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The Top 10 South Island Tours and Activities 2026

South Island, New Zealand

The Cool Shore Excursions Top 10 South Island list brings together the best tours, activities, and things to do in the area. Each one has been traveler-tested by people like you and handpicked to deliver the most fun for the best prices in South Island.

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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

Rated one of the Top 10 Experiences in New Zealand. Join our boutique small boat cruise and experience Milford Sound the "local" way. We limit …More

Likely to Sell Out
1Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.
Likely to Sell Out

Rated one of the Top 10 Experiences in New Zealand. Join our boutique small boat cruise and experience Milford Sound the "local" way. We limit...

1 hour 45 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (3,164)
from
$107
Lowest price guaranteed
Free cancellation
Trusted since 2004
Seller of Travel ST39306
NZONE Skydive Queenstown

See Queenstown like never before as you take the ultimate leap of faith as you tandem skydive. Feel your adrenaline surge as you reach altitude …More

Likely to Sell Out
2Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.
Likely to Sell Out

See Queenstown like never before as you take the ultimate leap of faith as you tandem skydive. Feel your adrenaline surge as you reach altitude...

3 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (1,404)
from
$215
Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

Prepare yourself for the ultimate jet boating experience with Shotover Jet - the unique, breathtaking white water ride and adrenaline rush you’ll never forget! …More

Likely to Sell Out
3Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.
Likely to Sell Out

Prepare yourself for the ultimate jet boating experience with Shotover Jet - the unique, breathtaking white water ride and adrenaline rush you’ll never forget!...

25 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (2,828)
from
$116
Small-Group Zipline Adventure in Queenstown

Find out why Queenstown is New Zealand’s adrenaline capital with this zipline adventure! Launching from the Ziptrek Treehouse at the Skyline Gondola summit, you’ll zipline …More

Likely to Sell Out
4Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.
Likely to Sell Out

Find out why Queenstown is New Zealand’s adrenaline capital with this zipline adventure! Launching from the Ziptrek Treehouse at the Skyline Gondola summit, you’ll zipline...

2 hours Free Cancellation
4.9 (986)
from
$73
Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Otago Peninsula, New Zealand

See up to 200 blue penguins returning from sea in the evening! (Generally more penguins are seen over the spring/summer than our autumn or winter …More

5Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.

See up to 200 blue penguins returning from sea in the evening! (Generally more penguins are seen over the spring/summer than our autumn or winter...

1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation
5.0 (560)
from
$34
Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram

Welcome aboard the Christchurch Tram! Travel on our newly extended track & enjoy this unique and historic way to view the inner city. Drivers provide …More

6Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.

Welcome aboard the Christchurch Tram! Travel on our newly extended track & enjoy this unique and historic way to view the inner city. Drivers provide...

1 day Free Cancellation
4.6 (927)
from
$24
Milford Sound Flight and Cruise Tour from Queenstown

Take an Cool Shore Excursions award-winning scenic flight to Milford Sound, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Leave the queues behind and see it the …More

7Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.

Take an Cool Shore Excursions award-winning scenic flight to Milford Sound, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Leave the queues behind and see it the...

4 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (2,196)
from
$515
Milford Sound Glacier Flight & Cruise from Wanaka

Fly further and see more when you fly with us from Wanaka. Fly to Milford Sound through two of New Zealand’s most picturesque national parks. …More

8Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.

Fly further and see more when you fly with us from Wanaka. Fly to Milford Sound through two of New Zealand’s most picturesque national parks....

4 hours Free Cancellation
4.9 (78)
from
$494
Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Private Observatory

The ultimate stargazing experience. Enjoy maximum time under the stars whilst enhancing your knowledge of the Southern skies at our private observatory. Designed specifically with …More

Likely to Sell Out
9Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.
Likely to Sell Out

The ultimate stargazing experience. Enjoy maximum time under the stars whilst enhancing your knowledge of the Southern skies at our private observatory. Designed specifically with...

1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.4 (69)
from
$81
Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike

Discover the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty on this small-group 2 hour 30 minute Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Travel by helicopter to the Pinnacles …More

Likely to Sell Out
10Top 10 Tour Ranked using exclusive Cool Shore Excursions data that may include activity quality, traveler reviews, overall popularity, and availability.
Likely to Sell Out

Discover the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty on this small-group 2 hour 30 minute Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Travel by helicopter to the Pinnacles...

4 hours Free Cancellation
4.8 (589)
from
$524
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