Towards the new Kangaroo Island Ferry Service

For more than 30 years SeaLink has provided a safe, reliable, and customer-focused ferry service to and from Kangaroo Island for residents, businesses, and visitors.

In December 2021, the South Australian Government announced SeaLink was successful in a competitive tender and would continue to provide this critical transport link between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw as part of the new Kangaroo Island Ferry Service (KI Ferry Service).

This page will provide the latest information in relation to the commencement of the new KI Ferry Service, including:

Stay up-to-date with the latest information from SeaLink regarding the commencement of the new KI Ferry Service contract by subscribing below.

Features of the new Kangaroo Island Ferry Service

As we move closer to launching our new state-of-the-art ferries, Wanggami and Ruwi, we are thrilled to share a preview of the future of ferry travel to Kangaroo Island.

With features like a passenger lift to all three decks on the vessel, a larger café, a dedicated secure pet lounge, and improved seating options, our new ferries are designed for extra capacity, safety, convenience, comfort, and greater accessibility, meeting the future needs of the community while also enhancing the passenger and visitor experience.

The virtual fly-through of the ferries external and internal design showcases an artist’s impression of the many features and benefits that Wanggami and Ruwi will provide the travelling public, from their sleek design, the new drive-through vehicle loading, to the modern conveniences that will enhance every journey. Whether travelling for leisure or as a resident or business on Kangaroo Island, all passengers can look forward to a more comfortable, reliable and enjoyable experience.

With substantially more daily departures, customers will have greater flexibility and choice when planning your travel to and from Kangaroo Island.
- Peak season (September to April) - we will operate 22 departures (11 trips each way) Monday to Friday, and 18 departures (9 each way) on Saturday to Sunday.
- Off-Peak season (May to August) - we will operate 14 departures a day (7each way) every day.
Significantly larger and identical in their design, the new ferries can carry substantially more vehicles per departure, with 8 vehicle lanes and approximately 150 metres of extra vehicle lane length per departure.

Click here to view the new ferry schedule.
Experience a new level of comfort with a contemporary design that offers a relaxed and spacious environment, and an unforgettable travel journey.

Designed to enhance your overall customer experience for a more comfortable ride with improved amenities on board, including:
- Diverse seating options and areas, including booth-style seating lounges.
- Large-format windows offering breathtaking views of Kangaroo Island and the mainland.
- Larger modern café, positioned for easier access to refreshments.
- Lift connecting three levels – the vehicle deck, passenger lounge, and sundeck.
- Accessible toilets available on every level.
- Spacious sundeck that is larger than on our current ferries
- Sundeck lounge with booth-style seating and large-format windows.
- Dedicated secure air-conditioned pet lounge with direct access from car park.
Say goodbye to reversing onto the ferry. The drive-through design allows vehicles to drive on and off in the same direction, making the experience safer, faster and more convenient for all passengers.

Drivers and their passengers will also be able to check-in and board the vessel from their vehicle.

The below are artist's impressions.
The two new modern ferries, Wanggami and Ruwi, are being built to the highest standards, ensuring a safe, reliable and improved service for all customers.

Powered by 735 kW Tier 3 M.A.N engines, featuring low-emission technology, the new ferries support a more sustainable journey reflecting SeaLink’s commitment to protecting the unique marine environment of Kangaroo Island.

New Kangaroo Island Ferry Service Contract – FAQs

SeaLink will be updating the FAQs below in the lead-up to the commencement of the KI Ferry Service. If you have a question please use the "Leave a message" button at the bottom right. We will collate the questions and add them below when the information is available.

We will continue to provide updates on the vessel construction in the lead up to the commencement of the new ferry service. Remember to keep checking this webpage and subscribe to the SeaLink KI Ferry Service email updates.

General

The new vessels were designed by Sea Transport Solutions, an Australian business providing specialist marine design services globally.

The vessels are being built offshore using components from local South Australian suppliers.

South Australian suppliers will also continue to support the ongoing operation and maintenance of the vessels into the future.
No. After boarding, drivers and passengers will be required to proceed to the passenger deck. Due to safety considerations, passengers must not stay in their vehicle during a ferry crossing.
No. Once the two new ferries have commenced the new service on the new timetable, the two current ferries will be decommissioned and no longer be in service.
Yes. As necessary each year, we will schedule time during the quieter months to perform essential annual maintenance to each of our vessels – regular maintenance is a critical part of ensuring ongoing reliability. This includes critical maintenance and the annual AMSA survey that checks and verifies that the vessel is compliant with Australian Laws and Safety Standards.
As the new KI Ferry Service will consist of two new larger vessels and portside infrastructure, the check-in and boarding process will change.

The upgrades and changes will improve and speed up the customer check-in and boarding experience (e.g. ticket booth and boom gate allowing passengers to remain in their vehicle for the check-in and boarding process), including streamlined ticketing processes and other technology improvements.

