Food & Drink
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 91% of travellers
91% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$61
per adult
Lake Wanaka Cruises
Lake Wanaka Cruises
5
Full view
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.
Tours and Tickets by Lake Wanaka Cruises
Power Boats
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$159
per adult
Coffee Cruises
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 94% of travellers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$81
per adult
Power Boats
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 90% of travellers
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$50
per adult
Travellers talk about
(7 reviews)
(5 reviews)
(9 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
171 reviews
Excellent
144
Very good
19
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
1
764delwynb
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand43 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Weather was perfect - sea was very calm. Our sea captain and tour guide were very friendly and knowledgeable. Idyllic 45 minute trip each way to the island, with time on the island for a comfortable walk to a lookout.
Drink and biscuits were supplied on the way back to the marina
Drink and biscuits were supplied on the way back to the marina
Written 13 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.
Martin W
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
A very pleasant cruise across Lake Wanaka surrounded by stunning scenery, followed by an informative short nature walk to the top of Stevenson Island. Highly recommended.
Written 12 July 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.
Sophie
75 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
A short and sweet overview of lake wanaka and ruby island.Our skipper/guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and we would recommend to anyone visiting with only a few hours in wanaka.
Written 16 June 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.
TimC4750
Greatly appreciated Sophie. Thanks a lot for joining our little crew and safe travels!
Written 4 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kiwijoandsreve
Adelaide, Australia80 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Wonderful little trip that we all enjoyed (aged 4 to 66). We asked the kids 4,9 and11) when we got home what they enjoyed today and all said the boat trip! Excellent scenery and tour guide imparted a wealth of knowledge that we all appreciated. Would recommend 👍
Written 14 June 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.
TimC4750
Hey thanks so much for joining us and taking the time to leave feedback. We greatly appreciate it.
Written 4 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bbb
4 contributions
When the cruise boat turned up ….well it was actually a small boat. Not what was advertised on the flyer.
Had to climb in via a small ladder onto and into the front of the boat and a step down three stepped little ladder into the boat. Definitely not a recommended way of safely getting aboard.
Couldn’t even go outside as he said it would destabilise the boat ?
Kinda went near the Wanaka tree …..too far for a photo.
Ruby island was more than a walk. Should have realised when the tour guide/skipper of the boat took his hiking pole.
The ascent was steep and long … take a drink it will be needed.
Very disappointing as this cost us $98.
Had to climb in via a small ladder onto and into the front of the boat and a step down three stepped little ladder into the boat. Definitely not a recommended way of safely getting aboard.
Couldn’t even go outside as he said it would destabilise the boat ?
Kinda went near the Wanaka tree …..too far for a photo.
Ruby island was more than a walk. Should have realised when the tour guide/skipper of the boat took his hiking pole.
The ascent was steep and long … take a drink it will be needed.
Very disappointing as this cost us $98.
Written 15 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.
TimC4750
Oh dear. It is really disappointing to us that you did not enjoy yourself. We do try very hard but of course its impossible to design an island or a boat that will suit everyone. To be clear, it is a 11.5 m vessel, 500 Hp and seats 28 guests.
We cannot go right to the Wanaka Tree because that part of the lake is very shallow.
The walk on the island is very very easy for most people and entirely optional. You can enjoy the beach if you wish.
At $49 per adult it is also really good value today. We have not raised our prices in 6 years against a background of spiraling fuel, parts and labour costs.
Perhaps you should have chosen our Happy hour Cruise instead. There is no walking at all, just eating and drinking plus its on the big boat you saw on the flyer. Beware of the stairs though, they are pretty steep!
Written 19 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gordon S
Northern Ireland, UK6 contributions
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.
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.
TimC4750
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.
Ruth V
4 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
Had a fun ride in the water taxi. Be prepared for a wavy experience. The island was beautiful, and the guide was very knowledgeable. Be prepared for some steep hiking in places.
Written 9 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.
Tommo
Melbourne, Australia49,648 contributions
Dec 2022
We did the Stevenson Island Cruise and nature walk which took around 2 hours and cost $79. You can buy tickets in the tourist shop across the road.
Departure was from town end (Ardmore St) of Lake Wanaka.
We travelled in a lovely Catarmaran with two friendly male staff including the skipper. There were many comfortable seats and the bar had alcoholic drinks for a reason able $5.
The walk to the lookout point at Stevensons Island didnt take long and wasnt a difficultr walk but it was uphill arriving and downhill departing.
Its a worthwhile cruise to do in Wanaka.
Departure was from town end (Ardmore St) of Lake Wanaka.
We travelled in a lovely Catarmaran with two friendly male staff including the skipper. There were many comfortable seats and the bar had alcoholic drinks for a reason able $5.
The walk to the lookout point at Stevensons Island didnt take long and wasnt a difficultr walk but it was uphill arriving and downhill departing.
Its a worthwhile cruise to do in Wanaka.
Written 22 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.
TimC4750
Thanks for taking the time to write such a thorough report.
Written 23 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LakesideChick
Adelaide, South Australia118 contributions
We enjoyed the cruise across the lake - but go see the tree from the beach as the view from the boat is a bit far away.
The island walk is ok and the history of the island is interesting.
It’s not really a photo walk - there’s just the one photo opportunity at the top of the hill.
The guide and the driver were friendly and welcoming.
Take a drink as there’s nowhere to purchase on the boat or island.
The island walk is ok and the history of the island is interesting.
It’s not really a photo walk - there’s just the one photo opportunity at the top of the hill.
The guide and the driver were friendly and welcoming.
Take a drink as there’s nowhere to purchase on the boat or island.
Written 12 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.
TimC4750
Thanks very much for coming along with us.
Written 23 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rob H
Yarraville, Australia44 contributions
An authentic explanation of what the experience would be was provided and the boat driver/guide (Shaun) was excellent.
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.
TimC4750
Many thanks for your feedback and safe travels.
Written 10 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vincent D
2 contributions
cancel policy
Tim C
Wanaka, New Zealand3 contributions
Hi thanks for your question.
We understand that plans can change so provide 100% refund for all scheduled cruises if you have to cancel prior to sailing.
(The trip cannot be refunded after sailing time).
Hope that helps thanks.