ESCAPE
THE
ORDINARY.

ESCAPE
THE
ORDINARY.

Meet Your Hosts.

We’re Chris and Erica, your certified skippers. We offer a ‘uniquely New Zealand’ experience, join us on one of our guided tours of Lake Te Anau.

We have two vessels, providing personally crafted adventures that are sure to give you an experience you will never forget. Whether you’re after a relaxing cruise or something a bit quicker we’ve got you covered.

We’ve both been on the water most of our lives, previously owning and operating Southern Express in Taranaki which serviced the oil and gas fields. Chris has worked all over the globe on a range of different vessels,
while Erica grew up in Auckland spending all her free time out on the Hauraki Gulf.

After 10 years on the Taranaki coastline we made the move to Te Anau to be closer to family and showcase this remarkable part of New Zealand.

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what we do.

Discovery Cruise

2 Hours

Discover the beauty of Lake Te Anau on a two hour discovery cruise. Explore the stunning South Fiord with an intimate group of up to 6 passengers.

Cruise &
Fly

3 Hours

Experience Te Anau from above and below the canopy, fly over Lake Manapouri and other hidden gems along the way.

Flyby Explore

1 Hour

Short on time? Join either Chris or Erica for a quick expedition to South Fiord. Discover ancient beech forests, and breathtaking lake views.

Waterfall Adventure

3 Hours

An extraordinary three hour guided expedition that will transport you deep into the heart of New Zealand’s most breathtaking wilderness.

Non Scheduled Charters

Discover New Zealand’s hidden wonders with our personalised adventures! We craft unforgettable experiences on either vessel for corporate teams, families, and friends.

Self-Drive Boat Hire

Want the freedom to explore at your own pace without buying your own boat? MATAI gives you that freedom with the reliability you need for serious fishing, hunting, and adventure.

check out

What we do.

Discovery Cruise

2 Hours

Discover the beauty of Lake Te Anau on a two hour discovery cruise. Explore the stunning South Fiord with an intimate group of up to 6 passengers.

Cruise & Fly

3 Hours

Experience Te Anau from above and below the canopy, fly over Lake
Manapouri and other hidden gems along the way.

Flyby Explore

1 Hour

Short on time? Join either Chris or Erica for a quick expedition to South
Fiord. Discover ancient beech forests, and breathtaking lake views.

Waterfall Adventure

3 Hours

An extraordinary three hour guided expedition that will transport you
deep into the heart of New Zealand’s most breathtaking wilderness.

Non Scheduled Charters

Discover New Zealand’s hidden wonders with our personalised
adventures! We craft unforgettable experiences on either vessel for
corporate teams, families, and friends.

What Our Guests Say

Hear From Our Happy Cruise-goers

Discover why our guests rave about their experiences with us on Lake Te Anau.

An absolutely amazing experience out on Lake Te Anau, made even more special by the wonderful Chris and Erica!! Such a fab experience with so many waterfalls, beaches and amazing views! Couldn’t recommend enough!

Silva Edridge| FEB 2026

The Waterfall Adventure is a lovely, beautiful and exciting trip down Lake Te Anau.
Erica was super friendly and knowledgeable and we shared some great laughs. The ride on the speedy boat ist fun and comfortable. Seeing the hidden waterfalls is a unique experience which I can only recommend! They take no more than 4 passengers and take great care that all is in sync with nature. Big Thank You!!

Alina Pilgram| MARCH 2026

This trip was amazing! Chris was our Skipper and he took us out on the Lake with heaps of knowledge about the whole area and fed us with stunning views and some chocolate treats. He took us to places you would usually never see and showed us so many hidden waterfalls and small beaches. All in all a great experience and besides the more popular and bigger tours as Milford and Doubtful Sound in this area, it was way more quiet and less crowded on the Lake. Big thanks from Vera & Moritz!

Moritz E| OCT 2025

If you are looking for a personalized adventure in the fiorlands then book with Chris and Erica, you will have an amazing one of a kind experience! We did the 3 hour waterfall trip and got to hear the history, ask all our questions, and trek to areas you can’t go without this outfit. #nzmemoriesmade

Jeanette Maxfield | JAN 2026

Start Your Adventure

Book Your Unforgettable Lake Te Anau Experience Today!

Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime. Reserve your spot with us now!

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