Checking in - What to expect when you're travelling with us

We know the thought of driving a vehicle on to a boat can be a bit daunting, but our team makes the process as seamless as possible. Travelling with us is easy and fun! 

If you're travelling with your vehicle our traffic marshal will greet you as you enter the terminal. They'll direct you to park in one of the loading lanes ready to board the ferry. As we often have full sailings we ask that you park as closely as possible behind the car in front of you to allow us to get all travellers into the loading lanes.

In some cases we might need to measure the height or length of your vehicle so we know where to slot you on the vessel.

If you have a paid and confirmed booking our traffic marshal will direct you to the appropriate lane. If you haven’t pre-purchased a ticket, or have extra passengers with you, just head into the ticketing office when you arrive.

checking in checking in
boarding with a vehicle

Boarding with a vehicle

Heading to Waiheke Island? We’ve got ferries where you can just drive straight on, and others where you’ll need to reverse your vehicle on, it all depends on which ferry you’re booked on. If you’re off to Great Barrier Island, you’ll need to reverse your vehicle onto the ferry. No worries if that’s a bit tricky, just let our friendly crew know when you check in, and they’ll be happy to help you out. Our crew will guide you on to the boat helping you every step of the way. Safe travels and enjoy the ride!

Walking on board SeaLink

Boarding by foot

If you're travelling to either Waiheke or Great Barrier Island, we have a loading area for foot passengers to gather. The traffic marshal or crew will direct you when it is time to load. For your own safety we do not allow foot passengers and vehicles to load at the same time. We ask that you follow the crew instructions and walk in the pedestrian areas only. It is unsafe to cut across loading lanes.

Unaccompanied vehicle being loaded on SeaLink

Unaccompanied vehicle

If you need to send a vehicle or trailer without a driver, we can help. These can travel on selected sailings with a bit of notice. Just give our team a call on (09) 300 5900 to make a booking. A small fee applies for loading and unloading, and there’s an extra charge during busy times like December to February and public holidays. To keep things running smoothly, please make sure your unaccompanied vehicle or trailer is ready to board at least 30 minutes before departure. 


Unaccompanied loading fee (Dec-Feb and public holidays)



$76.50
        
 Unaccompanied loading fee (March-November)     


$45.50


Checking-in

All passengers and vehicles travelling to/from our terminals with or without vehicles will need to arrive at the times outlined below.

Destination
Vehicle and driver
Walk-on passengers
Heavy vehicles
Unaccompanied vehicles
Waiheke Island
(Kennedy Point)
30 minutes prior
20 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
Great Barrier Island
(Port Fitzroy)
60 minutes prior
30 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
Auckland City (Hamer St)
30 minutes prior
20 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
East Auckland (Half Moon Bay)
30 minutes prior
20 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
Great Barrier Island
(Tryphena)
60 minutes prior
30 minutes prior
60 minutes prior
60 minutes prior

Waiheke Island
(Kennedy Point)

Vehicle and driver 30 minutes prior
Walk-on passengers 20 minutes prior
Heavy vehicles 60 minutes prior
Unaccompanied vehicles 60 minutes prior

Great Barrier Island
(Port Fitzroy)

Vehicle and driver 60 minutes prior
Walk-on passengers 30 minutes prior
Heavy vehicles 60 minutes prior
Unaccompanied vehicles 60 minutes prior

Auckland City (Hamer St)

Vehicle and driver 30 minutes prior
Walk-on passengers 20 minutes prior
Heavy vehicles 60 minutes prior
Unaccompanied vehicles 60 minutes prior

East Auckland (Half Moon Bay)

Vehicle and driver 30 minutes prior
Walk-on passengers 20 minutes prior
Heavy vehicles 60 minutes prior
Unaccompanied vehicles 60 minutes prior

Great Barrier Island
(Tryphena)

Vehicle and driver 60 minutes prior
Walk-on passengers 30 minutes prior
Heavy vehicles 60 minutes prior
Unaccompanied vehicles 60 minutes prior
Boarding Closes

Due to loading requirements, boarding will close 20 minutes prior to departure for vehicles and 15 minutes prior for foot passengers. SeaLink reserves the right to deny boarding after this time.

Ticket and Extra Passengers

If you haven’t pre-purchased a ticket, or have extra passengers with you, just head into the ticketing office when you arrive. Payment can be made by EFTPOS or credit card. 

Boarding the ferry


Safety information

Safety and information announcements are made through the PA system at the commencement of your journey. If you are travelling on one of our vehicle ferries, the crew will also inform you when to prepare for disembarking the ferry. If you have any questions about locations of lifejackets, please don't hesitate to ask a member of the crew.

First aid

Crew are trained in first aid and first aid kits are available onboard. All our vehicle ferries carry defibrillators onboard in case of emergency. For your safety, we ask that you travel with any necessary medical supplies with you at all times.

Travelling with children

We want everyone to enjoy our service, no matter what age, but a vehicle ferry can be a dangerous place. It is important that children are supervised at all times.

NO vaping or smoking

There is no smoking or vaping at any time on our vessels or in our terminals. Please do not try and bend the rules as we have no tolerance for this behaviour.

Safety onboard

In the unlikely event of an emergency, please follow the instructions of your crew.

Please be careful when moving around the vessel and ensure that children are supervised at all times.

Life Jackets

Life jackets can be found on all our vessels. But their locations differ from boat to boat. Please ask the crew on board for specific information. Child and Infant lifejackets are available with the crew.

Muster Station

Emergency muster stations are located forward and aft of the vehicle decks, and your well-trained crew will advise when you need to go to them.

Mind your step

There can be a lot of hazards on board a working vessel. Ensure you watch your step as you move around and take care. 

Onboard cafe

We have a fantastic onboard cafe and bar on all our vehicle ferries. Remember to take care when moving around the vessel with your food and drink. 

our terminal
Our Ferry Terminals

We have several terminals we travel to. Check out which ones you'll visit before travelling.

Find out more
SeaLinks fleet
The SeaLink Fleet

Our boats are hard to miss, each one has its own unique feel. Check them out before you travel.

Find out more
SeaLink onboard facilties cafe
Onboard Facilities

More than just a boat ride, we've got lots of bells and whistles for you to enjoy while you are with us.

Find out more
Pest free Hauraki Gulf
Pest Free Operator

We are proud to be a Hauraki Gulf Pest Free Operator. You can help us look after the waters we sail on too.

Find out more

Ready to Book?

Passengers

Passengers

Resident Non-Resident

Passengers

Click these buttons for resident/non options
Resident Non-Resident

Passengers

{{ formValidations.firstNameError }}
{{ formValidations.lastNameError }}
{{ formValidations.emailError }}
{{ formValidations.partyReferenceError }}
No booking found. Search
Rakino Island sailings

Get the latest on our next trip to Rakino Island.

Find out more
Protect the Gulf

Please make sure your vehicle is clean before you arrive at our terminals — it’s a simple way to help protect our beautiful islands.

Find out more
Senior Waiheke travel

Heading to Waiheke Island as a foot passenger on your Gold AT HOP card from Half Moon Bay or Auckland City?

Find out more
Waiheke timetable change

Due to construction at our Half Moon Bay terminal there have been some minor timetable changes.

Find out more
See all travel alerts
See all travel alerts
Sign up for TXT Alerts
TXT Alerts
Sign up

Ready to Book?

Manage your booking Travel Alerts

Sign up for our newsletter

Stay up to date with everything SeaLink including promotions, news and our latest updates.

Sign up Now