East By West Ferries
East By West Ferries
4.5
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
You haven’t experienced Wellington until you’ve been on our unique Harbour Ferry Service.
Daily crossings stop at Queens Wharf, Days Bay and Mātiu/Somes Island.
We operate the Southern Hemisphere's first fully electric ferry, Ika Rere, on some of our timetabled crossings
Mātiu/Somes is a predator free island located in the middle of Wellington Harbour and home to an abundance of plant and birdlife.
Days Bay and Eastbourne are seaside townships, home to beaches, bush walks, cafes and boutique shops, commonly known as "Wellington's playground by the sea".
Please note our new fare structure for all timetabled sailings, including trips to Matiu/Somes Island:
Under 13s now travel free
13 - 18 year olds pay 25% of current adult fares
19 - 25 year olds pay 50% of current adult fares
Duration: 2-3 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- Wayne PCleveland, Ohio177 contributionsNice ride across the bay.I was spending a day in Wellington and most restaurants and coffee shops were closed because the government was shut down for the week between Christmas and New Years. I took the ferry to Days Bay since there were restaurants there. The ferry was a nice ride but got a little rough in the middle of the trip but was otherwise a nice ride. The neatest part of the ride was when a group of dolphins starting riding along the ferry.Visited December 2022Written 3 March 2023
- akurajillMasterton, New Zealand20 contributionsDelightful Ferry ServiceSuch an easy process. Ease of purchasing tickets.. Good information on web site. Good information from office staff too. Very lucky to ride on new electric ferry Ika TereVisited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 March 2023
- Naija MAlgiers, Algeria646 contributionsGood serviceWe used this ferry to visit Eastbourne for the day. The tickets were easy to purchase; there is a ticket office near the waterfront close to where the boat is. I found the staff onboard friendly and helpful.Visited July 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 24 July 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
126 reviews
Excellent
70
Very good
46
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Naija M
Algiers, Algeria646 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Friends
We used this ferry to visit Eastbourne for the day. The tickets were easy to purchase; there is a ticket office near the waterfront close to where the boat is. I found the staff onboard friendly and helpful.
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maps17794639356
1 contribution
Apr. 2023 • Friends
The ferry ride itself was fabulous but the captain and his staff were rude and unfriendly. I did 2 trips in 1 day and on both trips observed the captain talk down to customers and be extremely rude when they asked him simple questions. His bad attitude seemed to rub off on the younger staff taking bookings and working on the ferry. I would use the service again due to its convenience and cost effectiveness but would expect to be greeted by a captain who was a bit happier and approachable.
Written 30 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
akurajill
Masterton, New Zealand20 contributions
Mar. 2023 • Couples
Such an easy process. Ease of purchasing tickets.. Good information on web site. Good information from office staff too.
Very lucky to ride on new electric ferry Ika Tere
Very lucky to ride on new electric ferry Ika Tere
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne P
Cleveland, OH177 contributions
Dec. 2022
I was spending a day in Wellington and most restaurants and coffee shops were closed because the government was shut down for the week between Christmas and New Years. I took the ferry to Days Bay since there were restaurants there. The ferry was a nice ride but got a little rough in the middle of the trip but was otherwise a nice ride. The neatest part of the ride was when a group of dolphins starting riding along the ferry.
Written 3 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4chillis
Adelaide, Australia995 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Couples
We wanted a short tourist outing so bought return tickets for Days Bay. Great value. Seeing Wellington from the water was great - beautiful city. The staff were all really friendly. The ferry was comfortable. Would recommend.
Written 3 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jared-Kiwi
Wellington, New Zealand269 contributions
Oct. 2021 • Family
Family trip of 13 people across to Days Bay return via Matiu Somes Island great entertainment for the young children at a fair price. Great for the family to see the harbour via a very slick operation at each stop.
