Ferries to Waiheke

Waiheke lies in the Hauraki Gulf east of Auckland and is the island in the gulf with the densest timetable. From here you can reach Auckland in 45 minutes and Half Moon Bay in the east of the city in one hour. Together the services add up to as many as 67 departures a day. The island is served by Fullers360 and Sealink NZ.

Getting there and the terminal

Waiheke has two berths, and which of them is yours depends on the operator. The passenger ferries to Auckland tie up at Matiatia Wharf in the west of the island, which Auckland Transport rates as the city's second busiest ferry berth after the Downtown Ferry Terminal. It spreads over several piers and has a covered waiting area for the island buses. The car ferry, by contrast, uses Kennedy Point at Putiki Bay in the south, address Donald Bruce Road in Surfdale. There you will find a ticket desk, covered and open waiting areas, toilets, bike racks and luggage trolleys. For longer stays there is a public car park around 200 metres above the berth, though with a time limit. A drop-off and pick-up point for older travellers and those with reduced mobility lies near the ferry ramp.

Check-in

At Kennedy Point, Sealink NZ requires 30 minutes' notice for vehicle and driver and 20 minutes for foot passengers. Heavy and unaccompanied vehicles have to be there one hour beforehand. Boarding closes 20 minutes before departure for vehicles and 15 minutes for pedestrians, after which you may be refused carriage.