Ferry Tickets

Stewart Island Ferry

Name: Stewart Island Ferry
Start: 2025-11-10T09:45:00
End: 2025-11-10T10:45:00
Location: Stewart Island

Crew assisting tourists boarding the Stewart Island Ferry.

Couple talking to staff at the cafeteria on board the Stewart Island Ferry.

Passengers enjoying the view from Stewart Island Ferry window.

Couple enjoying the view on Stewart Island Ferry, New Zealand coast in background.

Duration

1 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Transfers included

Cross the Foveaux Strait on a comfortable express catamaran, enjoying stunning coastal views, fascinating history, and spot unique wildlife.

4.6/5

(22)

John

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

We had a great experience with Stewart Island Ferry. The terminal was easy to find, the staff was ready to help and very courteous. The captain(s) steered the ferry to make the voyage as smooth as possible (which was great since I tend to get sea sick). Good safety briefing. Efficient loading/unloading of baggage. Well done!

Aaro

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

We saw kiwis, it was amazing 😍 and the guides were super friendly and had a lot of knowledge. They clearly knew where and when the kiwis would appear.

Flavia

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Good driver! It was windy and he could manage very well. I got sea sick and the team helped me very well. On the way back to Bluff, no problem.

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.

4.6
22 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 6 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
John
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We had a great experience with Stewart Island Ferry. The terminal was easy to find, the staff was ready to help and very courteous. The captain(s) steered the ferry to make the voyage as smooth as possible (which was great since I tend to get sea sick). Good safety briefing. Efficient loading/unloading of baggage. Well done!
Aaro
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We saw kiwis, it was amazing 😍 and the guides were super friendly and had a lot of knowledge. They clearly knew where and when the kiwis would appear.
Mark
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Great people, great destination, wonderful experience. Despite severe weather conditions the team delivered a fabulous journey.
Kay
Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Friendly staff. Efficient operation. Staff are kind and helpful to those who are seasick. The service can operate is quite rough weather, without any fuss.
Flavia
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Good driver! It was windy and he could manage very well. I got sea sick and the team helped me very well. On the way back to Bluff, no problem.

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.

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.