Ferry and hop-on hop-off Explorer bus: an honest review

My verdict: the most-booked thing on this site, and the arithmetic backs it up — the return ferry and a day pass on the 16-stop Explorer bus cost less together than the two bought separately. It is the obvious first step above a plain ferry ticket for anyone who wants to see several parts of the island without hiring anything or reading a bus timetable. Two things to be clear about before you book: winery tastings are not included, and the day works far better if you go early.

4.6★★★★★3,774 reviewsfrom NZ$99

What it isReturn ferry + bus day pass

Stops16

Ferry includedYes, return

DepartsAuckland Ferry Terminal, 99 Quay Street

Bus on its ownNZ$59.50 adult

TastingsNot included

What NZ$99 gets you, and what it does not

A return crossing and a day pass on the hop-on hop-off Explorer bus, which is run by Fullers360 and calls at 16 stops around the island. You get on and off as many times as you like. The operator sells the same combination at NZ$99, so this is face value again, and the combination is genuinely cheaper than assembling it yourself: the on-peak return is NZ$62 and the bus alone is NZ$59.50, which is NZ$121.50. One reviewer had already worked that out — “Paid less than purchasing trips separately. All staff were friendly, helpful and welcoming.” (Loretta Kathleen).

Usually included

Return ferry, Auckland Downtown to Matiatia
A full day pass on the 16-stop Explorer bus
As many hops on and off as you have time for

Not included

Winery tastings and winery tours — the operator lists them as an exclusion
Lunch, or anything else you eat and drink
The off-peak ferry saving — the combo is NZ$99 whichever sailing you take

That last exclusion is the one people are surprised by. The bus stops at wineries; the tasting at the winery is a separate transaction you make at the counter. A reviewer describes exactly that day: “Tasted wine at the Batch Winery. Olive oil and honey at Allpress. Both excellent.” (Elaine). She tasted, she enjoyed it, and she paid for it on the spot. The bus page has the full fare breakdown including the child and family combo.

What 3,774 reviews actually say

This is the deepest review pool on the site by a long way, and the drivers are the reason. Matt, Tony, Sue and Doris come up again and again by name, which is not something you can manufacture. “Very easy ferry service and the bus was really flexible.” (Anthony). “Brilliant value for money for an all day trip” (Hannah).

The single most useful review on this product is about timing: “I HIGHLY recommend getting an early ferry so you have time to get off the hop on/hop off tour bus and explore” (Kiana). She is right, and it collides with the one saving on the crossing. The off-peak fare only applies to sailings leaving Auckland from 1pm, so the cheap ferry costs you the morning — and on this product the fare is bundled anyway, so there is nothing to save by going late and a whole afternoon to lose. Go early. It is the one product here where the tension resolves cleanly.

What works

Cheaper as a combo than the ferry and the bus bought separately
16 stops, so you can see several parts of the island in a day
3,774 reviews — by far the deepest sample on this site
Named drivers recur in the reviews, which is usually a good sign
No hire, no timetable-reading, no car

Worth knowing

Winery tastings are an exclusion — you pay at the counter
The bundled fare means the off-peak NZ$46.50 saving is not available to you
A late start wastes it; reviewers are consistent about going early
You are on somebody else’s route and somebody else’s frequency
If you only want one beach and one village, this is more bus than you need

Rating4.6 / 5

Reviews3,774

PriceNZ$99

Bus aloneNZ$59.50

Stops16

FerryIncluded, return

Insider tip

Take the earliest sailing you can stand. The pass is a day pass and the island is 19.3 km long, so the difference between a 9am arrival and a 1pm one is roughly half the stops you will actually get off at.

Who it suits, and who is better off elsewhere

It suits first-time visitors, families, and anyone who wants to cover ground without booking a guided day. It suits people who like deciding at the stop rather than in advance. It is more than you need if you plan to sit on one beach all day — buy the plain ferry ticket and walk. And if the point of the day is wine rather than sightseeing, a guided tour that includes the tastings will cost less in the end than a bus pass plus four tasting fees; the wine tours compared page lays that out. Public buses run on the island too, and they are not free but they are cheap.

Fares checked 12 August 2026

Ferry fares on this page were read on 12 August 2026: NZ$62 on-peak adult return, NZ$46.50 off-peak. Fullers360 revised its fares on 16 February 2026 and they are still moving, so check the operator’s own site before you count on a number. Tour prices come from the listing itself, read the same day.

Check ferry & Explorer bus dates

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure on most tours — book now, decide later.

Other ways to spend the day

The ferry itself

Frequently asked questions

Is the Waiheke hop-on hop-off bus worth it?

As a combo with the ferry at NZ$99 it is cheaper than buying the crossing at NZ$62 and the bus at NZ$59.50 separately, so for anyone who was going to ride the bus anyway the answer is yes. If you only want one beach, the plain ferry ticket is enough.

Are winery tastings included in the hop-on hop-off ticket?

No. The operator lists winery tastings and tours as an exclusion. The bus stops at wineries and you pay for whatever you taste at the counter. If tastings are the point of your day, compare the guided wine tours instead.

How many stops does the Explorer bus have?

16. It is a day pass, so you can get on and off at as many of them as your sailing time allows — which is why reviewers keep telling people to take an early ferry.

Can I use the off-peak ferry fare with this combo?

No. The NZ$99 price bundles the return crossing, so the off-peak NZ$46.50 return is not part of this ticket. That is not a bad thing here: an off-peak sailing leaves Auckland from 1pm and would cost you half the bus day. See the fare table.