How To Get To Waiheke Island From Auckland (Fullers Vs Sealink)

Planning your trip to from Auckland to Waiheke Island by ferry? You’ve come to the right place!

This post will explain everything you need to know about travelling by ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island.

You will discover how to travel on the ferry as a foot passenger, with a bike or a vehicle, including how to book your tickets and my best tips!

Fullers360 Vs Sealink – Which Company To Choose?

There are two ferry companies that travel to Waiheke Island. They are Fullers360 and Sealink.

Both companies operate daily ferry services from Auckland to Waiheke Island and there are several departures each day. Both ferry companies travel from different ports around Auckland.

• If you’re a foot or bicycle passenger, then you can use Sealink or Fullers360 to travel by ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island.

• If you are travelling with a vehicle, then you must use the Sealink ferry.

I will provide more information about these companies and travel options below.

How To Travel To Waiheke Island On Foot / With A Bike 👣🚲

If you are travelling on foot or with a bike, then you can travel with either Fullers360 or Sealink.

As a foot passenger with a bicycle, both Sealink and Fullers360 allow you to take your bike on the ferry for FREE.

If you would like to get a bike once you arrive on Waiheke Island, it is easy to rent an e-bike. I recommend booking this all-day e-bike rental (Viator) for ease and affordability.

Related Read: 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car

Should I Use Sealink Or Fullers360 Ferry To Travel To Waiheke Island From Auckland? (Foot/Bicycle Passengers Only)

There are a number of differences between the two ferry companies that travel to Waiheke Island from Auckland. I will explain the main differences between Fullers360 and Sealink so that you can make the best decision for you on which company to choose.

1. Which Ferry Is More Convenient? Departure & Arrival Locations In Auckland & Waiheke Island

Fullers360 has departures from two locations in Auckland. One is in Auckland CBD at the Downtown Ferry Terminal, and one is in Devonport on the North Shore. Some departures to/from the Downtown Ferry Terminal also stop at Devonport on the way to/from Waiheke Island.

Fullers360’s CBD Ferry Terminal in Auckland is convenient for foot passengers who do not require car parking.

Sealink has departures from two locations around Auckland. One is in Auckland CBD (Hamer Street) and one in Half Moon Bay (outside of Auckland city centre).

If you do require car parking before boarding the ferry, then I recommend travelling with Sealink from Half Moon Bay. There is a large car park there in the marina area where you can park for free for 14 hours. If you require longer, you could possibly find free on-street parking.

Matiatia Ferry Terminal On Waiheke Island – Fullers360

If you are interested in a more convenient arrival location on Waiheke Island, then I recommend travelling with Fullers360. The Matiatia Ferry Terminal it arrives at is well-served by buses and is within walking distance of many of Waiheke’s great attractions.

On Waiheke Island, Fullers360 ferries arrive at the Matiatia Ferry Terminal. The Matiatia Ferry Terminal is an easily accessible ferry terminal on Waiheke for foot and bike passengers.

Matiatia Ferry Terminal is a 20-minute walk from Oneroa, one of Waiheke Island’s main townships.

There are also buses which travel from Matiatia Ferry Terminal to major destinations on the island.

If you are visiting Waiheke on a day trip, then Oneroa is a great place to spend the day. There are lots of fun and interesting things to do in Oneroa – check out this post to learn more: 11 Awesome Things To Do In Oneroa, Waiheke Island

Matiatia Ferry Terminal is also a great starting point to explore Waiheke Island by bus. The Ferry Terminal has regular public bus services that journey to all the best spots on the island.

The Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus (Viator) starts and finishes at this ferry terminal as well.

I explain more about exploring Waiheke Island by bus in this post, but it’s good information to consider if you’re choosing which ferry company to travel with.

Related Read: How To Get Around Waiheke Island (By Car, Bike, Bus & On Foot)

Kennedy Point Ferry Terminal On Waiheke Island – Sealink

Sealink ferries arrive at the Kennedy Point on Waiheke Island.

The Kennedy Point Ferry Terminal is serviced by bus 501 which travels between Kennedy Point and Matiatia, via Surfdale and Oneroa.

However, if you were to walk, it would take around 55 minutes to walk from Kennedy Point Terminal to Oneroa. So, Kennedy Point is not the most convenient location to arrive as a foot passenger on Waiheke Island.

2. Which Ferry Is Cheaper? How Fullers360 Vs Sealink Ferry Fares Compare

Fullers360 fares tend to be slightly more expensive than Sealink’s fares. An adult foot passenger travelling on Fullers360 can expect to pay about $29.50 for a one-way ticket, whereas on Sealink an adult one-way ticket will cost about $28.

If you’re making a return trip, however, then Fullers360 do offer a discount. You can get a return adult ticket from Auckland to Waiheke for around $59 (Get Your Guide).

If you travel off-peak, then Fullers360 offer a new return ticket for $44 per person. To use this then you need to travel from Auckland after 1pm and from Waiheke after 7pm.

Sealink does not offer any discounts on return tickets at present.

So although Sealink’s fares are slightly cheaper overall for one-way tickets, if you are a foot passenger and booking a return then I recommend you use Fullers360 as you will get a better price with their return ticket deal.

