Waiheke Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Waiheke Island which includes skyline, general coastal views and landscape views
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island
Photo provided by Kitty Millyard
A delightful small island, home to picturesque coastal villages, Waiheke is famous for its vineyards and beaches, gourmet food and thriving artistic culture.

Just 20 kilometres wide, Waiheke Island is a stunning location popular with day-trippers from Auckland who come to relax on its stunning beaches, tuck in to delicious food at its gourmet restaurants and sample the wine from its vineyards.

Home to over 100 artists, the island is a popular creative haven. Visit the community gallery near at Oneroa, as well as the studios dotted across the island, to discover why. Oneroa is also home to a popular musical museum, where you can try your hand at playing instruments dating back to the 16th century. At Onetangi, you can explore a woolshed museum as well as two restored cottages with photos and textiles on show.

With more than 30 vineyards on the island, it’s a popular place to come and sample the wines on offer. Some vineyards also grow their own olives, which you can try if you decide to stay for lunch at their on-site cafés and restaurants.

For something a little more adventurous on the island, you can hang above Onetangi on its zip lines or take a sailing tour on the surrounding waters, where you may get the chance to see orca whales. Ask about available sailing tours from the kiosks near the island’s main ferry terminal.

Whakanewha Regional Park, located on the island’s southern tip is a great place to visit. Enjoy a walk through the forests and wetlands, looking out for some of the region’s rare bird species including the dotterel and the banded rail. It is also a good camping spot.

It’s only a short ferry ride from Auckland to Waiheke, but small charter planes and sailing boats are also available. Ferries depart from the mainland throughout the day and you can either book your ticket in advance or turn up at the terminal at Viaduct Harbour when you want to board. The island itself has a bus service which runs from the ferry terminal, but it pays to buy an all-day bus pass, which will give you more flexibility.

Where to stay in Waiheke Island

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Oneroa

Unique features of Oneroa include the wineries and beaches. Make a stop by Little Oneroa Beach or Oneroa Beach while you're exploring the area.

Oneroa
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Onetangi

Onetangi is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Onetangi Beach and Eco Zip Adventures.

Onetangi
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Ostend

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Ostend. You might want to make time for a stop at Anzac Bay or Obsidian Vineyard.

Ostend
Palm Beach featuring landscape views and a beach as well as a family

Palm Beach

While Palm Beach may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Palm Beach and Sandy Bay.

Palm Beach
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Surfdale

If you're spending some time in Surfdale, Shelly Beach and Kennedy Point are top sights worth seeing.

Surfdale
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Blackpool

You'll appreciate the beaches during your time in Blackpool and you might want to plan a stop by Little Oneroa Beach and Oneroa Beach while you're in the area.

Blackpool
Waiheke Island Resort
Waiheke Island Resort
3.5 out of 5
4 Bay Road, Palm Beach, Waiheke Island
The price is AU$360 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
AU$360
includes taxes & fees
26 Nov - 27 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Waiheke Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Palm Beach and Enclosure Bay are ...
7.8/10 Good! (303 reviews)
"Nice location, great views and close to the beach and public transportation which is a plus..space could benefit from some upgrades given the price they charge. Swimming pool is still under renovation, Overall, a very good option for a short stay in Waiheke."

Reviewed on 28 Oct. 2024

Waiheke Island Resort
Circular Bay Cottage with private beach
Circular Bay Cottage with private beach
Awaawaroa Bay
Stay at this cottage in Waiheke Island. Enjoy a private beach, air conditioning, and a spa tub. Popular attractions Poderi Crisci and Onetangi Forest and Bird ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
Excellent private beach
"Amazing location and property. Thinking of going again."

Reviewed on 10 Oct. 2024

Circular Bay Cottage with private beach
Onetangi Beach Apartments
Onetangi Beach Apartments
3.5 out of 5
5-7 Fourth Avenue, Onetangi, Waiheke Island
The price is AU$252 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
AU$252
includes taxes & fees
22 Nov - 23 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Waiheke Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Onetangi Beach and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (332 reviews)
"The property was beautiful and the staff were fantastic! Thank you!"

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Onetangi Beach Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Onetangi Beach Apartments
Onetangi Beach Apartments
3.5 out of 5
5-7 Fourth Avenue, Onetangi, Waiheke Island
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Waiheke Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Onetangi Beach and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (332 reviews)
"The property was beautiful and the staff were fantastic! Thank you!"

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Onetangi Beach Apartments
Circular Bay Cottage with private beach
Circular Bay Cottage with private beach
Awaawaroa Bay
Stay at this cottage in Waiheke Island. Enjoy a private beach, air conditioning, and a spa tub. Popular attractions Poderi Crisci and Onetangi Forest and Bird ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
Excellent private beach
"Amazing location and property. Thinking of going again."

Reviewed on 10 Oct. 2024

Circular Bay Cottage with private beach
Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
4 out of 5
23 Calais Terrace, Ostend, Waiheke Island
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Waiheke Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Anzac Bay and Dead Dog Bay are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (73 reviews)
"Charming, serene spacious studio with peaceful garden, great natural light, felt like a treehouse. very clean with comfy, quality bedding & towels."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Waiheke Island

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
18
" "5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 21%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We took a car so travelled round the island to different vinyards. Had a top rate dinner at 372 restaurant, 21 The Strand Onetangi Beach

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love it, would prefer a few less people, but that is just being selfish!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Will be back to explore more in summer/autumn. Weather was not our friend. Would advise against going to Dellows if you do a hop on hop off bus trip or wine tour

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love Waiheke but would not recommend this as accommodation sorry, it was tired and the kitchen cupboards and utensils were unclean and greasy.....

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Wineries are all excellent but by far the favourite was Peacock Sky.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Goldie Estate is a lovely venue for a wedding.

Cities near Waiheke Island