Start your East Auckland experience with a beautiful scenic ride from Auckland City to East Auckland. The perfect and quickest way to travel and discover the Hauraki Gulf and its stunning features and surrounding islands.

The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is home to a myriad of islands and five marine reserves, most of which can be visited for recreation and relaxation. The marine park covers an area of more than 1.2 million hectares. There are more than 50 islands within the park, many of which are public conservation lands managed by us.

The ferry ride takes about 30-40mins departing from Auckland Downtown Ferry Terminal Pier 1, 99 Quay Street (Ferry Building) to Ferry Terminal Half Moon Bay Marina, Ara-Tai Road. See map visual below. Check the ferry timetables for more information on departure times.

Along the Ferry ride, you will see iconic landmarks including:

1. Beautiful backdrop of Auckland City
While leaving Auckland Downtown, make sure you look back to the stunning city featuring the 220m SKY Tower, The White Cloud building along with other business high risers. One of the best ways to see Auckland from ground level.

2. Rangitoto Island (Māori for ‘Bloody Sky’)
Emerging from the sea just 600 years ago, pest-free Rangitoto Island is the youngest volcano in New Zealand. An Auckland icon and deeply enriched with history, it’s long been a favourite day trip for walkers, and a much-loved boating destination.
Rangitoto can be seen from the arrival point at Half Moon Bay (you’ll see photos below)

3. Motueka – Browns Island
The entire Motukorea/Browns Island archaeological landscape is outstanding because of its completeness and intactness. Sites include rare archaic middens, fish traps and stone structures. For at least six centuries the island was a base for Maori gardening and fishing. Subsequent activity includes farming from 1840 and a destination for picnic excursions, both continuing to the present day.

4. Half Moon Bay Marina
Half Moon Bay Marina is situated right in the heart of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. Widely regarded as one of the world’s best cruising grounds, with its magnificent choice of islands, white sandy beaches, secluded coves and safe harbours.

5. Half Moon Bay Ferry Pier
The newly built pier was opened in April 2017, offering a modern safe experience for visitors and commuters travelling from and to East Auckland. It also ensures better connections, between bus and ferry services, travel experiences and will account for six percent of the over 6.1 million trips now being taken on the Auckland ferry network per year.

NOTE: Half Moon Bay offers onsite shopping and leisure centre, supermarket, nearby accommodation secure car parks, great marina views, toilets and showers, motorhome parks, etc.