Wings & Water
Wings & Water
5
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About
Wings & Water, Te Anau offers picturesque scenic flights through the rugged and beautiful Fiordland National Park. Our seaplane services Milford Sound, as well as providing stunning flights into Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound and within the local Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri area.
Te Anau, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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5.0
152 reviews
Excellent
149
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
P M B
Cartagena, Colombia50 contributions
Mar 2023
I found myself with 2 hours to kill before my Te Anau lake cruise, and I saw a floatplane landing! Of course, I immediately walked toward the pier where the plane was. Prices were listed, and I hoped there would be one within my budget in that short time interval. Turns out Kylie and a few passengers were about to leave on a 20-minute flight, and there was one space left. I have done a number of world-class overflights, and this one ranks with the best, both for the sheer beauty of the landscapes and our pilot's competence and demeanor. Conditions were moderately turbulent, and yet all of us managed to absolutely enjoy the experience. Along with the glowworm caves, the best thing to do in the Te Anau area. Highly recommended.
Written 19 March 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.
Liz
Austin, TX107 contributions
Nov 2022
If you find yourself in Te Anau, be sure to do a seaplane tour with these folks. Run by a husband & wife team (who are both pilots and flight instructors as well). This tour is largely dependent on weather (which changes quickly here). We got lucky, and Kylie (the wife) flew us and 1 other couple (you must have a minimum of 3 to go, otherwise you need to charter the entire plane). Kylie was very knowledgeable about the area and was able to fly us over doubtful sound and gave great commentary on the areas we were flying over. We had an amazing experience, got some great photo's. Very smooth take off and landing on the water! This is a must do!!
Written 5 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.
FyingKiwi
Christchurch, New Zealand1,130 contributions
Jan 2021
Spur of the moment decision to tick off another item on the bucket list saw myself and wife walking off the street into the booking office to see if a float plane flight was available. Ivan could not have been more accommodating and provided a list of options. One of these was to combine a flight with another person who initially wanted a longer flight but following a phone call was willing to join us for a slighter shorter journey, but one that as my own original intent but required a minimum of three people.
All negotiated and arranged, half an hour later, Kylie took the three of us on a wonderful forty-minute flight over Lake Te Anau, Southern Alps, Doubtful Sound, and Lake Manapouri before returning.
Kylie was a wonderful pilot, and amidst maintaining appropriate control of the aircraft over mountainous terrain (which is no easy task in New Zealand) was able to provide considerable dialogue for many of the stunning sights observed.
An absolute wonderful lifetime experience enabled by two persons who obviously have a passion for what they are doing, which includes allowing dreams to be fulfilled and the bringing excitement into lives.
All negotiated and arranged, half an hour later, Kylie took the three of us on a wonderful forty-minute flight over Lake Te Anau, Southern Alps, Doubtful Sound, and Lake Manapouri before returning.
Kylie was a wonderful pilot, and amidst maintaining appropriate control of the aircraft over mountainous terrain (which is no easy task in New Zealand) was able to provide considerable dialogue for many of the stunning sights observed.
An absolute wonderful lifetime experience enabled by two persons who obviously have a passion for what they are doing, which includes allowing dreams to be fulfilled and the bringing excitement into lives.
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.
79MatthewB
Melbourne, Australia136 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Absolutely brilliant activity. Pilot and support staff were awesome. We had an activity get rescheduled and walked in to see if I could get a seat on a scenic flight. The flight (a mystery flight) had us fly up the South Arm of Lake Te Anau and then land at a beach in Calm Bay (after flying through a canyon between Kepler and Murchison Range). The whole event was brilliant, and I can’t recommend this highly enough. All done with the best pre-flight safety video on earth and typical Kiwi humour.
Written 22 December 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.
Nicola
12 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Absolutely brilliant way to see some of Fiordland. We did the “mystery flight”, an hour of amazing scenery with a very cool landing and chance to explore a little in untouched native forest. Words can’t really describe, you have to experience it for yourself.
Written 10 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.
PopsPeter
Witney, UK156 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We couldn’t do our planned coach trip and cruise on Milford Sound because the road between Te Anau and the Sound was washed away and closed following recent storms. So we splashed out and took the Wings & Water Milford Sound Iconic Scenic Flight.
