Stewart Island Ferry from Stewart Island to Bluff
Highlights & inclusions
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August 2026
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What you can expect
Complete your visit to New Zealand's southernmost island by taking the Stewart Island Ferry from Stewart Island back to Bluff. Departing from the main township on Stewart Island, Oban, the Stewart Island Ferry will take you across the Foveaux Strait to Bluff, where your Stewart Island adventure first began. After visiting Stewart Island for a day or more, this is the last stage of your journey to transport you back to the mainland.
To book the one-way ferry ride from Stewart Island back to Bluff, simply select your preferred date and time and complete your purchase online here. If you are planning to take the Stewart Island Ferry over to Stewart Island at the beginning of your trip, you will need to make a separate booking for this.
With multiple departures daily, the Stewart Island ferry offers a convenient and affordable way to complete your visit this hidden gem of New Zealand. So why wait? Book your Stewart Island Ferry back to Bluff today to ensure your itinerary is planned and ready to go.
Location
What you need to know
- RealNZ is going cashless on all food and beverage purchases in experience.
- This means that all food and beverage purchases aboard our vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, will no longer accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both our guests and staff.
- Our payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Note: Fee of 1.5% applies to food and beverage purchases by credit card only. The fee does not apply to purchases in Retail Store at Walter Peak, or merchandise purchased from our Visitor Centres.
- One-way ferry from Stewart Island to Bluff (mainland)
- Coach transfers onwards from Bluff
- Return ferry from Bluff over to Stewart Island
- This experience takes place from Oban, Stewart Island
- The ferry departs Stewart Island at 8am, 12:15pm & 3:30pm in summer (8am & 3pm only in winter)
- Passengers are required to check-in to the Bluff Visitor Terminals 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Check-in and boarding gates are closed 15 minutes before scheduled ferry departure times
- The limit is a maximum of two small carry-on pieces of luggage per person. Other luggage (and extra goods by arrangement) are carried in freight boxes, and must be checked in 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time (at additional cost).
- Car parking is available in Bluff adjacent to the ferry terminal, suitable for cars, coaches and motor homes and boat trailers
- Meals, coach connections, flights, overnight cruises, underwater observatory and departures other than those listed are not included
- Stewart Island Experience reserve the right to amend timetables, substitute plant or equipment and alter ticket prices at any time
- Stewart Island Experience departures are weather/sea conditions dependent
- Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
- Prices are seasonal and are constantly changing. The from price displayed may not always be the price you are going to pay, as once you click on your specified date, the price will change to reflect the price for that date/season. Please note that in some cases where you cannot click on a date to obtain the price, please call us so we can assist you
