10 Things to do Good for Couples in Stewart Island That You Shouldn't Miss

September 3, 2021 Natalie Tallman

Discover the best top things to do in Stewart Island, New Zealand including Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience, Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi, Beaks and Feathers, Ulva Island, Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi, Phil's Sea Kayak, Stewart Island Electric Bikes, Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi, Stewart Island Snorkeling Adventures, Stewart Island Ferry - Stewart Island Experience.
Restaurants in Stewart Island

1. Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience

Excellent
94%
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5.0 based on 306 reviews

Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience

Ruggedy Range™ Wilderness Experience operate exclusively in Stewart Island and Ulva Island. We are an independent, small, locally owned and operated business, specialising in guided nature walks, overnight treks, bird watching (including pelagic birding) and kiwi spotting tours, wildlife and scenic cruises, sea kayaking and scenic road tours. Our tours are designed to capture the best the island has to offer and carefully matching this to the interests and abilities of the most discerning traveller. Whether you are a gentle explorer or adventurous and active, whether your interests are general or you are an avid birdwatcher, botanist, naturalist or photographer, we certainly have something to offer. Guides bring their in-depth knowledge, a sense of fun with a few local tales, to create a truly memorable experience. We care about the environment and strive to adopt and maintain sustainable practises. Visit our Ruggedy Range™ Booking Office at 14 Main Road, Stewart Island.

2. Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi

Excellent
91%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
2%
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1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 116 reviews

Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi

Cruise Stewart Island in affordable comfort & style! Offering tours and water taxi services to the Ulva Island bird sanctuary, Freshwater River, meet our stunning ocean birds such as Albatross and Yellow-Eyed Penguins up close and personal on a Pelagic Birding Tour, come dolphin and seal spotting, or explore the historic Norwegian Whaler's Base. Our tour vessel is equipped with bathroom, kitchenette, lounge-style seating and a heated cabin, this is cruising in style! Our brand new water taxi seats up to 19 passengers and also features a heated cabin, toilet and excellent viewing, designed especially to maximise your Stewart Island experience!

3. Beaks and Feathers

Excellent
94%
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5.0 based on 103 reviews

Beaks and Feathers

Experience the unique beauty of Ulva Island and Stewart Island while going for a guided walk with Beaks and Feathers. Be entranced by abundant and colourful birdlife and the impressive forest of Ulva Island. Be taken in with the old charm of Stewart Island, and experience local walks or parts of the Rakiura Track. Beaks and Feathers specialise in small groups for a better experience

4. Ulva Island

Stewart Island New Zealand +64 800 783 9278 http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/southland/places/stewart-island-rakiura/ulva-island-te-wharawhara
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
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5.0 based on 682 reviews

Ulva Island

Reviewed By Kiwifreespirits - Auckland, New Zealand

We did a self guided walk using the guide book ( $2) we bought in Oban before going We used the excellent Rakiura Charters Water Taxi to get to Ulva having spent a wonderful few hours with them before hand around Patterson Inlet and the Mussel and Salmon Farm area in Big Glory Bay . Great people !!. We allowed ourselves 3 hours on Ulva . Way too short !!! . Should have made it 4 ( it was a fine day which helped ) to give sufficient time to just stop listen and watch frequently eg . Late in the walk we saw a Kiwi very close to us . But we were tight for time and could only spend 2 or 3 minutes looking which was frustrating. Many of the birds are very friendly eg Stewart Island robins that hop on your shoes and check out the laces , Wekas who hang out at the two beaches etc .

5. Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi

Excellent
95%
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5.0 based on 20 reviews

Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi

Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi is a comfortable and stylish boat, custom built to provide excellent all round viewing and maximum photo opportunities She seats 12 passengers and 2 crew. Aihe offers leisurely boat cruises in Paterson Inlet and around the coast of Stewart Island. Aihe also offers a water taxi service to a variety of destinations including: Ulva Island, Freshwater River, Freds Camp, North Arm and Port William. Small group cruises are always personalised for 8 to 12 persons maximum. Tours include: Aihe Pelagic Bird Watching to view our magnificent seabirds including albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, terns, penguins, cormorants, Aihe - Paterson Inlet Wildlife Cruise for penguins, dolphins (when present), other seabirds and shorebirds. For sightseeing and history try our Scenic Cruise & Norwegian Whalers' Base Guided Walk exploring hidden bays. Enjoy interesting commentary on birds / mammals seen, the areas visited. Aihe is also available for private charters.

