Waiheke Island

Travel Guide

Waiheke Island featuring skyline, landscape views and general coastal views
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island
Photo provided by Kitty Millyard

This small island is famous for gourmet eateries, vineyards and relaxing beaches.

Several small coastal villages make up 12-mile (19-kilometer) long Waiheke Island, where you’ll find gourmet restaurants and beaches. Over 100 artists live and work on the island they display their wares in the community gallery at Oneroa near the ferry stop and in studios around the island. A woolshed museum and two restored cottages at Onetangi display photos and textiles, while a musical museum at Oneroa gives visitors a chance to play instruments dating as far back as the 1500s.

The island is easy to navigate by buses, which leave regularly from the ferry terminal. An all-day bus pass is the best value for money for those wanting to tour the island’s beaches and vineyards.

Sample the Bordeaux-type, Syrah and Chardonnay wines grown in more than thirty vineyards on the island. Some vineyards also grow their own olives, which you can try along with lunch in on-site cafés and restaurants.

Fly above the island on a zip line at Onetangi, a beach in the north of the island. Take a chartered sailing tour to get your bearings around Waiheke and its neighboring islands, and to see some of the marine life that inhabits the pristine waters, including orca whales. Some sailing tours offer gourmet meals with Waiheke wines, or bushwalking and kayaking tours. Sign up for a tour from kiosks near the main ferry terminal.

Catch a bus or drive to Whakanewha Regional Park on the south coast of Waiheke Island. Here, you can walk through taraire, kohekohe and kanuka forest, and wetlands inhabited by some of New Zealand’s rare bird species, such as the dotterel and the banded rail. Whakanewha Park provides the only camping area on the island.

There are a number of ways to get to Waiheke Island from Auckland, from small charter planes and luxurious sailing boats, to a short ferry ride. Three companies operate ferries that leave from the mainland several times a day. Book in advance or turn up to the ferry terminal at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour on the day.

Where to stay in Waiheke Island

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Oneroa

Unique features of Oneroa include the wineries and beaches. Make a stop by Oneroa Beach or Palm 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 Little Oneroa Beach.

Palm Beach
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Surfdale

If you're spending some time in Surfdale, Kennedy Point and Surfdale Beach 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 Oneroa Beach and Cable Bay Vineyard 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
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (365 reviews)
"Friendly staff. Nice ocean view, quiet place and nice bed. They just forgot to empty the rubbish bin from the bathroom before we check in."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Waiheke Island Resort
Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
4 out of 5
23 Calais Terrace, Ostend, Waiheke Island
The price is €87 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
€87
per night
6 Aug - 7 Aug
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Waiheke Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Anzac Bay and Dead ...
9/10 Wonderful! (81 reviews)
Woukd visit again
"Quiet location. Comfortable bed and pillows. Extra sheet would have been welcomed as too hot with duvet and too cold with nothing."

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2025

Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
The Oyster Inn
The Oyster Inn
4.5 out of 5
124 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury inn in Waiheke Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Oneroa Beach and Artworks Complex ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (146 reviews)
"Great stay bit confused on where to check in, no parking spaces, but parking was close by. Beautiful room, clean, bed comfortable. Dined at restaurant, really enjoyed our meal ..thank you would recommend so convenient too, loved our stay."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

The Oyster Inn
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.
Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
4 out of 5
23 Calais Terrace, Ostend, Waiheke Island
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Waiheke Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Anzac Bay and Dead ...
9/10 Wonderful! (81 reviews)
Woukd visit again
"Quiet location. Comfortable bed and pillows. Extra sheet would have been welcomed as too hot with duvet and too cold with nothing."

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2025

Le Chalet Waiheke Apartments
Four Seasons in one Day
Four Seasons in one Day
Oneroa
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Waiheke Island. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Little Oneroa Beach ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (127 reviews)
Would 100% stay again
"Had a lovely time. The palce was just perfect and nice and close to the buses and town which made it ncie and easy"

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

Four Seasons in one Day
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! (365 reviews)
"Spacious, clean, friendly staff and good value"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do