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Stewart Island Ferry Services

Experience Foveaux Strait onboard our express catamarans. During the one-hour crossing between Bluff and Stewart Island keep a lookout for wildlife, especially seabirds. Watching mollymawks (albatross) soaring behind the ferry is a fantastic sight.

Comprehensive commentaries provide information on the interesting landmarks commonly seen, including Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, the Titi Islands and Mt Anglem - Stewart Island’s highest point.

  • Personal baggage is carried free on the ferries - max. Ferry Service Luggage Limit: Two bags per person, and one small carry on (2 stowed and 1 small carry-on). Additional baggage is by prior arrangement
  • Vehicle parking available at Bluff (extra cost)
  • From $125 per person

Scroll down to view our Timetable 

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Timetable

Pricing

Departing Bluff/Oban: prices valid for travel from 1 Oct 2024 - 30 Sept 2025.

Adult: NZ$125 (one-way)
Child: NZ$64 (one-way)

Valid 1 October 2024 - 30 September 2025

Departs Bluff

9.45am (1 Oct 2024 - 30 Sep 2025)
1.45pm (1 Dec 2024 - 31 March 2025)
4.30pm (1 May 2025 - 30 Sep 2025)
5.15pm (1 Oct 2024 - 30 Apr 2025)

Departs Oban

8.00am (1 Oct 2024 - 30 Sep 2025)
12.15pm (1 Dec 2024 -31 March 2025)
3.00pm (1 May 2025 - 30 Sep 2025)
3.30pm (1 Oct 2024 - 30 Apr 2025)


*Please note: Timetable information is indicative and subject to change. For the latest information please refer to the website booking calendar for your date of travel. Passengers who pre-book through our website will be updated of any departure changes.

**Some departures do not operate on Christmas Day.

More information

Ferry departure locations

- From Bluff: Stewart Island Experience Visitor Terminal - 21 Foreshore Road, Bluff.
- From Stewart Island: Stewart Island Visitor Terminal.

We also operate coach connections from Invercargill which meet our ferry arrivals/departures. To book call 0800 656501, or select the "Invercargill to Bluff" or "Bluff to Invercargill" trip on the booking page.

What to bring

Shoes/boots (non-slip), warm clothing/jacket, sunscreen/ sunglasses, camera and personal medical. 

Additional baggage

Ferry Service Luggage Limit: Two bags per person and one small carry-on (Extra goods by arrangement).
Visitors to Stewart Island wishing to bring additional baggage can transport these items by prior arrangement. Please contact our customer service and ferry operations team directly on 03 212 7660. This service is not available on all ferry departures due to the size of the vessel and the limited cargo space available.

Additional charges (valid until September 30th, 2025):

  • Bike $30 (one way)
  • E-Bike $50 (one way)
  • Single Kayak $40 (one way)
  • Double Kayak $50 (one way)
  • Sea Kayak $65 (one way)
  • Dinghy priced on arrival
  • Motorbikes priced on arrival

Vehicle parking at Bluff

Vehicle parking is available in Bluff, adjacent to the Bluff Visitor Terminal, for self-driving visitors taking the ferry to Stewart Island. Parking is available for cars, boat trailers, coaches, campervans, motorcycles, and bicycles. Please pay for your parking ticket when you check in for the ferry. Vehicle parking cannot be booked in advance.

FAQs

In case you haven't found the information you were looking for, we've put together some of the most common questions our customers ask about our trips. If you need more specific answers, please contact us directly.

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