Bird Tours
The Ōkārito forest has the only wild population of the endangered Ōkārito Brown Kiwi/Rowi and the lagoon is home and only nesting sanctuary to the Kōtuku/NZ White Heron. Though the Kōtuku fly, feed and wade in the local village, their nesting site is at the very top of the lagoon. Access to this area is by permit only and tours are available from Whataroa. All Ōkārito Rowi are protected and monitored.
Ōkārito Lagoon
Ōkārito Eco Boat Tours
Ōkārito Eco Boat Tours is a local business with partner team Swade and Paula. They offer slow speed exploration of the lagoon on a custom made flat bottomed open-air boat- the Explorer Douglas. While you drift alongside the local birdlife and watch them feed in the shallow waters of the lagoon, Paula and Swade will tell you stories of past and present and intertwine the history of this place with life in Ōkārito today. As well as the two hour Eco Tour they also offer private morning charters for keen photographers and Eco-Heritage Tours for groups of 8 or more. This trip is a 4 hour tour which includes a full plated lunch and a private tour of Ōkārito’s Donovan’s Store – the oldest wooden building on the West Coast.
Book a tour online or make contact directly – this trip is a fabulous way to explore the lagoon in a relaxed and informative way.
Phone +64 (03) 753 4223
Text +64 (021) 049 8522
okaritoboattours@gmail.com
www.okaritoboattours.co.nz
Ōkārito Forest
Ōkārito Kiwi Tours
A unique guided night walk through Ōkārito Forest to quietly observe the Ōkārito Brown Kiwi/ Rowi in its natural habitat. Walks depart one hour before sunset. This is a weather dependent activity and happens in the months from October through to March.
Contact Ian to make an inquiry:
Gallery not found.Whataroa (20 mins north of Ōkārito)
White Heron Sanctuary Tours
Visit NZ’s only White Heron/Kōtuku nesting site
White Heron Sanctuary Tours is a family run business in Whataroa. A short mini-bus ride and walk will take you to this unique nesting site in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve. Nesting season is from September through to February. Contact Dion and Adele for more information.
Phone +64 (03) 753 4120
Book a cabin
To make a booking, please contact stay@tewawhakataa.co.nz