Cape Jervis - Penneshaw
Ferry to Kangaroo Island
Cape Jervis - Penneshaw
Ferry to Kangaroo Island
See ferry fares and operators from all over the world in one spot, and find the sailing that fits your trip. Booking early is usually the surest way to get a good price and plenty of choice.
Discounts are available with Direct Ferries all year round. If a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied for you automatically once the right age bracket is selected in the passenger options.
Students and recent graduates can claim a 5% saving. Register with our partner Student Beans to verify eligibility, then apply your discount code at checkout.
Resident discounts also apply to a number of Spanish and Italian routes — pick the "Residents" option during search and the fare adjusts automatically. Be ready to show proof of address, such as an ID card or residency certificate, at check-in.
Requirements for travel documents change from route to route, so check what's needed ahead of time. A valid passport is usually required for Cape Jervis to Penneshaw travel, plus any visa or national ID relevant to your nationality. Since the rules depend on your citizenship and destination, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is the place to check for the latest guidance and avoid delays at check-in.
To book, just add your departure port, arrival port and preferred date, and you'll see every fare and sailing on offer. You can also compare alternative routes and times to find your best match.
Look out for early-bird pricing and flexible ticket options, such as upgrades or flexi-fares that let you make changes down the line. Entering accurate details — passenger count, vehicle specs and so on — keeps the process running smoothly.
As soon as your booking is confirmed, a confirmation email will land in your inbox. What happens next with your boarding pass depends on the operator you've booked.
Some operators issue boarding passes right away, while others need you to check in at the port itself. Where it's supported, the Direct Ferries app lets you check in online in advance.
You'll usually find ticket desks close to the ferry terminal. Giving yourself a little extra time before departure means you can collect tickets and check in without any stress.
Bring your confirmation email and valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card, to check in. Pet owners should have vaccination and insurance documents on hand, and anyone with a resident discount should carry proof of address.
There are a few reasons departures from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw might not show for your chosen date — a schedule change, sold-out sailings, or a seasonal lull are the most likely. Try another date or check alternative routes through our Route & Port finder.
Booking your Cape Jervis to Penneshaw ferry well ahead of time generally works in your favour — you'll usually find better fares and a wider choice of departures and cabins.
A few weeks ahead is usually enough notice to catch the best offers, though fares can still fluctuate with the season and remaining space.
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Cape Jervis sits on the southwestern tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. There are five daily sailings from the port to Penneshaw ,which lies forty five minutes south west on Kangaroo Island. The crossing is operated by Sealink Kangaroo Island
What’s there to do in Cape Jervis?
The small settlement is the starting point for a seven hundred and fifty mile walking track, the Heysen Trail. This takes you to Parachilina Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. The town has two beaches with Fisheries Beach containing the remains of an old whaling station. The area has a big tradition for fishing but away from the coastline many people head to this part of South Australia to play on the picturesque golf courses.
What are the transport links like?
The port is situated about 100km south of Adelaide and is the primary gateway to Kangaroo Island. The town is linked to Adelaide by a one hour forty drive on Main S Rd along the St Vincent Gulf coast. There are daily buses from Adelaide and five times a week from Goolwa.
What services run from the port?
The only destination that Cape Jervis serves is Penneshaw. If you want to see the Penguins and Kangaroos on this magnificent island there are five daily sailings across the backstairs passage from the terminal. These are all operated by Sealink Kangaroo Island with the journey taking just forty five minutes.
