Waiheke Island is a microcosm of New Zealand’s North Island. Here, you can get a snapshot of the North’s glorious golden sandy beaches, rolling green hills, beautiful coastline walks and top-quality wine all under 100km².
And the best bit? Just a short ferry ride from Auckland, it makes for an easy day out! So, if you’re planning a Waiheke Island day trip, I’ve put together a roundup of the best activities to add to your itinerary.
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Waiheke is the second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf. Its sheltered location gives it the benefit of a mild microclimate that’s perfect for winegrowing, winter escapes and summer breaks from the city.
I absolutely adored Waiheke Island when I visited. It was hands down one of my favourite places in New Zealand. The abundance of vineyards and incredible wine reminded me so much of the Mediterranean, but with a much greener landscape.
That, tied in with all the many things to do there, it’s an island well worth visiting. Inspired? Here are the best things to do on your Waiheke Island day trip.
I’ve built this Waiheke Island day trip into my North Island New Zealand itinerary. See how it fits together here.
Best time to visit Waiheke Island
Located in the Haruki Gulf east of Auckland, Waiheke Island is partially sheltered from extreme cold and wet weather. This means its climate stays mild all year round, making it a great day trip even in winter!
The summer months (November – March) are Waiheke’s peak season. You have the benefit of warmer temperatures and longer days, but attractions are a lot busier which is worth bearing in mind. Try visiting on a weekday and booking activities in advance to avoid disappointment.
Just like the rest of New Zealand (except maybe Queenstown’s ski central!), the shoulder and winter months are generally quieter which is ideal if you would prefer to avoid the crowds. Just a heads up though, July is the wettest month if you plan to do a lot of outdoor activities!
Read what to wear in New Zealand for both summer and winter here!
How to get to Waiheke Island
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Waiheke Island is to catch the ferry from Auckland. There are two ferries available depending on what you need. These are:
Fullers passenger ferry
Ideal if you don’t have a vehicle, Fullers departs from the ferry terminal in Downtown Auckland City (Quay Street). Adult tickets are 42 NZD (New Zealand Dollars) return or 35 NZD during off-peak times.
The ferry runs 25 times throughout the day with the first one leaving Auckland at 6am and returning from Matiatia Wharf at 12:30am during the week. Check the ferry timetable here.
The journey is an easy 40 minutes and you can admire the view from the breezy top deck or enjoy a coffee and a nibble below deck. There’s complimentary WiFi on board too.
Editor’s tip: It’s a good idea to buy your tickets online and arrive early to avoid long queues. Fullers also do wine tour packages with ferry tickets included.
SeaLink car ferry
If you do have a vehicle, you’ll want to catch the SeaLink car ferry. SeaLink ferries depart from both Wynyard Quarter in Auckland and Half Moon Bay, East Auckland. The ferry terminal on Waiheke Island is Kennedy Point.
Adult tickets with a vehicle are approximately 120 NZD depending on the day and which terminal you choose. Another option is to take the passenger ferry and hire a vehicle on the island. View fares and timetables here.
Getting around Waiheke Island
There are several ways to get around Waiheke Island depending on whether you’re doing a tour or if you’re travelling independently. These are:
Group wine tour
If you’re doing a group wine tour then you can kick back and relax because all your transport on the island is included in your ticket. Most tours don’t include ferry ticket transfers so you’ll need to get them separately.
The one downside to doing a tour is you don’t have the freedom to go where you choose. We’ll dive more into what wine tours you can do later.
Editor’s tip: If you want the convenience of a tour without the booze, there’s also a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket that allows you flexible access to the island. This eco-certified bus pass includes 16 stops and a ferry ticket at a very reasonable price!
Public transport
There is a regular bus service on the island, running from Matiatia Wharf along four main routes to Blackpool, Oneroa, Surfdale, Palm Beach, Ostend, Rocky Bay, Onetangi and Kennedy Point.
You just have to be aware of bus times and you don’t have complete flexibility but it’s one option if you don’t have a car. View fares and timetables here.
Hire a bike
Want an eco-friendly way to get around Waiheke Island? Hire an e-bike! You’ll be thankful for the extra push when you’re cycling through the island’s hilly landscape in comparison to a standard pushbike.
Daily Electrical Bike Rental allows you to hire an e-bike for about £45 for the day (usually 8am-8pm). A helmet, lock, map and tips on the best routes are included as well as pickups from the ferry terminal.
Hire a car
If you would prefer to hire a car there are several options to choose from including Waiheke Auto Rentals and Waiheke Rental Cars.
