Here, amidst the lush native forest of towering rimu and totara, visitors can experience nature at its finest. About 35km from the Tauranga Harbour entrance, Tūhua (Mayor Island) is a collapsed volcano on the edge of the continental shelf. The resulting atmosphere is a dive destination, with a mixture of shallow reef and deep-water environments.

We take along a maximum of 12 good people at a time, who can move into 5 cabins with ensuite bathrooms whilst M.V. Flightless is home.All meals and hot drinks are supplied and we’re happy to cater to any dietary requirements. So the only things to bring are some clothes (we do have a washing machine and dryer on board), any treats or alcohol you may want to indulge in and of course a sense of adventure. Stewart Island is a sanctuary for New Zealand’s native birdlife and the only place in the country where you can spot the iconic kiwi in its natural habitat. Stewart Island/Rakiura community board chairman Jon Spraggon said since the Covid-19 lockdown, almost all businesses had shut, excluding a handful of essential services.

Local tour operator Chaddy’s Charters (chaddyscharters.co.nz) takes visitors out to explore the islands, including the northernmost colony of fur seals. In everything they do, they make an effort to minimise their impact, including through organising regular community beach clean-ups. These typically take place on Saturdays and Sundays, with visitors welcome to join. One of the tour operators that visit the island and its waters (along with exploring the new Motiti Protection Area) is Dolphin Seafaris (nzdolphin.com). Welcome to Stewart Island, a breathtaking sanctuary located at New Zealand’s southern tip, where rugged coastlines, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife converge to create an unparalleled destination. Known as New Zealand’s hidden gem, Stewart Island offers a unique blend of adventure, tranquillity, and cultural heritage that captivates nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.

“We started a brand new business six months before Covid but we managed to hibernate pretty well,” he says. “We are having a really good season,” Peckham says, and as a small business, it has potential for growth. “The other thing that has happened is because the weather in the North Island has been terrible this summer people have been jumping on planes and coming south because we’ve had very good weather,” says Joy. “It’s not like the community board has a magic bucket of cash to suddenly build a whole lot of houses.

Discover the magic of Stewart Island—an uncharted paradise that promises unforgettable moments and inspiring adventures at every corner. Rakiura Charters and Water Taxis owner Matt Atkins said his business had only been running partially to assist essential services. She expects her Milford business to get busier once the “tour bus market kicks back in” when the Chinese start travelling again.

Explore Stewart Island: New Zealand’s Untamed Wilderness

To get to the submerged reef, you’ll need a boat, with operators such as the family-owned Beachcomber Water Taxis (beachcombercruises.co.nz) offering private charters for scuba divers keen to investigate the reef systems. Te Anau-based Trips and Tramps owner Kate Norris says turnover at her guided-walk business is “massively up” on pre-pandemic levels. There is no schedule or set itinerary as every charter is as different as the people on board. M.V. Flightless is based in the coastal waters of Fiordland and Stewart Island beyond the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The quaint township of Te Anau (Fiordland) or Bluff (Stewart Island) is where it all starts. With over 245 km of walking tracks accessible from Halfmoon Bay—including the famous Rakiura Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks—Stewart Island is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

New Zealand Sealions

Fiordland may be one of the country’s most Casino games New Zealand difficult-to-access corners, but it’s also one of the most-visited, which means it’s even more susceptible to the dangers of over-tourism. That’s part of the reason why seeking out sustainable tour operators is critical. Local legend Rosco — who runs Milford Kayaks — is leading the way with his “Green with Envy” package. But while marine reserves are sustainable by their very nature, they don’t operate in a silo. They also need to have the support of local communities — including tour operators — to be successful. Done right, a visit to one of these marine sanctuaries will grant insight into the life below and even serve to inspire a new generation of ocean advocates.

• All prices include crew, catering (exclusive of alcohol), bedding and the use of all recreational equipment onboard.
• However, with present growth partly driven by pent-up demand, she doesn’t know whether it will be sustainable long term.
• Staff shortages remain a problem and some tourism operators are worried cyclone disruption will deter visitors.
• South Sea Hotel owner Helen Cave said her 60-bed complex had had no income for nearly two months.

In addition to partnering with DoC and other government stakeholders on key issues, every year they take 12,000 visitors to the islands on world-class diving trips. Arguably the country’s top dive location, the 1900 hectare Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve was protected in 1981, after being identified for its unusually high numbers of endemic and tropical fish. Among the underwater arches and caves, today you’ll find snapper in greater abundance and size than in non-reserve areas, and more species diversity than in the nearby Bay of Islands. Ulva Island is predator-free, allowing native bird populations to thrive, making it one of New Zealand’s most unique wildlife experiences.

An ancient river valley (or “ria”) that’s been submerged, the 1075ha marine reserve is an important nursery for 50 species of fish and home to brachiopods, penguins, sharks and octopus. The ancient remains of an enormous volcano even older than Maunga Taranaki, the Sugar Loaf Islands are a semi-sheltered marine environment boasting 89 species of fish and at least 19 species of sea birds. But this is just a small part of the larger protected marine area — it adjoins with the 1404-hectare Tapuae Marine Reserve. If scuba diving is more your speed, take a tour with Dive Zone Whitianga (divezonewhitianga.co.nz). In addition to working with local school groups, the tour operator is committed to preserving this incredible environment with its regular seafloor and roadside clean-ups.

“Whether that is because tourist numbers are up or because there are fewer of us to provide a service … I think it’s a combination,” says Holmes. However, with present growth partly driven by pent-up demand, she doesn’t know whether it will be sustainable long term. We offer guided snorkeling tours through the coastal kelp forests of Rakiura, Stewart Island. Summer (December to February) offers the best weather, while autumn and spring provide fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. Yes, there are various accommodation options on Stewart Island, ranging from hostels and motels to holiday homes and bed & breakfasts, primarily around Oban.