Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Come and join us on a trip to our favourite place on Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho Island.Where you can find an island, on a lake, on an island, on a lake, on an island on the sea! Mou Waho Island is a protected nature reserve and is home to many native New Zealand birds including the curious and flightless Weka. A short walk takes you to the top of the island where you will be exposed to breathtaking panoramic views of the Arethusa pool, Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks.
Our water taxi leaves Wanaka Marina twice-daily travelling 15km up Lake Wanaka, passing Mou Tapu Island and the steep cliff of fisherman's cove to Mou Waho Island. Your friendly and knowledgeable skipper will inform you of the fascinating geology of the alps and the glaciers that created the lake as you travel along its sparkling waters.
Trip includes a 1.5+ hour freedom walk on the island.
Note: Christmas Day Mou Waho Island Tour includes a Xmas picnic and will run a bit longer so we can all celebrate together.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum numbers apply
A 20/30 minute walk up hill is involved. (Optional)
Due to uneven surfaces and the steepness in places, the walk is not recommended for those with walking disabilities but they are more than welcome to join us on the boat trip and skip the walk and stay at the bottom of the island.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Wanaka Water Taxi and Wanaka 4x4 Explorer
We will meet you on the jetty. From here we will boat 15km up the lake to the scenic reserve, Mou Waho Island. Your skipper will inform you about the history and geology of the lake while cruising the sparkling waters of Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka
Our favourite place on Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho Island! Where you can find an island, on a lake, on an island, on a lake, on an island on the sea! Mou Waho Island is a protected nature reserve and is home to many native New Zealand birds including the curious and flightless Weka. A short, steep walk takes you to the top of the island where you will be exposed to breath taking panoramic views of the Arethusa pool, Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks. Our water taxi leaves Wanaka Marina twice-daily travelling 15km up Lake Wanaka, passing Mou Tapu Island and the steep cliff of fisherman's cove to Mou Waho Island. Your friendly and knowledgeable skipper will inform you of the fascinating geology of the alps and the glaciers that created the lake as you travel along its sparkling waters. Stay for 1.5 hours on the island to explore at your own pace.
What‘s Included
Landing and facility fees
1.5+ hour freedom walk on the island
Extensive live commentary onboard
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Mou Waho Island Tour
Mou Waho Island Tour: Enjoy fascinating insights from your skipper en route, then explore the island on your own
Duration: 3 hours: 3-3.5 hours
Reviews
218 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great trip, stunning scenery
kathyhF6736PC,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyable trip. Stunning scenery. Both crossing the beautiful Lake Wanaka and on the island. Our wonderful guide, Hannah, was friendly, helpful and informative making both the cruise across the lake and time on the island very enjoyed. The hike to the lookout is worth it for the stunning views and the trip is well timed to allow for a relaxing hike and rest time. Would recommend if you are visiting the srea
Interesting, enjoyable, other travellers made good company. Fascinating geology, intriguing wildlife.
Sightsee02112604842,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Interesting, enjoyable, other travellers made good company. Fascinating geology, intriguing wildlife. Great guide.
Stunning views
AnneFHirst,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fun trip across a beautiful lake to an island with its own gorgeous lake . A nice walk up with glorious views all around. Great guide on the boat. A nice day out
Whilst it’s called a taxi it’s actually a great tour of the lake!
GR7340,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Friendly and knowledgable staff make the experience very good. Tour stops at two other islands where the history is explained before stopping at Mau Waho where you get two hours to explore an incredible space and swim in a lake on an island on a lake on an island! Izzy was a great guide and driver. Boat is in great condition.
Recommend, loved it!
Journey14803799876,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved this experience. Definitely recommend it. The guide had such a lovely way of presenting the information - she was humourous, knowledgable and created such a peaceful environment. The island is gorgeous, and I definitely recommend a swim in the lake on the island if you can!
Great adventure
carol j,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our experience. First boat out in the morning recommended. Only thing we would’ve done differently is to use the walking sticks as we are a bit older. Awesome views!
This trip was amazing....
Mark F,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This trip was amazing. Hannah - the skipper - was very friendly and knowlegable. The island itself has breathtaking views from every angle. The track up to the lake and lookout are steep but not difficult and there are lots of places to rest. We stumbled across the tour via a Facebook ad and am very glad we did. Highly recommend!
Fab
joant302,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved this trip. This is my second time. Perfect way to spend an afternoon I used walking poles supplied by the team The information shared in the taxi was great too !
Boat trip to an island on lake Wanaka
nickif2026,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great trip to the island. Hannah was a great and interesting skipper. Her narrative was both informative and amusing. Then 2 hours on the island for a walk up to the view point and a swim. Thank you.
Good experience
Ray C,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Mou Waho Island climb to the end of the path to see the lake on the island and the lake and mountains behind, the view is beautiful, the lake on the island can even swim very interesting, it is said that there are some rare birds on the island but unfortunately we did not see, the road on the island is not difficult to go, but pay attention to the return time
From NZ$139.00
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Operated by Aqua Adventures Wanaka LTD trading as Wanaka Water taxi Wanaka 4x4 Explorer