Terms & Conditions |
Fitness and walking ability
For Ulva Island sufficient mobility is required to navigate wharf stairs and transfer from wharf to boat (height equivalent floor to seat of a chair) for boarding and disembarking the water taxi. Ulva Island has 4.5km of gravel walking tracks - there are several intermittent sets of sturdy steps, many without hand-rails, walking trails are undulating with one (optional) steep/short climb up to Flagstaff Point. Walking pace is dictated entirely by the activity of birds crossing the tracks and discoveries in the bush edges and forested canopy. Walking time is at least 3 hours.
For kiwi spotting at Mamaku Point a good level of fitness and agility is essential. This tour takes place in the dark as we traverse ancient podocarp forest and climb the hilly grassland of Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve in search of Stewart Island Brown Kiwi (Tokoeka). Conditions may include wet/muddy tracks and sandy beach. Walking time can be 2 hours. This tour is not suitable for those with walking difficulties, visual or hearing impairment, or children.
For Ulva Island sufficient mobility is required to navigate wharf stairs and transfer from wharf to boat (height equivalent floor to seat of a chair) for boarding and disembarking the water taxi. Ulva Island has 4.5km of gravel walking tracks - there are several intermittent sets of sturdy steps, many without hand-rails, walking trails are undulating with one (optional) steep/short climb up to Flagstaff Point. Walking pace is dictated entirely by the activity of birds crossing the tracks and discoveries in the bush edges and forested canopy. Walking time is at least 3 hours.
For kiwi spotting at Mamaku Point a good level of fitness and agility is essential. This tour takes place in the dark as we traverse ancient podocarp forest and climb the hilly grassland of Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve in search of Stewart Island Brown Kiwi (Tokoeka). Conditions may include wet/muddy tracks and sandy beach. Walking time can be 2 hours. This tour is not suitable for those with walking difficulties, visual or hearing impairment, or children.
- Prior booking is essential for all tours.
- Online booking and secure credit card payment is available by clicking on the "BOOK NOW" buttons on our web pages, however this does incur a booking fee which we have no control over. If the tour you require departs within the next 72 hours, online booking will close the tour off but places may still be available - please phone us to enquire.
- Email booking requests can be sent to info@ulva.co.nz and should include your name, contact details, number of people in your party, the tour name and date you'd like to book for, and the length of your visit to Stewart Island.
- Payment is required in full at least one month prior to tour date. In some instances we may be able to invoice customers who wish to pay by direct bank transfer. Otherwise, we accept most credit cards (except American Express). We suggest you phone us to advise card details - emailing card information is not recommended, however if you choose this method you do so at your own risk.
- Tour confirmation - unless you receive a personal email from us please do not assume that your booking has been secured.
- Re confirm your booking with us by phone, text or WhatsApp message 027 688 1332 ON ARRIVAL TO STEWART ISLAND. Sometimes tour details change at short notice.
- Group size stated for each tour is what we strive for and may not always be possible.
- Minimum numbers are required for all tours. Occasionally we run a tour for less people than our minimum number stated as well as taking more people than our preferred maximum.
- Private tours offer flexibility if groups aren't your thing.
- Large groups, tour groups, families, company outings - we offer competitive rates, please contact us for details.
- Child rates apply up to and including age 12. Teen rates for 13-17 year olds are available for some tours. We may be able to offer family discounts, please contact us.
- Parents should consider the duration of our tours and suitability for younger family members. Other fare paying adults may be in the group and tours cannot be prematurely ended if children get tired.
- Weather and sea conditions may affect tour operations.
- Wildlife is exactly that - wild! It may or may not choose to be seen by us, we make no guarantees.
- Meals and accommodation are not provided with any of our tours unless specified in your itinerary.
- Rate seasons are 1st October of current year to 30th September the following year.
- Discount codes may be used once only and for up to 6 people in one booking. Discounts may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
- Ulva's Guided Walks reserve the right to amend or cancel any tour.