The Ultimate Guide to Waiheke Island | International Traveller

Everything you need to know about visiting Waiheke Island in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.

If you explore Auckland’s favourite playground, you will discover award-winning vineyards, luxury stays and some of the city’s best food and drink. And all that is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown in the stunning Hauraki Gulf.

Go for the day or enjoy a longer stay with this guide that outlines when you should go, how to get there and all the best activities to jump on.

When should I go to Waiheke Island?

countryside views on Waiheke Island — Journey through Waiheke’s lush green valleys. (Credit: Getty/BrianScantlebury)

Summer (December to February) is typically warm and sunny on Waiheke Island. While it’s busy, it’s also a great time of year to enjoy the island’s relaxed vibe, clear-water swimming and bucolic vineyards. If you can, travel mid-week in summer to beat the crowds and secure your spot at the island’s popular wineries and restaurants. Arrive during the weekend in the shoulder seasons to enjoy cooler temps and a quieter vibe.

Is it easy to get to Waiheke Island?

Waiheke Island from above — Waiheke Island is just a 45-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. (Credit: Getty/Kate Cho)

Getting to Waiheke Island from Auckland is straightforward. Passenger ferry companies such as Island Direct and Fullers360 travel to the island daily from the city’s downtown ferry terminal. Some also depart from the North Shore terminal of Devonport. SeaLink, meanwhile, operates a passenger and vehicle ferry. Getting there on a 10 or 15-minute scenic helicopter trip is the quickest option. Heletranz leaves from a heliport in Albany, on Auckland’s North Shore, landing directly at hotspots such as Mudbrick and Tantalus vineyards.

Is it easy to get around Waiheke Island?

There are several ways to get around the island: rent a car or an e-bike, or hire a taxi or private driver. Travelling the island with a tour company is another popular choice, particularly for daytrippers.

How much time should I spend on Waiheke Island?

sheep on a hill on Waiheke Island — Discover vast, windswept pastures where sheep graze. (Credit: Getty/Theo Gabriel)

Waiheke Island can be explored in a day. But to really relax and enjoy the best of the island, you’ll want to give yourself longer. Here are two itineraries to help guide you.

Where to stay on Waiheke Island

Omana

For those who prefer glass-walled luxury over a more formal hotel stay, Omana’s private beach villas are an ideal pick. Each of the four 58-square metre self-service villas is set back into a forested hilltop and comes with its own terrace and private beach access, as well as optional in-villa dining, featuring champagne and caviar. The Serenity villa is wheelchair accessible and comes with an allocated disabled person’s carpark. All guests have access to an EV charging station. Omana is roughly a 20-minute drive from Matiatia Ferry Terminal.

Delamore Lodge

A cliffside resort with views of Owhanake Bay is Waiheke Island’s Delamore Lodge. Discretely wedged into a hillside planted in native forest, the neutral-toned lodge has a selection of suites, an infinity pool, guest lounge and courtyard, a day spa (open to visitors) and in-house restaurant (also open to visitors), specialising in multi-course wine-paired dining. Delamore Lodge is roughly a five-minute drive from Matiatia Ferry Terminal.

Top Things to do on Waiheke Island

In recent years, Waiheke Island has seen an uptick in new ways to enjoy the outdoors. From forest ziplining to coastal hiking, take your trip in an active direction with these activities.

Take a two-hour zipline adventure ending on the beach

Waiheke Island coastline — Forest meets the sea. (Credit: Getty/denizunlusu)

The last way you’d expect to arrive on the doorstep of one of Waiheke Island’s leading vineyards is by zipline. Man O’ War Forest Flight Zipline is a two-hour zipline experience starting from a high point on the vineyard. Take three separate ziplines through native New Zealand kauri forest (connected by a forested boardwalk) to arrive on the beach at the Man O’ War tasting room and restaurant. Book ahead to bookend the experience with a wine tasting or lunch.

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Day trip to Waiheke Island with Ananda Tours

wine tasting on Waiheke Island — Wine tasting on Waiheke Island is a must. (Credit: Getty/Lina Shatalova)

Ananda’s five-hour food and wine tour is a small group tour (maximum 15 people) run by a Waiheke Island family offering insider knowledge and warm Kiwi hospitality. Drinking local wine, trying local Te Matuku Bay oysters, tasting the island’s olive oil and sampling whisky are highlights of the tour, which starts and finishes at Matiatia Ferry Terminal, the island’s main ferry terminal.

Spend a long weekend exploring Waiheke Island wine

rolling vineyards on Waiheke Island — Waiheke is also known as the “Island of Wine". (Credit: Getty/sydneyhills)

Exploring the island’s wineries over a long weekend is another great way to experience Waiheke Island. Today, there are more than 20 tasting rooms, specialising in reds (especially syrah, merlot and cabernet sauvignon) and blends. Start at Goldie Estate and Stonyridge, two of the island’s longest-standing vineyards. Notable others include Soho Family Vineyards, Wild Estate and Man O’ War. Mudbrick and Tantalus Estate both have popular restaurants (Mudbrick’s long lunch is legendary). Travel by taxi or shuttle or book a tour.

Top tip: Waiheke Island’s tasting rooms typically open from Friday to Sunday, with extended hours in summer. Check ahead for seasonal and weekly opening hours.

Hike Te Ara Hura walking tracks to explore the island

Little Palm Beach on Waiheke Island — Palm Beach is tucked in Waiheke Island’s northern coastline. (Credit: Getty/Creative Media Productions NZ)

You don’t have to tackle one of New Zealand’s 11 Great Walks to enjoy an epic hiking adventure. Waiheke Island has a network of trails extending more than 80 kilometres along coastline and native bush and past waterfalls and historic cultural sites.