Taxi
Another option is to book a taxi, however, it’s not the cheapest. Island Taxis is the longest-running taxi firm on the island. You can arrange transfers or even do a flexible tour of the island with a local driver who can share insider tips. Tours start at 80 NZD an hour.
Read more: What It’s Really Like to Travel New Zealand with Kiwi Experience
Best Waiheke Island day trip activities for your itinerary
Now onto the fun part; planning your day trip itinerary! Here are the best things to do on Waiheke Island.
Visit Oneroa Village
Just a 5-minute drive (or bus ride) from Matiatia Wharf is Oneroa, a settlement with a population of about 1500 people. Oneroa is a good place to start (or finish) your Waiheke Island day trip itinerary.
The village has a main street packed with boutique shops – hello souvenirs! – restaurants, bars, cafes and art galleries. You can also wander around the Sacred Blessings Sanctuary Gardens or relax on the beach of the village’s namesake.
Do a wine tour
Above all else, Waiheke Island is particularly known for one thing – vino! High-quality red wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc grape varieties are what it does best.
There are about 30 boutique wineries on the island so one of the best things to do is a wine tour.
The top wine tours to do are:
Premium food and wine tour
A day of incredible food and wine? What could be better! The small-group tour (no more than 12 people max) picks you up bright and early at Matiatia Wharf and takes you to three boutique vineyards and an award-winning olive oil mill.
The tour includes a platter lunch at one of the vineyards and you also have a chance to try Waiheke’s famous oysters! View the tour here.
Afternoon small-group tour
This is the tour I did and I can confirm that it was one of the highlights of my entire New Zealand trip. The tour has a relaxed start later in the day so you can squeeze in another activity in the morning. It’s also fairly flexible as you can do a beer and gin tasting along with the wine.
A platter lunch is included too to help balance out the booze. If there’s a particular winery that takes your fancy, the coach can drop you off there at the end. View the tour here.
Winery tour from Auckland
Here’s a nice and easy one that includes your ferry ticket from Auckland to Waiheke and back. The tour takes you to four vineyards with a tasting at each. There’s a lunch break halfway through although you’ll need to pay for your food and any extra drinks. View the tour here.
If you prefer to do your own vineyard-hopping, the top ones to include on your wine trail are:
Casita Miro
My favourite of all the vineyards on Waiheke, Casita Miro has a vibrant Spanish vibe thanks to its Gaudi-inspired architecture and colourful handmade mosaic walls. The rest of the estate is just beautiful to look at too.
The owners have incorporated Spain into everything, from the wine to the tapas restaurant. Enjoy a selection of full-bodied wines including red, white and a cheeky brandy or two!
Tantalus Estate
One of the best wineries on Waiheke, Tantalus is a new estate on the block with an impressive string of international accolades under its belt. The beautiful vineyard and dining experience is also home to olive groves, macadamia trees, an apiary and a kitchen garden.
Stonyridge
Award-winning Stonyridge is surrounded by a landscape of vineyards and olive groves. It’s most famous for its Bordeaux-style reds that leading establishments the world over serve on their wine list (including the Dorchester in London!). It’s another great stop for dinner or lunch.
Man O’ War Vineyards
Aside from its amazing name, Man O’ War is a Waiheke wine giant, owning 75 vineyards across the island. In fact, the estate does its own private tours.
Its best feature is the beachfront Tasting Room where you can sample a range of different wines with breathtaking sea views. It’s advisable to book a table in advance.
Mudbrick Vineyard
Mudbrick is probably the place I would go for a destination wedding (in fact, all of these wineries are frequently booked for weddings). Located up in the hills, this beautiful winery has panoramic views of the island.
The light and airy architecture blends seamlessly with the landscape. Sustainable viticulture is a passion of the husband and wife owners too.
Wines to try are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo as well as Chardonnay and Viognier. You can also enjoy a spot of fine dining here.
Other great vineyards include:
- Batch Winery
- Peacock Sky Vineyard
- Goldie Estate
- Te Motu Vineyard
Editor’s tip: Most wineries and cellar doors close around 4-5pm so make sure you time your visits in good time. If you plan to eat at any of them, booking in advance is highly recommended.
Do an olive oil tasting
Fancy a palate cleanser after all those wine tastings? Waiheke is also known for its exceptional olive growing climate. Plenty of wineries have their own olive groves but the place to go to sample the best olive oil is Rangihoua Estate.
Rangihoua Estate
Managing 80% of the groves on Waiheke Island, the award-winning Rangihoua Estate has become one of New Zealand’s best olive oil producers. In 2013, it even ranked among the ‘Best 20 Extra Virgin Olive Oils in the World’ by the Italian guide, Flos Olei.
Visitors can come to Rangihoua and taste some of its prestigious olive oils. You can also learn about the harvesting process and how the oils are made.
