Interislander Ferry suspends sailings

The Interislander Ferry service announced late on 5 January that all sailings are paused due to swells exceeding forecast levels. This decision, while necessary for passenger safety, is expected to disrupt schedules for several days.

“We’re closely monitoring the situation and will contact passengers as soon as we have a clearer picture of when conditions will allow safe crossings,” the company said.

Travellers relying on Interislander are advised to keep an eye on updates and ensure contact details are up to date to receive notifications about schedule changes.

Bluebridge cancellations

Bluebridge Ferry has similarly been hit by the extreme weather, cancelling multiple sailings between Wellington and Picton on Monday, 6 January.

Cancelled sailings include:

• Wellington to Picton: 2:00 am, 1:30 pm
• Picton to Wellington: 2:30 am, 7:45 am, 7:15 pm

The company is reviewing forecasts to determine if the 8:15 am sailing from Wellington on 6 January can proceed as planned. Customers affected by cancellations will be contacted directly for rescheduling or alternative options.

Impact on travel plans

With both major ferry services across the Cook Strait significantly disrupted, passengers are encouraged to plan accordingly and stay informed. Unsettled weather conditions are expected to persist until at least Monday evening, potentially leading to further delays.

Both Interislander and Bluebridge are prioritising passenger safety and working to minimise inconvenience as much as possible.

For updates, customers can visit the Interislander and Bluebridge websites or contact their customer service teams directly.