Combos

Combo (Save 10%): Stewart Island Ferry & Wild Kiwi Encounter Experience

4.7/5(167)

Thomas G

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

What an experience. Even with the ocean being super rough we had to stay within the inlet. Still saw a penguin, spoonbills and pied cormorant before landing. There we started our walk into the bush and within a few mintues our guide Sarah spotted a kiwi and we spent half an hour just watching it, beautiful. After that we walked to the beach under the moonlight and stars before heading back. Can't thank the guides enough for their enthusiasm and knowledge. The group was great too!

Peter R

Couple

Verified booking

2 days ago

A nice journey despite heavy seas. Your friendly staff, suppprted by your knowledgeable skipper. We were kept well informed through the journey despite heavier than normal seas. The journey was warm, friendly and very comfortable Peter Queensland

Keri K

Couple

Verified booking

4 days ago

The ride over was amazing, both myself and my husband had a fantastic time on rakiura. The crew were freindly and informative about places to visit while we were there. Loved every moment and look forward tonour next adventure.

Ken M

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

The kiwi experience was a great evening and the fishing trip was faintastic for relaxing couple of days in a beautiful place in the world I would recommend.

Steve T

Couple

Verified booking

Aug 2026

The people, the island and the tour around the islands including Ulva Island. Spotting kiwi on our nightly return journey home after socialising with the locals.

Mike C

Group

Verified booking

Jun 2026

Friendly and professional service provided by all staff,informative info from ferry skippers etc pleasure to deal with,easy dealing with fishing gear and firearms etc.

Experience the best of Stewart Island in one plan — scenic ferry travel paired with a rare wild kiwi encounter.

Travel between Bluff and Stewart Island with round-trip ferry transfers, live onboard commentary, and complimentary tea or coffee as you cross the Foveaux Strait.

Join the Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experience, featuring a sunset cruise to Little Glory Cove and a guided evening walk with an expert nature guide to search for kiwi in their natural habitat.

Stewart Island Ferry

Round-trip ferry transfers from Bluff to Stewart Island

Live commentary

Complimentary coffee or tea

Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experience

4 to 4.5-hour Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

Sunset marine cruise from Oban to Little Glory Cove

Kiwi spotting at Little Glory Cove

Return cruise to Oban from Little Glory Cove

Complimentary hot beverages onboard

Expert nature guide

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

167 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Australia, United States, Canada and over 15 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Ken M
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The kiwi experience was a great evening and the fishing trip was faintastic for relaxing couple of days in a beautiful place in the world I would recommend.
Thomas G
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
What an experience. Even with the ocean being super rough we had to stay within the inlet. Still saw a penguin, spoonbills and pied cormorant before landing. There we started our walk into the bush and within a few mintues our guide Sarah spotted a kiwi and we spent half an hour just watching it, beautiful. After that we walked to the beach under the moonlight and stars before heading back. Can't thank the guides enough for their enthusiasm and knowledge. The group was great too!
Peter R
Couple
Verified booking
2 days ago
A nice journey despite heavy seas. Your friendly staff, suppprted by your knowledgeable skipper. We were kept well informed through the journey despite heavier than normal seas. The journey was warm, friendly and very comfortable Peter Queensland
Keri K
Couple
Verified booking
4 days ago
The ride over was amazing, both myself and my husband had a fantastic time on rakiura. The crew were freindly and informative about places to visit while we were there. Loved every moment and look forward tonour next adventure.
John J
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Great staff who really seemed to be excited to have us along. They gave recommendations for some wonderful trips we really enjoyed

Experience Stewart Island’s spectacular landscapes and rare wildlife with convenient island transport and an unforgettable kiwi-spotting adventure.

Getting started

Your combo ticket includes round-trip ferry transfers between Bluff and Stewart Island, plus the Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experience. Present your mobile ticket at the ferry terminal and tour departure point. Be sure to arrive before departure times and follow the instructions provided with your booking.

What to expect

Stewart Island Ferry

Round-trip island transfers: Travel between Bluff and Stewart Island aboard a comfortable ferry with round-trip transfers included.

Scenic Foveaux Strait crossing: Enjoy views of rugged coastlines, offshore islands, and the surrounding Southern Ocean during the journey.

Live onboard commentary: Learn about the region’s history, wildlife, and landmarks through informative commentary during the crossing.

Complimentary refreshments: Relax with a complimentary tea or coffee served onboard.

Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experience

Sunset marine cruise: Cruise from Oban to Little Glory Cove as the sun sets over Stewart Island’s pristine coastline.

Guided kiwi-spotting adventure: Join an expert nature guide for a 2-hour evening and night walk through native bush in search of wild kiwi.

Rare wildlife encounters: Experience one of New Zealand’s best opportunities to observe kiwi in their natural habitat.

Comfortable return journey: Return to Oban by cruise after your wildlife experience, with complimentary hot beverages served onboard.

Expert insights: Learn about Stewart Island’s unique ecosystem, conservation efforts, and nocturnal wildlife from your guide throughout the tour.

What to bring

Stewart Island Ferry

Bring sunscreen, camera, water, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, and a waterproof jacket for this experience.

Pack your motion sickness medicines just in case they’re not available onsite.

Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

Wear sturdy walking shoes as this experience requires walking through uneven and muddy terrain.

Bring a warm jacket as the temperature can get cooler in the evenings.

Pack your medications, just in case they’re not available onsite.

What’s not allowed

Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

Flash photography is not allowed in this experience.

This experience is restricted for guests below the age of 15.

Accessibility

Stewart Island Ferry

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

This experience requires a moderate level of fitness, as it involves a 2-hour guided walk through forest and along beaches.

This experience is not suitable for pregnant women and guests with heart or other medical issues.

Additional information

Stewart Island Ferry

Guests can carry two bags and one small carry bag per person.

The one-way ferry lasts 1 hour.

The one-way ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island departs at 9:45am, 1:45pm, 4:30pm, & 5:15pm, whereas the one-way ferry from Stewart Island to Bluff departs at 8am, 12:15pm, 3pm, & 3:30pm.

Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

This experience can accommodate up to a maximum of 16 people.

Snacks are available on board the cruise for purchase.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.