The half day visits Mou Waho in the morning and visits Ruby Island and Stevensons Island in the afternoon Whether you come in the am or pm this tour gives you a brilliant three hour introduction to the lake. The full day goes further — adding all three islands to the itinerary and covering the full length of the lake, with all five islands coming into view along the way. If you have the time, the full day is the complete experience.

None whatsoever. The lake tours are relaxed by nature — you'll spend most of the time on the boat taking in the scenery, with optional stops to explore on foot or swim. Suits all ages and fitness levels comfortably.

No — the lake tours are purely scenic. If you'd like to combine fishing with your tour, get in touch to discuss a custom private option.

Yes, and we'd encourage it. Lake Wanaka is cold, crystal clear, and unlike any water you've swum in before. Beach and island stops give you the opportunity — bring a towel and a sense of adventure.

Yes. There's time at each island stop to get off the boat and explore. While all three islands have walking paths on them, Mou Waho involves a slightly longer and steeper walk to reach Arethusa Pool — well worth the effort and suitable for most fitness levels.

Snacks and drinks are provided on both tours. Lunch is included on the full day. The McLay 651 provides shelter when needed, with an open back deck when the weather plays along.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, we ask for at least 24 hours' notice — we're not able to offer a refund for cancellations within 24 hours of departure. If we need to cancel due to weather or safety concerns, we'll contact you by 7pm the evening before if there are any concerns about conditions, with a final call by 8am on the day, and you'll be offered a full reschedule or refund. Light rain and overcast skies aren't cancellation conditions — the lake can be stunning on a moody day.

Absolutely. The lake tours are one of the best things you can do with kids in Wanaka — island exploration, swimming, wildlife, and a boat ride all in one. Life jackets are available on request in all sizes. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Dogs are welcome on private charters  ONLY by prior arrangement. Please mention it at the time of booking.

No — no fishing licence is required for the lake tours.

Please bring your own food if you have a life-threatening allergy. We can cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free diets, but our food is prepared in a kitchen that handles all major allergens, so we can't guarantee anything is completely allergen-free. We're also out on the water for the day, often a good distance from shore — if a severe reaction happened partway through the tour, it could take considerably longer to reach help than the relief an EpiPen provides. To stay safe, please pack your own food if this applies to you.

All Wānaka trips depart from Wānaka Marina, Lakeside Road, Wānaka. Full meeting details are confirmed when you book.

Yes, in most places — though coverage can get patchy for some networks out at Mou Waho or Stevensons Island. Honestly, that's not always a bad thing. Putting the phone away and taking in the scenery is part of the appeal.

Parking is available throughout Wānaka township, but isn't guaranteed directly at the marina — please choose a park with enough time allowance to comfortably cover the length of your trip.

There's no toilet on the vessel, but public toilets are available on the islands we visit, as well as at the marina and around town — we recommend using the toilet before you depart.

It's about an hour from Queenstown via the Crown Range Road — the shorter, more scenic route, though it can close in snow or ice over winter — or around 1 hour 15–30 minutes via the Gorge Road through Cromwell, which stays open year-round. Either way, allow enough time to find parking and reach the marina before your trip.

Wānaka Marina is a short walk from most accommodation and locations in town, or you can take a taxi to the marina car park.

No — drones aren't permitted on our tours. Queenstown Lakes District Council requires a permit for drone use, we operate within active helicopter flight paths out on the lake, and Mou Waho itself sits under a DOC concession that doesn't allow drone use either.

There's no separate waiver to sign in person. Our terms and conditions are viewable at checkout, and booking a trip with us means you're accepting those terms at that time.

Most standard travel insurance policies cover recreational boat tours and fishing charters, but coverage varies by provider and policy. If you're unsure, it's worth a quick check with your insurer before you travel.