Save More Money With AT HOP Card

An AT HOP card is Auckland’s public transport system card. Using an AT HOP card can help you save money on your travel tickets as the card gives you access to discounted fares. It costs a few dollars to buy the card, and then the card must be pre-loaded with credit that can be used to pay for ferry, train and bus journeys around Auckland.

Fullers360 accept the AT HOP card on their ferries. If you have one of these cards then you can travel from Auckland to Waiheke and vice versa for a slightly reduced rate. See the Auckland Transport website for more information on AT HOP ferry fare discounts.

Sealink does not currently accept AT HOP card. However, AT HOP Gold (senior and concession) cardholders can travel free of charge with Sealink (not including vehicles).

3. Which Ferry Is Faster? Travel Time Between Auckland & Waiheke Island

The Fullers360 ferry to Waiheke is faster than Sealink (40 minutes vs 60 minutes). This is because Fullers360 can operate a faster ferry as they do not take vehicles. So if you use Fullers360, you can arrive on Waiheke Island in around 40 minutes.

If travelling with Sealink, the ferries also carry vehicles as well as passengers, so the travel time is slower. It takes around 60 minutes to travel with Sealink from Auckland to Waiheke.

How To Book Your Ferry Ticket With Fullers360 (For Foot Passengers/Bicycles)

Book your tickets directly on the Fullers360 website or the easiest way is to book via this link on Get Your Guide.

Remember, if you book a return ticket on the fast ferry it will cost around $59 per person between Auckland and Waiheke Island (Matiatia Ferry Terminal) and the journey takes just 40-minutes each way.

Departures are from 6am until late everyday.

Check ticket availability here on Get Your Guide:

How To Travel To Waiheke Island With A Vehicle 🚗

If you want to travel to Waiheke Island with your vehicle, then you must travel with Sealink. Sealink is the only company to operate vehicle ferries to Waiheke Island.

Do You Need A Car To Explore Waiheke Island?

No, not at all! While having a car will be more convenient, it is not absolutely necessary. Waiheke Island is a great island to explore on foot, by bike and by bus. The island is well-equipped for tourism and has many options to help you get around, including the public bus, e-bike rental and the tourist hop-on-hop-off Explorer bus.

Travelling with your own vehicle will be useful if you are going for several days, have a campervan or wish to explore the island more thoroughly.

There are some more remote areas in the east of Waiheke Island that are not accessible by bus.

The island is also much larger than you might expect, so having a car can come in handy if you are staying for a few days and want to do many day trips.

If you want to camp on the island, there are a few camping options for tents and for sleep-in vehicles too. Poukaraka Campground is the best campsite on Waiheke Island.

Taking a car to Waiheke Island will be something you need to carefully consider. While it can be more convenient, it is also much more expensive. You will need to weigh up the cost vs the need for a car and see what suits your itinerary and budget.

Related Read: 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car

Where To Board The Sealink Vehicle Ferry In Auckland

There are Sealink vehicle ferry departures from Auckland city centre (Hamer Street) and from Half Moon Bay which is east of Auckland CBD (approx. 30-minute drive).

It is much easier to take the vehicle ferry from Half Moon Bay to Waiheke Island because it is not in the CBD. There is less traffic and a larger parking area in Half Moon Bay where you can wait before you board. There are also more facilities available at the ferry terminal.

How Much Does It Cost To Take A Vehicle To Waiheke Island From Auckland

You must pay for your vehicle and passengers separately on Sealink. The cost of the vehicle depends on the size. Prices for passengers and cars will also vary depending on the date, time and availability at the time of booking.

Sealink charges from around $154 per car up to 5.5m and then around $28 per passenger (both prices one-way).

You will not receive any discount for booking a return ticket! So a return trip to Waiheke from Auckland with your car will cost around $308 for one car and one passenger.

If you wish to take a motorcycle only it will cost around $79 one-way. A quadbike only will cost $93.50 one-way.

If you need to transport a larger vehicle to Waiheke Island from Auckland, such as a truck, trailer, caravan or motorhome, then you need to enquire directly with Sealink to get a quote and to book. Spaces are subject to availability so you need to plan well in advance.

It is also best to book in advance to get the best prices and the times you want to travel because the ferries do fill up.

You can see Sealink’s current fare table on their website.

How Long The Vehicle Ferry Takes From Auckland To Waiheke Island

It takes around 60 minutes to travel on the Sealink vehicle ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island.

Vehicle bookings must arrive 30 minutes before departure and check-in will close 20 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing time for vehicles. 

While on the ferry you can enjoy the lounge/cafe facilities and admire the views. There are also toilets available on the ferry.

Arrival On Waiheke Island – Kennedy Point Ferry Terminal

Sealink ferries go to the Kennedy Point terminal on Waiheke Island.

This is a different ferry terminal to the Mataitai Terminal (the most well known and popular ferry terminal on Waiheke Island).

The Kennedy Point terminal is southeast of Oneroa, about a 10-minute drive.

How To Book Your Ferry Tickets With Sealink (For Vehicles)

You can book your tickets with Sealink directly on their website.

