At the Riverhead Ferry we specialise in group charters:

• Auckland Harbour cruises including Riverhead
• Twilight cruises and party cruises on the Waitemata
• Island and river cruises – some exclusive to Riverhead Ferry as we can cruise further inland than most charter boats.

For full fare information and to download Riverhead Ferry special deals and timetable visit the Fares page.

Click on the links below for more details on cruises available to you on the MV Kawau Isle.

Cath Meehan and Paul Meyer are happy to discuss your individual requirements, so please contact them on (09) 376 0819 or email info@riverheadferry.co.nz

• Riverhead - Lucas Creek - Upper Harbour
• Thames to Paeroa on the Waihou River
• Tamaki River - Panmure Basin
• Whitford River
• Weiti River - Gulf Harbour
• Rangitoto - Motutapu Islands - Islington Bay
• Rakino Island
• Waiheke Island
• Auckland Harbour Cruise
• Mahurangi - Kawau - Sandspit
• Ponui Island
• Clevedon - Wairoa River

Riverhead - Lucas Creek - Upper Harbour

You and your group tour the Viaduct Harbour , with a full commentary, before or after cruising the sheltered Upper Waitemata to Riverhead. You pass under the Harbour Bridge, past many places of scenic and historic interest, right up the uncharted waters to Riverhead. On the voyage up, or back, MV Kawau Isle cruises the Lucas Creek inlet before dropping anchor or tying up at Paremoremo Wharf, or a private jetty on Herald Island, for a light lunch or BBQ meal on the boat. Enjoy the fantastic outlook over an ale or glass of wine with your meal.

• By day: A scenic & historic Auckland harbour cruise!

• By night: A fantastic party experience!

Thames to Paeroa on the Waihou River

This scenic and tranquil 4-hour cruise is exclusive to the Riverhead Ferry. Enjoy the novelty of watching the Kopu Bridge being swung open to allow us passage up the Waihou River. (Once the new bridge is built the swing section of the old bridge will always be open).

Along the way you and your group charter pass many historic places of interest including the innermost landing of Captain Cook and his men. Departs Thames Wharf.

Tamaki River - Panmure Basin

You cruise past the Waterfront Bays and Karaka Beach where a signing of the Treaty of Waitangi took place. Rich in history the Tamaki River is now home to many of the rich and famous as well as industry and super yacht factories. Then you pass under the Panmure Bridge where the river narrows providing close up views of riverside homes, private jetties and wildlife habitats and on up to the Otahuhu Motorway Bridge. On our way back Riverhead Ferry will pass under the Panmure Foot Bridge into the Panmure Basin. We can arrange for your group to go ashore for a meal at the Waipuna Lodge Voyager Restaurant!

Whitford River

Cruise past the Waterfront Bays, across the mouth of the Tamaki River and between Browns Island and Music Point, then down past Eastern and Howick Beaches and Cockle and Melons Bay before entering the Whitford Creek. As well as mansions and beautiful countryside you will see the most amazing house site in Auckland!

Weiti River - Gulf Harbour

After rounding North Head MV Kawau Isle will pass the East Coast Bays and view some of Auckland’s best residential shoreline. You will cross the Marine Reserve at Long Bay and enter the mouth of the Okura and Weiti Rivers (Wade River). Here we encounter a change of pace. As we journey up this tranquil valley the river narrows and we pass moored boats, jetties and housing indicating a relaxed lifestyle. We then turn and, after leaving the Weiti, cruise over to Gulf Harbour with its luxury boats and houses.

Rangitoto - Motutapu Islands - Islington Bay

One of Auckland’s most iconic landmarks, Rangitoto is the largest and youngest volcanic cone in the region. Come and see the olde world charm of Islington Bay and some of the few remaining baches. Take a short 10-minute walk to Gardeners Gap which joins Rangitoto to Islington Bay. Picnic lunch provided. Fabulous private parties at the kiosk on the island can be arranged!

Motuihe Island
A beautiful island with an interesting landscape and history, Motuihe is a popular destination for picnics and day trips. Enjoy great swimming in summer, paddling in the water and walking at any time of the year. Bring your own picnic or ask us to cater our special boat morning tea and picnic lunch or BBQ.

Rakino Island

Cruise past Rangitoto, Motutapu, Browns and Motuihe Islands to paradise. So close to the mainland with idyllic clear water beaches and an unhurried pace, there are only 35 permanent residents on Rakino and approx 75 dwellings. Go ashore for a stroll on the island and a picnic lunch prepared by the boat crew.

Waiheke Island

We leave from Half Moon Bay and pass Maraetai on our way to the bottom end of Waiheke. Here we meander into beautiful bay after bay before passing through the mussel farm in Man-o-war Bay on our way to Pakatoa, Rotoroa and Ponui Islands. A must for those who have never visited the bottom end of Waiheke.

Auckland Harbour Cruise

This cruise takes us eastward around Bean Rock Lighthouse with good views of the Gulf Islands, then westward along the North Shore and under the Harbour Bridge to Kauri Point. We turn and cruise back into Westhaven Marina, the Viaduct Basin and past the Maritime Museum. You will see some incredible super yachts and developments. This is a great cruise to include in an Auckland day tour and times can be arranged to suit.

Mahurangi River / Kawau Island / Sandspit
Departure is from Warkworth Wharf at high water. The cruise takes us down the beautifull Mahurangi River, estuary and through the Mahurangi Harbour entrance. In Kawau Bay we pass Motuora Island and then stop to view the wreck at Moturekareka Island. The tripcontinues to Kawau Island and passes South Cove, the old Copper Mine ruins at Dispute Cove, then to Mansion House Bay once home to Govenor Grey. We enjoy lunch cruising up Bon Accord Harbour and stop at Smelting House Bay where our boat "Kawau Isle" was bult by the Lidgards in 1952. Here there is time to disembark for a short walk to the Kawau Island Yacht Club for icecreams etc. The voyage continues to North Cove then crosses Kawau Bay to finish at Sandspit Wharf at the entrance of the Matakana River

Ponui Island
This is a longer cruise taking in the Southern coast of Waiheke as far as Cowes Bay then swings across Waiheke passage to the Northern side of Ponui Island where we land for a short period ashore to see the donkeys (weather permitting) and then return by following the south side of Waiheke passage and Tamaki Straits.

Clevedon on the Wairoa River
This is a longer round trip (5.5hrs) usually starting from Half Moon Bay. Departures from our marina will add an extra 3/4 hr.
The usual cruise takes us out of the Tamaki passing south of Browns Island. We then enter the Tamaki Straits and follow the coast past Maritai and round Whakakaiwhara Point. On the way up the senic and tranquil Wairoa River we will pass through rural lowlands, see inland boating clubs and moorings and spectacular life style homes and developements. Bird life is abuntant.
The voyage as a return trip requires a turn near the polo club and enjoying linuch aboard on our way back. The voyage can be arranged with a transfer at the Clevedon Wharf with coaches organised by you or us to suit.

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