Cross the Foveaux Strait on a comfortable express catamaran, enjoying stunning coastal views, fascinating history, and spot unique wildlife.
- Take a relaxing one-hour ferry journey to Stewart Island with coastal views, live commentary, and a warm cup of tea or coffee.
- Spot seabirds such as mollymawks (albatross) and titi (muttonbirds) soaring behind the ferry as you cruise.
- Learn about the region’s history and see key sights like Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, the Titi Islands, and Mount Anglem.
- Enjoy a smooth, scenic ride with complimentary tea and coffee on board, making for a relaxing start or end to your Stewart Island adventure.
- Did you know? Captain James Cook, who first charted the island in 1770, initially mistook Stewart Island for Banks Peninsula of the South Island.
- One-way ferry transfer to Stewart Island or Bluff (as per option selected)
- Live commentary
- Complimentary coffee or tea
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Cross the wild waters of Foveaux Strait on the Stewart Island Ferry. With stunning coastal views, a chance to spot diverse wildlife, and tidbits of local history, this ferry ride will give you a peek into Stewart Island’s remote beauty and maritime heritage.
Getting started
Check-in at the Stewart Island Experience Visitor Terminal at 21 Foreshore Road, Bluff, before boarding your express catamaran. Set sail from this coastal gateway for a scenic one-hour ferry ride across Foveaux Strait.
What to expect
Scenic ferry journey: Cross Foveaux Strait, the waterway separating Stewart Island from the South Island, aboard a fast and comfortable express catamaran.
Wildlife spotting & seabirds: Keep your eyes on the horizon for wildlife , from soaring mollymawks (a type of albatross) to other seabirds following the ferry.
Live commentary & iconic sights: Listen to onboard commentary about landmarks like Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, the Titi Islands, and Mount Anglem—Stewart Island’s highest peak.
Relax & enjoy a warm drink: Sip on a complimentary tea or coffee as you take in the views of Stewart Island’s rugged coastline and the Southern Ocean.
Wrapping up
Disembark at Oban, Stewart Island’s only town, where you can explore Rakiura National Park, spot native kiwi, or soak in the island’s remote charm. Once done exploring, you can always take the return ferry to Bluff.
What to bring
- Bring sunscreen, camera, water, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, and a waterproof jacket for this experience.
- Pack your motion sickness medicines just in case they’re not available onsite.
- Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.
Accessibility
- This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
Additional information
- Guests can carry two bags and one small carry bag per person.
- The one-way ferry lasts 1 hour.
- The one-way ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island departs at 9:45am, 1:45pm, 4:30pm, & 5:15pm, whereas the one-way ferry from Stewart Island to Bluff departs at 8am, 12:15pm, 3pm, & 3:30pm.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your ferry to avoid any delays.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.
Boarding point
- Please check your final voucher for the boarding point details and specific instructions.
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