6. Phil's Sea Kayak

Excellent
95%
Good
3%
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2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 131 reviews

Phil's Sea Kayak

Stewart Island - amazing sea kayak destination. Explore the pristine clear waters with amazing marine life, bays and sandy beaches. We often see penguins, marine mammals and mollymawk/albatross. 2½ hour, half day or full day tours, twilight paddles (sunset!), sea kayak hire/expeditions. Personal guiding - tours tailored for all levels of experience. Your safety and enjoyment is my priority.

7. Stewart Island Electric Bikes

Excellent
96%
Good
4%
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5.0 based on 197 reviews

Stewart Island Electric Bikes

Explore picturesque Stewart Island in style on our Eco-friendly electric bikes. You can travel at your own pace around our 30 km of roads, stop and see the amazing scenery and wildlife, and go to places you never would have explored before. The terrain of the island is made easy by the assistance of an electric motor helping you bike around with ease and speed.

8. Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi

Golden Bay Wharf, Stewart Island 9818 New Zealand +64 27 289 8292 [email protected] http://rakiura.nz/
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
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5.0 based on 60 reviews

Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi

Adventure is allowing the unexpected happen to you! Experience Ulva Island - the pristine forested island and one of few predator-free sanctuaries in New Zealand- and the unique beauty of Paterson Inlet. Freedom Tours, guided walks and sight seeing with the Ulva Island Ferry for those who prefer the charm of a vintage wooden ferry or with a fast pace custom built vessel.

Reviewed By marionq470

Rakiura, the skipper, did a number of drop offs and pick ups for us while we were on the island including our freshwater landing pick up and my snorkeling trip. He’s obviously experienced, safety conscious and caring. Between them the different companies work together and it feels like they know the whereabouts of every visitor to the island and are looking out for them (which apparently is true - it’s like hanging out with unobtrusive extended family). I’d recommend ulva Island ferries for your trip to the island but also for all your other water taxi needs. Flexible, accommodating and friendly.

9. Stewart Island Snorkeling Adventures

Excellent
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5.0 based on 52 reviews

Stewart Island Snorkeling Adventures

We are two adventure guides that have a passion for freediving and conservation. We want to take you on an expedition in the Stewart Island Kelp Forests to view diverse and beautiful marine life. Learn about biodiversity, history and conservation of Rakiura, while following a theme of sustainability and effective ocean management . We will be visiting fragile, pristine, and undisturbed natural areas, ensuring we make zero impact by operating a small scale alternative to standard mass tourism.

10. Stewart Island Ferry - Stewart Island Experience

Stewart Island Visitor Terminal Main Wharf, Stewart Island 9846 New Zealand +64 3-212 7660 [email protected] http://www.stewartislandexperience.co.nz/getting-there/stewart-island-ferry-services/
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 497 reviews

Stewart Island Ferry - Stewart Island Experience

Stewart Island Experience operates daily ferry service between Bluff and Stewart Island all year around. Stewart Island is New Zealand's ultimate eco-tourism destination and the location of Rakiura National Park. During the one hour ferry crossing, keep a look out for the Mollymawks (Albatross) that often follow the vessel. Daily coach connections operate between Bluff and Invercargill, and in summer also to Te Anau and Queenstown (summer only).

Reviewed By FreddieB_12 - Bristol, United Kingdom

Lucky enough to travel in rough seas (up to 6m swells apparently). Incredible experience, forget the jet boat in Queenstown, this was the real deal. Captain was excellent and the crew did a great job to try and help out those with sea sickness. First 15 minutes are the worst, once you get through that it's (relatively) plain sailing. Gives you a great insight into how insane those early explorers were and even folks who sail the Southern Ocean to this day.

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