Explore Kaitaki
With two restaurants, a sports bar, shop, several lounges and a deck dedicated to children, Kaitaki is designed to entertain.
Explore on-board
Book a family holiday to remember
Set sail across Cook Strait on a family-friendly holiday adventure with Interislander. We've been a Kiwi holiday favourite since 1962, and we love entertaining families!
Your family adventure starts here
At Interislander, we've been entertaining Kiwi families for more than half a century as the national Cook Strait ferry service, and our favourite sailings are during school holidays when we can have some fun with our little shipmates.
Because we know the lifelong treasured memories we create today will bring future generations of little Kiwis aboard, we love to make each Cook Strait crossing a magical event.
A magical start to your holiday
Your holiday begins the moment you step aboard our Cook Strait ferries, and we want you to enjoy every moment together.
With facilities and services made to entertain, your Interislander Cook Strait crossing will be an adventure your family will remember forever.
Here's a look at what you'll find aboard...
Showtime!
We love putting on a show for the kids during the school holidays, and our entertainers have been delighting generations of Kiwi kids for over 30 years.
On our special school holiday sailings, our family lounges are filled with laughter as our entertainers perform comedy, magic, and face painting - see our family entertainment schedule to find out what's coming up.
Game time
Our Cook Strait ferry journey is primetime game time. And you can forget needing to play silently on a mobile. On our ferries, you can spread out and play cards and board games together and roar and cheer as much as you like!
We welcome you to bring along your favourite games, or you can buy new games from the onboard shop.
Playtime
Go wild, and shake out that excess energy in our play areas.
Each Interislander ferry has a dedicated children's area, with a playground area on Aratere, a children's playroom on Kaiarahi, and a whole deck dedicated to fun, with a full soft-play climbing frame and crawling mat for babies, aboard Kaitaki.
Snack time
Top up your energy levels with freshly made sandwiches and paninis, pies and pastries, and coffees and cakes - there is something yum for everyone.
On Kaitaki and Aratere, you'll find Hector's Cafe conveniently next to the family lounges. On Kaiarahi, you'll find the same treats on offer in the Ocean View restaurant.
Movie time
With three hours to play with, the Cook Strait crossing gives you plenty of time to watch a blockbuster movie. Both our Aratere and Kaitaki ferries feature mini cinemas - in fact, Kaitaki has two.
Tickets are sold in the on-board shop where you can also pick up popcorn and fizzy drinks for that authentic movie experience.
Hangout time
Even our kids are super-busy these days. So why not just enjoy some time together with no schedule or deadlines or homework or devices or any other places to be!
You'll find plenty a spaces on our Interislander ferries where you can simply sit together, share conversation, and watch the world drift by.
Outdoor time
Discover and learn about the sights of the Sounds, with whaling stations, salmon farms, pods of dolphins, sunbathing seals, soaring albatross, communes of shags, Cook's Lookout and hundreds of years of human history.
Do your research beforehand by reading about our beautiful Cook Strait crossing and the Cook Strait wildlife you might encounter. You'll also find information panels dotted around our ships for you to read.
Dinner time
Keep your little sailors ship-shape with our ship-shaped kids' meals. You can choose from Fish or Chicken Nuggets, served in a ship with hot chips and a choice of drinks. Our Butter Chicken dinner is also a winner with all ages.
You can view our Interislander food menu online now.
Sleepytime
Let your littlest one sleep off the excitement in one of our onboard nurseries.
Each of our ships has a nursery or two where you can lay your child to sleep. You'll also find a comfy chair for you to relax in and baby-changing facilities.
Chillout time
Enjoy some family time in our Interislander Family Lounges. With comfy seating, tables to play on, and room to spread out, you'll find your Interislander Cook Strait crossing is a great time to relax together.
On our Aratere and Kaitaki ferries, you will find Hector's cafe close by for family snacks and that all-important barista coffee.
Timeout
Take timeout outside, soaking up the atmosphere together.
Drifting through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds, cruising across Cook Strait, winding around Wellington Harbour: each of these hour-long segments provides inspiring views of our beautiful country. Make sure you find time to go outside and enjoy it!
Additional extras
Cosy cabins
Travel on Kaitaki and you can add a cosy cabin to your booking to use as your home camp!
Personal cinema
Give your kids the pick of the latest movies with our Personal Cinema headsets
Showreel: A family adventure
Watch our Interislander family as they explore our Cook Strait ferry on their summer holiday adventure.
Finding your family-friendly ferry
Each of our Cook Strait ferries has a unique layout with different facilities available on board.
Kaitaki is considered the most family-friendly and has the most facilities. Aratere has the best outdoor space and Kaiarahi is the quietest.
