Ulva Island Explorer from Stewart Island

Recommended by 91% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Stewart Island / Rakiura, New Zealand

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Offered in: English

Overview

Ride a catamaran to Paterson Inlet and take a guided walk at Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary. Your cruise showcases hidden coves and unspoiled beaches with informative commentary. Keep an eye out for fur seals and penguins, then learn about native birdlife and plants that flourish in the predator-free environment of Ulva Island. This tour departs Stewart Island in the afternoon, with the option to include a boxed lunch on board. Numbers are limited, for a small-group experience.

Catamaran cruise and Ulva Island walking tour
Sail to Paterson Inlet and Prices Inlet from Stewart Island
Follow a guide on foot to explore the native bird sanctuary
Opt to receive a boxed lunch on board
Small-group tour ensures personalized attention

What's Included

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

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

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Visitor Terminal - Stewart Island Experience
Southland Region 9818, New Zealand
Please check in 20 minutes prior to departure.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Board a modern catamaran at the Stewart Island Ferry Terminal for a leisurely cruise around Paterson Inlet. Your guide narrates the stunning scenery and shares fascinating tales about early European settlement and Maori history.

Sail past landmarks to hidden coves and beaches, and visit the historical whaler’s base at Prices Inlet. Keep a lookout for penguins and New Zealand fur seals that inhabit the waters around Stewart Island.

On arrival at the renowned Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary, embark on an easy walk with a local expert as your guide. Home to bush robins, rare saddlebacks, and yellowheads, among other bird species, this wildlife preserve offers a rare glimpse of endemic and endangered species. Encountering inquisitive weka (native woodhen) on the beach is a regular highlight!

Discover protected habitat for some of New Zealand’s rarest plant species before re-boarding your vessel for the return trip around Paterson Inlet back to Stewart Island.

Ulva Island

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed

Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

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Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

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Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

David_B

Really good overall experience. Staff were friendly helpful and knowledgeable Boat trip was easy and comfortable

Reviews

4.7

based on 90 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Boat tour Ulva Island

Michelle_S, Feb 2026

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.

We were taken on a lovely...

Rosemary_S, Feb 2026

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!

Awesome experience

Bronwyn_C, Jan 2026

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

Karen - Simply the Best

Stephen_H, Nov 2023

Our guide Karen was highly knowledgible & very entertaining. She was constantly aware of the members in her group & ensured everyone got to see the bird or plant or other natural feature that she was pointing out. Her "bird calls" often got responses from her feathered friends. A great & memorable tour.

Really good overall...

David_B, Mar 2023

Really good overall experience. Staff were friendly helpful and knowledgeable Boat trip was easy and comfortable

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you for this five-star review! It's lovely to hear feedback like this.

Too short

Andrew_K, Feb 2023

The birds and the bush were great. Needed an extra hour on the island to explore all the walks. The boat commentary was informative.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Ulva Island is such a beautiful place - we can see why you'd prefer to stay longer! Thank you for sharing your feedback on this tour.

Informative, if a little crowded

Amber_F, Jan 2023

If you can get on a trip with Claire, I recommend it--she's super knowledgeable about plants and bird life, and this nature talk felt like a great introduction to the region. I really learned a lot from her. The reason why I'd give this fewer stars is that the group size was a little large--12 people, and with everyone forced to walk single file, it was hard to see what the guide was pointing at. There were many times I couldn't see the bird in question before it was gone. I was behind a tall gentleman, so I mostly just saw his back. I also don't think the boats are the best suited for an enjoyable island cruising experience. They're large catamarans with loud motors (the same ones they use for the ferry to Bluff), so they frighten off a lot of the marine life. There's also no front viewing area. In the back (stern) of the boat, you're inhaling diesel fumes and peering around the side, in hopes of seeing anything cool. There's only a couple of seats out there, and your view is obstructed by the large crane they use for hauling luggage. I'd be willing to pay more for a smaller boat/tour experience, if that ever becomes an option in future.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Claire is one of our most passionate guides, and it's lovely to hear such great feedback about her trip. We also appreciate your thoughts on our group sizes and vessels. Both are great examples of how we can improve the guest experience for our Ulva Island Explorer Tour. Your review will be passed on to our Management and Operations Teams. Thank you again.

Must do -truly magical bird life!!!

MichaelPatrick_D, May 2022

Immediately you arrive at Ulva the sound of the birdlife is beautiful. We had a weka waiting for us on the beach and other birds arrive throughout your walk

Response from Host, May 2022

We are thrilled that you enjoyed the sound of the birdlife on Ulva Island and you managed to spot the weka on the beach. Thank you for your review.

Beautiful Patersons Inlet and great wildlife encounter

Maria_C, Feb 2022

Great trip exploring the bays in Paterson inlet and then onto Ulva island - from close ups with albatross flying around the boat, to spotting tieke, yellowheads, robins, kakariki on the island...as well as a female sealion seeing us off her beach! Good guides, comfortable boat.

Wonderful experience.

rushrattan, Feb 2020

Loved Ulva Island such a pretty place to visit, our guide was great very informative and super friendly. A must do while on Stewart Island.

Ulva Island

Gwyneth_R, May 2019

Wonderful guided tour of the island bird sanctuary which my husband who uses a walking stick managed to do.

This cruise took us a short way from...

Henry W, Feb 2016

This cruise took us a short way from the main areas of the island and over to The island of Ulva where we had a guided walking tour from a knowledgeable guide. We saw a number of different habitats and birds.