Transport & Ferries in Auckland

Auckland island ferries cross the Hauraki Gulf from Viaduct Harbour to bird sanctuaries, a heritage island and vineyard bays out in the gulf, and most trips fit into a single day. Here's how the ferry transfers and island trips differ, and what to sort out before you board.

Where Auckland island ferries leave from

Island ferries sold through Experience Oz leave from the Explore Booking Kiosk in Viaduct Harbour, diagonally opposite the Maritime Museum on Quay Street, on the Auckland waterfront. Check in at the kiosk at least a quarter of an hour before departure, and plan on a morning start. Weekday sailings to Rotoroa Island and Man O' War Bay leave at 9.15am, and the Tiritiri Matangi ferry leaves at 9.00am from Wednesday to Friday.

Every trip crosses Tikapa Moana, the Hauraki Gulf, so you get harbour and gulf views before you set foot on an island. Return sailings from Rotoroa Island and Tiritiri Matangi leave in the mid-afternoon, which makes each ferry a day out in its own right. Pick one island at a time rather than trying to stack them.

Choosing between Hauraki Gulf island trips

The islands suit different kinds of day, so it helps to decide what you want to do once you land. Wildlife, history, beaches and wine each point to a different ferry.

Wildlife and birdsong

Tiritiri Matangi is a scientific reserve where endangered birds such as takahē, kōkako, tīeke (saddleback) and hihi live in the wild, and tuatara share the island. A full-day ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island runs through Gulf Harbour on an 80-minute cruise each way, with walking tracks, a beach for a swim and a picnic, and a guided walk you can add when you book.

Pack your own food and water. The island has no food for sale, only a visitor centre and shop near the lighthouse that sells souvenirs and cold drinks, so a ferry day here suits anyone happy to carry a picnic and a warm jacket.

Island history and beaches

Rotoroa Island was closed to the public for more than a century while it housed a Salvation Army addiction treatment centre, and it now runs as a conservation and heritage estate. The Rotoroa Island ferry from Auckland is a 75-minute cruise, and once ashore you can walk the established tracks through native bush, look through the museum exhibition and heritage buildings, and watch for takahē and pāteke roaming free.

Four sandy beaches, barbecue facilities and an easy 45-minute loop walk make it a relaxed day for a mixed group. A 90-minute ranger-guided walk on conservation and species reintroduction can be added at booking.

A vineyard bay on the north-east coast

Man O' War Vineyard sits at the north-eastern end of Waiheke. The Man O' War Vineyard ferry from Auckland runs direct to Man O' War Bay on a 90-minute return cruise through the eastern Hauraki Gulf. The bay has calm water for a swim, a beach for the kids to explore, a lawn bar in the high season, and a beachfront cellar door and Tasting Room restaurant. Meals and wine cost extra, so bring a card.

Public ferries and direct sailings across the gulf

Public ferries to Waiheke's Matiatia Wharf leave from the Auckland Ferry Terminal on Quay Street on a crossing of around half an hour, which suits a day of hiring a bike or scooter or catching a bus once you land. A direct vineyard sailing skips Matiatia and drops you at a single bay, which suits a slow day built around one swim and one long lunch.

Our Auckland ferry transfers page gathers the crossings in one place, and the same Viaduct Harbour check-in applies across them.

What to bring on a Hauraki Gulf island day

Packing changes with the island, so check the list for the trip you've booked.

• Tiritiri Matangi: a warm jacket, flat-soled shoes, a camera, sunscreen, a hat and all your own food and snacks, because nothing is sold on the island.
• Rotoroa Island: walking shoes, sunscreen, a sun hat, swimwear, towels and a picnic, with barbecue facilities on the island.
• Man O' War Bay: a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a credit card for the cellar door and restaurant.

Pair an island day with the rest of Auckland

Waiheke Island has plenty beyond the ferry. Scenic flights over Waiheke and the Hauraki Gulf lift off from the island's aerodrome, and Auckland cultural experiences include a guided Māori heritage tour that starts at the Matiatia ferry wharf. For more time on the water, Auckland harbour cruises keep you closer to the city, and things to do with kids in Auckland helps when the whole family is coming along.

Frequently asked questions

Where do Auckland island ferries leave from?

Island ferries sold through Experience Oz leave from the Explore Booking Kiosk at 220 Quay Street in Viaduct Harbour, diagonally opposite the Maritime Museum. Check in at least a quarter of an hour before departure.

How long is the ferry to Rotoroa Island?

The Rotoroa Island ferry from Auckland is a 75-minute cruise through the Hauraki Gulf. Rotoroa lies off Waiheke Island's east coast, so the island is much closer if you cross from Waiheke.

How long does the ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island take?

The Tiritiri Matangi ferry is an 80-minute cruise each way, running via Gulf Harbour. The public ferry operates from Wednesday to Sunday.

Can I buy food on Tiritiri Matangi Island?

No. Tiritiri Matangi Island has no food for sale, so bring your own food and water. A visitor centre and shop near the lighthouse sells souvenirs and cold drinks, and there are no bins, so take your rubbish home.

Are Auckland island ferries suitable for kids?

Yes. The Tiritiri Matangi and Rotoroa Island ferries sell child tickets for ages 5 to 15, and the Man O' War Vineyard ferry also lists an infant ticket for ages 0 to 4.

Can I cancel an Auckland island ferry booking?

The Tiritiri Matangi, Rotoroa Island and Man O' War Vineyard ferries list free cancellation up to a day before the experience.

What is the quickest ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island?

Public ferries from the Auckland Ferry Terminal to Matiatia Wharf cross in around half an hour. The Man O' War Vineyard ferry is a 90-minute return cruise that goes direct to Man O' War Bay on the island's north-eastern end.

Check the sailing days for the island you fancy, then book your Auckland island ferry through Experience Oz and spend the day in the Hauraki Gulf.