For the perfect island getaway close to Auckland. Whether it’s for the weekend, a birthday, a work event or simply for the day, you can’t not visit Waiheke Island. Known for its abundance of wineries, delicious food and pristine beaches, this island in the Hauraki Gulf is a mere 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland. It’s the perfect destination to indulge in some relaxation and rejuvenation on a beachy island away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Grab your swimming togs, tanning towel and stylish sunnies. Here are the best beaches on Waiheke Island.
1. Little Oneroa
Crystal clear waters and white sands. This stunning north-facing beach is perfect for the whole family. Complete with a children’s playground, everyone will be entertained for the day at Little Oneroa beach. Picnic tables are perfect for your takeaway purchase nearby. There’s possibly nothing more kiwi than fish and chips on the beach! If you feel like something sweet, opt for ice cream. There’s coffee and good pizza nearby too. Oneroa Village is an ideal stop for all your beach day goodies. Parking is plentiful around the village and changing facilities, barbeques and toilets are accessible from the beach. There really is everything you need here for a family day out at the beach on Waiheke Island.
2. Blackpool Beach
Blackpool beach is a wide, shallow bay located is a south-facing beach on Waiheke that can be more prevalent to wind than its north-facing counterparts. This makes it a popular beach for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Its tidal mud makes it an interesting beach to explore. Swimming is possible during high tide and sea kayaking is common here. There are no facilities at Blackpool beach, but it’s only a 10-minute walk from Oneroa Village where you can get your hands on everything you need.
3. Sandy Bay
If you’re needing a boat ramp on the north side of the island you can’t miss this beach. Sandy Bay is significantly less populated than other beaches on Waiheke, with a more secluded feel. It’s a shallow bay that is safe for swimming with toilets, changing rooms, a picnic table and limited parking. If you’re wanting more of an isolated beach day away from the crowds then this is the beach for you.
4. Palm Beach
This popular white-sand sheltered swimming beach on the north of the island is named after the phoenix palms that populate the east end. With toilets, barbeque facilities, a children’s playground and picnic areas, Palm Beach on Waiheke Island has it all. To fuel up for the day there is Arcadia Restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s also the Palm Beach Store nice and handy.
5. Little Palm Beach
Continue down the western end of Palm Beach to find a small bay. This separated area of the beach is for the adults, as clothing is optional here. Little Palm Beach is locally known and often frequented by nudists. If you want to truly feel free along the beaches of Waiheke Island this is the place to do it.
6. Onetangi Beach
This beach boasts many premiere aspects, being the longest beach on Waiheke with a stretch of 2km, the largest Pohutukawa Trees and the whitest sand on the island. How could you not want to visit? A beautiful beach for swimming, fishing and surfing. Toilets, BBQ facilities, picnic tables, cafes, and a beach store are present. A children’s playground isn’t found on the beach but a few minutes walk away.
7. Shelley Beach
A southern beach that is perfect for a secluded beach day because it’s less populated than the northern beaches on Waiheke Island. The name is not a misnomer, this is in fact a shelly beach. It is still a great beach for swimming at high tide, sea kayaking, sailing and more. Amenities like toilets, barbeque facilities, a boat ramp, a jetty and a picnic table are found here. The beach has lots of space and few people, so is perfect for a quieter beach day.
