Sailing South: Crossing From Bluff to Stewart Island

The crossing from Bluff to Stewart Island is an exciting way to reach one of New Zealand’s most desired eco-tourism havens. As you traverse the waters of the Foveaux Strait aboard the Stewart Island Ferry, discover the magic of the New Zealand coastline, enjoying the adventure of coastal sailing within this unforgettable one-hour crossing.

If you’re on the hunt for world-class experiences in nature, Stewart Island (also known as Rakiura) is ready for you. Largely undisturbed by human infrastructure, Stewart Island offers picture-perfect beaches, inviting natural NZ rainforests, and a night sky that’s full to the brim with stars.

Visitors can also experience sightings of rare wildlife, including NZ’s elusive kiwi! For anyone who’s looking to experience New Zealand at its natural finest, Stewart Island offers an immersive experience of our country’s flora, fauna, and environmental beauty. Pack your bags - it’s time to go island cruising!

You don’t need to reach Stewart Island for the good times to begin. As you sail across the Foveaux Strait, you may be lucky enough to get a glimpse of all kinds of marine wildlife. From racing dolphins to grand albatrosses, there’s plenty of activity out on the water.

Crossings can be met with a range of weather forecasts, with either a smooth sailing expedition or a slightly more exhilarating ride on offer, depending on the date. Thankfully, experienced captains who know the crossing like the back of their hand make for safe, comfortable and exciting journeys.

With varying prices for adult and child tickets, you’ll find competitive rates that help to make your island cruising a reality.

Forget about compromising when it comes to family fun on your next holiday: Stewart Island has something for everyone.

Once you reach the island, the adventures keep coming. Our favourite family-friendly activities include:

• Discovering the magic of Bathing Beach (including a small boat wreckage that’s visible at low tide!)
• Following the Fuchsia Walk and Raroa Reserve Track - a 30-minute one-way track, the entire family can get up close and personal with a variety of native birds
• Visiting the Rakiura Museum - if the weather’s not looking good for beach activities, it’s time to hit the museum. Find relics that highlight Stewart Island’s Maori history, as well as its history of whaling, fishing, timber milling, mining, boat building, and more. Open daily, kids are able to enter for free, making this an affordable and fun activity for the entire family
• Visiting the Bunkhouse Theatre - this family-friendly cinema experience tells the story of Stewart Island from the perspective of Lola the Dog! Throw in some popcorn, and you’ve got a cosy movie session the whole family will enjoy
• Checking out the views from Observation Rock - just a 15-minute climb, Observation Rock looks out over the Paterson Inlet. You can visit this viewpoint while on the family-friendly Village & Bays Tour
• Playing a game of giant chess by the water - a giant chess board sits waiting and ready on Oban’s shores for families to enjoy. Do you have some time to kill before making the crossing back to Bluff? Time to see who’s the Grand Chessmaster in your family.

The Stewart Island Ferry runs on a convenient schedule that allows you to make the most of your time on Stewart Island. In summer, bookings run from Bluff to Stewart Island departing at 9.45am, 1.45pm and 5.15pm, you can start your crossing at the time of day that suits you and your family best. In winter months, the timetable changes slightly to depart Bluff at 9:45amand 4:30pm. Visit our website for an updated ferry schedule and booking options to secure your crossing.

When it comes to making the most of your New Zealand adventure, we’re here to help! Everything New Zealand is made up of passionate travel experts from New Zealand and Australia who don’t recommend a single experience or destination we haven’t tried ourselves. With more than 50 locations and over 1500 hand-picked travel experiences throughout New Zealand and Australia, we’re your one-stop-shop for a New Zealand travel adventure you’ll never forget.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing, slow exploration through the country, or on the hunt for thrill-seeking activities, we’ve got every recommendation you need to build your dream itinerary. Don’t take our word for it - 93% of new customers have let us know they’ve had a good or excellent experience with us.

We’re so passionate about New Zealand that we want you to experience its magic for yourself! Book now or contact us today to bring your maritime adventure dreams to life with the Bluff to Stewart Island crossing.