Highlights

 

Classic Stewart Island Tour

Stewart Island's only Half Day Tour offering fishing with a full scenic cruise of Paterson Inlet!

Half Day Tour

Select from a morning or afternoon 4 hour tour. A relaxing coastal cruise into the stunning Waka o Te Wera (Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island) awaits where you will experience some of New Zealand's best fishing in comfort & style (all gear provided) before exploring the historic Norwegian Whaler's Base. Enjoy detailed natural and cultural commentary from your knowledgeable skipper along the way. Viewing opportunities for albatross, dolphins, penguins and seals abound. To complete the tour, take a stroll through the rich forest of the renowned Ulva Island wildlife sanctuary; enjoy the unique bird life and lovely beaches. We specialise in small groups for a highly personalised tour on board the luxurious Rakiura Suzy and all tours include complimentary morning or afternoon tea.

Fare:

Adult $125, Child $80

We specialise in small groups, so if your group consists of 4 or more, talk to us about the possibility of having the boat to yourselves!

 

Departure Time:

9:00am and 1:30pm daily

For your comfort:

Please bring a weather proof jacket, a warm fleece/jacket, hat, sunscreen, bottled water, comfortable non-slip walking shoes, and a camera.

Additional Information:

• Lunch packs and platters available – talk to us about your requirements
• Child rates apply for 6-14 years and infants 0-5 years carried free of charge
• All prices are GST inclusive
• Minimum fare applies
• Cancellation Policy applies – please see our enquiries page for further information

 

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Fishing Tour or Fish/Hike Combo

No trip to Stewart Island is complete without fishing for delicious Blue Cod!

Select from a 3-hour fishing tour or a fish & hike combo

Fishing Tour

With all gear provided including rod and reel, and all the creature comforts such as a toilet and heated cabin, this is fishing in comfort and style! Fish for famous Blue Cod, Trumpeter and Terakihi. And with a 22 knot cruising speed, you're guaranteed more fishing time! If the thought of handling fish puts you off fishing, think again, your skipper will do all of that for you, catering for fishers of all ages and levels of experience, providing any assistance needed along the way.

We specialise in small group tours for a more personal experience, so if your group consists of 4 or more, ask us about the possibility of having the boat to yourself! Complimentary morning or afternoon tea is provided.

Fare:

Adult $100, Child $70

We specialise in small groups, so if your group consists of 4 or more, talk to us about the possibility of having the boat to yourselves!

Fish & Hike Combo

After enjoying your morning fishing tour, return to Halfmoon Bay/ Oban on foot through the Rakiura National Park, and along the first section of one of New Zealand's 'Great Walks'. With well-formed paths the Port William walk takes approximately 4-6 hrs. Or you may choose to make a night of it and stay in one of the DOC huts along the northwest circuit.

Your hike offers stunning scenery and plenty of local history. Port William was the site of early Maori Villages, sealing and whaling bases and the first police station in 1867. Between 1913 and 1935 the Maori Beach area was a busy settlement with a school and several houses for workers from the Maori Beach Sawmilling Company. The last operating mill on Stewart Island, it closed in 1931. Today the area is peaceful and picturesque, with regenerating forest quickly hiding evidence of those earlier days. However, remains of a boiler and steam engine used by the mill can still be found.

Lunch packs can be arranged for you to enjoy on the beach after your fishing tour, before continuing on your hike.

Day trip packages are available from Invercargill including flights.

Fare:

Fares start at $110 per Adult and $75 per Child

We specialise in small groups, so if your group consists of 4 or more, talk to us about the possibility of having the boat to yourselves!

Departure Time:

9:00am and 1:30pm daily

For your comfort:

Please bring a weather proof jacket, warm clothing, a hat, sunscreen, bottled water, comfortable non-slip walking shoes, insect repellant and a camera.

Please note that hut or campsite bookings are required through the Department of Conservation and that suitable gear and equipment in addition to the above is required for any overnight stays in the Rakiura National Park.

 

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Pelagic Bird Tour

View a stunning array of pelagic birds at close proximity!

Known as one of the best places in New Zealand for pelagic (ocean-going) bird watching, Stewart Island boasts more than 20 species of breeding seabirds, many of which can be seen on most of our trips: view Giant and Cape Petrels, Sooty Shearwaters (Titi), and the striking albatross at close quarters. With the largest wingspan in the world, species of albatross found in Stewart Island waters include the Great Albatross, the Wanderings and Royals, and the smaller Shy and Buller's Mollymawks.

Five penguin species are often spotted—Yellow-Eyed, Southern Blue, Rockhopper, Fiordland Crested and Snares Crested. Various other species can be seen including Terns, Skua, Cormorants and more. Bonus sightings on these trips include bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and sea lions. We are a licensed Department of Conservation Marine Mammal Viewing vessel.

We specialise in small groups to ensure a highly personalised tour on board the luxurious Rakiura Suzy. Fitted with a toilet, heated cabin and covered viewing deck, this is cruising in comfort and style! An on-board species list and identification guide, detailed commentary from your knowledgeable skipper, and a vessel adapted for maximum wildlife viewing opportunities and close proximity to birds, make for a truly memorable birding and photography experience.

