Book Stewart Island Tours

Cross Foveaux Strait in a fast ferry—coastal views, expert commentary & a hot drink onboard.

• Starting point: Begin your journey from Stewart Island Experience Visitor Terminal at 21 Foreshore Road, Bluff, for a scenic one-hour ferry ride across Foveaux Strait.
• Everything you get: Enjoy a fast and comfortable ferry transfer between Bluff and Stewart Island aboard an express catamaran. Spot local wildlife, including albatross, as you cross Foveaux Strait. Listen to live commentary highlighting notable landmarks such as Dog Island Lighthouse & Ruapuke Island.
• Sights covered: Sail past landmarks like Dog Island Lighthouse, home to New Zealand’s tallest lighthouse, the Titi Islands (famous for muttonbirding), and the rugged peak of Mount Anglem—Stewart Island’s highest point.
• Why choose this: Experience a smooth, year-round ferry service connecting Bluff and Stewart Island. Unlike a flight, this journey comes with breathtaking ocean views, unique wildlife sightings, and insights into the region’s history—all while traveling comfortably.
• Upgrade: Opt for a one-way ferry experience from Stewart Island to Bluff to enjoy the scenic beauty of Foveaux Strait twice. Spot more wildlife, take in the coastal landscapes from different perspectives, and ensure a seamless return journey.

Inclusions

• One-way ferry transfer to Stewart Island or Bluff (as per option selected)

• Live commentary

• Complimentary coffee or tea

See Stewart Island like a local—hidden bays, native wildlife & Māori legends.

• Everything you get: Enjoy a guided tour of Stewart Island in a comfortable minibus, led by a passionate local guide eager to share their knowledge of the island’s history. Explore Oban township, stop for photos at scenic bays, and take short walks that take in the beauty of Rakiura National Park.
• Why choose this: Escape city life and experience the untouched beauty of Stewart Island. Unlike standard sightseeing tours, this journey offers an insider’s perspective into Māori legends and local history.

Inclusions

• 90-minute guided tour of Stewart Island

• Expert local guide

• Access to Lee Bay & Observation Rock

• Minibus

Escape to Oneke—coastal walks, remote landscapes, fascinating stories & wildlife encounters.

• Everything you get: Take a sea cruise to Oneke, a remote and historically rich part of Rakiura Stewart Island. With exclusive access, explore stunning coastal and forest trails on a guided half-day walk. Learn about local conservation efforts, spot native wildlife, and hear fascinating Māori and European stories from your expert guide.
• Why choose this: Explore a remote part of Stewart Island that few get to see. With exclusive access, expert guidance, and stunning coastal scenery, this experience blends history, nature, and wildlife in a truly unforgettable way.

Inclusions

• Scenic cruise to Oneke

• Expert nature guide

• Access to Oneke

• Guided coastal & forest walk

• Wildlife spotting

Experience Stewart Island’s wild beauty both ways, scenic ferry rides, wildlife, and live commentary.

• Everything you get from Stewart Island to Bluff Ferry: Board a fast catamaran for a one-hour crossing of Foveaux Strait, with live commentary, complimentary hot drinks, and the chance to spot albatross and local landmarks like Dog Island Lighthouse and Mount Anglem.
• Everything you get from Bluff to Stewart Island Ferry: Enjoy a smooth, year-round ferry transfer with commentary, panoramic coastal views, wildlife sightings, and a hot drink as you sail past the Titi Islands and Ruapuke Island.
• Why choose this combo: Travel between Bluff and Stewart Island in both directions, see unique scenery, local stories, and wildlife, all in one easy booking.

Inclusions

• Round-trip ferry transfer between Bluff and Stewart Island

• Live commentary

• Complimentary coffee or tea

What to bring

• Bring sunscreen, a camera, water, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent, and a waterproof jacket for this experience.
• Pack your motion sickness medicines just in case they’re not available onsite.
• Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

• Guests can carry two bags and one small carry bag per person.
• The one-way ferry lasts 1 hour.
• The one-way ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island departs at 9:45am, 1:45pm, 4:30pm, & 5:15pm, whereas the one-way ferry from Stewart Island to Bluff departs at 8am, 12:15pm, 3pm, & 3:30pm.

Evening wildlife adventure: kiwi spotting & sunset marine cruise on a 4–4.5 hour guided tour.

• Everything you get: A 4 to 4.5-hour evening adventure beginning with a sunset marine cruise from Oban to Little Glory Cove. Enjoy a guided 2-hour walk through forest and along the beach, led by an expert nature guide, in search of the elusive southern brown kiwi (Rakiura tokoeka). The tour includes a return cruise to Oban and complimentary hot beverages onboard.
• Why choose this: It’s the ultimate Stewart Island evening for wildlife lovers; spot kiwis in their natural habitat and cruise through scenic waters at sunset, all in one tour.
• Upgrades: Choose the Wild Kiwi & Cultural Experience at Oneke for Māori and European heritage storytelling and a warm drink in a traditional Māori whare, creating a true wildlife and cultural adventure.

Inclusions

• 4 to 4.5-hour Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

• Sunset marine cruise from Oban to Little Glory Cove

• Expert nature guide

• Guided 2-hour evening & night walk

• Kiwi spotting at Little Glory Cove or Oneke (The Neck) (as per option selected)

• Cultural storytelling about Oneke’s Māori & European history (as per option selected)

• Return cruise to Oban from Little Glory Cove or Oneke (The Neck) (as per option selected)

• Complimentary hot beverages onboard or at a Maori whare (as per option selected)

What to bring

• Wear sturdy walking shoes as this experience requires walking through uneven and muddy terrain.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature can get cooler in the evenings.
• Pack your medications, just in case they’re not available onsite.

What's not allowed

• Flash photography is not allowed in this experience.
• This experience is restricted for guests below the age of 15.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
• This experience requires a moderate level of fitness, as it involves a 2-hour guided walk through forest and along beaches.
• This experience is not suitable for pregnant women and guests with heart or other medical issues.

Additional information

• This experience can accommodate up to a maximum of 16 people.
• Snacks are available on board the cruise for purchase.

Cruise Paterson Inlet, spot rare birds on Ulva Island, and enjoy a guided nature walk.

• Everything you get: Sail through Paterson Inlet’s hidden coves and beaches on a scenic catamaran cruise. Watch for fur seals and little blue penguins before stepping onto predator-free Ulva Island. Walk through lush rainforest with your guide, spotting weka, saddlebacks, yellowheads, and the rare Stewart Island robin.
• Why choose this: This tour blends a scenic cruise with a guided island walk, where you’ll spot rare birds and marine wildlife.

Inclusions

• 90-minute small-group guided walk on Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary

• Paterson Inlet catamaran cruise

• Live commentary on board

• Expert local guide

Exclusions

• Hotel transfers