Things to do on Waiheke Island: beaches, walks and villages
Ferry tips, the best swimming beaches, coastal walks and where to eat. A practical guide to Waiheke for first-time and returning visitors.
Getting there
Passenger ferries run from downtown Auckland to Matiatia Bay and take about 40 minutes. If you're bringing a car, the vehicle ferry runs from Half Moon Bay to Kennedy Point. Book ahead on summer weekends and public holidays.
Buses meet the ferries at Matiatia, and taxis, rental cars and e-bikes are all available on the island, so you don't need your own car.
Beaches
Oneroa Beach sits just below the village and is sheltered and good for swimming. Little Oneroa next door is smaller, with a playground and a casual spot for fish and chips. Palm Beach is a few minutes further on, and Onetangi on the north side is the island's longest beach and a favourite for a long lunch on the sand.
Coastal walks
The Te Ara Hura network links walking tracks right around the island. You can do a short section in an hour, such as the coastal track from Matiatia to Oneroa, or the Church Bay loop past vineyards and quiet bays.
At the eastern end, Stony Batter Historic Reserve has wartime tunnels and gun emplacements to explore, with wide views over the Gulf.
Villages and markets
Oneroa is the main village, with cafés, galleries, boutique shops and restaurants looking over the bay. Surfdale and Ostend feel more local, and the Ostend market on Saturday mornings is a good place for produce, coffee and crafts.
Vineyards
Waiheke is known for its wine, and many cellar doors are within a short drive or bus ride of the ferry. We've written a separate guide to planning a vineyard day.
Where to stay
Oneroa Cottage is a short walk across the park from Oneroa village and its beach. Winemakers Loft sits next to Cable Bay Vineyard, a 10 to 15-minute walk from the Matiatia ferry.
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