Find a trail taking you to the island’s top beaches: Onetangi and Palm Beach are two of the best for swimming. Choose a self-guided day hike that leads to vineyards or a curated 5-day walk or visit Waiheke Island in autumn for the annual walking festival, when guided walks are run. Maps of the trail network are available from the Tourism Waiheke website.

Slow travel is encouraging us all to take our time and truly experience our journeys, and cruising has always been the perfect way to do just that.

The slow travel trend isn’t going anywhere. Instead of racing through a packed itinerary, travellers are opting for extended travel, allowing for a more immersive experience – as well as the time to actually feel reset and rested at the end of the journey. Part of that travel style is choosing the best method of travel. With none of the hassle, plenty to enjoy between ports, and port stops that allow time spent in a new place with a new culture, cruising may just be the slow travel answer.

And Royal Caribbean‘s new 16-night Long Adventure cruise itinerary from Sydney to Honolulu might just be the perfect slow adventure to get you started. After all, nothing says slow travel like getting on island time.

Immersive travel itinerary

moorea lagoon Pacific Double-saddle Butterflyfish — Dive into underwater worlds. (Credit: Getty/ Global Pics)

On this journey connecting Australia to Hawaiʻi, guests have a chance to experience destinations and culture that typically aren’t combined into one leisurely-paced trip. From tropical South Pacific islands to the beauty and culture of Hawaiʻi, each port offers its own rewards. Not to mention sea days in between to rest and reflect.

Stop in Papeete, Tahiti, to watch waves roll over black and white sand beaches. Or wander through tropical beauty at Paofai Gardens. While in French Polynesia, gaze on the jagged green peaks of Moorea. Here, snorkel among vibrant coral and tropical fish in the Lagoonarium. Later, experience the lesser-travelled Raiatea – where coral gardens practically explode with marine life and inland hiking trails lead to waterfalls. End the journey with the golden beaches and rich culture of Honolulu.

More time to connect

wave rider on anthem of the seas royal caribbean — Use sea days to make new memories together.

The essential factor that makes cruising the ultimate form of slow travel? Time on board is never wasted. On Anthem of the Seas® during your Long Adventure cruise, that could look like booking a seat for world-class theatre productions and live shows. Or spending time together in one of the many pools, bars and lounges for all moods.

Head to the adults-only Solarium, an indoor-outdoor retreat sitting right at the front of the ship for epic views from the swimming pools, whirlpools and lounge area. With something on every night, take in the onboard entertainment and nightlife. Like We Will Rock You – the West End musical featuring the legendary hits of Queen.

Built-in pauses

RCI Vitality℠ Spa — Enjoy a spa treatment at Vitality Spa.

We so often forget to factor in time to pause and reflect when we travel, but sea days are a built-in deep breath. Take advantage of resort-style living at sea to disconnect and avoid the trap of a frantic holiday schedule.

On Anthem of the Seas, expansive spaces have been designed specifically to help guests relax, reset and enjoy the journey. Spend time together enjoying onboard entertainment, dining, or lounging by the pool. Head to the observatory to check out an unpolluted night sky. Or, for something truly special, book a restorative massage or rejuvenating facial at Vitality℠ Spa.

Remove travel hassle

royal caribbean anthem of the seas royal loft balcony room — Unpack once, and return to your own comfortable room every night.

Instead of sweating as you run from one airport gate to another, getting grumpy because everyone is sleep-deprived or having to unpack and pack over and over again, travel time is spent creating new memories together. Simply depart from Sydney and let the rest be taken care of for you.

Unpack once, and return to the same comfortable room every night. This all-inclusive cruise brings together accommodation, dining, entertainment and transport in one seamless experience. It’s a more considered way to travel, offering exceptional value and removing logistics.

Dine at your leisure

Izumi Sashimi — Dine on flavours from around the world.

With world-class dining and a choice of over 18 dining options on board Anthem of the Seas, indulge your senses at any time (and never feel rushed). Take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining concept, allowing guests to choose from multiple complimentary restaurants, each with its own distinct style.

Or, book in for an elevated experience at specialty dining venues, with flavours from around the world. Tuck into Jamie’s Italian, led by the celebrated British chef Jamie Oliver. Enjoy Japanese delicacies at Izumi. For something really special, join the Chef’s Table, where up to 14 guests can indulge in a five-course wine-pairing dinner hosted nightly by an Executive Chef and Sommelier.

And with 11 bars and lounges to choose from, there’s always a new spot to enjoy a tipple. Like the unique mixology experience at Bionic Bar, or caipirinhas at the ship’s Latin-themed club, Boleros.

A taste of diverse cultures

Let Anthem of the Seas transport you overnight between diverse international ports. With cruising, there’s no need to pick just one destination. The longer, more immersive Transpacific cruise itinerary allows travellers to experience a range of destinations and cultures all across Oceania.

Head inland at Papeete to discover the story behind one of Tahiti’s most iconic treasures at the Robert Wan Pearl Museum. Visit the sacred Marae Taputapuātea on Raiatea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before leaning into the relaxed local rhythm in Uturoa commune. And delve into the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi.

The luxury of time

royal caribbean solarium — Relax in adult-only areas of the ship.

The greatest luxury that cruising provides is that of time. More time to disconnect, more time to explore, and more time to enjoy the journey at your own pace. This Long Adventure voyage isn’t just about racing from destination to destination; it’s about how you get there. Taking your own time, both on sea days and during days on land.

Start planning your Long Adventure at royalcaribbean.com.au.

The ultimate guide to Waiheke Island: things to do, where to stay and where to eat