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SeaLink Kangaroo Island ferries

Sealink ferry family at Cape Jervis

SeaLink operates two, large, twin-hulled catamaran car and passenger ferries; the “Sealion 2000” and the “Spirit of Kangaroo Island” (SPOKI). These vessels have been especially built to operate the ferry service across the Backstairs Passage between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw. The ferry trip takes just 45 minutes and ferries operate up to 12 ferry times a day, each way, during peak periods.

Both ferries feature air-conditioned lounges, comfortable lounge, aircraft-style, or café-style seating, a licensed café serving fresh snacks and hot and cold drinks, outdoor viewing decks, wheelchair access, access-friendly bathrooms, and baby change facilities.

SeaLink Kangaroo Island Ferries

  • “SeaLion 2000” is a car and passenger Ro/Ro ferry accommodating up to 375 passengers over two decks, and 50 cars or 30 cars and 4 coaches on the vehicle deck. The vessel is steel built and is 49.8 metres in length and 16.0 metres wide. The vessel was built in 1998 by Tenix, Fremantle, Western Australia.

  • “Spirit of Kangaroo Island” is a car and passenger Ro/Ro ferry accommodating up to 240 passengers over two decks, and 50 cars, or 8 semi-trailers and 18 cars. The aluminium catamaran is 50.37 metres in length and 18.0 metres wide. The vessel was built in 2003 by Austal Ships in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Facilities onboard SeaLink Ferries

  • Our onboard cafés offer a selection of cakes, freshly prepared light meals, sandwiches, rolls, bakery items, snacks, ice creams, and hot and cold drinks including Kangaroo Island and South Australian beer and wine. We also sell local and SA newspapers.

  • Please feel free to bring your pram or capsule onboard for the comfort of you and your little one. Our friendly crew will also be happy to warm milk, baby formula, or baby food for you. Our ferries are also equipped with baby change facilities in the access friendly bathrooms. When travelling with children, please ensure they are supervised at all times when onboard, particularly when outside of the main lounge areas. Please note, only drivers are allowed on the vehicle deck at time of loading and unloading. Passengers need to board via the ramp in front of the terminal building. If you feel you will need assistance boarding the passenger lounge with your family, please notify sales staff at booking and upon check-in at the terminal.

  • A range of tourist information and brochures are available onboard for your information, together with an interesting travel and general Kangaroo Island information video which is played during the crossing on the TV monitors.

    In the warmer weather it is very pleasant sitting out on the top deck and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. Keep a look out for pods of dolphins who often frolic and swim next to the hulls of the ferries. During May to September keep an eye out for the Southern Right Whales which often visit these waters with their calves. It certainly is a spectacular site.

  • If you suffer from sea sickness, we have compiled a list of helpful hints to assist in preventing sea sickness symptoms and help make your journey more comfortable. View or download SeaLink's Seasickness Tips here.

  • SeaLink ferries are access friendly. An electric wheelchair can be provided to board passengers as necessary. Please ask our friendly Sales Consultants when you make your booking for assistance.

  • We trust you will have a safe and comfortable journey with us. To ensure your safety and the safety of others travelling with you and on board our vessels, please read further information here.

To ensure you have a safe and comfortable journey with us, please take note of the following points.

  • Drivers ONLY are allowed on the vehicle deck at time of loading and unloading. If you feel you will need assistance boarding the passenger lounge with your family, please notify sales staff at booking and upon check-in at the terminal.
  • Ferry safety information can be found on safety cards located around each vessel, please take time to read one.
  • Drivers ONLY are allowed on the vehicle deck at time of loading and unloading.
  • Drivers please do not move your vehicle until instructed to do so by a crew member.
  • All ‘walk-on’ passengers must enter and exit via the boarding doors.
  • Passengers travelling pets can board via the vehicle deck and stairs to the upper passenger lounge and deck area.
  • Restrooms are located on both sides of the vessel at the rear of the passenger lounges.
  • Access friendly restrooms are provided onboard both vessels.
  • Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
  • Please do not run when onboard the vessel.
  • Please remain seated during rough crossings and ask for assistance from the crew if required.
  • Please avoid standing near the stairwells when the vessel is moving.
  • Please approach a crew member if you need access to your vehicle when the ferry is moving.
  • Smoking, including e-cigarettes is not permitted onboard our ferries, or inside our ferry passenger terminals.
  • Please ask our friendly crew for assistance at any time.