Auckland-Coromandel ferry service to resume for summer season
Tuesday 29 September 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Thames-Coromandel District Council
Explore Group will restart the Auckland-Coromandel ferry service on 23 October, running on weekends and public holidays. Daily trips are scheduled to begin on 27 November and continue until Easter 2027. The Thames-Coromandel mayor has welcomed the return of the seasonal connection.
Key facts
4 facts
- Ferry service resumes 23 October 2026
- Daily summer service begins 27 November
- Adult return fare is $135
- Child return fare (5-15 years) is $67.50
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
The Auckland-Coromandel ferry service will resume on 23 October, running from Friday to Monday ahead of Labour weekend. A daily service is scheduled to operate from 27 November until Easter 2027.
Explore Group operates the service, which departs Auckland’s Viaduct at 9.15am and arrives at Hannaford’s Wharf near Coromandel town in approximately two and a half hours. The daily return leg departs Coromandel at 3.15pm and arrives in Auckland at 5.35pm. An extra Friday afternoon service will depart Auckland at 4.45pm and leave the Coromandel at 7pm.
Adult return fares are $135, while children aged five to 15 pay $67.50. Passengers arriving at Hannaford’s Wharf receive a complimentary shuttle to Coromandel town provided by Mad Campers.
The service was previously operated by Fullers, which suspended the connection in 2022 due to staffing shortages and weather conditions. Explore Group revitalised the link last year after a three-year hiatus.
Where reports differ
- One report states the service was suspended in 2023, while others state it was pulled in 2022.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Waikato Times and RNZ.