Summer is calling, which means it’s time for our annual change to our peak season timetable. Each year we routinely make the change to provide additional frequency to support the increased volumes heading out to Waiheke and Rangitoto across the summer season.
Our timetable for Waiheke and Rangitoto will change on Monday October 16.
Please see the timetable here.
Waiheke Walk-up
As part of our annual change to a peak season timetable with more frequency, we will be introducing an additional 54 services to the Waiheke Walk-up service per week, which provides a total of 326 sailings each week.
This means, within the Waiheke Walk-up timetable, we will be providing up to 22 return services per day (increasing to approx. up to 25 in weekend peak times), which caters to transporting approximately between 12,000–20,000 customers per day.
To support both frequent ferry users, and visitors alike, we will be operating with a half hour frequency during peak commute times, and peak visitor times on the weekend.
Our peak season timetable will be similar to what ran last year, however this year we are pleased to include the introduction of Waiheke Reserve - a new ferry service which will provide additional bookable sailings. These sailings will be provided in addition to what is already available in the Waiheke Walk-up service.
Waiheke Reserve
Waiheke Reserve is a new return ferry service from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island. Launching today, Waiheke Reserve will give visitors to Waiheke Island the opportunity to pre-book a date and departure time in advance of travel to and from Waiheke Island. Once booked, seats are secured. Waiheke Reserve will be the perfect choice for those with fixed travel schedules.
This new service will complement existing Waiheke Walk-up sailings and will help respond to increased visitor demand for ferry services over the peak summer period.
We will be operating this service with a limited number of sailings during the peak visitor time over summer, with a set number of tickets available – once they’re gone, they’re gone. Set sail with us on this premium service from November.
For more information on Waiheke Reserve check out: https://www.fullers.co.nz/destinations-and-experiences/experiences/ferry-experiences/waiheke-reserve/
Rangitoto
From 16 October, Rangitoto service will move to operating 7 days a week. We will be providing 3 sailing trips per day to the island.
Please see timetable information here.
For smooth travel this summer we are asking customers to:
- Arrive early, at least an hour in advance, for the Waiheke Walk-up service during peak times.
- Buy tickets online (and save!).
- Consider travelling outside of peak times with our 50% discounted tickets – check out the deal here: https://www.fullers.co.nz/deals/buy-online-and-save/waiheke-island-off-peak-tickets/.
- Consider purchasing a ticket on the Waiheke Reserve ferry service if you have a fixed schedule on the island.
- Plan ahead.
Like many visitor and tourism businesses, we have been operating through a period of recovery. We continue to address the maritime skills shortage affecting our business which has impacted on the timetables we are able to deliver.
We remain short 12 crews of a full workforce, however, are making significant gains in this space as we continue to actively resolve this. Several initiatives are already completed or underway as we continue to take action to address the critical shortage of highly skilled maritime crew necessary to operate our services at full capacity. You can find out more about those initiatives here:
- htps://www.fullers.co.nz/news-updates/customer-updates/2023-08/training-programme-aimsto-increase-the-number-of-qualified-marine-crew/
- htps://www.fullers.co.nz/news-updates/media-releases/2023-09/fullers360-deckhands-andskippers-to-receive-record-wage-increase
As we head into the busy summer season, we are once again asking our customers to be kind to our crew and staff who are committed to getting you to where you need to be.
See you on the water.
