Top South Island Tours & Sightseeing

Q: What are the best options for South Island Tours & Sightseeing?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best South Island Tours & Sightseeing are: Dunedin City Highlights, Otago Peninsula Scenery & Albatross Guided Tour Kaikoura Helicopters Classic Whale Watch Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel Punakaiki Blow Holes & Pancake Rocks Scenic Tour Milford Sound Business Class from Queenstown & Gourmet Cruise

Q: What are the best kid-friendly options for South Island Tours & Sightseeing Tours?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best kid-friendly South Island Tours & Sightseeing are: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram View all kid-friendly Tours →

Q: Which South Island Tours & Sightseeing have Instant Confirmation?

South Island Tours & Sightseeing with Instant Confirmation include: Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri View all Tours with Instant Confirmation →

Q: Got any more South Island trip ideas?

We sure do. Check out our curated lists of hand-picked South Island Tours. Top 10 South Island 2026 Senior-friendly tours South Island The best tours and activities for culture lovers in South Island Top Day Trips from South Island Things to do in South Island this summer View all South Island Trip Ideas →

Q: What are the most popular styles of Tours and Activities in South Island?

Based on our sales data over the past year, the most popular styles of tours and activities in South Island are: South Island Luxury & Special Occasions South Island Luxury Tours South Island Outdoor Activities South Island Tours & Sightseeing South Island Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours View all tour styles in South Island →

Dunedin City Highlights, Otago Peninsula Scenery & Albatross Guided Tour

With this tour, you will enjoy a small-group experience with personalised attention while discovering the beauty of Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula. You’ll also …More

Port Chalmers, New Zealand

4.9 (52)

Dunedin City Highlights, Otago Peninsula Scenery & Albatross Guided Tour

With this tour, you will enjoy a small-group experience with personalised attention while discovering the beauty of Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula. You’ll also...

6 hours Free Cancellation

4.9 (52)

from
$190

Kaikoura Helicopters Classic Whale Watch

Kaikoura Helicopter Whale Watching – The Ultimate Shore Excursion Take your Kaikoura visit to new heights with our unforgettable helicopter whale watching experience. Soar over …More

Kaikoura, New Zealand

4.9 (46)

Kaikoura Helicopters Classic Whale Watch

Kaikoura Helicopter Whale Watching – The Ultimate Shore Excursion Take your Kaikoura visit to new heights with our unforgettable helicopter whale watching experience. Soar over...

30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.9 (46)

from
$238

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel

Taking only 22 passengers a night, the Fiordland Jewel features nine climate-controlled cabins each with their own ensuite and sea views. Includes: overnight accommodation cabin …More

Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

4.9 (131)

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel

Taking only 22 passengers a night, the Fiordland Jewel features nine climate-controlled cabins each with their own ensuite and sea views. Includes: overnight accommodation cabin...

17 hours 30 minutes

4.9 (131)

from
$833

Punakaiki Blow Holes & Pancake Rocks Scenic Tour

Tour with our local knowledgeable guides to one of the World's Top 10 Coastal Scenic drives and visit the famous Punakaiki Blow Holes and Pancake …More

Greymouth, New Zealand

4.9 (67)

Punakaiki Blow Holes & Pancake Rocks Scenic Tour

Tour with our local knowledgeable guides to one of the World's Top 10 Coastal Scenic drives and visit the famous Punakaiki Blow Holes and Pancake...

3 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (67)

from
$102

Milford Sound Business Class from Queenstown & Gourmet Cruise

Milford Business Class offers a truly unique, luxurious experience that sets it apart from other Milford Sound tours. With a small group size of just …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.9 (79)

Milford Sound Business Class from Queenstown & Gourmet Cruise

Milford Business Class offers a truly unique, luxurious experience that sets it apart from other Milford Sound tours. With a small group size of just...

12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (79)

from
$397

Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton

Depart Picton at 9:00am and cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound to historic Ship Cove. Along the way enjoy the sights and scenery and keep …More

Picton, New Zealand

4.5 (148)

Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton

Depart Picton at 9:00am and cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound to historic Ship Cove. Along the way enjoy the sights and scenery and keep...

3 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.5 (148)

from
$68

The Wine tour with Maori Culture Queenstown is the only wine tour in Queenstown that connects Maori culture with the local wines and land where …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (92)

Wine Tour & Maori Culture Queenstown

The Wine tour with Maori Culture Queenstown is the only wine tour in Queenstown that connects Maori culture with the local wines and land where...

5 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (92)

from
$183

Private 5.5 hour Wine Tour Queenstown : 4 Winery Visits & Lunch

Taste award-winning wines at four of the region’s premium boutique vineyards. This exclusive tour ventures through three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Cromwell and the Bannockburn …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (44)

Private 5.5 hour Wine Tour Queenstown : 4 Winery Visits & Lunch

Taste award-winning wines at four of the region’s premium boutique vineyards. This exclusive tour ventures through three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Cromwell and the Bannockburn...

5 to 6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (44)

from
$277

Sit back and relax aboard a helicopter over Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand’s newest city—a place where resilience meets regeneration. Years after the earthquakes, Christchurch thrives …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.9 (20)

Christchurch Scenic Helicopter Tour

Sit back and relax aboard a helicopter over Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand’s newest city—a place where resilience meets regeneration. Years after the earthquakes, Christchurch thrives...

