Interislander

For more than 60 years, Interislander has been sharing one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic journeys across Cook Strait / Moana o Raukawakawa.
This crossing is known for its powerful tides, epic scenery and incredible marine life. It’s a place we’re proud to travel through, and one we treat with care and respect. That’s why we’re proud to support Project Jonah as they care for our Moana.
Their mahi helps protect whales and dolphins through rescue, education and advocacy, caring for these taonga today and for generations to come.
Visit their pages to learn and discover more about their epic mahi 🌊🐬

⛵ What a weekend!

A huge well done to all the young sailors who took part in the 2026 Queen Charlotte Yacht Club Interislander Opti Challenge & Port Marlborough Youth Regatta.

With 132 entries across the fleet, this years event saw sailors from Canterbury, Nelson, Wellington and Marlborough locals - creating quite the backdrop for our Kaitaki passengers. Incredible racing, great sportsmanship, and plenty of smiles on the Sounds.

Sending our best to all the young sailors gearing up for the Interislander Opti Challenge and Port Marlborough Youth Regatta on 21–22 February in Picton/Waitohi.

Hosted by the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club, this weekend is set to be an awesome showcase of talent, determination and a real love for being out on the water.

Wishing everyone smooth sailing and plenty of memorable moments ⛵

Huge congratulations to everyone who took on the Kathmandu Coast to Coast last weekend! Whether you were chasing a time, a podium or simply the finish line, you’ve achieved something special 🏅

We are especially proud of Interislander supported athlete Campbell Gray, who said: “I’m so grateful for Interislander’s support this year. After a tough race in 2025, it was incredibly rewarding to come back stronger, race smart, and finish inside the top ten. Crossing the line under 12 hours and winning my age group felt like a huge step forward. This result has definitely fuelled my drive to return and keep improving.”

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who raced, supported and cheered. Share your favourite Coast to Coast moments in the comments, we’d love to see them! 📸👇

We're right there with you, Aotearoa New Zealand, as strong winds and rough seas impact Cook Strait and our ferry services.

Stay safe out there, keep an eye on your local council or NZ Civil Defence websites for the latest weather updates.

If you're travelling with us, head to our Service Alerts page for real-time info. Swells should start easing tomorrow, and we'll keep you posted as things improve.

https://bit.ly/servicealert

All the very best to everyone taking on the Kathmandu Coast to Coast this weekend.

We’re proud to have helped many of you make the journey south, including supporting Campbell Gray as he crossed the Cook Strait. Our 10% athlete travel discount was one way we could back your adventure.

Enjoy the challenge, look after each other and soak up the spirit of this iconic Kiwi event. We’ll be cheering you on from the water 💚⛰️🚴‍♀️

⚠️ FRAUD ALERT: BEWARE OF FAKE WEBSITES

We are urging customers to be vigilant when booking ferry travel online, following reports of fraudulent websites posing as legitimate booking platforms. We have reported the fraudulent sites to relevant authorities and are working to have these removed.

Below is a simple checklist to ensure you're protected when booking ferry travel.

✅The safest way to book is directly through our website: https://www.interislander.co.nz/
✅Always check the website address before entering payment details
✅Do not click links in suspicious emails or text messages
✅If in doubt, call us on 0800 802 802 for assistance

We only sail when it is safe to do so.

The north-westerly weather system impacting New Zealand is not causing significant swells in Cook Strait, as it is southerly weather systems that cause the large swells.

The fleet is experiencing some delays due to this morning’s power outage in Picton.

There may be further delays if we require tug assistance for berthing today due to the gale force winds.

Although conditions are choppy due to the northerly storm, the waves are steep rather than rolling. That means our vessels cut through them cleanly, reducing the side-to-side motion that typically causes seasickness. So, while it may look rough, the journey itself is likely to be relatively smooth.

Whether you're travelling with us today or not, please take care as this weather system passes.

At Interislander, we know how vital hands-on experience is when it comes to emergency preparedness. That’s why we’re always happy to support other organisations in their training efforts.
Last week, our laid-up vessel Aratere hosted a tactical training exercise with the New Zealand Police. Specialist police units carried out a simulated emergency response, approaching by boat and scaling the side of the ship to board.
This was a valuable opportunity to practise vessel boarding techniques in a realistic setting, helping ensure readiness for real-life maritime emergencies.

More daylight, more views ✨ Who else is excited for more golden hour moments like this? Don’t forget to wind your clocks forward this weekend!

Tag us in your favourite scenic ferry snaps!

The finish line is calling! We’re proud to support Marina 2 Marina taking place this Saturday in Picton. Cheering on a friend? Join us on a scenic journey to the heart of the action this weekend 🐬

New Sail & Stay Deal!

Ready for anadventure across Cook Strait? Our new Sail & Stay fare is here – just $99 return for adults and $49 for kids (14 & under).

Whether you’re looking for a mini cruise day trip or want to stay overnight in Wellington or Picton, this deal makes it easy to explore.

✅ Foot passengers only
✅ Flexible – return same day or the next
✅ Stunning scenery and onboard comforts

Available for travel 15 Sept – 23 Oct
Use promo code: Return2025

Learn more on our website ➡ https://www.interislander.co.nz/book/promotions-and-deals/sail-and-stay