Boat Tour activities in New Zealand
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Clutha River Cruise
To experience the scenery and history of the region by boat, join a 2½-hour Clutha River Cruise. Book at the Alexandra i-SITE.
reviewed
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A
Beachcomber Fun Cruises
Two- to four-hour cruises, some with resort lunches. Cruise/walk, cruise/bike, full-day kayaking and Queen Charlotte Track options also available. Also operates the Queen Charlotte Sound mail run, a genuine NZ Post delivery service.
reviewed
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B
Waimarie Paddle-Steamer Tours
Take a two-hour trip up ol' man Whanganui on the historic Waimarie, the last of the river paddle steamers.
reviewed
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Hiwinui Jet
Manawatu Gorge jetboat tours, departing from Balance Bridge, Ferry Reserve (or pick-up from Palmerston North i-SITE $20 extra).
reviewed
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C
Cougar Line
Full-day cruise/walk deals, three-hour cruises, resort lunches, track transport and summer twilight cruises.
reviewed
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D
Hawke’s Bay Wine Country Cat
Schmooze out on a lunch or dinner cruise, or shorter trips morning and afternoon. Also operates the fun, family-friendly Duck tours (one hour adult/child/family $45/30/130), jet oat rides (adult/child $55/30), and winery tours (from $55).
reviewed
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E
Whale & Dolphin Watch
Whale & Dolphin Watch runs dolphin-viewing and swimming trips year-round.
reviewed
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Mitre Peak Cruises
Cruises in smallish boats with a maximum capacity of 75. The 4.30pm cruise is good because many larger boats are heading back at this time.
reviewed
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Milford Sound Cruises
A range of trips exploring Milford Sound, all lasting around two hours. The 2¼-hour wildlife cruise (adult $73 to $90, child $15) is more intimate, and operates on a smaller boat.
reviewed
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Jucy Cruize
A smaller, less-crowded experience with 1½-hour trips on a comfortable boat with lots of deck space.
reviewed
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F
TSS Earnslaw
The stately, steam-powered TSS Earnslaw celebrated a centenary of continuous service in 2012. Once the lake’s major means of transport, it originally carried more than 800 passengers. Climb aboard for the standard 1½-hour Lake Wakatipu tour (adult/child $50/22) or take a 3½-hour excursion to the high-country Walter Peak Farm (adult/child $75/22) for sheep-shearing demonstrations and sheep-dog performances.
reviewed
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Real Journeys
Lots of cruises from this big company including 1¾-hour scenic cruises (adult $68 to $90, child $22). The company also does 2½-hour nature cruises (adult $75 to $95, child $22) with a nature guide for commentary and Q&A. Real Journeys does overnight cruises on two of its boats. You can kayak and take nature tours in tender crafts en route. The cost includes all meals but transport from Te Anau is additional. All depart from the Milford terminal around 4.30pm and return around 9.30am the following day. Cheaper prices apply in May and September. The Milford Wanderer, modelled on an old trading scow, accommodates 36 passengers in two- and four-bunk cabins (with shared…
reviewed
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Lake Wanaka Cruises
Lake cruising aboard a catamaran with overnight options.
reviewed
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G
Happy Chaddy’s Charters
Take a trip out to visit the Sugar Loaf Islands with Chaddy: expect at least four laughs a minute on a one-hour bob around on the chop. Departs daily from Lee Breakwater, tide and weather permitting. You can also hire kayaks (single/double per hour $15/30) and bikes ($10 per 30 minutes) here.
reviewed
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Cruise Tekapo
Fishing and lake cruises from 25 minutes to two hours
reviewed
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Coast Up Close
Fishing and scenic boat trips with plenty of birds and wildlife.
reviewed
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Glacier Explorers
Heads out on the terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier. It starts with a 20-minute walk to the shore of Lake Tasman, where you board a custom-built MAC boat and get up close and personal with 300-year-old icebergs. Book at the activities desk at the Hermitage.
reviewed
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H
Lakeland Adventures
Has 2½-hour trips to Stevensons Island (adult/child $85/55 and a 3½-hour trip with a guided bushwalk on Mou Waho (adult/child $145/55). Kayaks ($15 per hour) and aqua bikes ($15 per 20 minutes) are also available.
reviewed
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Hahei Explorer
Hour-long jet-boat rides touring the coast.
reviewed
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I
Cruise Waikato
Runs a range of river cruises, focussed variously on sightseeing, history or your belly (coffee and muffins, hangi – a feast of maori food – or picnics). See the city from the river, rather than the other way around!
reviewed
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