Go hiking
Waiheke Island has plenty of lovely walks you can do. Most of them are gentle walking trails rather than challenging hikes, and you can spend a few hours or an afternoon enjoying coastal views and native bush. They’re all free to do too!
The best hiking trails in the area are:
Church Bay Circuit
This three-hour loop starts from Matiatia Bay so it’s easily accessible from the ferry. It’s a little strenuous in parts but otherwise, you’re treated to pretty views of the bay and bird watching opportunities.
Little Oneroa Beach Walk
You can either do the short version of this walk (30 minutes) or the long one (a two-hour loop). Starting from Oneroa Beach, the trail is within walking distance of the ferry and main settlement so you don’t have to worry about going too far.
The trail offers pretty northern coastline and residential street views. As you follow the track, you’ll come to Fisherman’s Rock where you’ll find Waiheke Island’s longest staircase!
Matiatia Owhanake Walk
This 2-3 hour loop is another great walking trail close to the ferry terminal, so it’s ideal if you don’t have a vehicle.
From Matiatia Bay, instead of going south to Church Bay, go north following the track to Cable Bay. I did a little bit of this track before my wine tour.
It was a gorgeous sunny day and I was treated to beautiful coastal scenery and views out towards the Auckland City skyline in the distance.
Hekerua Bay to Palm Beach
This two-hour one-way walking trail is pretty much a continuation of the Little Oneroa Beach Walk. It’s easy and suitable for all fitness levels.
Starting from Waters Glen, you follow the coastline round with a stroll through some residential areas. There is an option to turn this walk into a loop with stunning beaches along the way.
One thing to note, the western end of Palm Beach is a nude beach!
Check out this interactive map of popular Waiheke Island walks
Waiheke adventure activities
It’s not all wine and walking on Waiheke. The island is packed with unique excursions, activities and outings to keep you busy.
Fun adventure activities include:
Sea kayaking
Explore Waiheke Island’s coastline from the water by kayaking or paddleboarding. You can do guided tours or hire kayaks and paddleboards for 1-2 hours at a time. It’s a great way to get to secluded beaches too! View booking options here.
Waiheke Island horse tours
Enjoy the island sights on horseback with Waiheke Horse Tours. Rated 5-stars on Tripadvisor, the tour provider offers a range of experiences including private treks to secluded beaches, tours and lessons and more. View booking options here.
Waiheke Island EcoZip
For adrenaline meets ecotourism, you can’t go wrong with a zipline high in the canopies. The eco-tour lasts about three hours with three dual ziplines to soar along. You also get to zipline over a working vineyard on top of experiencing a tour of some of Waiheke’s most glamorous beaches! View activity here.
Twilight segway tour
Instead of hiking, why not venture across Waiheke Island’s glorious landscape on a segway?
This two-hour experience takes you off-road as you follow the setting sun over the island. Suitable for all fitness levels, this tour finishes at Mudbrick Vineyard where you can enjoy the spectacular sunset over a glass of wine and nibbles. View activity here.
Go beach hopping
Waiheke has 80 miles of coastline so it comes as no surprise that it has an abundance of glorious beaches with golden sands and turquoise waters. The island’s sheltered climate also makes it great for swimming or sunbathing.
Some of the best beaches on Waiheke Island are:
Oneroa Beach
Located close to the village of its namesake, Oneroa Beach is a one-mile-long stretch of pristine golden sand on the narrowest part of the island. Sunbathe, swim, enjoy the public BBQ area or use it as a starting point for a coastal walk. There’s also an off-road walkway to Matiatia Wharf from here.
Fun fact: ‘Oneroa’ is Maori for ‘long beach’ which is rather fitting here.
Little Oneroa Beach
Just a short stroll up from Oneroa Beach, Little Oneroa is a picturesque bay tucked in a corner of the coastline. There are public BBQs here too, an ice cream parlour and a fantastic fish ‘n’ chip shop (Little Oneroa Takeaways).
I watched the sunset here over a bag of chips and a can of beer before my ferry back to the city and it was pure bliss.
Onetangi Beach
A little further along the northern coastline is Onetangi Beach. This scenic stretch of white sand has hotels and restaurants nearby. It’s also within walking distance of Casita Miro – so a good spot to go to after wining and dining.
Little Palm Beach
Little Palm Beach sits next to Palm Beach in a relatively sheltered bay. It has gorgeous white sand and pristine waters to enjoy. Heads up though, this is the one with the nudie beach on the western side. Clothes are strictly optional!
