With it's own warm, dry micro-climate, blissful Waiheke Island has emerald waters lapping at the rocky bays on the island's landward side and some of the best sandy beaches on its ocean flank. Waiheke beaches have long been a favorite escape for city dwellers and visitors alike - white sands, safe swimming, great fishing, coastal walking tracks ...
With beautiful white beaches and turquoise water where else would you rather be?
The white sands and calm waters of the sunny, north facing main beach in Oneroa is a sought-after destination for locals and visitors alike.
Lined with shady Pohutakawa trees and large grass areas with barbecue facilities, benches and swings, the beach is perfect for unwinding with friends and family. Explore the bay in a kayak, have a go at paddle boarding or just soak up the uninterrupted scenery all the way out to Chile before strolling back to your accommodation for a long cool drink.
Oneroa Bay is a popular and safe anchorage for bots seeking shelter from the predominant south-western winds, during holiday weekends, particularly Christmas and New Year, the bay at night is a veritable fairy grove of lights.
You can even arrive on the Island in style via Seaplane landing in Oneroa Bay.
A small secluded beach at the eastern end of Oneroa Beach, separated only by a small headland and rocks which are easily navigable at low tide.
This little beach has everything, free BBQs, a children’s playground, an enormous grass area and a pristine white beach.
A general store on the other side of the car parking area has good coffee and ice cream cones. If you’re hungry for pizza, Dragonfired Pizzas are worth checking out or grab some Fish ‘n Chips or a Burger at the little Oneroa Takeaways behind the general store.
Similar in shape to Oneroa Beach (complete with protruding cliff wall at the east end that separates a small private beach in Boatshed Bay).
It gets its name from the mature phoenix palms at the east end, where a public toilet and free BBQ facilities are also located. There is a children's playground in the middle section of the beach which also has a free BBQ area, public toilets and an outdoor public shower.
White sands, all day sun, safe swimming and good sheltered anchorage are all to be found at Palm Beach.
Just around the corner is The Palm Beach Store, and the newly open Bar and Restaurant Arcadia.
Little Palm Beach or Nudie Bay
A small clothes-optional beach at the far western end of Palm Beach, around the rocks, is frequently used for nude swimming and sun worshiping.
Matiatia
Matiatia, at the North west end of the island, is where the passenger ferry wharf is located. The bay often has boats anchored and is rocky. There are walks around the headlands surrounding the bay and if you are lucky you could spot sting-rays sunning themselves in the shallows or dolphins playing in the bay.
Blackpool Beach
The south-facing counterpart of Oneroa Beach, lining the area of Blackpool is popular for kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing and swimming at high tide.
Surfdale Beach
A zoned-in beach on the southern side of Surfdale, separated from Blackpool Beach by a small protruding peninsula, which has a scenic unsealed route called The Esplanade linking the beaches.
A large tidal beach, which has views back to south east Auckland. Great for dog walking or exploring with children when the tide is out. There is a small set of shops including a diary, cafe, fruit and vege within 5 minutes’ walk from the beach.
Popular for kitesurfing. Also has a free BBQ area and children's playground.
The longest beach on Waiheke, stretching approximately 2km in length, and also claims to be the whitest sand and having the largest Pohutukawa Trees of all the beaches on Waiheke Island.
"Weeping Sands" (the translation of "Onetangi")
Onetangi is also home to the Onetangi Beach Races, Auckland’s most iconic event which has been going for over 100 years.
A great swimming, walking and fishing beach with superb surf when the northerly blows. There are 3 bar / restaurants overlooking the gorgeous beach, being Charley Farley’s, The Boathouse and ThreeSevenTwo.
Free BBQ’s, tables and benches as well as public facilities are all available for use.
Enclosure Bay is a little gem, with the warmest waters of all the bays, partially cut off from the sea by interesting rock formations, make for a very sheltered area that is safe for swimming. With lots of rock pools and coastal rock outcrops this is a great little beach for kids to go exploring. Great fishing off the rocks, kayaking and the snorkeling can be amazing too – if you’re lucky you might get to see some sea horses!
Sandy Bay
On the northern coastline of Waiheke Island. It is a great secluded beach with safe swimming for kids and one of the few beaches where boats can be launched all year round. If you’re lucky enough you might see a pod of Orcas swimming into Sandy Bay to feast on the resident stingrays. Truly a great spot for an early evening swim and to launch boats at high tide.
Cactus Bay
Considered by many Waihekeans as the most perfect beach and, with nearby Garden Cove, a romantic place for picnicking. The beach is accessible only by boat or kayak, as its land access was blocked off by a private landowner.
Picnic Bay
On the West side of the island this bay accessible by a short walk through a reserve and then down some stairs. With views back to Auckland, its orientation makes it ideal for an evening swim and watching the sun go down.
A small and well sheltered shell and stone beach located between Oneroa and Ostend. It has free BBQ facilities, a public toilet and a diving platform located just off shore. It's a popular choice with families as at high tide, it is often calm and flat - ideal for children (but not sandy).
Rocky Bay
Known in Te Reo Maori as 'Omiha', Rocky Bay Beach is a hidden gem on Waiheke Island. Located on the south side of the island, the beach is accessed via a narrow and winding road that adds to the sense of adventure. The beach itself is small and secluded, with soft golden sand and crystal-clear water. The water is perfect for swimming and is generally calm, making it a great spot for families with young children.
One of the standout features of Rocky Bay Beach is the rocky outcroppings that line the shore. These formations provide a unique backdrop and add to the beauty of the beach. The rocks are also great for exploring and climbing, and provide an excellent spot for taking photos.
The beach is surrounded by lush native bush, and there are plenty of shady areas to set up a picnic. There are no shops near the beach, so it's important to bring plenty of water and snacks if you plan on spending a few hours there. The lack of facilities also adds to the feeling of being completely secluded, which is a big draw for many visitors.
Overall, Rocky Bay Beach is a beautiful spot that's well worth the visit. It's ideal for anyone looking for a quiet and secluded beach, away from the crowds. Whether you're looking to swim, sunbathe, or simply explore the rocky outcroppings, Rocky Bay Beach won't disappoint.
There is a superb childrens playground, large lawn area and free to use BBQs right at the waters edge. On weekends the Rocky Bay Hall offers a lovely traditional cafe with great coffee, tea and home made pastries and cakes.
Located on the eastern side of Waiheke, commonly referred to as ‘The Bottom End’ accessed via an adventurous drive along a gravel road. A popular bay for anchorage, Man O’ War Bay is on the less popular and isolated side of the island.
Enjoy the majestic Pohutukawa trees and wile away the afternoon relaxing and soaking up the views over the bay to the Coromandel coastline.
The Department of Conservation walking track leads up to the historic site, Stony Batter.
On the south side of the Waiheke Island, Whakanewha Regional Park is known for its mature coastal forest with taraire, kohekohe and old kanuka trees, cascading streams, and sweeping crescent-shaped beach cut in two by a forested headland.
A large wetland is home to some uncommon birds, bittern, banded rail, spotless crake and the New Zealand dotterel. At high tide the water is shallow, warm and ideal for children.
Picnic spots on the foreshore are plentiful. At low tide a broad expanse of sandy tidal flats is revealed. The beach is divided into two sections by the pa promontory. Whakanewha is also home to a campground.
The accessible, large, flat campground is set back from a beautiful bay and child friendly beach, and the park offers a number of places to explore and escape from washing up duties.
The camping areas are sheltered by native plantings which help ensure bird watchers get tent side viewing and to top it off the park rangers give all comers a friendly island welcome.
