East By West Ferries

What East By West Ferries does

East by West Ferries (legal entity East By East Company Limited) is a privately-held Wellington Harbour ferry operator founded in 1989. The company runs a three-vessel fleet — City Cat (91 pax, 2000), Cobar Cat (99 pax, 2005), and Ika Rere (132 pax, 2022) — the last of which is the first fully electric passenger ferry in the Southern Hemisphere. Operating 364 days per year and completing over 9,000 crossings annually, it is the busiest commercial operator on Wellington Harbour. The fleet is based at the Meridian Building at Queens Wharf, Wellington.

The company's core business is contracted public transport ferry service between Queens Wharf (central Wellington) and Days Bay under a Greater Wellington Regional Council (Metlink) agreement, providing scheduled commuter crossings listed on the Metlink timetable and contact-centre system. A second product tier consists of tourism and experience offerings built around Ika Rere's zero-emission platform: the 90-minute Wellington Harbour Explorer, the Great Harbour of Tara cultural tour (with Te Wharewaka o Pōneke), whisky tasting cruises with First Phil, eBike hire and Harbour Adventure packages (distributed via Wildfinder), and private charters ($900/hour or $1,299/2 hours, max 55 pax). A school-groups programme provides discounted transport and harbour tours for primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.

Revenue is generated entirely through transactional fares, tour tickets, charter fees, and hire charges (no subscriptions, no advertising). Distribution mixes the regional transit authority (Metlink), direct website booking via FareHarbor, third-party platforms (Wildfinder), onboard EFTPOS/credit/WeChat Pay sales, and partnership channels (Te Wharewaka o Pōneke). Customer segments are commuters, tourists and visitors, school groups, and private event organisers. The company holds Qualmark Silver certification and complies with the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993. With a headcount of approximately 6, the operation is small, capital-intensive, and concentrated in a single regional geography.

Name

East By West Ferries

Legal name

East By East Company Limited

Website

https://eastbywest.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

East by West Ferries operates Wellington Harbour scheduled and tourism ferry services, including contracted Metlink public transport between Queens Wharf and Days Bay, plus zero-emission tours, charters, eBike hire, and school services from its three-vessel fleet.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passenger Ferry Services

NAICS

Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (483114)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Intercity & Regional Passenger Ferries (THAIAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tourist & Scenic Passenger Ferries (Non-Cruise) (THAIAJAH), Island & Archipelago Ferry Services (THAEAGAB), Passenger Ferry Operators (Interisland/Intercity) (TLAFALAA)

Keywords

• Passenger ferry services
• Harbour tours
• Public transport ferries
• Electric ferry cruises
• Charter boat hire

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Transport Fares: Scheduled ferry services between Queens Wharf and Days Bay, contracted by Greater Wellington regional government. Revenue from per-trip fares across adult, child, concession, and multi-trip ticket categories.
2. Harbour Tours: Wellington Harbour Explorer 90-minute commentated tours aboard Ika Rere electric ferry. Adult and child pricing with group booking options.
3. Cultural Tours: The Great Harbour of Tara tour in partnership with Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, featuring Māori storytelling and cultural commentary.
4. Whisky Tastings: Evening whisky tasting cruises aboard Ika Rere with master host First Phil. Includes 5 drams, snacks, and 90-minute harbour cruise.
5. Private Charters: Hourly boat hire for private events with catering options (self-catered or Food Envy provided). 1-hour at $900, 2-hour at $1,299. Maximum 55 passengers.
6. eBike Hire: Wellington city eBike hire and harbour adventure packages combining ferry travel with cycling routes. Distributed via Wildfinder platform.
7. School Group Transport: Educational group rates for ferry trips and commentated harbour tours. Primary and secondary school groups at child pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

East By West Ferries operates scheduled passenger ferry services on Wellington Harbour between Queens Wharf and Days Bay, serving as the contracted public transport provider for Greater Wellington (Metlink). The company supplements its transport services with commentated harbour tours, cultural tours, whisky tasting cruises, eBike hire packages, school group excursions, and private event charters aboard a three-vessel fleet that includes Ika Rere, the first fully electric passenger ferry in the Southern Hemisphere.