Family-Friendly Ferry Comparison Chart:
For a quick overview of each ferry, use the chart below to compare family-friendly facilities:
|
|
Kaitaki |
Aratere |
Kaiarahi |
Playground |
Yes + |
Yes |
No |
children's room |
No |
No |
Yes |
Family Lounge |
Yes |
Yes + |
No |
Restaurant |
Yes + |
Yes |
Yes |
Nursery |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Pushchair friendly |
Yes |
Yes + |
Yes |
Private Cabins |
Yes |
No |
No |
Shop |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cinema |
Yes + |
Yes |
No |
Outdoor Viewing Deck |
Yes |
Yes + |
Yes |
For a full comparison of our ferrys' facilities, use our Cook Strait ferry comparison chart
Explore Aratere
With three separate viewing decks, including one on the bow, there is no better place for soaking up the atmospheric Marlborough Sounds on a sunny day!
Explore now
Explore Kaiarahi
Kaiarahi is the newest of our Cook Strait ferry and features modern spacious interiors and a fantastic bar with panoramic views.
Explore now
Easter weekend family entertainment 2021
1 April - 6 April 2021
Use the chart below to find Interislander sailings during Easter weekend with children's entertainers on board:
Wellington to Picton entertainment
1 April to 6 April 2021
1 April to 6 April 2021
Entertainer
Ship
Sailing
Nigel Kennedy
Kaitaki
9:00 AM
Zappo
Kaiarahi
1:00 PM
Flossie
Aratere
4:00 PM
Picton to Wellington entertainment
1 April to 6 April 2021
1 April to 6 April 2021
Entertainer
Ship
Sailing
Flossie
Aratere
11:00 AM
Nigel Kennedy
Kaitaki
2:15 PM
Zappo
Kairahi
6:30 PM
Autumn school holiday entertainment 2021
16 April - 2 May 2021
Use the chart below to find Interislander sailings during the Autumn school holidays with children's entertainers on board:
Wellington to Picton entertainment
16 April to 2 May 2021
16 April to 2 May 2021
Entertainer
Ship
Sailing
Nigel Kennedy
Kaitaki
9:00 AM
Flossie*
Aratere
2:45 PM
Picton to Wellington entertainment
16 April to 2 May 2021
16 April to 2 May 2021
Entertainer
Ship
Sailing
Nigel Kennedy
Aratere
10:45 AM
Flossie*
Kaitaki
2:15 PM
Our top family travel tips
Good planning is key to ensuring the kids are happy for the three hour sailing. Remembering shoes seems like an easy task, but you'll be surprised how often we have to send parents back to the car. So here are our travel tips for the journey:
- Pack a small bag or two to bring on board with some extra clothes, snacks, nappies - all the usual kids' stuff
- Make sure they have everything they want from the car - there is no vehicle access during the journey
- Bring some games and activities
- Bring chargers for electronic devices - we have sockets on board
- Pack some jackets for exploring the outdoor areas
- Make sure they are wearing shoes when exploring the ship
Family discounts and easy payment schemes
Book your magical family holiday today using our Interislander family discount. Simply select a vehicle, an adult, and a child, and you'll be given a discounted Interislander family fare.
Want to book now and pay later? We have two easy interest-free payment plans to help you on your way!
Book today with easy monthly payments
Book our cheapest Cook Strait ferry fares today and pay in flexible 0% interest instalments
Find out more
Save with our Interislander family fares
Get the best deals every day of the year with our Cook Strait ferry Family Discounts and book yourself a seafaring adventure!
Find out more
Travel today with interest-free instalments
Sail away today with a 20% deposit and the balance spread over the next ten weeks
Find out more
More on family travel
30 years of magic on Interislander™
He is Interislander’s most iconic and endearing entertainer and a special member of our family. His magical shows have been keeping us laughing for thirty years. Yes, this is the story of Nigel Kennedy!
Read article
Family holidays with Interislander
You don't need to worry about charging up devices and downloading movies when you travel with Interislander. With onboard play areas, cinemas, shops, outdoor spaces and live entertainers during the holidays, we've got entertainment covered!
Find out more
Must see sights on the Cook Strait
Described by many as one of the world’s most scenic ferry journeys, here's our guide on those unmissable sights from Wellington to Picton.
Find out more
Take the family to Picton
Thinking about where to go for your next family trip? We've put together the top 8 things to do in Picton New Zealand for a great family weekend.
Find out more
Safari at Sea
There are all sorts of ocean-dwelling creatures who make the 93 kilometres between the North and South Island their home. And if you’re lucky, they might show face, fins or beaks on your journey with us.
Read article
Must dos for kids in Wellington
We’ve rounded up some of the top things to do with kids in the capital to save you some time! From interactive museums to hitting the bike trails there is something for kids both big and small.
Find out more