Modern catamarans transport you comfortably across Foveaux Strait from Bluff to Stewart Island and back. Bookings are essential for the one hour journey.
From 1st Sept 2023 a new timetable is in place. From Bluff to Stewart Island, sailing times are:
9.45am all year round: 4.30pm – 1 May – 30 Sept : 5.15pm 1 Oct – 30 April.
Coming back from Stewart Island to Bluff
8.00am everyday all year round: 3pm 1 May – 30 Sept: 3.30pm 1 Oct – 30 April. Additional ferries for high season numbers will be locally advertised. Please note a Visitor Levy has been introduced from 1st October 2013 and is included in the price for adults 18yrs and over.
For your ferry bookings Freephone 0800 000 511 or email info@stewartislandexperience.co.nz $198 return adults and children 14 and under $98. Ask for off-season rates when phoning after Easter. Children 4 years and under are free. For groups of 10 or more request a discount for travel. There is a safe lock up for your vehicle in Bluff and also parking opposite the terminal. To look at their website and make a booking on line you can click on the Foveaux Express heading above or look at www.stewartislandexperience.co.nz
Shuttles are available to and from Invercargill Airport and City to the Bluff Ferry Terminal. Ask about this when making your bookings. Fare approx. $30 one way, Children $15 one way. Shuttles should be booked for the return journey when making your ferry booking. Prices are subject to annual increase.
Flights are available between Invercargill Airport and Stewart Island daily. The short 20 minute flight offers amazing views of the Southernmost tip of NZ, the Foveaux Strait then Stewart Island, flying directly over the town of Oban and surrounding bush and the Paterson Inlet to land according to wind direction and speed. Go to our link or look at www.stewartislandflights.com for a full range of services & trips, extra flights or charters including flying directly into Masons Bay and other western beaches.
The summer schedule 1 Oct – 30 April
Mon-Fri is 8a.m., 1p.m. and 5.p.m. and returning 30 minutes later. Saturday & Sunday 9am, 1pm & 4pm
The winter schedule 1 May – 30 Sept
Daily 9a.m., 1p.m. and 4p.m. returning 30 minutes later.
Weekend schedule all year round
9a.m. 1p.m. and 4p.m. returning 30 minutes later.
Fares: $230 return $135 one way, Children $145 return and $90 one way. Children under 4years
free if sitting on lap. Luggage limits 20kg. Visitor Levy included for adults 18 years and over.
Fly/Ferry or Ferry/Fly Combinations available. Also a series of day trips including the Coast to Coast – go to Link for more information (fly,hike,boat packages)
www.stewartislandflights.co.nz Phone 64 3 218 9129 Email: info@stewartislandflights.co.nz
Stewart Island Helicopters – Fern Gully Heliport 027-235-9631 or 0800234890 info@rakiurahelicopters.com www.stewartislandhelicopters.com Order a taxi from Aurora Cab Co to take you down to the village. Phone Greg on 027-722-7935
Activities
For guided Nature Walks and Hikes including Ulva Island, Port William, KIWI spotting and bird watching trips full day, half day and over night look at: www.ruggedyrange.com. For Village and Bay tours look at www.sailsashore.co.nz
Snorkeling Tours – www.stewartislandadventures.co.nz Facebook Stewart Island Adventures Johnnie 027258441 or Ollie -0221058740 or Dive Rakiura – https://diverakiura.co.nz/ 0221058740
Fishing trips half or full day look at:
www.auroracharters.co.nz also does group scenic and Paterson Inlet cruises – good for groups of people.
or www.stewartislandfishing.co.nz
or www.rakiuracharters.co.nz fishing combined with Ulva Island and the Whaler’s Base or Leask Bay Charters bookings.leaskbaycharters@gmail.com
For Tramping and Hunting information look at:
www.doc.govt.nz or email stewartislandfc@doc.govt.nz
For Water taxi to hunting and tramping destinations including Coast to Coast involving a flight, tramp and taxi combination look at:
www.stewartislandflights.com
Stewart Island Water Taxi & Eco Guiding to Ulva Island, Freshwater River pickups by tide times for Trampers www.rakiurawatertaxi.co.nz.
Water Taxis www.rakiura.nz or Aihe www.aihe.co.nz
Ulva Island Ferry departs Golden Bay, first in first served 9am, 10.00, 12.00 and 2pm returning just after – no bookings required for scheduled trips – www.rakiura.nz Evening Cruises on the MV Wairangi www.rakiura.co.nz
Guided Sea Kayaking
Look at : Phil’s Sea Kayak 027-444-2323 phil_dove500@hotmail.com or Bill Watt 027-495-9288 williamwatt@outlook.co.nz
Guided night-time Kiwi spotting Cruise – www.stewartislandexperience.co.nz
For all outdoor gear for tramping and walking including all Rakiura Track Road or boat pickups www.ruggedyrange.com
Guided night-time Kiwi spotting www. ruggedyrange.com 64 32191144.
Shark Cage Diving https://www.sharkexperience.co.nz/ 64 32127112
To contact the Invercargill i-Site Visitor Centre www.southlandnz.com or phone 64 3 2110895 For Oban Visitor Centre for Car Hire, Scooter hire, Mountain bikes, hire of children’s car seats. info@stewartislandexperience.co.nz or phone 64 3 2190 056