Ulva Island Explorer: A Scenic Cruise and Walking Tour From Stewart Island

89 Ratings

Visitor Terminal - Stewart Island Experience

Save

View Gallery (11)

Embark on a scenic cruise around Paterson Inlet and take a walking tour in the bird sanctuary of Ulva Island. Explore hidden coves, unspoiled beaches, and spot wildlife like fur seals and penguins.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 24 hours

learn more

Highlights

Stewart Island / Rakiura - Discover Stewart Island from the water on a leisurely cruise of beautiful Paterson Inlet and a guided walk in Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary where you will learn about the landscape and history of the island

What's Included

Cruise and island tour
Local guide
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Picnic lunch (contact operator to purchase)
Live commentary on board

What's Not Included

Food and drinks, unless specified
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Information

Enjoy a relaxing cruise around Paterson Inlet, complemented by a 45-minute guided walk through the bird sanctuary on Ulva Island. This 2.5-hour journey begins at Stewart Island and features a stop at the historic whaling station at Prices Inlet, as well as visits to the secluded coves and pristine beaches of Paterson Inlet. Throughout the scenic cruise,…

Location

Visitor Terminal - Stewart Island Experience

Please check in 20 minutes prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.7

(89 Ratings)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Kerri

Mar 9, 2026

Loved it!!! - What a fabulous experience. Everything so well organized. All we had to do was turn up. All the Real NZ people were fantastic from the trip on the boat to the walk itself. Heavy rain the night before had us a bit concerned but we had no reason to be. Our guide Jan was just brilliant. We saw a saddleback and sea lion amongst other amazing wildlife. We learnt so much. Highly recommend.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Annesk7134pa

Feb 28, 2026

Beautiful peaceful Island - Great launch trip to ulva island, with inlighting commentary. Guide had great knowledge. Lovely bush Enjoyed the bird life. Saw a south Island Robin up close.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Michelle_s

Feb 19, 2026

Boat tour Ulva Island - The boat is average not great but the tour on the island was amazing Well worth while taking the ride in the boat with.a very experienced driver.

Review provided by Viator

Rosemary_s

Feb 16, 2026

We were taken on a lovely... - We were taken on a lovely guided walk on the island. Bevan was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable with regards to the flora and fauna. Unfortunately there were not many birds around- but that’s wildlife for you!

Review provided by Viator

Frankve7096uj

Jan 24, 2026

Great nature experience - It was great. We got to see a bunch of animals and even saw two sealions on the beach. Amazing to see the nature here. Very much recommended.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Trail51095346227

Jan 21, 2026

An epic Stewart Island Experience! - The Ulva Island Explorer was fantastic. Our guide Charles, was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly so passionate about the natural world. His insights into the native birdlife and ecosystems made the walk feel like a special privilege. The sights and sounds of Ulva Island were stunning, and Charles helped us see and understand so much more than we ever expected. Both tours were well organised, relaxed yet informative, and truly showcased the best of Stewart Island. We couldn’t recommend these experiences highly enough. Five stars all the way!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Bronwyn_c

Jan 15, 2026

Awesome experience - Awesome place, gentle walk and lots of birds to see. Our guide Sarah was fantastic at pointing out the various plants and birds

Review provided by Viator

Oscardog16

Jan 30, 2026

Interesting tour particularly if you are a twitcher. - The boat tour was only 20 minutes and despite bad whether it was relatively calm. The small boat does have a toilet if required. We saw Albatrosses soaring around the boat and floating close by hoping for a feed. The walk around the island was easy and we saw a few native species pointed out by our knowledgeable guide. We recommend this tour.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

774harryv

Jan 29, 2026

Top attraction, but more time needed for visits. - It is a fantastic island, visit very short and the walk across the island even shorter. While the guides Natasja and her crew did an excellent job.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Feb 28, 2026

For a quality Ulva Island experience choose a different provider - The trip felt rushed, spent too much time going to the island and not enough time on the island itself. In 2023 we took a similar tour from another tour company and had a great experience with nearly a half day which gave us lots of time to see more bird life and with a smaller group. Tour group was too large, could not hear the tour guides if you were not next to them. The guides know their stuff, and are friendly, but just too big a group with too little time. If you want a quality experience on Ulva I would shop around and choose a different provider. I will not recommend this to friends or family. And frankly this is the most disappointing trip I have had with RealNZ excursions. Others have been very good

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $85

up to 12 guests

1 - Adult