From Friday, 3 December Aucklanders will once again be able to enjoy the wonders of Waiheke Island, as the border lifts and New Zealand moves to the COVID-19 traffic light system.
Visitors will be able to wine and dine across the island with the introduction of eight island experiences, including three indulgent wine tours - the popular Summer Wine and Dine, Twilight Wine and Dine and the brand new Hop-On Hop-Off Vineyard Explorer bus. To find out more about summer products and to book online, click here.
To make sailings as safe as possible, from 3 December onwards, Fullers360 will implement new vaccination travel guidelines for visitors travelling to Waiheke – we are requesting all passengers over 12 years old to be fully vaccinated, vaccine exempt or have returned a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of travel.
Similar to how the Auckland border will be managed, regular spot checks will be in place across these Fullers360 services and passengers may be asked at any time to present their vaccine pass, exemption or a negative COVID-19 test.
Residents who live on Waiheke Island will not be required to present a vaccine pass, exemption or a negative COVID-19 test to travel to the island, however, they must present a resident card as proof of residence, in line with the existing resident’s lane program.
Most hospitality venues, accommodation and activity providers require customers and guests to be fully vaccinated on Waiheke Island, customer should check any terms and conditions before booking/travelling to the island.
Timetables will remain unchanged until Wednesday, 15 December when peak summer timetables will begin with increased frequency across the network. This coincides with when Auckland’s border restrictions are lifted and more visitors to the region are anticipated. More information on a peak summer timetable will be shared soon.
Ferry travel in ‘red’
At red, ferry travel remains largely unchanged. Passengers must continue to follow usual COVID-19 government guidance – scan in using the NZ COVID Tracer app, where possible maintain 1m physical distance from other bubbles, wear a face mask or covering inside ferry terminals and onboard and be ready to present your vaccine pass as needed.
Onboard cafes remain closed until further notice and the consumption of your own food and beverage onboard is discouraged, please wait until after your journey with us.
We continue to follow government advice and will keep you updated as more information is made available. For more information on where and when you are permitted to travel go to: govt.nz.
We continue to prioritise high levels of sanitisation onboard all vessels. Our staff are wearing PPE when routinely cleaning during their shifts. Shared facilities such as toilets are cleaned more frequently. We have increased cleaning on hard surfaces in addition to the normal cleaning regime we perform for our facilities. We will continue with our ‘fogging’ regime for the fleet and workspaces, as we have done throughout all alert levels.
Sailing safely, see you on the water.
