Scenic Ferry Crossing on Otago Harbour
Cross Otago Harbour in style and comfort with a scenic ferry transfer on Port To Port Cruises & Wildlife Tours' boat MV Sootychaser.
We are the dedicated and original Cycle Ferry for passengers crossing the harbour with bikes, to cycle the Otago Harbour Cycle Loop
You dont need to bring a bike if you are not cycling, as there's plenty to do on both sides of the harbour-cafes, restaurants, pubs, museums and much more.
You can travel one way, or book a return trip between Portobello and Port Chalmers.
Or get off at Quaratine Island and go for a relaxing walk and self guided tour island for a couple of hours. (Ask us for a guide sheet, onboard).
If you just want to go for a short harbour cruise, hop on the boat for double ferry crossing! Its called a Mini Harbour Tour! Arriving back from where you departed after 25 minutes-across the harbour and back.
The ferry trip is approx 10 minutes each way and is packed full of commentary, views and things to see such as birds, boats, shipwrecks, historic quaratine stataions, islands and more.
The Port To Port Ferry Sootychaser is comfortable, fast and modern- a custom build.
The bike rack is a custom build, the skipper loads them safetly for you.
The Port To Port ferry transfer is often described as the highlight of the Cycle Loop trip and Skipper/owner Rachel's commentary is highly commended on Trip Advisor and other review platforms.
Her small team of staff are handpicked and well qualified to ensure they match her style and enthusiam to ensure a high quality tour and experience is provided on every trip whether it be a short ferry trip or a longer wildife cruise.
This is the onoy pet friendly passenger vessel youll find on the harbour where you can bring or dog, or even your sheep! (True story!)
The MV Sootychaser offers exceptional viewing opportunities as it has large windows and both indoor and ourdoor seatsing.
Itis fully equipped with modern bathroom facilities and the use on high quality binoculars on longer cruises.
Owner/operator Rachel McGregor has been guiding and working on commercial boats on Otago Harbour since 2004 and looks forward to welcoming you onboard her custom built vessel, Sootychaser.
Ferry-Dunedin Bike and Passenger Ferry
Hop aboard our ferry from Portobello or Port Chalmers and get across the harbour with ease. Our boat can take you between the following locations, on our regular and timetables sailings:
- Portobello
- Port Chalmers
- Quarantine Island
- Careys bay (prior arrangement)
The ferry between ports typically takes approx 10 minutes each way. One way or return
Prices are as follows (each way):
- $20 per adult and $10 per child, each way between Portobello/Quarantine Island/ Port Chalmers. (See below, for Quarantine Island group discount.)
- Add a bike $15 each, manual or electric.
- Dogs $6 each, each way (dogs must be kept on outer deck on a short leash. (Please let us know if a long haired breed.) Sheep $5 each way : )
Port Chalmers Ferry
Port Chalmers)- 9:30am *busy period/on demand
- 11:50m *busy periods/on demand
- 12:55pm -all year round
- 3:00pm - all year round
- 3:30pm *busy periods/on demand
- 5:45pm *busy periods/on demand
Portobello Ferry (Otago Peninsula)
- 12:35pm *busy periods/on demand
- 1:15pm -all year round
- 3:15pm -all year round
- 4:00pm *busy periods/on demand
- 6:10pm *busy periods/on demand
-Bookings essential-book now to save your seats-
Cycle The Otago Harbour Loop
There are plenty of cycling tracks dotted around both sides of Otago Harbour, including the popular "Harbour Cycle Loop" track. From Portobello to Port Chalmers its 32 kms and takes an average of around 2.5 hours on manual or electric bikes. Allow more time for stops. There are scenic, easy cycle tracks for people wanting to sightsee, or more mountainous tracks great for experienced riders looking for a challenge.
See www.dunedin.cycleway.co.nz for more info on 'Cycling the Loop, Otago Harbour' and bike rentals in Dunedin.
We can take groups of cyclists, up to 15 manual or 12 electric bikes and their riders at a time aboard our ferry. (Multiple trips available for larger groups or by request we can utilize our Bike Barge to take up to 30 people and bikes at a time.)
You can plan your cycle trip to fit in with scheduled ferry trips on the ferry timetable or contact us for special transfer times.
On board, you can relax and enjoy the harbour scenery, be treated to a mid ride, short harbour tour on route to the other side, before continuing on your cycle journey. With Port To Port Cruises & Wildlife Tours you get a ferry and Mini Harbour Tour all in one.
