Guided Tours

From Stewart Island: Ulva Island Explorer Tour with Paterson Inlet Cruise

Tourists walking through lush forest on Ulva Island.

Couple interacting with a bird on a serene beach, surrounded by lush greenery.

Visitors walking along the beach on Ulva Island with forested backdrop.

Tourists descending wooden stairs through lush greenery to reach the beach.

기간

2 시간 30 분

무료 취소

체험 시작 24시간 전까지 24 까지 무료 취소 가능

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

가이드 투어

Cruise Paterson Inlet, spot fur seals and penguins, then explore Ulva Island’s lush forests on a guided walk. See rare birds in this wildlife paradise.

4.7/5(12)

Cindy G

Couple

예약 확인

2주 전

Enjoyed the walk and listening to all of the birds. I would have liked to follow around with a trail map. The guide was very helpful with identifying sounds.

Martin H

Couple

예약 확인

2026년 3월

Guides on boat and walk were excellent and greatly assisted in finding, identifying and providing knowledge on a variety of birds, flora and fauna in a lively manner. Tour was on time and kept to time.

Aislinn G

Solo

예약 확인

2026년 2월

We seen lots of birds and the guide Charles was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his job. I would definitely recommend this tour. It's a nice slow paced walk around the island with plenty of time to view the birds.

Linda P

Couple

예약 확인

2026년 1월

We had the Most incredible experience with RealNZ your of Ulva Island. Our guide was knowledgeable of both plants and birds. Additionally, she was highly skilled at finding the birds. One of the other guides on our trip notified her via radio that there was a kiwi sighting (in daylight) and we booked it over to the location to see that as well. We were so impressed with our tour that we booked another tour with that later that day. (That one was equally phenomenal.)

Angela S

Solo

예약 확인

2025년 12월

Lovely guides explaining interesting plants and birds. Easy tracks. Nice beaches. Also enjoyed the commentary heading out from Oban around the bays

Helen S

Couple

예약 확인

2025년 11월

The guides Jan and Annaliese were fantastic and really made the experience. Great enthusiasm, passion and knowledge. A beautiful island and a special place to go. Would definitely recommend.

This guided wildlife adventure is perfect for nature lovers eager to spot rare birds, explore lush forests, and cruise the scenic waters of Stewart Island.

Cruise across Paterson Inlet, gliding past hidden coves and sandy beaches while keeping watch for fur seals, penguins, and seabirds along the way.

Step into Ulva Island’s predator-free sanctuary and follow a guide through the lush rainforest, where rare saddlebacks, yellowheads, and weka thrive.

Hear the calls of tūī and bellbirds as you walk beneath towering rimu and southern rātā trees, learning about native plants and their ecosystem.

Fun fact: Ulva Island, once known as Coopers Island, was named after Scotland’s Ulva in the Inner Hebrides, reflecting its deep historical ties to early settlers.

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

Paterson Inlet catamaran cruise

Live commentary on board

Expert local guide

Hotel transfers

체험 시작 24시간 전까지( 24 ) 티켓을 취소하고 전액 환불받을 수 있습니다.

12 이용이용후기
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이 평가에는 현지에서 이 경험을 운영하는 신뢰할 수 있는 파트너와 헤드아웃 게스트의 검증된 이용이용후기가 포함되어 있습니다. 모든 이용후기는 실제 체험을 한 여행자가 작성한 것입니다요
9
2
1
0
0
게스트의 의견
Cindy G
Couple
예약 확인
2주 전
Enjoyed the walk and listening to all of the birds. I would have liked to follow around with a trail map. The guide was very helpful with identifying sounds.
Sandra T
Family
예약 확인
2주 전
The guide was great and we had plenty of time to enjoy the experience. We never felt rushed 😊👍❤️
Martin H
Couple
예약 확인
2026년 3월
Guides on boat and walk were excellent and greatly assisted in finding, identifying and providing knowledge on a variety of birds, flora and fauna in a lively manner. Tour was on time and kept to time.
Aislinn G
Solo
예약 확인
2026년 2월
We seen lots of birds and the guide Charles was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his job. I would definitely recommend this tour. It's a nice slow paced walk around the island with plenty of time to view the birds.
Linda P
Couple
예약 확인
2026년 1월
We had the Most incredible experience with RealNZ your of Ulva Island. Our guide was knowledgeable of both plants and birds. Additionally, she was highly skilled at finding the birds. One of the other guides on our trip notified her via radio that there was a kiwi sighting (in daylight) and we booked it over to the location to see that as well. We were so impressed with our tour that we booked another tour with that later that day. (That one was equally phenomenal.)

Explore a true haven for wildlife

Sail across the pristine waters of Paterson Inlet, spot native wildlife, and step into the untouched beauty of Ulva Island on this guided nature adventure.

Getting started

Your journey begins at the Stewart Island dock, where you’ll board a comfortable catamaran for a scenic cruise. Keep your camera ready—you might spot little blue penguins bobbing in the water or fur seals basking on rocky shores.

What to expect

Paterson Inlet: Travel through this sheltered waterway, framed by golden beaches and lush coastal forests. Your captain will share stories of the island’s rich history as you search for seabirds like albatross and sooty shearwaters.

Ulva Island: A predator-free paradise, this island is a haven for rare native birds. Step onto the sandy shore and follow your guide through ancient podocarp forests, where moss-draped trees shelter weka, saddlebacks, yellowheads, and the elusive Stewart Island robin.

Guided nature walk: Stroll along well-maintained trails as your local guide reveals the secrets of this thriving ecosystem. Listen for the melodic calls of bellbirds, spot orchids blooming beneath towering rimu trees, and hear fascinating stories of the island’s conservation success.

After your island exploration, relax on the boat ride back to Stewart Island. Enjoy the salty breeze and one last chance to spot dolphins before docking, wrapping up your unforgettable day in nature.

Accessibility

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Your guide dogs and service animals are welcome at the venue.

Additional information

Please bring non-slip shoes or boots, a waterproof jacket, a warm sweater or fleece jacket, sunscreen/ sunglasses, insect repellent, a camera, and personal medication (including for asthma and allergies).

Infants must sit on laps for the duration of the cruise.

You can pre-order a picnic lunch box (at an additional cost) by contacting the tour operator directly. Place your order by 12pm the day before travel using the phone number on your voucher. If you have dietary requirements (vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan), let them know in advance, and they’ll accommodate your request.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Visitor Terminal - Stewart Island Experience.

Address: Southland 9818, New Zealand.

Get directions to the meeting point