Ben & Corie
Things To Do
Vineyards and wineries
Waiheke is known for its wine with 30 vineyards and wineries on the island. Some within walking distance nearer town, others more remote. If you don't have your own car or bike, or fancy the bus or walking, there are companies that provide transport and tours on the island. Some family favourites are Man O' War Bay, Cable Bay, Passage Rock, Te Whau, Poderi Crisci, and Peacock Sky. See the link for a map of locations.
Walks
Te Ara Hura is a continuous 100km loop that circumnavigates the island. Find a point near you and start walking! The way is signposted by red placards on wooden posts with the Te Ara Hura name and a white silouhette of Waiheke Island. Try to start or end at a bus stop or beach, or make a loop around a headland. The terrain is often hilly and can be muddy in parts, getting wilder and steeper the further east you go. Some sections we recommend are: - Matiatia bay to Oneroa bay (just over 2hours) ending with a swim - The loop section rounding park point passing Cable Bay winery - From Oneroa Bay to Sandy or Enclosure Bay past Fisherman's rock and cliff jumping spots - From Rocky Bay to Awaawaroa Bay and Poderi Crisci Vineyard (this is a bigger trek). See the link for maps
Beaches
All the beaches on Waiheke are swimmable and pretty calm, but the northern side tends to have nicer sand while the southern is more tidal. Some of the best are: - Oneroa. The most popular and right near town. Toilets and a shower are located midway down the beach. There are Pohutakawa trees along its length. We got engaged at one near the western end! - Little Oneroa. Clucy Ingram's favourite. Toilet and shower facilities, a playground, dairy, and Pizza truck. You can walk between Big and Little Oneroa at low tide. - Onetangi. The largest and perhaps best for sand and waves (if there are any to be had). Onetangi settlement sits alongside it. See Charlie Farley's for food and drinks. It is well connected by bus. - Palm Beach. Close enough to Oneroa that you could bike and a really nice sandy beach. A great fish and chips shop here. - Sandy Bay. Walkable from Oneroa beach. Small and quiet. Good for swimming as it is enclosed and has a rock you can swim to in the middle that has mussels.
Activities
Hire bikes, take a fishing charter, go to the Ecozip zipline, hire kayaks, go sailing and more. See the Tourism Waiheke page in the link for details