Combos

Combo (Save 10%): Stewart Island Ferry & Wild Kiwi Encounter Experience

Passengers enjoying the view from Stewart Island Ferry window.

Tourists on the deck of the Stewart Island Ferry in New Zealand waters.

Yellow-eyed penguin on rocky, grassy slope, Stewart Island.

Explorers with flashlights in a dark forest during a kiwi encounter tour on Stewart Island.

Duration

1 hr - 4 hrs 30 mins

Free cancellation

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

Guided tour

Transfers available

4.8/5(136)

Mike C

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Friendly and professional service provided by all staff,informative info from ferry skippers etc pleasure to deal with,easy dealing with fishing gear and firearms etc.

Izelle S

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

The boat ride was very smooth and the captain was very good at navigating through the rougher parts of the strait. Complementary coffee and tea were good however only black tea no uncafinated options. Would definitely use the ferry again in the future and would definitely recommend for others.

Rowan-atarangi C

Solo

Verified booking

Apr 2026

We had a lovely experience, very great ferry ride! The views are gorgeous, you can sit in a seat or stand out the back and watch the ocean. Dropping off and collecting luggage is also incredibly efficient!

Carl R

Group

Verified booking

Apr 2026

Briliant service , good seamanship to make the ride comfortable due to the lumpy sea conditions Luggage loaded and unloaded promptly and inspite of the conditions was kept perfectly dry

Sally L

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

The ferry is just a means of getting there but really enjoyed our tour of the island and learnt so much from Bevan about the island which we wouldn't have learnt otherwise - a most interesting 90 minutes

Christine H

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

It was great to see an equal opportunity ferry company. So nice to see females working on the boats. We felt safe and comfortable on both there and back from Stewart Island. The return trip was delayed due to extreme and unsafe weather conditions. All staff were proficient and dealt with passengers who were uncomfortable with the stormy conditions.

Experience the best of Stewart Island in one plan — scenic ferry travel paired with a rare wild kiwi encounter.

Travel between Bluff and Stewart Island with round-trip ferry transfers, live onboard commentary, and complimentary tea or coffee as you cross the Foveaux Strait.

Join the Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experience, featuring a sunset cruise to Little Glory Cove and a guided evening walk with an expert nature guide to search for kiwi in their natural habitat.

Stewart Island Ferry

Round-trip ferry transfers from Bluff to Stewart Island

Live commentary

Complimentary coffee or tea

Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experience

4 to 4.5-hour Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

Sunset marine cruise from Oban to Little Glory Cove

Kiwi spotting at Little Glory Cove

Return cruise to Oban from Little Glory Cove

Complimentary hot beverages onboard

Expert nature guide

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

136 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, Germany, United States and over 15 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Mike C
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Friendly and professional service provided by all staff,informative info from ferry skippers etc pleasure to deal with,easy dealing with fishing gear and firearms etc.
Virginia S
Group
Verified booking
May 2026
Efficient helpful. Sea calm but not much to see in way of wild life during the journey.
Rowan-atarangi C
Solo
Verified booking
Apr 2026
We had a lovely experience, very great ferry ride! The views are gorgeous, you can sit in a seat or stand out the back and watch the ocean. Dropping off and collecting luggage is also incredibly efficient!
Sally L
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
The ferry is just a means of getting there but really enjoyed our tour of the island and learnt so much from Bevan about the island which we wouldn't have learnt otherwise - a most interesting 90 minutes
Izelle S
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
The boat ride was very smooth and the captain was very good at navigating through the rougher parts of the strait. Complementary coffee and tea were good however only black tea no uncafinated options. Would definitely use the ferry again in the future and would definitely recommend for others.

Experience Stewart Island’s spectacular landscapes and rare wildlife with convenient island transport and an unforgettable kiwi-spotting adventure.

Getting started

Your combo ticket includes round-trip ferry transfers between Bluff and Stewart Island, plus the Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experience. Present your mobile ticket at the ferry terminal and tour departure point. Be sure to arrive before departure times and follow the instructions provided with your booking.

What to expect

Stewart Island Ferry

Round-trip island transfers: Travel between Bluff and Stewart Island aboard a comfortable ferry with round-trip transfers included.

Scenic Foveaux Strait crossing: Enjoy views of rugged coastlines, offshore islands, and the surrounding Southern Ocean during the journey.

Live onboard commentary: Learn about the region’s history, wildlife, and landmarks through informative commentary during the crossing.

Complimentary refreshments: Relax with a complimentary tea or coffee served onboard.

Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experience

Sunset marine cruise: Cruise from Oban to Little Glory Cove as the sun sets over Stewart Island’s pristine coastline.

Guided kiwi-spotting adventure: Join an expert nature guide for a 2-hour evening and night walk through native bush in search of wild kiwi.

Rare wildlife encounters: Experience one of New Zealand’s best opportunities to observe kiwi in their natural habitat.

Comfortable return journey: Return to Oban by cruise after your wildlife experience, with complimentary hot beverages served onboard.

Expert insights: Learn about Stewart Island’s unique ecosystem, conservation efforts, and nocturnal wildlife from your guide throughout the tour.

What to bring

Stewart Island Ferry

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.

Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

Wear sturdy walking shoes as this experience requires walking through uneven and muddy terrain.

Bring a warm jacket as the temperature can get cooler in the evenings.

Pack your medications, just in case they’re not available onsite.

What’s not allowed

Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

Flash photography is not allowed in this experience.

This experience is restricted for guests below the age of 15.

Accessibility

Stewart Island Ferry

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

This experience requires a moderate level of fitness, as it involves a 2-hour guided walk through forest and along beaches.

This experience is not suitable for pregnant women and guests with heart or other medical issues.

Additional information

Stewart Island Ferry

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.

Stewart Island wild kiwi experience

This experience can accommodate up to a maximum of 16 people.

Snacks are available on board the cruise for purchase.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.