Fullers360

Fullers360 is the main ferry and sightseeing operator on the Auckland harbour, and runs the passenger services that link the city with Waiheke Island and Rangitoto. Its passenger ferries leave from downtown Auckland, and alongside the scheduled services it runs a range of tours that turn a ferry ticket into a full day out.

On Waiheke, the Western Explorer hop-on hop-off bus links vineyards, beaches and seaside villages, so you can plan your own day around the island. The Eastern Explorer bus covers the quieter eastern side. For wine lovers, Taste of Waiheke includes a vineyard lunch and several tastings, the Vineyard Explorer visits three wineries with an island tour, and Waiheke Wine and Dine bundles return ferry tickets with a tour and a winery experience. The Eastern Explorer Long Lunch is another food and wine option, and the EcoZip Adventure Tour sends you along three ziplines above a vineyard and forest canopy, either on its own or combined with a wine tour. A weekend shuttle connects Man O' War at the eastern end of the island with the Matiatia ferry wharf.

For Rangitoto, Fullers360 runs the ferry that most walkers use for the summit walk, the lava caves and the island's bays and beaches. Its guided eBike tour, led by a Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki guide, rides from the Rangitoto lava fields across to Motutapu Island, adding the perspective of Ngāi Tai, who manage Rangitoto in partnership with the Department of Conservation. Walks across to Motutapu are also possible.

Closer to the city, the Auckland Harbour Cruise offers views of the skyline and waterfront with commentary, and the Electric Hydrofoil Experience is a ride on Manta, a fully electric hydrofoiling ferry.

Fullers360 also appears in timetables for Devonport, though Auckland Transport publishes timetables for Devonport and other commuter services on its own website, so check there for those routes.

Practical advice is simple: check the time of the last ferry back from Waiheke or Rangitoto before you go, and on Rangitoto bring food and water, as the island has no shops. Fullers' ferries to Waiheke take about 40 minutes.

The operator suits almost every visitor, from wine lovers and families to walkers and those simply wanting a harbour cruise. Its tours are especially useful for travellers without a car who want to see Waiheke's vineyards without arranging their own transport.