Ferries in NZ beyond Cook Strait: Waiheke, Stewart Island and more

Cook Strait gets all the attention, but it is far from the only ferry you might use in New Zealand. Auckland has a whole harbour network, Waiheke and Great Barrier are island trips in their own right, Stewart Island is reached by boat across Foveaux Strait, and in the Bay of Islands a ferry is the quickest way between Paihia and Russell.

This guide covers the ferries visitors use most, with fares, crossing times and booking tips. Prices are in NZD, adult and as at November 2026, from Auckland Transport (AT) and the operators’ own sites.

Quick answer

Cook Strait

The big one. Interislander and Bluebridge both sail between Wellington and Picton in about three and a half hours, through the Marlborough Sounds. The choice usually comes down to your rental car policy, the terminal location and the sailing times that suit you. Our Interislander vs Bluebridge guide compares the two in detail, so we will not repeat it here.

Auckland harbour ferries

Auckland’s harbour ferries leave from the Downtown Ferry Terminal on Quay Street, a short walk from Waitematā (Britomart) station. AT groups the fares by distance. Adult fares from 1 February 2026:

On many of these routes AT applies a $20 daily cap for contactless payments and a $50 seven-day cap for AT HOP users, so a busy day of hopping around the harbour has a ceiling. Caps do not apply on every route, so check AT’s ferry fares page for the one you are taking.

Devonport is the easy one: a village of old villas, cafés and two volcanic cones, Takarunga/Mt Victoria and Maungauika/North Head, with views back to the city.

Rangitoto, the young volcano in the middle of the harbour, is a different case. The Fullers360 ferry takes about 25 minutes, costs $63 adult return, and booking is essential because there are only a few sailings a day and tickets are valid only for the sailing you booked. Our things to do in Auckland guide covers the summit walk.

Insider tip: for a cheap harbour cruise, tap on to the Devonport ferry with a contactless card or HOP card. You get the same views of the Sky Tower and the Harbour Bridge as a sightseeing boat, for the price of an inner harbour fare each way.

Waiheke

Two companies run passenger ferries between downtown Auckland and Matiatia on Waiheke, and SeaLink carries vehicles.

Fullers360

• From: Piers 11 and 12, Downtown Ferry Terminal.
• Time: about 40 to 45 minutes. Some sailings stop at Devonport and take about 10 minutes longer.
• Fares (adult return): Standard walk-up from $65, Priority $75 (book a time and board first), Reserve $104 (a separate dedicated ferry).
• Frequency: up to 22 sailings on peak days. Weekday sailings run from 6 am to 11.45 pm, and weekends and public holidays from 7 am.
• Paying: AT says HOP cards are accepted but contactless is not.

Island Direct

• From: Pier 13, Downtown Ferry Terminal, to Matiatia Pier 3.
• Time: 40 to 45 minutes.
• Fares: $32 one way or $64 return for adults, $13.50 one way for children aged 5 to 15.
• Timetable: from Auckland at 7.15 am, then every two hours or so until 10.15 pm (no 10.15 pm sailing on Sundays and public holidays).
• Booking: book online at no extra cost, or walk up and tag on with a HOP card or contactless. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund.

SeaLink car ferry

SeaLink carries vehicles to Waiheke from Half Moon Bay in East Auckland and from Hamer Street in the city. It recommends booking ahead if you are travelling with a vehicle, and asks drivers to check in 30 minutes before departure (walk-on passengers 20 minutes). Fares depend on the vehicle and sailing, so check when you book. Most day-trippers do not need a car: our Waiheke day trip guide covers buses, bikes and tours.

Great Barrier Island (Aotea)

SeaLink’s Island Navigator catamaran sails from Auckland City to Tryphena on Great Barrier Island in 4.5 to 5 hours, with a café and bar on board. SeaLink says to keep an eye out for dolphins, penguins and whales on the way. Vehicle and driver check-in is 60 minutes before departure. SeaLink’s summer schedule had not been released when we checked, so look at its schedule tool and book early for summer.

Stewart Island

Rakiura Stewart Island sits across Foveaux Strait from Bluff, at the southern tip of the South Island. You cannot drive there, so the ferry or a light plane is the only way across.

• Operator: RealNZ runs the passenger ferry from Bluff to Oban in Halfmoon Bay, the island’s only town.
• Time: about 1 hour on purpose-built catamarans.
• Fare: from $139. RealNZ advertises a saving on return journeys, and combination tours that include the return ferry.
• Vehicles: not carried. Park in Bluff (at extra cost) and hire a car, van or e-bike in Oban, join a tour or walk.
• Getting to Bluff: about 30 km south of Invercargill. RealNZ sells coach connections from Invercargill timed to the sailings.
• Flying instead: flights also run from Invercargill to Ryan’s Creek Aerodrome on the island.

RealNZ says around 85% of the island is national park, and Rakiura tokoeka (Stewart Island brown kiwi) live in the wild here, which is why so many people make the trip.

Bay of Islands ferries

Paihia to Russell (passengers)

The passenger ferry between Paihia and Russell takes 15 minutes. Fares, as at November 2026:

• Adult: $19.40 return
• Child (5 to 14): $10.80 return
• Family (2 adults, 3 children): $42.80 return
• Bicycle: $5.90 one way

Buy tickets at the ferry by cash, EFTPOS or credit card. Drop-offs at Waitangi are available on request on the 10 am and 3 pm sailings from Russell.

Opua to Okiato (vehicles)

The vehicle ferry saves the long drive round to Russell. It shuttles across in about 10 minutes, roughly every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes early morning and late evening. The first ferry leaves Opua at 6.10 am and the last at 10 pm. Fares are one way and passengers in the vehicle travel free:

Northland Ferries warns that low cars and long vehicles can scrape on the ramp at low tide, and suggests travelling within two hours either side of high tide in a large vehicle. Opua is about 7 minutes’ drive from Paihia, and Okiato about 10 minutes from Russell. Our Bay of Islands guide covers what to do once you are there.

Booking tips

1. Get an AT HOP card or use contactless in Auckland. Cash fares are much higher, and contactless is not accepted on the Fullers360 Waiheke ferry.
2. Book where a sailing can sell out: Rangitoto, Stewart Island, Great Barrier and any vehicle crossing.
3. Check in on time. SeaLink wants vehicles 30 to 60 minutes before departure, depending on the route.
4. Watch the weather. Foveaux Strait and the outer Hauraki Gulf are exposed, and sailings can be cancelled in rough seas.
5. Plan the last boat back. Island Direct’s last sailing from Waiheke is 11.15 pm on most days, and on Rangitoto you must catch the return sailing on your ticket.