Ulva Island Guided Walk Rakiura Charters and Water Taxi
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
August 2026
2. Select participants
What you can expect
After meeting your guides at the Golden Bay Wharf, you’ll board the Rakiura Charters water taxi for the short hop across the stunning Paterson Inlet to Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary.
On arrival you’ll be met by the sounds and sights of local birds, such as the Stewart Island robin, kakariki, saddleback, mohua (yellowhead).
Your guides will help you explore Te Wharawhara, the worlds southern-most open bird sanctuary and offer informative and entertaining commentary throughout this 3-4 hour tour. Engage with the history and stories from Ulva Island and the wider Stewart Island while walking well maintained gravel walking tracks through lush native podocarp forest.
The birds here are so friendly they will come too close for your camera lens!
Typical group sizes for Rakiura Charters guided walks are 3-6 pax and there are plenty of stops for photographs during the walk. You are welcome to bring nibbles and a drink to sip as you travel through the magnificent Ulva Island forest.
After a wonderful walk through lush native forest, board the Rakiura Charters water taxi back across Paterson Inlet to Golden Bay wharf where the tour ends.
Location
What you need to know
- Return water taxi transfer to Ulva Island
- Specialist natural history/bird watching guide
- 3-4 hour guided tour
- DOC concessions and fees
- Allow 4 hours
- 8.20am & 1.00pm in summer (August - May)
- 9:30am in winter (June - July)
- Departing daily from Golden Bay (Halfmoon Bay on request)
- Flexible and additional departures may be available
- To complete this tour, you must be physically agile and able to walk unassisted; able to manage steps between the wharf and water taxi; able to manage steps and beach walking at Ulva Island; able to walk for 3.5 hours
- Please bring warm clothing, comfortable footwear, wet weather gear, binoculars (optional), water, lunch, snacks and insect repellent
- If you're on a tight schedule, please contact us about a shorter 2 hour option
- Child rates apply (6-13yrs)
- Infants 5yrs & under travel free of charge
- Ulva Island water taxi from Halfmoon Bay runs on demand, please contact us to check availability
- If a cancellation is made 30 days or more prior to travel, a cancellation fee will apply; If a cancellation is received 29 days or less prior to travel, 100% of the booking fare is due
- Require a minimum of 2 passengers to confirm. If you are travelling on your own please contact us & we will endeavour to confirm the tour with another person
Recent reviews
Top class. Boat was waiting for us at Golden Bay wharf, as was Emma the guide. Short trip over to the island. Great guided trip, Emma's knowledge is superb. Boat was again waiting to collect us for the return trip. Even ordered a taxi for us.
A unique and amazing experience, with the perfect guide! We will certainly Remember this Ulva Island Guided Walk for years to come! We were so lucky seing many different rare birds, Even the saddleback! Simply outstanding!
I never actually did this tour as it couldn't be provided.
