Mou Waho Island Cruise & Nature Walk

Our new fast & comfortable vessel and a knowledgeable local skipper - Let's Go!

Take the whole family on a cruise to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve, home of the lake, on an island, in a lake (on an island). Enjoy a velvet smooth ride as you cruise among the majestic mountains of Lake Wanaka.

We are contracted to the Department of Conservation, and every guest contributes to funding the conservation work on Mou Waho Island! We are also Wanaka's first Carbon Positive operator. Every trip plants native forest in NZ.

Mou Waho Island is a predator-free Department of Conservation nature reserve with a natural glacial-formed lake at its summit. Here you can see first-hand results of conservation efforts, including the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920), the Mountain Stone Weta, and many other native birds.

Wanaka Cruises is a Department of Conservation Concession holder for Mou Waho Island. Fees are paid to DOC for each visitor to the island, and this contributes to the ongoing conservation efforts.

A two-hour guided nature walk is included for those who choose the guided option. This will take you up to the natural glacial lake right on top of the island, and magnificent mountain and lake scenery in every direction. This is rated as one of the top activities by visitors to Wanaka and is rated among the best Wanaka walks and hikes.

From there, our guide will take you even higher to the lookout rock for some of the region's most spectacular views and outstanding photo opportunities.

Our guides have extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna, geology, and both colonial and Maori history.