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Lake Wanaka Cruises

Lake Wanaka Cruises

Lake Wanaka Cruises
5
About
Daily scheduled cruises on Lake Wanaka aboard our 55 ft power catamaran. Trips include island beach landings and nature walks. Boat has upper and lower enclosed areas for comfort.
Wanaka, New Zealand

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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.

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles188 reviews
Excellent
157
Very good
21
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
1

Jacalyn Y
New York City, NY36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
Took the trip to Mou Waho Island in Lake Wanaka. We opted for the guided tour. Reon was excellent. We had three groups of varying ages (we were the oldest) and he managed to keep the group moving along yet be very conscious of our much slower pace. Fortunately the trail is well marked and doable. At the top of the 30 minute (45 for us) trail you are rewarded with the glacial pool sitting near the top of the island. Another 20 minute hike up to the lookout point opened up to stunning stunning views. Spectacular. I do wish I had brought my walking stick with me….makes going down hill easier.
Written 6 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.

laura j
Auckland, New Zealand38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021
This was an awesome experience !
From Wanaka township it is not possible to appreciate the full scale of Lake Wanaka and this cruise opens up vistas, not possible from the shore.
Mou Whao is a predator free island with very endangered Buff Weka and Mountain Weta living safely here along with a variety of native birds and plants.
A good path leads up to a beautiful glacial tarn. There are spectacular views from the rocky bluff above this.
Tim was an excellent guide and we never felt rushed but allowed time to appreciate this special environment.
The catamaran was very comfortable and we were well plied with hot drinks and cookies!
Written 16 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.
Thanks Laura. It was great to meet you. Many thanks for sharing in your knowledge.
Written 17 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BazJackSalisbury
New Forest National Park Wiltshire, UK336 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. The couple who run the boat are very friendly and helpful. A slow cruise up the lake takes you to Stephenson Island which has a small beach and an optional 15 min stroll to a low peak for further views and a bit of information on local habitat.
Tea and coffee are included but I recommend a glass of wine or a beer as the prices are very reasonable. Sitting on the aft deck with a drink is great way to motor back to Wanaka beach.
Written 30 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.

Gordon S
Northern Ireland, UK6 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Couples
The advertised 3.5 hour cruise and visit to Mou Waho island, was a disappointment, the tour company used a large water taxi which was not the boat shown on advertisements, the employed boat did not provide adequate visibility for approximately 50% of passengers and the boat trip should not in anyway be described as a cruise.
Island itself was beautiful, however passengers only allowed 1.5 hours on island which shortened tour time to 3.0 hours.
As it takes 40 minutes as sign posted to reach the view point above the island lake, the allowed 1.5 hours on island does not allow that much time for sightseeing.
Overall cost of this activity represents very poor value for your money.
Written 21 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.
My sincere apology for the confusion. You must have been looking at an old web page. The trip used to be 3.5 hours but took and hour each way with the old vessel. The new vessel just takes a half hour each way and you have a full 2 hours on the island (Not 1.5 as you described). As other reviews here are 5 stars for this same experience, I'm not sure how yours was so different. The new vessel does have 1.2 m high windows on all sides and all passengers can see out of them. Please feel free to take a free cruise to Stevensons Island if you return this way. That does use the old slower vessel.
Written 8 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

AlreadyPacked
Columbia, MD18 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
For the price, a little disappointing. It is not a "must do".

The cheese board was limited at best - and only one plate displayed near the Captain. No plates or napkins offered, so if you wanted more than one cracker you had to keep coming back.
Someone categorized it as a booze cruise. Really???? Well maybe if you pounded 5 or 6 beers in the hour we were on the lake. But can only tolerate 1 glass of cheap wine at a time.

Luckily, it was a beautiful summer night - and yes, the little island in the middle of the lake along with its story/history/folklore - made the trip worthwhile!
Written 21 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.
Hey thanks for the feedback. We have never had comments like these to our Happy Hour cruise before but if you had mentioned this to us, we would happily have given you a refund. No point in leaving less than really happy!
Written 23 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Peter0457
Blaxland, Australia327 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
What better way to spend an afternoon than cruising on Lake a Wanaka with Bronnie and Adam. They were wonderful hosts, making us feel welcome and giving us an insight into the lake and Stephenson Island. The scenery is magnificent and, with a small group, it was so relaxing. Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits and affordable beer and wine add to the experience.
Written 14 October 2019
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.

Michael A
Shell Cove, Australia65 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
My wife and I joined another group of passengers with Tim as the Captain, for our cruise to Stevenson's Island on Lake Wanaka. It was a lovely, relaxing cruise, taking in the scenery as we made our way to Stevenson's Island. The trip over to the island was smooth, taking into the beautiful backdrop of the snow covered peaks.Once you reach the island you go for a short easy walk to a spot where you look over the shrubs below. Tim gives you a history and well informed commentary. On the cruise tea, coffee or hot chocolate is offered, whilst alcohol and soft drinks are available for purchase. An excellent way to spend a relaxing afternoon on the lake.
Written 9 September 2019
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.

LynneCable
Yateley, UK7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Friends
Fantastic views and friendly, knowledgeable crew

Tim and Adam took us over to Mou Waho Island on their luxurious catamaran. We were the only 4 people on the trip and, as it turned out, the only 4 people visiting the island this morning! The views of the snow capped mountains and the lake scenery were magnificent.

Tim took us on a nature walk, giving us lots of information about the wildlife and plants on the island. We saw several flightless Buff Weka birds and heard some lovely birdsong. We climbed right to the top with an amazing view of the Arethusa Pool below - a glacial lake within the island.

The trip was really enjoyable and the boat was very comfortable and relaxing.

Would very highly recommend!

Lynne
Written 22 August 2018
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 Lynne. Many thanks to you and your family. We thoroughly enjoyed your company!
Written 23 August 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Martyn S
Devonport, New Zealand141 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had an excellent cruise & walk - excellent boat, and an informative hike up the hill to some spectacular views & nature.
Written 15 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.
Hi Martyn, Thanks for your company and best wishes for the rest of your travels. We hope to see again when you're back this way.
Written 18 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Phillip B
Palmerston North, New Zealand227 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Well!!! What a way to enjoy a few hours relaxtion. Did a lake cruise with my wife, an aunt and uncle and one of my cousins. We all enjoyed this cruise. Skipper Tim pilots the boat and Bronie provides a great commentary. Then Bronie takes you up to the top of the island for more great views and photo opportunities. Then back on board for a drink and biscuit with the return sailing back to Wanaka. A really professionally and friendly run cruise. A big thanks to Tim for upgrading us from the one hour cruise.
Written 8 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.
So glad we could share the beauty of Mou Waho Island with you and your family Phillip.
Written 14 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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