Fare:

Adult $115, Child $80

We specialise in small groups, so if your group consists of 4 or more, talk to us about the possibility of having the boat to yourselves!

Departure Times:

9:00am and 1:30pm daily

Full Day Land & Sea Bird Tour

Our NEW Birding Bonanza full day package is the perfect way to see both land birds on Ulva Island – a guided tour, view the rare and endangered Saddleback and Stewart Island Robin - and then cruise the beautiful coastlines to view our stunning seabirds so accessible to our shores. Great photo opportunities, personal friendly guides with well-proven birding and wildlife expertise. Lunch packs can also be arranged. Fare: Guided: $240 per adult $130 per child
Unguided: $135 per adult $100 per child
Departure Time: 9:00am daily

For your comfort:

Please bring a weather proof jacket, a warm fleece/jacket, hat, sunscreen, bottled water, comfortable non-slip shoes, and of course a camera!

 

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Hiking/ Hunting Transport

Go to Hunting Transport »

Hiking Transport

Rakiura National Park opened in 2002 and is the newest of New Zealand's 14 national parks. The park covers about 157,000 hectares and makes up about 85 percent of Stewart Island/Rakiura.

It encompasses a network of former nature reserves, scenic reserves, and state forest areas. Although the island lies only 30 kilometres south west of Bluff, between latitudes 46 and 47 degrees south, it could well be in another part of the world. Visitors can explore pristine beaches, sheltered inlets, and coastal forest, and see a wide variety of wildlife including the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi (Tokoeka).

We can provide comfortable transport to and from the following tracks to ensure a seamless hiking experience, or click here for a fishing/ hiking combo:

North West Circuit Stewart Island/Rakiura

The North West Circuit offers challenging tramping around Stewart Island/Rakiura's northern coast.

Drop-off/ Pick-Up Points:

• Port William • Bungaree • Christmas Village

• Yankee River • North Arm

 

Southern Circuit Stewart Island/Rakiura

The Southern Circuit is regarded as a remote, challenging tramp needing good fitness and route-finding skills. Access is via the North West Circuit Track or by boat.
Drop-off/ Pick-Up Points:
• Fred's Camp

Rakiura Track

The Rakiura Track Great Walk consists of well-formed tracks, sections of which when combined with boat transport, make for great day walks. The complete Rakiura Track is a 29 km tramping track, suitable for anyone with moderate fitness. It takes three days, provides a good introduction to the scenery of Stewart Island and is suitable for tramping all year round.

Drop-off/ Pick-Up Points:

• Port William
• North Arm
• Kaipipi

Kayak transport also available.

 

Hunting Transport

Stewart Island offers hunters the only readily accessible herd of Virginian Whitetail deer in the Southern Hemisphere and is therefore a popular destination for deer hunters.

There are 35 hunting blocks and an open zone within the Stewart Island / Rakiura National Park. Many of these hunting blocks have specific hunter camps and huts while others share backcountry huts and facilities with trampers.

We offer transport to and from the following hunting blocks:

• Maori Beach • Bungaree • Murray • Rollers • Christmas • Lucky

• Yankee • North Arm • Fred's Camp • Rakeahua • South West Arm • Abraham's

• Hapuatuna • North Big Glory • Mid Glory • South Big Glory • Little Glory

 

Fares:

Please contact us for pricing.

Departure Times:

On demand, bookings essential.

Additional Information:

Please note that hut or campsite bookings are required through the Department of Conservation (DOC) and that suitable gear and equipment is required for any overnight stays in the Rakiura National Park. All hikers should sign-in at the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre, located on Main Road, Stewart Island, before setting off for your hike.

Permits are required for all hunting and these need to be applied for with DOC in advance. For hunting block bookings and availability, and permit information, click here.

Track descriptions courtesy of the Department of Conservation.

 

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Custom Charters

For a fully customised tour tell us what your ultimate experience would be, or let us surprise you with the best the island has to offer!

Whether it's dolphin watching or fishing in our marine playground, choosing from a variety of bush walk options, or just sitting back and enjoying the birdlife and stunning scenery from the heated cabin, we can get you out there to completely immerse yourself in Stewart Island's natural wonders.

There are overnight options for small groups staying onboard, and we also provide hunting party transport, or hunting trips either day or overnight (non-guided).

Departure/ Return times:

From 2 hours to 2 days or more - talk to us about your specific needs for a fully customised tour.

Fare:

Price on application. Lunch packs or full catering also available - talk to us about your requirements.

We specialise in small groups, so if your group consists of 4 or more, talk to us about the possibility of having the boat to yourselves!

Maximum passengers:

Overnight charters limited to 2 passengers.

 

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Proud supporters of Ulva Island Charitable Trust. For more information visit: www.ulvaisland.org

$1 per person visiting Ulva Island donated to the Ulva Island Charitable Trust