Product overview

East By West Ferries operates as a ferry services company offering a portfolio of complementary transport and tourism experiences on Wellington Harbour. The core offering consists of public transport ferry services between Queens Wharf and Days Bay, plus trips to Mātiu/Somes Island. These are supplemented by experience products including the Wellington Harbour Explorer (90-minute electric ferry tour), The Great Harbour of Tara cultural tour, Whisky Tastings, eBike Hire packages, and Private Charters. The company operates a fleet of three ferries—Cobar Cat (2005), City Cat (2000), and Ika Rere (2022)—the latter being the Southern Hemisphere's first fully electric passenger ferry. All vessels feature enclosed bottom cabins, open top decks, bathrooms, and bar facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wellington Harbour Explorer: 90-minute commentated harbour tour experience aboard the electric ferry Ika Rere
• East by West Cruises
• The Great Harbour of Tara tour
• Whisky Tastings
• eBike Hire

Products and services

• Queens Wharf – Days Bay Ferry Service Public transport ferry service operating between Queens Wharf in Wellington and Days Bay, providing commuters and tourists a scenic harbour crossing across Wellington Harbour with adult, child, concession, and multi-trip ticket categories.
• Matiu / Somes Island Trips Ferry service to Matiu/Somes Island, a predator-free sanctuary where passengers can explore scenic trails, native birds, tuatara, and panoramic harbour views.
• Wellington Harbour Explorer A 90-minute commentated harbour tour aboard the electric ferry Ika Rere, offering zero-emissions cruising with live commentary covering Wellington's history, maritime heritage, and natural environment.
• The Great Harbour of Tara Tour A 90-minute cultural tour in partnership with Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, blending sustainable sailing aboard Ika Rere with Māori storytelling and stunning harbour views.
• Whisky Tastings An evening whisky tasting experience aboard Ika Rere, hosted by whisky educator Phil Gow (First Phil), featuring five drams, guided tasting, and scenic harbour cruise.
• eBike Hire Electric bike hire options including Wellington City eBike Hire and Harbour Adventure packages combining ferry travel with cycling routes around Wellington Harbour.
• Private Charters Private ferry charter service for events including birthdays, corporate functions, and social gatherings, offering customizable catering options and onboard bar facilities. Maximum 55 passengers with 1-hour at $900 and 2-hour at $1,299 pricing.
• School Groups Service Educational ferry trips for primary, secondary, and tertiary groups including transport to Days Bay, commentated harbour tours, and visits to Matiu/Somes Island at discounted group rates (ferry at $8/person each way, harbour tour at $20/person).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 9,000 crossings per year as busiest commercial operator on Wellington Harbour
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Te Wharewaka o PōnekecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for The Great Harbour of Tara tour combining Māori storytelling with sustainable sailing on Ika Rere electric ferry. Departures from central Wellington with cultural commentary.
• Food EnvyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCatering partner providing dinner menus and canape options for private charter events. Provides build-your-own burger/taco options and desserts.
• WildfinderminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party booking platform for eBike hire packages including Wellington City eBike Hire and Harbour Adventure (ferry first/bike first) options.
• Greater Wellington (Metlink)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional government transit authority. East by West Ferries contracted as public transport provider on Wellington Harbour. Services listed on Metlink timetable and contact centre (0800 801 700).
• First Phil (Phil Gow)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhisky educator and host for whisky tasting cruises aboard Ika Rere. Known whisky platform creator, travels from Christchurch to host events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fullers Ferries: Auckland-based passenger ferry operator running scheduled commuter and tourism services on the Hauraki Gulf with multi-vessel fleet and experience products, a directly comparable small-passenger ferry model.
• Explore Group: Bay of Islands and Auckland ferry and tour operator offering scheduled passenger services and scenic cruise experiences, comparable in mixing commuter-style routes with paid tourism experiences.
• Interislander: Operates passenger and vehicle ferry services across New Zealand waters (Cook Strait), competing for the same passenger ferry market with scheduled transport routes and tourism-oriented services.
• Bluebridge (Strait Shipping): Strait Shipping's Bluebridge brand operates passenger ferries across Cook Strait with tourism offerings, directly comparable as a New Zealand passenger ferry operator mixing scheduled transport with leisure experiences.

Broad incumbents

• Uber Boats by Thames Clippers: London Thames river passenger transport and tour operator; comparable as a multi-vessel harbour commuter-plus-tourism ferry service with both scheduled transit contracts and premium experience offerings.
• Washington State Ferries: Largest ferry system in the United States operating scheduled passenger and vehicle services; comparable in operating contracted scheduled passenger transport across harbour/Puget Sound routes.
• Sydney Ferries: Major scheduled passenger ferry network serving Sydney Harbour with tourism components; comparable as a contracted harbour passenger ferry operator mixing commuter transit with leisure experience on a single harbour.
• Star Ferries: Iconic Hong Kong harbour passenger ferry operator with tourism focus; comparable as a harbour passenger ferry service combining scheduled transit and tourist experiences on a single body of water.

Others

• Wildfinder: New Zealand outdoor and adventure booking platform distributing eBike hire and harbour experience products; comparable as a channel partner/distribution platform enabling experience bookings.
• Te Wharewaka o Pōneke: Wellington cultural centre and Māori experience operator; comparable as a strategic partner and Wellington-based cultural tourism provider collaborating on harbour experiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/east-by-west-ferries

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about East By West Ferries