxi us too and from Stewart Island and ensured we had a delicious breakfast each morning at his mother’s cafe . We were recommended by Rakiura to take the best experiences around the Island . The bedding on the Waitangi was very comfortable with a beautiful goose down duvet and high quality thread cotton .We chose to have plenty of time on the boat in the evening watching the sunset and sea life with a glass of wine and a cheese platter . The weather was perfect 😍
Written 12 April 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.
Paula F
Horley, UK77 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Really enjoyable time on the extremely comfortable Catamaran. The views were amazing and to see the Albatross up close was brilliant. Informative all the way on the trip. We loved it.
Written 6 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.
Jennifer O
Christchurch, New Zealand58 contributions
Jan 2023
We used Rakiura charters for a pickup from Freshwater hut to Golden Bay and also for an Ulva Island return trip. Very friendly efficient service from this company. They answered my emails promptly prior to our trip. Great boat. On return from Ulva Island the captain stopped for us to view albatross. He also answered all the questions from passengers with knowledge and good humour and was always ensuring everyone's safety.
Written 6 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.
Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for your return custom and for your kind review, we're very glad to hear you had a great holiday here on beautiful Rakiura and that we were able to get you out and about! Happy travels!
Written 30 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kiwigal51
Christchurch, New Zealand52 contributions
Nov 2022
With 6 great days on Stewart Island I and 2 friends were incredibly impressed and happy with the service we got from Rakiura charters....from the booking and planning expeditions to the experience itself, they were friendly, helpful and went out of their way to make it all work.
Matt the Captain on the boat really gives value for money, his eyes spot wildlife we would never have seen, then over you hoon for a closer look. HIs local and historical knowledge were amazing, it really made the past and the present on the island come alive, what a wealth of knowledge he's able to trot out.
we highly recommend Rakiura charters
Matt the Captain on the boat really gives value for money, his eyes spot wildlife we would never have seen, then over you hoon for a closer look. HIs local and historical knowledge were amazing, it really made the past and the present on the island come alive, what a wealth of knowledge he's able to trot out.
we highly recommend Rakiura charters
Written 7 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.
Thank you very much for your kind review; that's wonderful that you were able to experience some of our precious wildlife during your visit, thank you for the opportunity to provide these trips for you!
Written 30 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Roger M
Christchurch, New Zealand6 contributions
Sep 2022
Organised a pick up from freshwater hut back to Oban /Golden Bay after a week long tramp. Boat was on time, well equipped and the team friendly and informative. Managed to organise a trip to Ulva Island the following day with the team as well. Cant fault the service, the local knowledge and advice second to none. Will definately use again next time.
Written 1 October 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.
Hi Roger, we hope you loved your tramp! The west coast is such a neat part of Rakiura... thank you for your review and for your bookings, we very much appreciate your custom and your kind words :) Alina
Written 30 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jonathan L
Christchurch, New Zealand11 contributions
Jun 2022
Friendly boat operator with good knowledge of the area, was on time and the equipment was in good order
Written 30 June 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.
Hi Jonathan, Many thanks for your review, we hope you enjoyed your time at beautiful Ulva Island/ Te Wharawhara!
Written 30 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MatdNZ
Southland Region, New Zealand23 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
Just back from another amazing hunting trip, facilitated by Matt and the team. Super helpful working with the ferry company to make sure our gear (we had a bit) was transfered to/from the water taxi.
Matt also arranged a small dinghy for us which was helpful for getting out fishing/around the block.
Matt also arranged a small dinghy for us which was helpful for getting out fishing/around the block.
Written 28 June 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.
Hi Mat, thank you so much for your kind review, and it was great to have you on board again!
Written 30 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jan R
Greymouth210 contributions
May 2022
Can't rate these guys highly enough. Matt in the office (owner too) was brilliant to deal with. Bright and bubbly and extremely helpful. We wanted to visit some history and had heard about the historic whalers base at Prices Point. Matt took our details and promised to let us know later once had made some phone calls. His expectation setting was brilliant ensuring we wouldn't have been too disappointed if couldn't beach at the bay and get out to explore the relics but our expectations were well exceeded. Our skipper was brilliant - so informative on all the history of the area but also taking the time to stop and let us photograph some nesting birds (Spoonbills - awesome sight in their own right!). He left us to the walk at our own pace and was waiting for us at Millers beach with some final history. It was a truly amazing trip. Coincided with my birthday and made it one of the best birthday memories to date. Thanks heaps to the two Matts - owner and skipper. Wonderful experience.
Written 1 June 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.
Hi there, thank you so much for your kind review; it's wonderful to hear that you had a great birthday and that we were able to get you to some special spots, those Spoonbills truly are beautiful! Happy travels, Alina and the team
Written 31 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kiwijokers
Auckland, New Zealand364 contributions
We are a group of 14 we want to go to Ulva Island and have a guided bird tour. Can you do that? March 13-17
Joyce767
Gore New Zealand32 contributions
You would have to phone them - but i believe so.
rochelleanderson1965
Putaruru, New Zealand2 contributions
Hi we are going to be visiting Stewart Island on 14 and 15th July, are your water taxis going to Ulva Island, how often and how much?
Thank you Rochele
vickie413
New Zealand8 contributions
Do they fish for anything other than Blue Cod in Stewart Island??