By Boat & Ferry in Auckland

Various companies serve Waitemata Harbour; one of the best and least expensive is Fullers. The ferry terminal is on the harbor side of the Ferry Building on Quay Street, near the corner of Albert Street. Boats leave here for Devonport Monday-Thursday 6:15 AM-11 PM, Friday and Saturday 6:15 AM-1 AM, and Sunday 7:15 AM-10 PM at half-hour intervals, except for one 45-minute interval between the 9:15 AM and 10 AM sailings. From 8 PM Monday through Thursday and from 7 PM on Sunday they sail on the hour. The cost is $9 round-trip. However, a better deal is to buy the Auckland Day Pass for $10, which gets you a return sailing and unlimited travel on Link buses to boot. Ferries also make the 35-minute run to Waiheke Island from 5:30 AM to 11:45 PM at a cost of $26 round-trip. Return ferries leave every hour on the hour, and every half hour at peak commuter times. SeaLink runs car and passenger ferries to Waiheke, leaving from Half Moon Bay to the east of the city. The round-trip fare is $113 per car, plus $28.50 for each adult.

Contacts

Fullers Booking Office (Ferry Bldg., Quay St. 09/367-9111. www.fullers.co.nz). SeaLink (Ara-Tai Dr., Half Moon Bay. 09/300-5900. www.sealink.co.nz).