Rangitoto or Tiritiri Matangi: Which Hauraki Gulf Island Should You Visit?
5 min read
Go to Rangitoto for volcanic scenery and a summit view, and to Tiritiri Matangi for native birds. Both islands are in the Hauraki Gulf, both are reached by boat from Auckland, and neither has shops, so the choice comes down to what you want to look at.
| Option | Length | What it is | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return ferry to Rangitoto Island | 25-minute crossing | Ferry ticket, walk it yourself | €31.54 | 4.7/5, 287 reviews |
| Rangitoto guided hike with ferry | 4 hours | Guided hike, geology and Māori heritage | €99.63 | new listing |
| Rangitoto hike and lava cave tour with ferry | 6.5 hours | Lava fields, lava tubes, summit | €97.63 | new listing |
| Rangitoto sea kayak crossing and summit hike | 1 day | Paddle across, then hike | €104.26 | 4.9/5, 51 reviews |
| Tiritiri Matangi Island ferry | 5 to 9 hours | Ferry, walking tracks, lighthouse | €52.57 | 4.8/5, 232 reviews |
Rangitoto
The listing for the ferry ticket calls Rangitoto New Zealand’s youngest volcano, 25 minutes from Auckland, with lava caves, native forest and 360-degree views of the gulf from the summit. The Department of Conservation (DOC) describes the island as pest-free and tells visitors to wear sturdy walking shoes for the rugged lava surface, and to bring sunscreen, a hat, water and food, because there are no shops. There are no rubbish bins, so you take your rubbish back with you, and DOC warns that wasps are more common in warmer months. There is no overnight accommodation for day visitors, so do not miss your ferry back. The ferry listing puts the summit track at 2.3 km each way with a climb of about 260 metres, and says most visitors allow two to three hours for the return walk, including a detour to the lava caves about 200 metres below the summit. On weekdays the listing has one sailing each way, out at 9:30am and back at 3:30pm; at weekends and on public holidays you can go out at 9:15am or 10:30am and come back at 2:30pm or 4pm.
The ferry ticket suits you if you are happy to walk alone. The guided options add the geology and history. The four-hour hike is owned and operated by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, covers about 8 km and has a minimum age of 12. The 6.5-hour lava cave tour covers about 7 km and includes tea, coffee and a light snack, but you bring your own lunch. The kayak trip paddles out from St Heliers Bay with instruction and finishes with a barbecue lunch on the island; its listing says it is not suitable for people with low fitness, back problems or a weight over 125 kg.
Tiritiri Matangi
DOC says the public ferry runs five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday, and can fill up well in advance from November to April. Book early in that period. The ferry listing has the same days: Wednesday to Friday it leaves Auckland at 9am and is back at 4pm, at weekends and on public holidays it leaves at 8:30am and is back at 5:20pm, calling at Gulf Harbour both ways. The island has toilets at the wharf, Hobbs Beach and near the lighthouse, but no food is sold, and the visitor centre shop sells gifts and cold drinks only, generally during ferry visits. Bring your own food and water; the ferry listing says you can also buy food on board. DOC lists takahē, kōkako, tīeke (saddleback) and hihi (stitchbird) among the birds you can see, and asks visitors to stay on the tracks and not to play bird calls or feed wildlife. The ferry listing also mentions the oldest working lighthouse in New Zealand. DOC asks visitors to check, clean and dry their gear before they go.
Recommendation
For most visitors the Rangitoto ferry at €31.54 is the easiest first island: short crossing and one summit. Choose the Tiritiri Matangi ferry at €52.57 if birds are the reason you are going, and plan it for a day from Wednesday to Sunday.
