Okarito Boat Tours
Okarito Boat Tours
5
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Join us on an interpretive tour of the peaceful, pristine environment of the Okarito Lagoon and rainforest waterways. From the wide variety of bird species to the ancient plants of the rainforest, this gentle boat cruise takes you on a personalized tour with a maximum of 12 passengers. From the historic Wharf and beyond where you begin to see the wading birds feeding in the shallows, to the impressive snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps, to the Okarito River itself where you may see trout or salmon rising and hear the flute like call of the bellbird - this nature tour offers up an environment rich in its biodiversity. Explore with us and experience for yourself the true nature of the Okarito Lagoon.
Okarito, New Zealand
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Okarito Boat Tours
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5.0
80 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
7
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
estherfranz
Zurich, Switzerland13 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Interesting bird and nature informations. Very good know-how transfer in a sympathetic way. We recommend the Okarito Boat Tours
Written 4 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.
99gandt99
Kaiapoi, New Zealand9 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
awesome trip, great day, great hosts, feel very privileged to see a Kotuku amongst many other birds. the scenery is beautiful, a wonderful part of Aotearoa
Written 7 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.
Mary H
Cronulla Beach, New South Wales, Australia3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
An excellent experience made memorable by stunning scenery and terrific hosts who were warm and welcoming and had a wealth of knowledge and information about the bird life, lagoon and surrounding area. We were spoilt with great weather too. Highly recommend.
Written 5 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.
Hinekiri
Hamilton, New Zealand84 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
This was a real highlight of our West Coast trip. The guide Paula was knowledgeable and friendly, and we were able to see many Kotuku in their home space, and several other wading birds - even a bittern! It was nice having such a small tour party (maximum is 12) because everyone could see and take photographs. We stopped for morning tea and the forest was full of birdsong, as it must have been long in the past.
Written 7 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.
Such a lovely review - thank you so much and it is truly our pleasure to simply share this space! the bittern - a bonus for sure! we know they are out there, and it is a rare delight to view these cryptic birds. I've got a lovely photo I must share - this a good reminder to put it up there! Thank you for coming and enjoying Okarito and the birds and waterways with us. Paula & Swade
Written 8 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jimmyv4351
St. Paul, MN57 contributions
Mar 2023
Paula and Swade are open, friendly, and knowledgeable guides on this 2 hour journey around the lagoon. They point out the many different species of birds, and discuss the history and ecology of the area, making the cruise both fun and educational. Half way through they stop and brew tea & coffee, serving it with a home made cookie! Following the cruise, I contacted Paula by email with several follow up questions which she responded to quickly and thoroughly.
A wonderful adventure and highly recommended.
A wonderful adventure and highly recommended.
Written 22 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.
Thank you for this kind and thoughtful review - we are delighted to share the sights and sounds of Okarito and would also like to thank you for sending the photo of the Arctic skua - a bird we have never seen in this area that you wonderfully recorded! As we say, each and every day presents a different experience - one that we simply get to witness. So lovely to have you and all the best from us both, Paula & Swade
Written 8 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jean M
2 contributions
Mar 2023
Highly recommended! The lagoon and local birds are beautiful. Paula and Swade share their deep knowledge of the area while making sure their guests are comfortable. The ecosystem is unique and I am so glad we were able to see it. The boat ride was lovely and peaceful.
Written 8 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.
Thank you Jean - what a lovely review of our morning with you. We absolutely do enjoy sharing this special place and so nice to hear of your appreciation for the environment. Thank you!
Written 8 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Debbie and Bill U
Cambridge, New Zealand80 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
What an awesome morning with the kotuku, spoonbills and godwits this morning. Swade is so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of this area (and his baking is topknotch also). The time spent in the channels was so peaceful and beautiful. We highly recommend Paula and Swade's Eco tour. Great value for money. Many thanks.
Written 4 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.
Thank you so much for your kind words Debbie & Bill! The godwits are now preparing to leave for their home grounds in Alaska, but it looks like we have some juveniles that are going to stay with us for the winter. A pleasure to have you and thank you for coming along! Paula & Swade
Written 15 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mang0eric
Boulder, CO20 contributions
Feb 2023
Paula and Swade are wonderful! Our experience with them on the water was solid. They are completely focused on providing a wonderful experience in their magical lagoon. You'll leave feeling like a member of their family.
Written 18 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.
Thank you so much Eric - a delight to have you join us but most of all your engagement and delight with the tour and our lovely little off the beaten track place on the West Coast!
Written 15 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tim L
4 contributions
Dec 2022
Just loved our trip with Okarito boat tours, low tide and saw lots of white heron (a truly strange bird), other herons, godwits and many other birds in a spectacular setting with stunning mountains, pristine podocarp forest, and the amazing estuary itself. Hosts are great - a must to put on your bucket list, nature lovers.
Written 29 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.
Such a lovely review - thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience - we really do appreciate it as well as your enjoyment of the tour. We love to share this special place! All the best, Paula & Swade
Written 15 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carolyn E
Christchurch, New Zealand97 contributions
Oct 2022
Wonderful hosts, Paula and Swade and a must do in Okarito. Our group were out early for sunrise and it didn't disappoint. We saw godwits, oyster catchers, kereru and had a fabulously close encounter with the white heron - kotuku. We watched it fishing from a distance and gradually it came closer. A beautiful take off from one side to land on the other side of the boat. Best view of the mountains is from the lagoon.
Written 27 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.
Thank you so much Carolyn - while I missed seeing and responding earlier to your review (with apologies!) it is lovely to think of the spring/early summer when you were with us. The seasons are all quite different, but the same in some ways too. The days are shorter now, the kotuku very settled after their busy breeding season and the godwits now have their breeding plumage - a sure sign autumn is coming and they will be departing soon for the winter! All the best to you, and thank you again for taking the time to come out with us and experience Okarito! Paula & Swade
Written 15 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patricia N
Sunshine Coast, Australia15 contributions
We are birdwatchers going to Okarito next January for two nights. Would like to know best way to plan our time whilst there.. Are the boat tours both identical ? We would arrive approx. lunch time and have a full day next day. Thanks
Okarito
Okarito7 contributions
HI Patricia,
Sorry we did not see this question much earlier - not sure why we did not get a notification for it...however! Assuming you are perhaps questioning the Early Bird Tour and the EcoTour? we actually prefer to go out on mid-lower tides (versus the answer from one of our past guests - it can be a bit confusing!) - this is when we tend to see a lot more bird life feeding on the tidal flats. Early January I would recommend the Early Bird Tour as the birds are generally out feeding early in the morning. Please feel free to email us directly too (this site does not allow email addresses but just google us Okarito Boat Tours and we would be happy to answer in more depth depending on your dates in January. Again, sorry we did not see your question earlier!
kind regards,
Paula & Swade