Visiting Rangitoto Island from Auckland by Ferry
Just a short ferry ride from Auckland is Rangitoto Island. This volcanic island formed after an eruption around 600 years ago. It has stayed relatively wild as there are no people that live here, it hasn’t been destroyed by agriculture, and many native animals call Rangitoto Island home.
Most visitors come to Rangitoto Island to hike and explore its unique nature. Whether you are hiking to the summit, interested in geology, or just want to escape the city, Rangitoto Island is makes for a great destination that is easily accessible by ferry from Auckland.
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Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island located in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland. Rangitoto Island is about 5.5 km or 3.4 miles wide. The island is a shield volcano, the summit is about 260m or 850 ft tall.
Taking the Ferry to Rangitoto Island from Auckland
Ferries depart to Rangitoto Island from Auckland’s downtown ferry terminal. A one way trip to Rangitoto Island from Auckland is about 25- 30 minutes.
It is recommended to arrive at the ferry port 30 minutes prior to departure to allow for any security checks and boarding.
The ferry company that travels between Auckland and Rangitoto Island is Fullers360. The ferries were spacious and quiet, I had no problems finding indoor seating on each leg of my journey to Rangitoto Island.
On Rangitoto Island, there are two ferry ports, Rangitoto Wharf and Islington Bay Wharf.
Rangitoto Wharf is the primary wharf but Islington Bay Wharf is used as an alternate when conditions are not ideal to port at Rangitoto Wharf or in my case, there was work being done on Rangitoto Wharf, so we arrived and departed from Islington Bay Wharf.
Below is the current Rangitoto Island Ferry Prices and Timetables.
Ticket Prices to Rangitoto Island
Adults: $58
Children: $26
Family Tickets (Two Adults and Two Children): $119
Timetables
Departing Auckland
Monday – Friday
9:30, 10:30, 12:15
Weekends
9:15, 10:30, 12:15
Departing Rangitoto Island
Monday – Friday
12:45, 14:30, 15:30
Weekends
12:45, 14:30, 16:00
For updated times, prices, and bookings, I recommend visiting the Fullers360 website.
Hiking Rangitoto Island and Things to See
Most people visiting Rangitoto Island from Auckland come here to hike to the Summit Lookout. There are multiple trails that lead here to include the Summit Track, Summit Road, or Coastline Track.
If arriving via Rangitoto Wharf, taking the Summit Track is the easiest route to reach the summit. It’s an hour hike uphill. Don’t forget to stop at the lava caves on the way there.
I arrived at Islington Bay Wharf and took the Islington Bay Road to the Summit Road. Taking the road took a little over an hour. After spending 10 minutes at the summit, I took the Summit Track to the Coastal Track and hiked about 2 hours along the coast back to Islington Bay.
For those that want to get a real good hike in, I recommend doing what I did. The Coastal Track was 100% worth the time. The trail was easy and flat for the most part. It crossed lava fields, traversed through forests, and followed beautiful coastal areas.
Just remember to pay attention to trail times and don’t get stranded on Rangitoto Island.
The best and most common way if not the only way to get around Rangitoto Island is by hiking. But there is more to see and do then I listed. Get your self a trail map and see what interests and works best for your day trip to Rangitoto Island.
Tips for Visiting
- Rangitoto Island is uninhabited and there are no stores here so pack wisely. Bring your own food, water, and any supplies you think you might need.
- You visit Rangitoto Island mainly for hiking, so ring hiking shoes or at least something comfortable. The trails are unpaved and can be rocky.
- Protect the local flora and fauna, so stay on the trails and let wildlife be wild.
- Make sure you are aware of the ferry times the day of your trip. There is a last ferry that leaves the island. You wouldn’t want to get stranded.
Conclusion
Rangitoto Island is a must-visit destination and makes for the perfect day trip from Auckland, New Zealand. With scenic hiking trails, 360° summit views, and lava fields as far as the eye can see, Rangitoto Island is an incredible place to travel to outside of Auckland. The ferry to Rangitoto Island is stress free and convenient, so there shouldn’t be any excuses to miss out on this unique volcanic island.
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