Stewart Island Pelagic and Wild-Life Tour

duration: 1.5 Hours
cancellation_summary: 14 Days
meeting_point: Departure from Golden Bay Wharf
max_age: 100
group_size: 4-9
accessibility: Non-Wheel Chair Accessible
description: If you have a keen interest in wildlife then this pelagic tour is just right to get you acquainted with the real Stewart Island locals.

Duration
1.5 ...Show More

duration: 1.5 Hours
cancellation_summary: 14 Days
meeting_point: Departure from Golden Bay Wharf
max_age: 100
group_size: 4-9
accessibility: Non-Wheel Chair Accessible
description: If you have a keen interest in wildlife then this pelagic tour is just right to get you acquainted with the real Stewart Island locals.

Duration
1.5 Hours

Stewart Island is situated in the unique convergence zone of the Tasman Sea, Pacific Ocean and bordering the Southern Ocean. This means it offers great potential to encounter a huge variety of ocean going bird species in just the one location.

Many of these species can not be found anywhere else, other than the very remote and restricted Subantarctic Islands, which are much harder to get to!
highlights: Unique perspectives that cannot be gained whilst on-shore. The skipper who is spending time on the water has the most up-to-date knowledge on where the wildlife is situated and will do their best to take you to see the species of your interest or introduce you to wildlife new to you.

Typical species we see:

White-Capped Albatross

Bullers Albatross

Hookers Sealion

New Zealand Fur Seal

Little Blue Penguin

Stewart Island/Foveaux Cormorant/Shag

Spotted Cormorant/Shag

Pied Cormorant/Shag

Little Cormorant/Shag

White-Fronted Tern

At certain times of year we may also chance upon:

Fiordland Crested Penguin

Yellow-Eyed Penguin

Wandering and Royal Albatross

Sooty Shearwater, aka Titi/Mutton Bird

Black Fronted Tern

Giant Petrel

Sub-Antartic Skua

check_in_details: Departure is typically from Golden Bay Wharf.

If you are walking from the main township, you need to go over the hill past the Police Station to get here, depending on your fitness it may take 10-20 minutes by foot or 5 minutes in a car.
special_requirements: Children must be accompanied by an adult.
restrictions: This boat ride is not suitable for people restricted to wheelchairs, nor for people with severe back injuries, as weather can change and make the boat ride bumpy. If you are in a wheelchair but able to make a short walk of 20-50 metres to be able to get on and off the boats via the wharves, then we can facilitate the tour.
disclaimers: Rakiura Adventure Ltd. reserves the right to change your departure and return times if the weather conditions or other factors are of concern to the skipper operating the vessel.