How to get the ferry to Waiheke Island
The easiest and cheapest ways to get from Auckland to Waiheke
Waiheke island is located a 40-minute ferry ride from the centre of Auckland city, in the glittering Hauraki Gulf.
Visiting Waiheke is one of the best things to do in Auckland — here’s how to get the Waiheke ferry to the island of wine and sunshine.
A quick summary:
Island Direct ($50 return) offers the option to reserve your ferry ticket in advance — Fullers charges more if you want to reserve a specific date and time. Island Direct ferries are also smaller and less hectic than Fullers, so I recommend this option.
Fullers off-peak tickets are the cheapest way to get to Waiheke ($29.50 return if you Auckland after 1pm and return from Waiheke after 7pm)
Fullers walk up ferry tickets are $55 return, and you will have to queue at the ferry terminal — there’s no guarantee you’ll get on the ferry you want during peak times, so arrive 30 minutes early if you have a reservation you need to make.
Sealink operates a car ferry from Half Moon Bay
How to get the ferry to Waiheke Island from Auckland
Onboard the Fullers ferry
To get to Waiheke Island from Auckland, the easiest option is to catch a Fullers or Island Direct passenger ferry from the Downtown Auckland Ferry Terminal.
The ferry to Waiheke Island takes about 40 minutes, with scenic views of the Auckland skyline and Hauraki Gulf on the way.
Ferries to Waiheke Island operate regularly throughout the day and range in price from $29.50-$59 return, depending on the ferry company and time.
Another option is to take the Sealink car ferry to have your own set of wheels on Waiheke.
Once you arrive at the Matiatia Wharf ferry terminal on Waiheke Island, you'll find various transportation options to explore the island without a car, including public buses, a Hop-On Hop-Off bus, taxis, bicycles, and walking trails.
These are the different Waiheke ferry options:
The Island Direct Waiheke Ferry (recommended)
Onboard the Island Direct ferry
Island Direct offers a direct passenger ferry to Waiheke.
The price of Island Direct tickets is slightly cheaper than Fullers — $27.50 one way or $50 return.
You can buy your ticket online and reserve a specific sailing, which gives you more peace of mind. (Fullers charge $95 return to reserve a spot on one of their ferries, or $55 return for walk ups).
I’ve taken the Island Direct ferry and also liked that the boats are smaller and nicer, and you don’t have to contend with long queues and crowds onboard.
Island Direct has up to 18 daily ferry trips seven days a week, starting at 6.00am weekdays (departing Auckland), to the final crossing (departing Waiheke) at 9.45pm on weekdays (10.15pm on Saturday and Sunday).
Fullers Passenger ferry to Waiheke Island
The Fullers passenger ferry is the easiest way to get to Waiheke. You can catch the ferry from the terminal in Britomart, or from Devonport on the North Shore.
The ferry ride from Auckland to Waiheke Island typically takes 35 to 40 minutes. Keep an eye out for dolphins on the way!
Fullers Waiheke Island ferry fares
You can buy tickets online or at the ferry terminal — there is no need to book in advance.
Tip: Buy your ticket online to save money. The online price is $55 and it’s $59 at the terminal.
Another option to save money is to travel off peak. A return ticket is only only $29.50 return when depart from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island after 1pm onwards, and return from Waiheke Island to downtown Auckland after 7pm.
This still gives you time to visit a couple of wineries, enjoy a sunset and dinner, and travel back — or stay overnight.
One important thing to note is that you can’t reserve a specific ferry — you turn up at the terminal and wait in line (the signage is clear).
This means you have to join the queue and if there are too many people you might not make it onto the ferry you were aiming for, and have to wait for the next one.
Because Waiheke is such a popular destination, there can be very long weekend queues at the Downtown Ferry terminal. Plan ahead and either aim for an early ferry (well before 10am) or allow extra time (aim to get to the ferry terminal 45 minutes before the boat you want to catch) in case you don’t make it on and need to wait for the next one.
This is especially important if you have a lunch reservation at a restaurant on Waiheke.
Fullers Waiheke Island ferry timetable
The ferry runs at least once an hour between 6am and midnight, with more sailings at peak times, as people live on Waiheke and commute into the city.
— Check out the ferry timetable here.
Some other useful things to note:
You can bring your luggage onboard the ferry, so it’s still smooth sailing if you’re planning on staying a few days.
Your return trip is valid for up to one year, so you can stay on the island as long as you like.
Consider travelling as a foot passenger on the SeaLink car ferry if you want to avoid the queues for the Fullers ferry.
SeaLink car and passenger ferry
If you’re wondering how to get to Waiheke Island by car, the SeaLink car ferry offers drive-on transport to Waiheke Island.
You will need to book in advance, and note that getting the car ferry to Waiheke Island is expensive. For a car and a driver you’re looking at $137.50 one way.
The SeaLink car ferry departs from Half Moon Bay in East Auckland, and Wynyard Quarter in Auckland’s CBD.
Check out SeaLink’s timetable here.
The car ferry to Waiheke takes a little longer than the Fullers ferry, around 45-60 minutes.
You can catch the SeaLink ferry to Waiheke Island as a foot passenger, but you’ll arrive at the Kennedy Point Ferry terminal instead of Matiatia. The plus side is that this ferry option is a little cheaper — just $23.50 one-way for an adult.
There is a bus service that connects Kennedy Point with Oneroa.
How to get to Waiheke Island from Auckland Airport
There are no direct connections from Auckland Airport to Waiheke. If you’re going straight from Auckland Airport to Waiheke Island, you’ll need to first get a bus or taxi/Uber into the city centre. A taxi/Uber is faster but can cost $70 or more.
SkyDrive offers a bus service between Auckland Airport and SkyCity in Central Auckland, which takes roughly the same amount of time as an Uber. Buses run every 30 minutes from bus stop A at the domestic terminal, with the last bus at 22.30pm. From SkyCity it’s a five minute Uber or 20 minute walk to the ferry terminal.
Once at the downtown ferry terminal, purchase a ferry ticket to Waiheke Island — Fullers ferries leave at least once an hour and you don’t need to book in advance.
Struggling to tell Onetangi apart from Oneroa? Check out my recommendations for the best areas to stay on Waiheke Island.
Getting around Waiheke Island
Getting around Waiheke Island is possible via public buses which connect key destinations such as Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Oneroa Village, Onetangi Beach, and Palm Beach.
Alternatively, consider renting bicycles, scooters, or electric bikes from various shops on the island for a more flexible and eco-friendly experience.
Walking and exploring the island's hiking trails offer opportunities to appreciate its natural beauty at your own pace. You can also use taxi and shuttle services, or join the Waiheke Explorer hop-on-hop-off bus to access popular attractions.