The ferry is clean and tidy with the staff being very attentive from the shore crew to the Captain and crew
The ferry is clean and tidy with the staff being very attentive from the shore crew to the Captain and crew
Written 7 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phedder
Invercargill, New Zealand774 contributions
Oct. 2020
Brilliant trip to Soames Island for the day. $50 for two adults for the day return trip represents great value for money. An easy walk around the loop track on the island. Easily managed by anyone.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant N
Hastings, New Zealand1,418 contributions
Sep. 2020
Left from Days Bay to go to Matiu/Somes Island. Weather was blowing a gale and the crew did a great job coming to the wharf at Days Bay and the island. Stayed below on way to Matiu as it was into the waves and wind - stayed on top coming back with the forward speed negating the wind factor and we were able to enjoy the view all the way back to the Days Bay Wharf. Spent a very windy time on Matiu and getting to the ferry from the island was an interesting short walk with the wind trying its best to blow us across the harbour. All good fun though and again the crew did a marvellous job. Worth taking a trip just for the enjoyment - though maybe on a less windy day!
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan N
New Zealand29 contributions
Sep. 2020
I've been in Wellington a number of times over the years (mostly for work), but have never been out on the Harbour - apart from twice on the Cook Straight Ferry. My friend suggested catching a ferry, which is not something I had thought of doing. The weather was exceptional so it was very busy. The staff member in the ticket office was very friendly and the ferry trip was fun. We went across to Day's Bay for a nice lunch and a look around.
Written 22 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Izzymd
Maryland10 contributions
Mar. 2020
My wife and I used the East by West Ferries today, what a great find. We had four different rides, every one picked up and delivered on time.
We really didn't know what we were doing. We're not that familiar with the area. We wanted to go from Strathmore Park (a Wellington suburb) to Days Bay. We needed to get to Wellington's CBD and from there across the harbor to Days Bay.
First we thought we'd have to take a bus to the CBD, then back again at the end. It turns out we were able to catch the ferry near where we're staying, about a 10 minute walk. It took us to Queens Warf, from there off to Days Bay on the same ferry. Too cool.
Coming back we were able to catch the 12:45 ferry from Days Bay to Queens Warf. We got two hours in Wellington, did a quick Parliament (The Beehive, which was also really good) tour, and then caught the 3:30 ferry back to Seatoun.
The only reason we knew what we could do and how to do was because we got help from a very nice lady in the ferry office named Caitlyn. She responded to an email very quickly and clearly. We also called the office and she answered the phone and helped us some more. Great job Caitlyn
During our ferry rides we got additional help from the boat's deck hand, Katie. Katie was on three of our rides and made sure we knew what we were doing and assured us that we'd be fine.
These two ladies really helped make this a stress free and enjoyable day. That and the quality of the ferry service were much appreciated.
We really didn't know what we were doing. We're not that familiar with the area. We wanted to go from Strathmore Park (a Wellington suburb) to Days Bay. We needed to get to Wellington's CBD and from there across the harbor to Days Bay.
First we thought we'd have to take a bus to the CBD, then back again at the end. It turns out we were able to catch the ferry near where we're staying, about a 10 minute walk. It took us to Queens Warf, from there off to Days Bay on the same ferry. Too cool.
Coming back we were able to catch the 12:45 ferry from Days Bay to Queens Warf. We got two hours in Wellington, did a quick Parliament (The Beehive, which was also really good) tour, and then caught the 3:30 ferry back to Seatoun.
The only reason we knew what we could do and how to do was because we got help from a very nice lady in the ferry office named Caitlyn. She responded to an email very quickly and clearly. We also called the office and she answered the phone and helped us some more. Great job Caitlyn
During our ferry rides we got additional help from the boat's deck hand, Katie. Katie was on three of our rides and made sure we knew what we were doing and assured us that we'd be fine.
These two ladies really helped make this a stress free and enjoyable day. That and the quality of the ferry service were much appreciated.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingEast By West Ferries: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about East By West Ferries
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