Sandy Bay
Just like its name suggests, Sandy Bay is a quiet sandy bay with shallow waters that make it ideal for swimming or splashing about. There are also picnic tables and public toilets. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a pod of orcas feasting on stingrays nearby.
Matiatia Beach
A handy one if you want to be near the ferry, Matiatia Beach is slightly rockier than the others and often has boats anchored in the bay. There are walking trails you can follow here and you might be lucky enough to spot stingrays and dolphins.
Other great beaches include:
- Man O’ War Bay
- Enclosure Bay
- Shelly Bay
- Surfdale Beach
Best Waiheke Island restaurants
You’re absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to dining out on Waiheke. Plenty of wineries do their own amazing fine dining experiences, but many of them close in the evening.
If you want to grab a bite before your ferry back, here are a few of my top restaurant and eatery recommendations for all budgets.
And if you’re really looking for something adventurous? Why not go to the local supermarket and pick up some ingredients for a beach BBQ? Or head to the Island Grocer where you’ll find delicious deli food for a picnic.
Cheap eats on Waiheke Island
Little Oneroa Takeaways
The place to go for affordable fish ‘n’ chips, Little Oneroa Takeaways was where I went during my Waiheke Island day trip. It’s popular among the locals so it’s likely that you’ll have to queue.
Too Fat Buns
Open Wednesday to Sunday, Too Fat Buns is a small restaurant in Oneroa serving up great-value burgers and sides. Vegan and vegetarian options are available as well as gluten-free buns. Order your meal as a takeaway and eat it on the beach.
Dragonfired
Located near Little Oneroa Beach, Dragonfired is a pizza truck with a range of delicious and affordable wood-fired pizzas, calzones as well as desserts and drinks. It’s open every day in the summer and from Friday to Sunday in the winter.
Mid-range to fine dining
Casita Miro
Purveyors of luxury Spanish food, Casita Miro has a delicious tapas and a la carte menu to enjoy with much of its produce being locally sourced from the island. There’s a hard to resist dessert menu too… Booking is highly recommended.
Mudbrick Vineyard
Back to my dream wedding location, Mudbrick’s restaurant is a romantic spot for a bite to eat over a glass of wine. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, you have stunning views to enjoy. All menus are seasonal and use fresh local produce.
Fenice Cafe and Restaurant
Located in Oneroa, Fenice does delicious wood-fired pizzas and Italian food. You can eat in or takeaway.
Oyster Inn
Waiheke is famous for oysters and where better to sample them than at Oyster Inn? Located in Oneroa, this award-winning seafood restaurant serves up a sustainably caught coastal-inspired menu. Oysters are delivered daily from Waihele’s Te Matuku Farm and shucked to order.
Waiheke Island accommodation
Fancy staying longer than just a day? Here are the best hotels and accommodation:
Wai-knot Accommodation
Looking for affordable meets something different? Wai-knot offers boutique caravans and private rooms with a shared kitchenette and communal lounge. It’s a hostel, guesthouse, glamping experience rolled into one. Located in Onetangi, it’s just 1km from Stonyridge Vineyard.
Cable Bay Views
Rated superb on Booking.com, these self-contained guesthouse apartments and larger houses give you privacy and luxury with stunning views. All accommodation includes a kitchen, making it easy if you want to save money on food. Plus, it’s just a five-minute walk from both Cable Bay Vineyard and Mudbrick.
The Boatshed
Splash out on real luxury at the Boatshed. Right on a secluded spot on Oneroa Beach, the accommodation offers vintage boat sheds, bridge rooms, bungalows and a lighthouse for guests to stay in. Gourmet dining experiences are also available either in your room or on the beach under the stars.
Read more: Best Places To Stay In New Zealand (2021): Insider Guide To The Top Hotels
Final thoughts on Waiheke Island day tripping
As you can see, there are heaps to do on Waiheke Island. You can make it any kind of day trip you want from boozy to activity-filled, foodie, hiking or just relaxing on the beach.
If you’re building your itinerary for just one day, I recommend catching the ferry in the morning and doing one or two activities. Give yourself time to relax and soak it all in too, whether it’s walking, on a beach or languishing over an excellent meal.
If you decide to stay longer (I don’t blame you – it’s one of my favourite places!), lucky you, there’s a lot you can play around with.
Although Waiheke Island is technically in Auckland, you’ll find it’s a much slower and more relaxed atmosphere with hints of the Mediterranean coming through. Enjoy!
Looking for more New Zealand travel inspiration? These articles can help!
- Epic 2-Week South Island New Zealand Itinerary
- Ultimate Three-Day Bay of Islands Itinerary for the Best Stay
- Your Complete New Zealand Travel Guide
- The Ultimate Guide to the Hobbiton Movie Tour in New Zealand
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