The lake was a mill pond and the weather was superb and whilst this was not a cheap alternative it was actually worth every cent and in our opinion a more fulfilling trip than the road and cruise trip. The views were spectacular from the lovely Cessna 260 float plane.
This family business takes these flights very seriously and look after its clients and we commend it to anyone staying in Te Anau or nearby. Ivan and Kylie are both experienced pilots and provide commentary during the flight.
Loved every minute.
The lake was a mill pond and the weather was superb and whilst this was not a cheap alternative it was actually worth every cent and in our opinion a more fulfilling trip than the road and cruise trip. The views were spectacular from the lovely Cessna 260 float plane.
This family business takes these flights very seriously and look after its clients and we commend it to anyone staying in Te Anau or nearby. Ivan and Kylie are both experienced pilots and provide commentary during the flight.
Loved every minute.
Written 9 February 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.
Thank you very much for the kind words, safe travels, take care :)
Ivan.
Written 10 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Liz M
Dublin, Ireland109 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We looked at alot of different flights and helicopter trips around Milford Sound but they were all very expensive. We found this company that does sea plane trips around doubtful sound and it was amazing. Take your kids … you won’t be disappointed
Written 19 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.
RossMcAulay
Whakatāne, New Zealand9 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Absolutely epic adventure through the most raw, wild and stunning Fiordland. I am a Helicopter Pilot myself but I can 100% vouch that the best way to see this area is with the floatplane. You can land at the most secluded and beautiful beaches in alpine lakes, hop out and stand where no one else ever has. Highly recommend, don’t hesitate to do this, just take my word for it! I was lucky enough to fly with Kylie who was super accomodating and shared some awesome facts during the flight. Very safe and comfortable flight. Can’t wait to come back and visit again. This was 100% our South Island Highlight event after traveling over 3000kms. Fiordland / Te Anau is the true New Zealand.
Written 9 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.
petersR8634LE
Auckland Central, New Zealand4 contributions
Apr 2021
We were hoping to do a flight to Doubtful Sound but the weather was not obliging. Our pilot Kylie kept updating us during the day, then bingo, the weather cleared and we were off over Lake Te Anau, Manapouri, Power Station, the Southern Alps!!, fiords, rugged valleys and the beautiful Doubtful Sound.
Can't speak highly enough of Kylie's helpfulness, skills, commentary and sense of humour. To top it all off, we were joined in the air by her husband Carl in his stunt plane and on our return to Te Anau, he gave the most amazing acrobatic display we have ever seen.
Can't recommend these two pilots highly enough - you have to book them. We had a ball.
Can't speak highly enough of Kylie's helpfulness, skills, commentary and sense of humour. To top it all off, we were joined in the air by her husband Carl in his stunt plane and on our return to Te Anau, he gave the most amazing acrobatic display we have ever seen.
Can't recommend these two pilots highly enough - you have to book them. We had a ball.
Written 25 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.
nzkirstin
Christchurch, New Zealand10 contributions
Jan 2023
If you visit Te Anau, this adventure is a must. I took a scenic flight on New Year's Day and was buzzing for the rest of the day. This fantastic small local business is run by a husband/wife team who value customer service and safety, mixed with humour and outstanding local knowledge. As a Southlander I learnt more about Te Anau, the lake and Fiordland than my school trips. This area is fascinating and seeing it from air highlights its largely untouched beauty. Taking off and landing on water is a cool novelty. The flights also cater to all budgets and timeframes, with plenty of choices which a lot of scenic flight companies lack.
Thanks so much, this flight was the highlight of my holiday :)
Thanks so much, this flight was the highlight of my holiday :)
Written 7 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 Chris: I had them fly out to Doubtful sound at the last minute to pick us up at the conclusion of a tour as a surprise for my partner as the weather was perfect. You pay for the total flight time and ours was just over the $1000 mark for just over 2hrs. We saw a huge chunk of Fiordland on a perfect sunny day and the memory of that trip will stay with us forever. I am sure they would give you an approximate price for a flight from Te Aneu over the Fiords. We saw plenty of local flights of approx 3/4 hr and plenty of smiling faces on return. Enjoy your flight if you choose to take them up
. Kind Regards Darryl
Written 21 December 2017
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