Oban (Stewart Island) - Bluff
Ferry to New Zealand
Oban (Stewart Island) - Bluff
Ferry to New Zealand
Fares for the Oban (Stewart Island) to Bluff crossing usually range somewhere between $141* and $1135*. Most travellers pay around $551* for a Oban (Stewart Island) Bluff ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $141*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $551* on average.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Oban (Stewart Island) Bluff route generally kick off from Oban (Stewart Island) at around 07:30, and the last departure of the day is usually around 16:00.
You certainly can — with a short crossing and sailings running daily, Oban (Stewart Island) to Bluff is an easy day trip. Taking a vehicle, where possible, gives you the freedom to explore a bit further once you land.
No, vehicles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Oban (Stewart Island) and Bluff.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Oban (Stewart Island) and Bluff.
Yes, Stewart Island Experience carries foot passengers between Oban (Stewart Island) and Bluff.
Pet owners are in luck — Stewart Island Experience allows pets on board between Oban (Stewart Island) and Bluff. .
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Oban (Stewart Island) to Bluff route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Oban (Stewart Island) to Bluff crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Oban (Stewart Island) to Bluff on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Oban (Stewart Island) to Bluff ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Oban (Stewart Island) - Bluff Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $551 | |
| Oban (Stewart Island) - Bluff Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Stewart Island |
| Destination | New Zealand |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Stewart Island Experience |
| Average Price | $551 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 16 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 1 h |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 1 h |
| First Ferry | 07:30 |
| Last Ferry | 16:00 |
| Distance | 22 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
Regarded as the seafood capital of Scotland, Oban is the largest town in Argyll on the west coast, offering routes to almost all of the Hebridean Islands. Inside the terminal building, you will find an excellent range of refreshments, a large waiting area and toilet facilities. The port is within easy reach from most Scottish cities, with a number of roads serving the area. If driving from Inverness, simply follow the A82 southbound, whereas if you are coming from Glasgow, head north on the A82. The Oban railway station is situated just fifty metres from the terminal alongside a few bus stops, making it even easier to travel to ‘the gateway to the isles’. In Oban, award-winning seafood restaurants come in abundance, so an exquisite meal is never too far away. The town also boasts some spectacular historic monuments, namely McCaig’s tower, an impressive circular structure overlooking the coast.
On a bulb-shaped peninsula in the South Island region of New Zealand is the small town of Bluff. Named after the broad cliffs that dominate the south-eastern skyline of town, this coastal settlement on the shores of the Bluff Harbour lagoon is built around a neatly ordered network of streets lined by manicured lawns and a patchwork of bungalows. The long Marine Parade road that arcs along the west coast offers spectacular views over the rocky shores of the clear-watered bay. It’s a route that leads to Stirling Point on the tip of a lush-green promontory where visitors can dine on the local delicacy of Bluff oysters at the nearby restaurant. The seaport in Bluff is largely dedicated to the area’s large fleet of fishing vessels, but it is also a gateway for passengers wanting to reach New Zealand’s southernmost region of Stewart Island. The ferry terminal here is nothing more than a concrete pier from which foot passengers can board the departing ships and an overnight car-park opposite the check-in building. Getting to Bluff port from the southern reaches of New Zealand is easy due to the Route 1 highway that snakes up along the coast of the peninsula and into the larger city of Invercargill. From here travellers can catch a flight from the Invercargill airport or board one of the trains that cover the distance to and from Bluff. Currently only one service operates from Bluff port. A Stewart Island Experience line makes the short trip south through the narrow channel of Bluff Harbour before crossing the Foveaux Strait to the port-town of Oban on Stewart Island.