20 minutes Free Cancellation

4.9 (20)

from
$199

Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike

The Tasman Glacier is Aotearoa New Zealand's longest glacier measuring at 27km long and as wide as 4km in places, so this is an experience …More

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), New Zealand

4.7 (41)

Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike

The Tasman Glacier is Aotearoa New Zealand's longest glacier measuring at 27km long and as wide as 4km in places, so this is an experience...

3 hours Free Cancellation

4.7 (41)

from
$579

Arthur's Pass National Park Day Tour with TranzAlpine Train

Experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic alpine journeys combining scenic rail travel with a guided exploration of Arthur’s Pass National Park. Travel from Christchurch …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.7 (220)

Arthur's Pass National Park Day Tour with TranzAlpine Train

Experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic alpine journeys combining scenic rail travel with a guided exploration of Arthur’s Pass National Park. Travel from Christchurch...

9 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered

4.7 (220)

from
$285

Queenstown: The Grand Circle Scenic Helicopter Flight

Explore the stunning diversity of Queenstown. From the majestic canyons of the Shotover River to the ski slopes of Coronet Peak, the delightful rural retreats, …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (37)

Queenstown: The Grand Circle Scenic Helicopter Flight

Explore the stunning diversity of Queenstown. From the majestic canyons of the Shotover River to the ski slopes of Coronet Peak, the delightful rural retreats,...

35 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (37)

from
$288

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

Combine the International Antarctic Centre with its little Blue Penguins, Antarctic Storm in the Ice and Snow room, 4-D Movie and Hagglund ride over a …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.8 (212)

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

Combine the International Antarctic Centre with its little Blue Penguins, Antarctic Storm in the Ice and Snow room, 4-D Movie and Hagglund ride over a...

6 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.8 (212)

from
$111

Queenstown: Half-Day Private Sightseeing & Photography Tour

This is your chance to photograph one of the most spectacular and majestic places on Earth; Queenstown and the Southern Lakes. This Half-Day Private Photography …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (17)

Queenstown: Half-Day Private Sightseeing & Photography Tour

This is your chance to photograph one of the most spectacular and majestic places on Earth; Queenstown and the Southern Lakes. This Half-Day Private Photography...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (17)

from
$141

Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka

The original since 1975 and still the best! Four hours of unique New Zealand wilderness adventure in the vast Mount Aspiring National Park. Experience a true …More

Wanaka, New Zealand

5.0 (26)

Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka

The original since 1975 and still the best! Four hours of unique New Zealand wilderness adventure in the vast Mount Aspiring National Park. Experience a true...

4 to 5 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (26)

from
$363

Queenstown Afternoon Gin, Wine & Beer Tour | NZ Local Guide

Go Beyond the Traditional Queenstown Wine Tour Escape Queenstown for an afternoon combining Central Otago wine, New Zealand craft gin and locally brewed beer, with …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.9 (21)

Queenstown Afternoon Gin, Wine & Beer Tour | NZ Local Guide

Go Beyond the Traditional Queenstown Wine Tour Escape Queenstown for an afternoon combining Central Otago wine, New Zealand craft gin and locally brewed beer, with...

3 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.9 (21)

from
$130

Scenic Guided eBike Tour Ride to the Lake

This tour is a beautiful way to see and learn about our amazing countryside. It is also perfect for a beginner starting out on their …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (76)

Scenic Guided eBike Tour Ride to the Lake

This tour is a beautiful way to see and learn about our amazing countryside. It is also perfect for a beginner starting out on their...

3 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (76)

from
$128

Travel in Style and comfort onboard our luxury small group vehicle, hear our amazing themed stories and be taken to a different time and place …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.6 (74)

Glenorchy Kiwi Special Tour

Travel in Style and comfort onboard our luxury small group vehicle, hear our amazing themed stories and be taken to a different time and place...

4 hours 10 minutes Free Cancellation

4.6 (74)

from
$57

Queenstown: Private Skippers Canyon Photography & Sightseeing

Journey with us into wild and remote Skippers Canyon. We'll take you on a photographic adventure into some of New Zealand's most spectacular and majestic landscapes …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (18)

Queenstown: Private Skippers Canyon Photography & Sightseeing

Journey with us into wild and remote Skippers Canyon. We'll take you on a photographic adventure into some of New Zealand's most spectacular and majestic landscapes...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (18)

from
$141

Private Full-Day Godley Head Guided Coastal Hike with Picnic

Enjoy a premium guided coastal hike at spectacular Godley Head on Banks Peninsula, travelling by private SUV with your own experienced local guide. This full-day …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (39)

Private Full-Day Godley Head Guided Coastal Hike with Picnic

Enjoy a premium guided coastal hike at spectacular Godley Head on Banks Peninsula, travelling by private SUV with your own experienced local guide. This full-day...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (39)

from
$289

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers are based on answers previously given to Cool Shore Excursions customers' questions.

What are the best options for South Island Tours & Sightseeing?

What are the best kid-friendly options for South Island Tours & Sightseeing Tours?

Which South Island Tours & Sightseeing have Instant Confirmation?

Which South Island Tours & Sightseeing have Free Cancellation?

South Island Tours & Sightseeing with Free Cancellation (in most cases up to 24 hours in advance of your tour date, check the specific tour page) include:

View all Tours with Free Cancellation →

I need a ride! Which South Island Tours & Sightseeing have Hotel Pickup?

No problem. These South Island Tours & Sightseeing include Hotel Pickup:

View all Tours with Hotel Pickup →

Got any more South Island trip ideas?

What are the most popular styles of Tours and Activities in South Island?