Welcome to Okarito Boat Eco Tours West Coast, New Zealand
Explore Okarito LagoonWe invite you to visit Okarito on one of our boat tours and experience the magic of this small village with the big landscapes - and New Zealand's largest unmodified wetlands - over 3000 hectares, only a 25-minute drive from Franz Josef Glacier.
Yes! there are white herons here year round, as well as royal spoonbills - plenty of birdlife and so much more to see! The surrounding landscape is simply stunning - on a clear day we'll see Mount Cook and Tasman, Franz Josef Glacier - an amazing backdrop to the ancient kahikatea forest and wetland rushes in the foreground. Plenty of opportunity for photos of birds and landscapes.
We'll show you as much as we can on our popular 2-hour EcoTour via the Explorer Douglas - this flat bottomed open air boat was custom built for the lagoon - we cruise along at slow speeds and often drift alongside feeding white herons, godwits, oystercatchers and dotterels. |
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We are a partner team - Swade and Paula - and we'll tell you the stories of past and present that intertwine the history of this place with life in Okarito today. Through the waterways that make up the West Coast - from gold seekers of the 1860's to flax milling and timber harvesting to the conservation work being undertaken today. We are so fortunate to call this magnificent place home - literally untouched by time. We hope you'll take the step off the beaten path to visit Okarito.
There's more!
For the keen photographers out there! We now have private morning charters available - please contact us for rates and information (from $495 for up to 5 people and larger groups can be accommodated). Yes! we can also arrange group or private photography workshops in Okarito. Check out our Photography Workshops page for more information.
Eco-Heritage Tours for groups - this has become quite a popular option - bring your group of 8 or more to Okarito and we can offer you an all encompassing morning - delving into the fascinating and colourful past of Okarito. This 4 hour tour includes a full plated lunch and a private tour of Donovan's Store - formerly the Club Hotel - a Class 1 Historic Places Trust Building in the midst of Okarito.
Where to stay in Okarito? We have teamed up with friends and colleagues to bring new experiences and opportunities to our guests. We now have two options for you here in beautiful Okarito!
Choose from Summit Lodge where you will have two private en-suite rooms, spacious lounge with woodburner and kitchen. Centrally located by off the main village road it is an ideal spot to listen for birds by both day and night and very comfortable for a longer stay.
Online booking is available for a tiny but fully self- contained option with the lovely quaint and quirky "Royal Hutel" - perfect for a couple with a comfy king size bed, ensuite and private deck. Both options are completely separate but near to each other so could also be hired together for a group of up to 6 or 7 people. We are just about 25 minutes to Franz Josef and 45 minutes to Fox Glacier - so there is a lot to see and do!
Whatever your interest, we think you are going to love Okarito!
Email us directly at okaritoboattours@gmail.com for more information on best times.
There's more!
For the keen photographers out there! We now have private morning charters available - please contact us for rates and information (from $495 for up to 5 people and larger groups can be accommodated). Yes! we can also arrange group or private photography workshops in Okarito. Check out our Photography Workshops page for more information.
Eco-Heritage Tours for groups - this has become quite a popular option - bring your group of 8 or more to Okarito and we can offer you an all encompassing morning - delving into the fascinating and colourful past of Okarito. This 4 hour tour includes a full plated lunch and a private tour of Donovan's Store - formerly the Club Hotel - a Class 1 Historic Places Trust Building in the midst of Okarito.
Where to stay in Okarito? We have teamed up with friends and colleagues to bring new experiences and opportunities to our guests. We now have two options for you here in beautiful Okarito!
Choose from Summit Lodge where you will have two private en-suite rooms, spacious lounge with woodburner and kitchen. Centrally located by off the main village road it is an ideal spot to listen for birds by both day and night and very comfortable for a longer stay.
Online booking is available for a tiny but fully self- contained option with the lovely quaint and quirky "Royal Hutel" - perfect for a couple with a comfy king size bed, ensuite and private deck. Both options are completely separate but near to each other so could also be hired together for a group of up to 6 or 7 people. We are just about 25 minutes to Franz Josef and 45 minutes to Fox Glacier - so there is a lot to see and do!
Whatever your interest, we think you are going to love Okarito!
Email us directly at okaritoboattours@gmail.com for more information on best times.
Covid-19 update - we adhere to all current advice by the Ministry of Health and are covid clean certified.
We are looking forward to showing you this special place in NZ. We are following all updates and advice issued by the Ministry of Health. Currently there are no restrictions - you are welcome to wear a mask if you like at any time, but they are not required on the open air boat. We have hand sanitizer available in our office - please help yourself. We do ask if you are unwell, or suspect you have covid, to reconsider coming on the tour for the well-being of all onboard - thank you. For more information on Covid updates and information please visit the Ministry of Health's Covid page.
All our staff are fully vaccinated.
All our staff are fully vaccinated.
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WHERE WE ARE
Okarito Office: 31 Wharf Street, Okarito 25 km north of Franz Josef, West Coast, South Island New Zealand 7856 CONTACT US Phone +64 (3) 753 4223 Email okaritoboattours@gmail.com |
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