Coming by Ferry to Waiheke Island
Unless you have a helicopter or plane, coming to Waiheke Island by ferry is the only way!
We have three other blog posts on this subject:
The Complete Guide: How to travel to Waiheke Island and get around when you’re here (click to read)
How to get to The Heke (click to read)
Waiheke Ferry Services and Timetables (click to read)
If you wish to travel from Auckland Ferry Terminal to Waiheke, you have a number of options.
Read on right to the bottom for some tips on how to travel as economically as possible as a visitor to Waiheke Island:
Island Direct Ferry:
This locally owned service departs from downtown Auckland, right at the waterfront. They offer a fully bookable service so you are guaranteed a seat on the sailing you prefer. The fare is $50 pp return which is amazing value for a bookable no-worry ferry service. They have great boats and great staff, and awesome coffee, drinks and snacks on board.
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Fullers walk-on Ferry (see also below for tips to save money):
This walk-on ferry departs from downtown Auckland at the Ferry Building. It is a queue-to-board ferry, so even if you have a ticket you need to be there early as the ferry might fill up, and you’ll get the next one.
Peak times are Saturday mornings, and Fridays and Sundays too in summer. The 10 am and 11 am Saturday ferry is busy! Our advice is to come as early as you can, and enjoy the island before your lunch or dinner.
The timetable from 19th October 2023:
Monday-Friday hourly but two extra sailings from town in the afternoon on Friday at 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm.
Saturday and Sunday Half hourly from 9 - 12 noon; Then half hourly from 2pm; (break at 12-2pm).
Check timetables here.
Fullers Reserve:
Fullers Ferry has a new service called Fullers Reserve. This is a bookable ferry, as opposed the the normal ferries which you walk up and queue for a seat. You pay more for this service, it is $95 per person, but you don’t need to queue so if you are time-limited or low on patience for standing in line, this might be a great option. Check it out online for FAQ’s and the timetable.
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Sealink drive-on or walk-on Ferry Service:
You can drive on, or walk on, to Sealink Ferry from either of two Sealink Terminals:
These are in Auckland Wynyard Quarter, at Hamer St, or from East Auckland at Half Moon Bay.
See their website for timetables and bookings.
More about fares and how to get here as economically as possible via Ferry:
HOP Card Fare:
Although it is simple, this is actually one of the most expensive ways to travel.
It costs ADULT $29.50 one-way if you swipe your HOP card. ($59 return).
A CHILD on HOP card is $13 one way.
Visitor Fare from Auckland-Waiheke-Auckland:
The casual Fullers price is now: $59.00 for an open return ($29.50 single). If you buy it online it's $55.
Child is $26 return ($13 single).
The Island Direct ferry price is $50.00 Per adult return.
Off Peak Visitor ‘special’ Fare from Auckland-Waiheke-Auckland:
There is a 25% discount as a ‘visitor’ using off-peak return, only available for travel starting in Auckland. You must travel on or after 1 pm here, and 7pm or after back to Auckland on the same day. This is a great option for a later lunch and you can still go and do some tastings at our neighbours Tantalus, Te Motu, Stonyridge or Wild Estate. And stop at a bar or restaurant in Oneroa before you get back to the ferry!
See details here. TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF THESE TIMES REQUIRES A STANDARD RETURN TICKET.
If you have a group, save money and buy a Fullers Flexi-Pass.
Flexi-Pass 10 Trip : $166 / $97.50 (student) / $77 (child) - this is $33.20* per return trip but it can only be used by a maximum of 4 people per trip -
*(If four people are travelling together and you buy one Flexi-Pass, then it is $41.50 per person return - with 2 trips still left over to use within 12 months - for ‘free’ - compare this to standard $59 pp fare. If you have more than four people, then the maths still works. Buy multiple Flexi Passes, and use four per ticket, with two trips remaining with a 12-month expiry date. Even if you cannot use the extra two tickets, you can gift them to someone else and still be a lot better off).
There is also the option to use Sealink Ferries from Half Moon Bay, Auckland, or Wynyard Quarter, Auckland. See the website for more details. Also, see our blog post on why to get Sealink.
Remember to check our other posts linked at the top for more information about how to get around Waiheke Island, and how to get to The Heke too.
See you soon!
