Traviia
Tourists on the deck of the Stewart Island Ferry in New Zealand waters.
Crew assisting tourists boarding the Stewart Island Ferry.
Stewart Island Ferry Image 6
Gallery
Top Rated

Loved by recent travelers

Bestseller

One of our most booked experiences

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours before the experience starts

Traveler reviews

Find your best option

Choose your package

Select an option to see its live dates and timings.

Highlights

  • 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.

Your Experience

Tourists on the deck of the Stewart Island Ferry in New Zealand waters.
Crew assisting tourists boarding the Stewart Island Ferry.
Stewart Island Ferry Image 1

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.

Inclusions

  • One-way ferry transfer to Stewart Island from Bluff (as per option selected)
  • One-way ferry transfer to Bluff from Stewart Island(as per option selected)
  • Live commentary
  • Complimentary coffee or tea

This product offers multiple ticket options. Some items above (like transfers or fast-track access) may only apply to specific options — confirm what's included when you select yours.

Ticket Delivery

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
  • Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your ferry to avoid any delays.
  • 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.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers to the most common questions travelers ask before booking this experience.

Booking FAQs

Check in at the Stewart Island Experience Visitor Terminal located at 21 Foreshore Road, Bluff before boarding your express catamaran.

Your ticket includes a one-way transfer to or from Stewart Island and complimentary coffee or tea on board. Live commentary during the journey enhances the experience.

The scenic ferry ride across Foveaux Strait takes approximately one hour, offering a comfortable voyage with coastal views and live commentary.

Bring sunscreen, camera, water, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, and a waterproof jacket. It's also advisable to carry motion sickness medicine if needed.

Yes, you may spot seabirds such as mollymawks (albatross) and titi (muttonbirds) soaring behind the ferry while cruising across Foveaux Strait.

Guests are allowed to carry two bags onboard during their journey.

The Stewart Island Ferry is not wheelchair accessible, so alternative arrangements may be necessary if accessibility is a concern.

Highlights include enjoying coastal views and live commentary during your one-hour journey. You can also see landmarks like Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, the Titi Islands, and Mount Anglem.

Captain James Cook first charted Stewart Island in 1770 but mistook it for Banks Peninsula of the South Island initially.

Yes, while some aspects like tea and coffee are complimentary, meals, souvenirs, and other extras will incur additional costs that passengers need to cover personally.

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.

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

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.

Reviews

4.8
145 reviews

Similar experiences you'd love

Starting From
$ 81.10