Our boat is fitted out with a custom made bike rack that can cater for electric bikes and manual bikes. As well as tandem and bike trailers (please make sure we are aware of these larger items, by writing in your booking notes or contracting us). The skipper loads the bike for you, providing some bike loading entertainment for you too! There is an art to loading the bikes so please stand back, enjoy the entertainment and allow us to expertly and carefully load your bike.
Bring your own or hire a bike from nearby locations, including Dunedin Ebike Hire.
If you are looking for FERRY AND BIKE RENTAL please book ferry here and contact Dunedin Ibike hire for rental and bike delivery.
Dunedin locals discount available by buying a concession card.
1) Purchase the card by clicking on BOOK NOW, then select CYCLE FERRY. Select the product 'Locals Discount-5 trip Concession'.
You will be charged $140 (plus booking and credit card fees).
2) Please allow up to 48 hours and you will be sent an email that shows that we have added free credit to your voucher to make it $175 in credit.
3) When booking your ferry crossing online, use the voucher code and $35 will be deducted from your voucher card every time you use it, giving you 5 ferry trips for the price of 4.
(Only valid for adults)
Book Now for Cycle Ferry Time Table
Visit Quarantine Island
Passengers can depart from either Port Chalmers or Portobello and get dropped off at Quarantine Island along the way, as the island is between the two ports.
Bathrooms are available on the island. And shelter is usually available in the married Quarters and Chapel.
The two houses are private. Please do not enter them unless invited by the residents.
Please donate to the Quarantine Island community, if you can. By taking some coins with you to put in donation boxes to help with maintenance of tracks and facilities.
We thank The Community for the use and availability of these.
For groups of 15 people or more we can offer a discount, making it $25 per adults and $20 per child, return.
The quickest, easiest way to book is ONLINE- Click Book Now button below-
For group bookings and discounts, please email info@porttoport.co.nz
Book Now for Ferry Crossing Time Table
What can I expect on the ferry between ports?
Your journey
You will meet your friendly and experienced skipper on board our warm, modern and comfortable boat, that seats up to 20 people. The ferry between Portobello, Quarantine Island and Port Chalmers typically takes 10 minutes. During the trip you will receive an high energy informative live commentary through our PA system, highlighting main points of interest. On cold or winter days, most passengers will be warm and dry in the shelter of the cabin. On full capacity ferry trips, some people may experience some sea spray if they choose to stand out on the outside (partially sheltered) deck. For comfort reasons we do not fill to capacity on longer trips to allow all passengers to be warm and dry the duration, should they choose.
Interesting sights on the way
During the journey, we’ll cruise past various points on the harbour. From the boat, you’ll see Quarantine Island, the historic quarantine station, shipwrecks on the shore and any wildlife or animals or birds that pop up along the way. You will receive a full comentary along the way.
Some people choose to stay on the ferry without getting off at the other side, making this a Mini Tour!
Ideal for those nervous or new to boats, small children or those just wanting a short harbour experience.
Timetable
Our ferry timetable differs dependent on the season. You can book a ferry transfer between ports or a sightseeing tour to Quarantine Island or Carey's Bay online. There are plenty of waterside cafes, restaurants and pubs for you to visit once arrived, as well as picnic areas, play grounds and gift shops. There are also many nearby bus stops at George Street-Port Chalmers, Carey's Bay and Portobello. See here for the full bus timetable.
A special, personal experience
Our wildlife tour operators go out of our way to ensure you have an amazing experience with us. Check out Trip Advisor and Facebook for reviews from our happy customers. We hope you'll join us soon.
Bus Timetable
See this link for bus timetable to connect with ferry.
(Please book beforehand, to ensure the ferry is running).
Forsyth Barr Stadium Event Ferry
We offer transfers between Steamer Basin, Dunedin to get you to Forsyth Barr Stadium events, and back.
Departures also from Otago Peninsula making it the quickest, hassle free and most exciting way to get back to your accommodation in Port Chalmers or Portobello, after the event!
Drop off point is a few minutes of flat, easy walking to the stadium.
Parking is plentiful and free near Steamer Basin so you wont get stuck in the traffic jams.
If you're looking for a great place to have some refreshments before your ferry, try restaurants right next to the departure point.
See here to book and view upcoming ferries and departure times.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard and ferrying you across the harbour. For any questions about our ferry, please get in touch with us.
If you would like to know more about our other services, including fully commentated Dunedin wildlife tour, or private boat hire for groups or parties, please contact us.