My Experience Travelling From Auckland To Waiheke Island – Sealink Vehicle Ferry Review

I travelled to Waiheke Island with my campervan from Half Moon Bay in Auckland in 2021.

It cost around $152 for 2 passengers and a vehicle. I paid for the price of a car because vehicles can be up to 5.5m in length and my campervan is within this.

I found the whole process (booking, checking in, boarding and disembarking) very straightforward.

The staff are very helpful and the ferry was comfortable for the journey.

You are welcome to leave your vehicle during the journey and explore the ferry. If the weather is nice you can enjoy the view across the Hauraki Gulf and islands!

How To Get To Waiheke Island From Auckland On The Ferry – Fullers360 Vs Sealink Summary

Sealink and Fullers360 are the two ferry companies that you can travel with to Waiheke Island from Auckland.

Each company has their own pros and cons and is best suited depending on the method of travel you choose.

If you need to travel to Waiheke Island with a vehicle, then Sealink is your only option.

If you are travelling as a foot passenger or with a bike, then you have the pick of Fullers360 or Sealink.

However, looking at the differences between the two in terms of speed, convenience and price, Fullers360 offers a better value for money and time service than Sealink overall.

Discover The Best Things To Do On Waiheke Island – Plan Activities For When You Arrive

Once you arrive on Waiheke Island, make sure to check out Oneroa – one of Waiheke’s main townships. This cute village has plenty of awesome things to do! Find out more in this post: 11 Best Things To Do In Oneroa, Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island has some of the best beaches in New Zealand! Discover all the best beaches and what to do there in this post: 16 Best Beaches On Waiheke Island & What To Do There

If you’ve travelled to Waiheke Island without a car, find out the best things to do by walking, cycling or bus and how to get there in this post: 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car

Looking for fun things to do on Waiheke Island? Check out these ideas:

Waiheke Island Full-Day Bike Rental

Discover Waiheke’s best beaches, activities and wineries at your own pace with an e-bike! An e-bike will help you cycle Waiheke’s hilly terrain with ease! Rental includes the bike, helmet, a lock and itineraries/maps. Once you’ve finished, the bikes will be collected from you making it a stress-free experience. Get a full days rental from $110 per group (up to 8 people). View more info & book Full-Day Bike Rental in Waiheke Island (Viator).

Waiheke Island Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tickets

Catch the ferry from Auckland and explore Waiheke on the hop-on/hop-off tour bus. Taking the bus is a flexible and cost-effective tour option on Waiheke Island. The Explorer bus goes to all the major stops on the island, including vineyards and beaches. The bus stops at 16 stops including the Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Oneroa Village, Onetangi Beach (another awesome beach on Waiheke), Mudbrick Vineyard and Cable Bay Vineyard and more! Tickets from $68 per person. View more info & book tickets for the Explorer Bus (Viator).

Waiheke Island Zipline & Native Forest Adventure Trip

The Zipline & Native Forest Adventure is a different activity to do on Waiheke Island. Glide over a forest canopy in native New Zealand bush. You can go with a friend and enjoy 3 200-meter ziplines together. The zipline glides over a vineyard! You will also get panoramic views of the beautiful Hauraki Gulf. The trip includes pickup and drop off from the Matiatia Ferry Terminal. From $129 per person. View more info & book your Waiheke Island Zipline Adventure (Get Your Guide).

Waiheke Island Premium Food & Wine Tour With Platter Lunch

Make your own way to Waiheke Island and then discover local produce and wines from top boutique vineyards on this fully-guided food and wine tour. The Waiheke Island Premium Food & Wine Tour lasts around 5.5 hours. Your guide will meet you at the Matiata Wharf (or your Waiheke Island accommodation) and will transport you across the island. Taste fresh and award-winning local foods of the island along with great wines. Your tour also includes a platter lunch at one of the island’s top vineyard restaurants. This is a really popular tour with 4.9/5 star reviews from previous visitors! From $215 per person. View more info & book the Waiheke Premium Food & Wine Tour (Get Your Guide).

Search For Accommodation On Waiheke Island

If you’re planning to camp on Waiheke Island, then check out my blog post on the Poukaraka Flats Campground on Waiheke Island: Camping On Waiheke Island: Poukaraka Flats Campground

Waiheke Island also has a great hostel. I stayed here during my visit to Waiheke Island and I highly recommend it for budget travellers. It is located in Onetangi and has great facilities and a view of the beach! Read my review here: The Best Hostel On Waiheke Island: Waiheke Backpackers Hostel Review

Finding a place to stay for your trip to Waiheke Island? Take a look at options on Bookingcom:

Auckland To Waiheke Ferry (Fullers360 Vs Sealink) – Thanks For Reading!

In this blog post, we looked at how to take the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island. There are two companies that travel to Waiheke Island – Sealink and Fullers360.

If you are travelling with a vehicle, then you need to take the Sealink ferry company.

Bike and foot passengers can take the Fullers360 ferry which is a lot faster and can allow visitors to go to Waiheke Island for a day trip from Auckland.

I hope that this post has helped you when planning your trip to Waiheke Island from Auckland on the ferry! – Lauren x