5 Walking Tours in Wanaka to Build a Day Around

1.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

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

From Wanaka, you’ll ride a jet boat up the glacier-fed Matukituki River, enjoy spins and mountain views, then take a 50-minute guided walk through beech forest to waterfalls and streams. Guides such as Ben and James add local insight. The four-hour trip suits people with moderate fitness.

“Fabulous tour! Had a blast on the jet boat and walk. Loved the Captain - very interactive. Highly recommended tour!”

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2.Stevensons Island 2-Hour Cruise and Nature Walk

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

Take a 40-minute catamaran cruise from Wanaka’s lakefront to Stevensons Island, then follow your English-speaking guide on a short, steep nature walk. Guides including Cam, Toby, Rion, Reon, and Tim share local stories before you return by boat with tea, coffee, and a biscuit.

“A nice relaxing cruise with a lovely bush walk once we got to Stevensons Island. After returning to the boat there was a warm cuppa with biscuits.”

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3.Lake Cruise & Mou Waho Island Nature Walk

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

Join Eco Wanaka Adventures for a 3.5-hour cruise and nature walk from Wānaka Marina. Guides such as Michael and Chris share local ecology and lake stories, while you plant a native tree, look for buff weka, and walk to Mou Waho’s island lake. Tea and snacks are included.

“The Mou Wahu Island Nature Walk was awesome! Our guide, Michael, welcomed us at the Wanaka Marina. He is friendly and answered our questions about places to visit around Lake Wanaka. We enjoyed the conversation on the relaxing boRead more”

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

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

Cruise from Wanaka’s lakefront to Mou Waho Island with guides such as Jamie, Toby, Tim, and Reon. Walk about 1 kilometer uphill to a lake perched above Lake Wanaka, with chances to see buff weka, mountain stone weta, native plants, and wide mountain views.

“The guides were lovely and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The lake and the island in the lake were beautiful! We saw two of the endangered Buff Weka's while there!”

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5.Ruby Island 1-Hour Cruise and Photo Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 43 reviews · 1 hour · from $29Best value

Board near Wanaka’s Dinosaur Park for a one-hour cruise to Ruby Island. Your English-speaking local skipper, such as Chris, Dan, Tim, or Toby, guides an easy 20-minute walk through island history and plants, with lake and mountain views all around.

“What a great little trip. Toby was a great commentator and full of historic events on the island. A leisurely stroll even for the elderly.”

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