SeaLink will keep customers updated before any changes to these processes.
New information and updates on the progress and commencement of the new Kangaroo Island Ferry Service is available on our website (sealink.com.au/kifs). You can also subscribe to the SeaLink Kangaroo Island Ferry Service to receive email updates.

For information on the Kangaroo Island Ports Upgrade click here.

Features

As part of the new KI Ferry Service, SeaLink is building two new ferries.

The new SeaLink ferries:
- will be 60 metres in length and 20 metres wide (approximately 10m longer and 2m wider than the current vessels)
- will provide approximately 150 metres more vehicle lane space than each of the current vessels
- are identical in design allowing for freight and oversized vehicles to travel on either ferry
- will provide a smoother ride and improved experience for passengers
- will be drive through making the loading and unloading process safer, easier and faster for customers.
The new SeaLink ferries will also provide customers with improved amenities on board, including:
- modern café facilities
- passenger lift access to all three public decks
- indoor and outdoor viewing areas
- dedicated pet travel area
- device charging facilities
- improved disability access and DDA features on each level.
SeaLink's new ferries and the loading and unloading improvements will provide customers with more choice of departure times:

Peak Season (September to April)
- 22 departures per day (11 trips each way) Monday – Friday
- 18 departures per day (9 each way) Saturday – Sunday
Off Peak Season (May to August)
- 14 departures per day (7 each way).
Provided below are artist's impressions of the new SeaLink vessels. Please note: these are subject to change during the build process.
Yes. The new SeaLink KI Ferry Service with the new ferries will operate more services, especially during peak periods.

A new timetable will come into effect on the commencement of the new 2 new vessels, where SeaLink will operate:

Peak Season (September to April)
- 22 departures per day (11 trips each way) Monday – Friday
- 18 departures per day (9 each way) Saturday – Sunday
Off Peak Season (May to August)
- 14 departures per day (7 each way).
SeaLink will keep customers updated on any changes to the KI Ferry Service timetable in advance.
The two new ferries will provide the ability to drive on and drive off without requiring vehicles to reverse or turn whilst loading or unloading. The vessel will complete any change in direction required to facilitate this process.
Yes. The new vessel will have a dedicated pet lounge on the main car deck level, meaning pets will not need to climb any stairs. The pet lounge will be outfitted with air conditioning, waste bags, hooks for securing your pet and a nearby freshwater tap designed to make travelling with your pet an easy, pleasant experience.

Timeline

Wanggami has arrived in Port Adelaide and Ruwi is expected to arrive in South Australia by August 2026.
It is anticipated that both Wanggami and Ruwi will commence the new service on or before 23 September 2026.
We will continue to operate the existing timetable with Sealion 2000 and Spirit of Kangaroo Island, until the new vessels, Wanggami and Ruwi, are both ready to commence the new service together in 2026.
The transition to the new ferries will involve a five-week phased approach. The five-week transition period will commence after the critical infrastructure works to install the new vehicle ramps at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw to minimise disruption during the peak travel period.

The new ferry service and schedule will commence at the conclusion of the five-week transition period. Specific timings will be communicated when they are confirmed.
The critical new vehicle ramp infrastructure at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw will be installed after both vessels are ready. The new ramp installation will require a temporary suspension of all services for an anticipated three-day period. The temporary service shutdown is expected to occur over an anticipated three-day period in August or September 2026. Specific timings will be communicated when the dates are confirmed.
We anticipate that all ferry services will be suspended for a three-day period in August or September 2026. The exact dates will be communicated when they are confirmed, once the second vessel, Ruwi, has departed for Australia. Finalisation of the critical infrastructure works will precede the service shutdown. We are working to provide as much notice as possible to ensure customers can plan their travel accordingly.

Service Upgrades

Yes. We will operate on a limited departure schedule with Sealion 2000 for an anticipated 3-4 days. During this time, our crew will complete training, on-water familiarisation within the harbour, and system testing on Wanggami to prepare for the formal launch of the new timetable.

Once the limited departure period ends, our existing schedule will resume with Wanggami and Sealion 2000 for around 3 weeks while final training, harbour familiarisation and system testing continue on Ruwi. After this, both Wanggami and Ruwi will commence full service together under the new timetable.
As part of the new contract, SeaLink is upgrading the ferry terminal check-in and loading infrastructure at both Cape Jervis and Penneshaw.

The new SeaLink terminals will provide customers with:
- faster vehicle check-in and loading facilities
- improved foot passenger boarding facilities.
More information regarding the terminal and check-in upgrades will be provided in the lead-up to the commencement date.
We do not anticipate any further planned disruptions to the ferry service following the official service commencement. Any planned disruptions to the service post-launch will be communicated in advance to minimise impact on the community and customers.

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