Stewart Island: Ferry Service Between Bluff & Stewart Island

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Highlights

Take a comfortable and scenic one-hour ferry any time of the year
Look out for wildlife, particularly sea birds, such as Mollymawks
Listen to comprehensive commentaries that provide information on interesting landmarks commonly seen
See Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, the Titi Islands and Mount Anglem - Stewart Island’s highest point
Enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee onboard

Summary

Zip across Foveaux Strait between Bluff and Stewart Island, considered as one of New Zealand's ultimate eco tourism destinations, on board a comfortable catamaran. Friendly staff will provide informative commentary and point out scenic highlights.

Tour info

Duration

1 hour

Dropoff location

Stewart Island / Rakiura Ferry Terminal, Bluff, New Zealand

Why take this tour?

Cross the Foveaux Strait, a seaway that separates Stewart Island from the South Island, on board an express catamaran. The one-hour ferry ride provides all-year daily scheduled service. During the crossing on the Stewart Island Ferry between the towns of Bluff (on the mainland) and Oban (on Stewart Island), keep a lookout for local wildlife like seabirds. Watch mollymawks (a type of albatross) soar above the ferry. Listen to comprehensive commentaries that provide information on the interesting landmarks commonly seen, including Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, the Titi Islands (also known as the Muttonbird Islands) and Mount Anglem - Stewart Island’s highest point.

What’s included?

• Complimentary tea and coffee on board
• Two carry-on bags per person
• Wheelchair access
• Commentary
• Parking fees (parking available at Bluff Visitor Terminal)

Things to know

Before you book

• You can bring a maximum of two bags per person (one stowed and one small carry-on) for free on the ferry
• If you have additional baggage, please make arrangements with RealNZ in advance. This service is not available on all ferry departures, due to the size of the vessel and the limited cargo space available
• Vehicle parking at Bluff Visitor Terminal is available for an extra charge
• Parking is available for cars, boat trailers, coaches, camper vans, motorcycles and bicycles
• This is an airport-style parking facility, so you collect a ticket on entry and pay when you leave

Before you go

Please check-in at the Bluff Visitor Terminal 30 minutes prior to ferry departure
Check-in and boarding gates close 15 minutes prior to departure.
A maximum of two bags per person (one stowed and one small carry-on) is included in the price. Charges apply to additional baggage. This service is not available on all ferry departures due to the size of the vessel and the limited cargo space available. If you have additional baggage, please contact the company in advance to make arrangements. Vehic
Vehicle parking is available at Bluff Visitor Terminal, adjacent to the self-driving visitors taking the ferry to Stewart Island. This is an airport-style parking facility, so you collect a ticket on entry and pay when you leave.

Cancellation Policy

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Operator Website

Operated by:

About operator:

Our family business was founded in Fiordland in the 1950’s by tourism and conservation pioneers Les and Olive Hutchins.
Sixty years later, we offer tourism experiences from Stewart Island to Queenstown; including world renowned cruises through Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and heritage steamship TSS Earnslaw.
For us, the aim is still quite simple – to share the natural heritage and astounding beauty of the region with visitors – just as our founders intended.