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Interislander - Cook Strait Ferries

Day Return

Go on a mini-cruise with Interislander. Cruise across Cook Strait for the day for $99 Adult & $49 Child return.

Do a day return on Interislander in April Do a day return on Interislander in April

Take a mini-cruise with Interislander!

We’ve brought back our Day Return fares – an affordable and fun way to visit Picton or Wellington for you and your family.

Day Return fares are just $99 for adults and $49 for children. (Under 2s are free).

Go wine tasting, mountain biking, kayaking, cruising around the Sounds. Or come on over to Wellington for a visit to Te Papa, a ride the cable car or enjoy a spot of shopping along Lambton Quay and Cuba Street.

A chance to get away from it all for a day. Take yourself, your partner, your kids, the grandkids, and even your bike.

The journey is a destination!

If you haven't been to the South or North Island for a while, hop on board the Interislander! 

Enjoy the stunning Marlborough Sounds and get the best views of Wellington City cruising through the harbour. Spot dolphins, gannets, albatross or seals on the way.

Enjoy our hospitality on board. Upgrade to our Premium Lounge. We’ll keep the kids entertained with our school holiday programme. Catch the latest movie on your way home. There are plenty of things to see and do!

If you are catching the ferry in Wellington a shuttle bus leaves from platform 10 at Wellington Railway Station, 70 minutes before your departure time. There is no long term parking at the terminal. The closest car park is Parkmate at Sky Stadium. Park your car and walk to the Railway Station for the bus. It is not a pleasant walk along Aotea Quay.

How to book an Interislander Day Return

Go to Book Now. Select Wellington to Picton, or Picton to Wellington. Enter the day you want to sail - making sure the outbound and return dates are the same. Tell us who is travelling then enter DT2025 into the Promocode box. 

Hit "Next".

Select the sailing times that suit you, any extras you want to add, tell us who is coming on board and you are ready to go.

You can't book a car on Day Return - just people.

What about Cook Strait weather?

We know it is not always smooth sailing across Cook Strait. We want to you to enjoy your mini-cruise so the Day Return fare is fully refundable up to an hour before your scheduled departure time. If the weather doesn't look great you can cancel for a full refund or move your trip to another day.

Top 10 things to do on an Interislander day return

Destinations Picton Harbour Kaitaki in Dock
Destinations Picton Harbour Kaitaki in Dock

Picton

Wine tasting, browsing museums, the Sounds, a stroll along the waterfront or a long lunch - Picton has it all.

Day Return to Picton
Interislander Kaitaki Aerial Wellington Leaving Aotea Quay LK 6115
Interislander Kaitaki Aerial Wellington Leaving Aotea Quay LK 6115

Wellington

Tour Parliament - it's free! Wander the waterfront to Wellington Museum & Te Papa. Lunch in funky Cuba Street or shop Lambton Quay.

Day return to Wellington

Terms and Conditions

  • Change or cancel your sailing up to 1 hour before scheduled departure time
  • Cancel and receive full refund less credit card fee
  • You can move your booking to other sailings within the offer period
  • If the passenger does not take the second leg, the booking/ticket expires that day. For any subsequent return trip on the next day (or later date) the customer must buy a new ticket.
  • The day return offer only applies to Adult and Child fares. No further discount is offered on Senior or Student fares. 
  • Foot passengers only. No vehicles may be attached to the booking however you can book your bike in the Extras section.
  • No vehicles apart from bikes can be included on a Day Return fare.
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