Exploring Lake Wānaka by Boat
Lake Wānaka, located in the Otago region of the South Island, is a stunning destination for water activities. One of the most captivating experiences here is taking a boat trip on the lake, especially when the water is calm enough to create reflections of the mountains, hills, islands, and sky! While you can hire a water taxi to reach some of the lake's more secluded spots, having your own boat or access to one is ideal for exploring at your leisure. A boat is also great for fishing on the lake.
Discover Mou Waho Island
A highlight of any boat trip on Lake Wānaka is a visit to Mou Waho Island. Situated about a third of the way up the lake, this enchanting island is known for its unique feature: a lake, known as Arethusa Pool, within a lake. Mou Waho is also a sanctuary for native birdlife, where you can get up close with koirmako and weka.
To capture the best reflection photos of the, plan your visit on a calm day when the water is still. Arethusa Pool is also a perfect swimming spot.
Visit a Remote Beach at Minaret Burn
There are many places along he lake where you can land a boat for a remote beach and swim. Good spots tend to be where streams flow into the lake, depositing sand and gravel to create beaches. A good example is Minaret Burn on the west side of the lake, north of Mou Waho. You can park on either side of the stream and take a walk on the Minaret Burn Mouth Track, climbing up to 300 metres above the lake for amazing views.
Go Fishing
Lake Wānaka has excellent fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, and landlocked chinook salmon, with trolling by boat the most popular method, often using lead-core lines to reach deeper fish. You need a Freshwater Fishing Licence from Fish & Game NZ. If you have no experience, consider going on a guided fishing trip.
How to Get There
To get a boat into the lake, there are boat ramps at the marina in Roys Bay in the town and at Eely Point.
