Great Barrier Island

Aotea: New Zealand’s Hidden Haven of Pure Tranquility

Aotea, also known as Great Barrier Island, is one of New Zealand’s most untouched and serene destinations. Escape with Sunair to the Hauraki Gulf’s largest and most remote island, where golden beaches meet crystal-clear waters and native forests stretch as far as the eye can see. Discover superb walking and tramping trails that lead to secluded hot springs, swimming holes, waterfalls, and historic kauri dams. For water lovers, the island offers world-class surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing across its vibrant ports and bays. Aotea is the ultimate getaway, offering both adventure and relaxation in one of the most pristine places you’ll ever find.

For more information visit: www.thebarrier.co.nz

Great Barrier Island/Aotea is partially pest free with multiple pest free islands surrounding it. Therefore we ask passengers to thoroughly clean and check their gear before travelling with us. To understand more visit https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/what-you-can-do-for-environment/Pages/visiting-hauraki-gulf-islands.aspx. Some items such as plants are at a higher risk of moving pests so extra care should be taken here.

Accommodation on Great Barrier Island (recommended by the Sunair team)

Sunset Waterfront

Great Barrier Lodge

Go Great Barrier

Claris Airport

70-96 Hector Sanderson Road
Great Barrier Island

Parking
Free parking is available right outside the terminal, providing easy access for travelers.

Amenities

Basic facilities only, so plan accordingly.

Check-In
The Sunair check-in desk is located at Claris Airport, where our flights operate on a quick turnaround schedule. Please check in 15 minutes before departure. Our pilot will personally assist with check-in. If the pilot is not immediately visible, they may be unloading from a previous flight and will be with you shortly.

Transportation
While there are no taxis directly at the airport, several shuttle services are available for pickup. Phone numbers for local transport providers are displayed at the airport for your convenience.

Flight Schedule from Great Barrier Island

Destination	Depart	Arrive	Days
Ardmore	10.00am	10.30am	Mon, Wed, Fri
Tauranga	10.00am	11.00am	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sun
Whangarei	10.00am	10.45am	Mon, Wed, Fri
Whitianga	10.00am	10.30am	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sun

Flight Schedule

Stay up-to-date with Sunair’s latest flight schedule, designed to keep you connected across New Zealand’s regional destinations.

Travel Info

Get all the essential details on check-in, luggage policies, and traveling with pets to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.

FAQ

Find quick answers to your most common questions about booking, travel policies, and Sunair’s services in our comprehensive FAQ section

What our customers say

A great little air service! We booked a return flight from Tauranga to Great Barrier Island over a long weekend and had no issues. The pilots were relaxed and provided smooth flights. There’s a 15kg luggage limit per person, so keep that in mind. If the weather looks iffy on the morning of...

Steve E, Tauranga, New Zealand

Tongariro Crossing Scenic Flight with Sunair Sunair offers a unique scenic flight over the Tongariro Crossing, departing from their Tauranga base. After arranging the special charter route and confirming details, the two-hour flight was exceptional. The journey south of Rotorua showcased...

Cho-I Lin, Tauranga, New Zealand

Thank you very much to Bev for her outstanding service, going above and beyond! My wife would have missed her connecting flight to Vancouver, but Bev came to the rescue, arranging a charter flight that got my wife to check-in with 15 minutes to spare. We can’t thank Bev and Sunair...

Andrew Bryant, Tauranga, New Zealand