Two Islands Await On The Doorstep Of Christchurch

Bring a torch to explore the tunnels as they are not lit. Bring a camera to take some fantastic photos. We also recommend that you should also bring warm clothes as it can be cool on the island especially with the prevailing sea breeze.

Eating is not permitted on Ripapa Island as this denigrates its tapu (sacred) status. No smoking or vaping is allowed on the island.

The Ripapa Island trip departs Lyttelton at 9am and takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the island. You will have approximately just over 90 minutes on the island before returning to the jetty for your return departure at 11.15am. The return ferry departs promptly at 11.30am.

We don't recommend Ripapa Island for anyone in a wheelchair because there are no tracks on the island and no wheelchair access to the fort, outbuildings or upper terrace. In addition, the jetty steps are steep.

Yes, advanced booking online is highly recommended. Each departure is strictly limited to 30 passengers per trip, so slots can fill up quickly over the summer operating days.

No dogs are permitted on Ripapa Island to respect its sacred Tōpuni status. Bicycles are also not allowed as there are no formed tracks or paths on the island, and the jetty steps are very steep.

All of our Lyttelton-based services, including the Diamond Harbour Ferry and Quail Island Adventures, depart from B Jetty at the Lyttelton Wharf. Once you arrive at the waterfront, look for the pedestrian overbridge which leads directly to the boarding area.

Lyttelton is a convenient 15–20 minute drive from Christchurch city centre via the Lyttelton Tunnel. If you are using public transport, the No. 8 bus runs regularly between the city and the Lyttelton wharf area.

There is no public parking available on the wharf itself. We recommend utilising the public street parking within the Lyttelton township. Please allow at least 20 minutes before your Check in time to find a space and walk down to the jetty, as the area can be particularly busy during weekends and peak summer periods.

There is one toilet available on the Wharf itself. Lyttelton township offers a range of cafes, pharmacies, and public toilets just a 5-10 minute walk from the departure point. We recommend visiting these before heading to the jetty, as facilities on the wharf itself are limited.

We strive to make our harbour experiences accessible to everyone. If you are visiting our Lyttelton departure point, please note the following location-specific information:

Arrival and Wharf Access
Our services depart from B Jetty at the Lyttelton Wharf. Access to the jetty is via a pedestrian overbridge from the township. While the path is paved, it involves a short walk from the main street.

Parking for Mobility Card Holders
As there is no public parking on the Lyttelton wharf, we recommend using the dedicated accessible parking spaces located within the Lyttelton township. Please allow extra time to navigate from the street level down to the waterfront.

Boarding Assistance
Our crew are trained to assist with boarding. Ramps are available for most departures; however, boarding can be affected by the tide. We highly recommend arriving 20 minutes prior to your departure so our team can ensure you are boarded safely and comfortably.

Carer Support
We offer various supports for those travelling with a carer, including the Hāpai Access Card programme. Carer discounts are available across our Lyttelton services—please refer to our specific Diamond Harbour Ferry or Quail Island pages for the exact concessions available for those experiences.

Assistance Dogs
Certified assistance dogs are welcome at our Lyttelton terminal and on all our vessels.

Plenty of fresh drinking water: There is no treated drinking water on the island, so pack enough for your entire party.

Sturdy walking shoes: The island tracks can be steep, uneven, or muddy depending on recent weather.

Warm, windproof layers: Lyttelton Harbour is prone to sudden sea breezes, and it can get quite cool on the island.

Sun protection: Pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, as shade is limited along the walking loops.

Swimming gear & towels: There are excellent swimming beaches if you fancy a dip!

Your own food and snacks: There are no shops or cafes on the island (though basic snacks and drinks can be bought on the ferry).

Yes. Our booking system requires you to select your departure time first, add it to your cart, and then select and add your desired return ticket. Please double-check that both tickets are booked for the exact same date before checking out.

You must first book your hut stay or campsite directly through the Department of Conservation (DOC) website. Once your accommodation is secured, DOC will provide you with a unique discount code which you can enter during our ferry checkout process.

There is no readily treated drinking water on the island. The available water must be boiled before drinking, so we strongly advise bringing plenty of your own fresh water and refreshments for the day.

Please bring your own food if you plan on spending the whole day on the island. If you’re planning to visit for half a day bring a drink and a snack.
There are no shops on the island.

No. To protect the local wildlife and native birds (including the rare white-flippered little blue penguins), dogs and mountain bikes are strictly prohibited on Quail Island. Certified guide dogs are the only exception.

Depending on the time of year, you can choose between a half-day or a full-day visit. In the summer peak season (December to March), we run multiple daily sailings, making a shorter half-day trip easy to schedule. In the winter, we only operate a single morning departure and a single afternoon return, meaning your visit will be a full-day experience. If you have a half-day or more, you will have plenty of time to walk the popular full loop track around the island, which takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.

We don’t recommend Quail for anyone in a wheelchair because the tracks are relatively steep and can get muddy depending on the weather. In addition the jetty steps are a bit steep for those in a wheelchair.

You can book directly through our website 24/7 for instant confirmation. Alternatively, you can visit one of our booking offices or call us on 0800 436 574 (within NZ).

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JBC credit cards for online bookings. At our physical ticketing offices, we also accept EFTPOS and cash.

No, you can simply show your digital booking confirmation on your phone at check-in.

If you need to change or cancel your booking, please notify us at least 24 hours prior to your check-in time. Cancellations made within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable.

Your safety is our highest priority. If the forecasted sea conditions are deemed unsafe by the Skipper we will strive to contact you as soon as possible. In this case we offer a full refund or you can transfer your booking to another date.

Refunds are not provided for "no-shows." We recommend arriving at least 15–20 minutes early to ensure you have plenty of time for check-in and boarding.