Great Barrier Island is located in the outer Hauraki Gulf, 13 nautical miles north of the Coromandel Peninsula and 50 nautical miles from central Auckland. It can be reached by ferry, charter boat, or air.
By Air
Duration: 30 minutes
Daily flights operate to Claris Airport on Great Barrier Island from Auckland Airport's domestic terminal, as well as the small North Shore Airport near Silverdale, in northern Auckland. More flights operate from the main Auckland Airport, but as this is quite far south of the central city, the North Shore option may be more convenient for travelers staying in central Auckland. Direct flights also operate a few times a week from Whangarei (in Northland) and Whitianga (on the Coromandel Peninsula). Any of these flights are very scenic as they cross the harbors, inlets, and volcanic islands of the Hauraki Gulf and Northland.
By Ferry
Duration: 4.5 hours
Vehicle ferries run from Auckland to Great Barrier Island. These depart from the Wynyard Wharf in central Auckland and stop at Tryphena, in the south-west of Great Barrier Island. Ferries run according to a seasonal timetable, with three crossings per week in the winter, and one every day in the summer. The ferries are well-equipped with indoor and outdoor seating, dining facilities, and attractions to keep kids entertained.
By Charter Boat
Fishing, diving, or just general transportation charter boats can be privately arranged from various places along the coast of Auckland, Northland, and the Coromandel Peninsula. Charters are the most expensive way of reaching Great Barrier Island, but they can give you the most flexibility.