THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Cruise Paterson Inlet, visit historic Prices Inlet and take a guided 45‑minute walk through predator‑free Ulva Island. Expect close bird encounters, seal sightings, and a short, easy shore walk with strong conservation focus.
Cruise Paterson Inlet, visit historic Prices Inlet and take a guided 45‑minute walk through predator‑free Ulva Island. Expect close bird encounters, seal sightings, and a short, easy shore walk with strong conservation focus.
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Operated by RealNZ · Oban, Southland
The ferry slips from Stewart Island into Paterson Inlet and the shoreline breathes — white sand coves and bronze headlands fold into the slow pulse of the sea. Onboard, the guide points out a rookery of New Zealand fur seals basking on rocks while you round Prices Inlet; gulls and terns wheel like punctuation marks in the sky. The boat eases into a protected bay and the real reward waits ashore: a 45‑minute walking tour through Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary, where ancient rata and kahikatea trees throw deep shade and the birds move through the understory with confident curiosity.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; short, mostly flat boardwalks and beaches with minimal elevation change.
The guided walk is about 45 minutes on mostly flat, well‑maintained boardwalks and trails suitable for all ages.
Ulva Island has basic toilet facilities near the landing but no food service — bring water and snacks if needed.
Yes; the tour is family‑friendly. Infants must sit on laps during the cruise and parents should supervise children on board and on trails.
Expect to see New Zealand fur seals, various seabirds from the boat, and forest birds such as tui, bellbird and the curious South Island robin on Ulva Island.
Paterson Inlet sheltered early Māori settlements and later 19th‑century whalers; vestiges of those eras remain along the shoreline near Prices Inlet.
Ulva Island is predator‑free, restored through intensive trapping and eradication programs; visitors are asked to clean footwear and gear to prevent pest reintroduction.
RealNZ operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with RealNZ
Book directly with RealNZ for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now