4 Walking Tours in Wanaka Worth Booking

1.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · from $215Our pick

Travel from Wanaka into the Matukituki Valley by shuttle and jet boat, with spins, mountain views, and stops in deep pools. A 50-minute guided walk leads through beech forest to waterfalls and glacier-fed streams. Guides such as Ben and James share local knowledge. The easy-to-moderate outing lasts about four hours.

“We have had a number of excellent, exciting experiences on this trip to NZ... but far and away, this was the best so far. Fun, beautiful, fabulous boat driver, knowledgeable and concerned with everyone's comfort and safety. If you do only one excursion ... make it this one.”

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2.Stevensons Island 2-Hour Cruise and Nature Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 160 reviews · 2 hours · from $50Best value

Spend two hours crossing Lake Wanaka aboard the white catamaran Dual Image, with a short guided walk on Stevensons Island. Guides such as Cam, Toby, Tim, and Rion share local stories about the lake, plants, and high-country farms. The island walk climbs 50 meters on a good track, but you can stay at the beach or on the boat.

“Enjoyed our outing even though the weather was terrible. Staff were very obliging.”

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3.Lake Cruise & Mou Waho Island Nature Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · from $176

Cruise 30 minutes across Lake Wanaka with a local captain, then join a guided walk on Mou Waho Island. Look for reintroduced buff weka, plant a native tree, and reach the island’s remarkable lake-on-an-island viewpoint. Guides such as Michael and Chris add local nature knowledge. Tea and snacks are included.

“We had the best time seeing Wanaka from the lake and doing a perfect length hike to the top of the island. We learned so much about the plants and animals in the area too! Boat ride might be a little chilly/splashy in the winter :)”

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4.Mou Waho Island: 3-Hour Cruise and Guided Nature Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 66 reviews · 3 hours · from $101

Take a fast boat from Wanaka’s lakefront to predator-free Mou Waho Island, then join an English-speaking guide such as Toby, Tim, Jamie, or Reon for a two-hour nature walk. Climb 150 metres to a hidden island lake and lookout, with time for birds, geology, history, and sweeping mountain views.

“Loved it and the guide was amazing. He explained the history and spoke more about the flora and fauna found on the Island.”

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