Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour | Lake Wanaka | Shaara Deals

"Because we love going there" is how Wanaka Water Taxi sums up its Mou Waho Island Tour — a boat trip described as heading to "our favourite place on Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho Island. Where you can find an island, on a lake, on an island, on a lake, on an island on the sea!" From $135, this 3 hour (approx.) Wanaka experience is now live on Shaara Deals.

Mou Waho Island itself is the destination's main draw: a protected nature reserve that's home to many native New Zealand birds, "including the curious and flightless Weka." A short walk takes visitors to the top of the island, where the reward is "breathtaking panoramic views of the Arethusa pool, Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks."

Getting there is part of the experience. The water taxi leaves Wanaka Marina twice daily, travelling 15km up Lake Wanaka and passing Mou Tapu Island and the steep cliff of Fisherman's Cove en route to Mou Waho Island. Along the way, the skipper shares "the fascinating geology of the alps and the glaciers that created the lake."

Once on the island, visitors can stay for almost 2 hours before heading back to shore — or take the morning departure, spend the day as they please, and catch the afternoon taxi home.

Departure times and options:

• Standard departures: 10am and 2pm daily

• Scheduled departures require a minimum of 4 adults (2 departures a day in high season, 1 departure a day in low season)

• A shorter, faster Mou Waho Express runs at 8.30am during summer only — no commentary, but the same time on the island

• An extra 11.45am departure runs a bit longer, until about 3.20pm, and needs a minimum of 6 adults to go ahead

Wanaka Water Taxi notes that trips are "very likely to run over 3 hours," so visitors should schedule 3.5 hours of their time to be safe.

Important logistics: the trip departs from the Wanaka Marina on Lakeside Road, at the bigger jetty with the silver bridge — passengers should be ready to board 10 minutes prior to departure.

Full details, availability and booking: https://shaaradeals.co.nz/deal/6a8003aa3f2013260b31f85a