Matiatia Bay

Overview

Matiatia bay will be the first beach you see when walking off Fullers or Island Direct passenger ferry services coming from Auckland city or Devonport, it is located at the western side of Waiheke Island.

Matiatia is known as the gateway to Waiheke Island, Matiatia is possibly one of the most busiest bays on Waiheke due to it having the Fullers passenger ferry terminal, parking lots and boat moorings. It is one of the main places to enter and exit the Island.

The beach itself is usually pretty quiet and peaceful, its perfect when waiting for your ferry, you will also come across plenty of ducks and geese.

There is also a boat ramp for entering and exiting, closer to the beach access.

There are a few beautiful scenic walking tracks coming from either side of the bay.

Waiheke Beaches

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Anzac Bay

Anzac is a quiet little bay located on Natzka Road. It is best to visit during high tide as its beautiful and tranquil but muddy during low tide.

Whakanewha Bay

Whakanewha bay is located on the southside of Waiheke, it is a quiet bay but can be busy in peak summer times, it is also the nesting zone for our…

Gear Grab – Hire

Gear Grab is a hire shop on Waiheke, they have a wide range of everyday gear. Their store consists of party, gaming, outdoors, household, tech and more.

Hekerua Bay

Hekerua Bay is a little hidden beach in Oneroa. The bay is only accessible by foot or via boat. During high tide from the higher cliffs the rocks and seafloor…

Blackpool Beach

A south side beach on Waiheke found on The esplanade, the beach is best at high tide. This beach is popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Picnic Bay

Picnic bay is a small well kept secret on the eastern shore of Huruhi bay. You can enjoy relaxing/private swimming at all tides. With a moored pontoon.

Skeleton Bay

Skeleton Bay is located on the northside of Waiheke. It is a little bay between Sandy Bay and Hekerua Bay, it can only be accessed via boat or walking across…

Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay is located on the northside of Waiheke, with its beautiful white sand and crystal blue water it is definitely a favourite place to just relax and enjoy the…

Palm Beach

Palm Beach is a well known favourite of locals and tourists. With its beautiful white sand and palm trees surrounding the beach it makes you feel like you are in…

Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is a south side beach on Waiheke, the beach is secluded and less populated than the northern beaches which makes this a nice spot for a quiet picnic.

Oneroa Beach

Oneroa also known as “Big Oneroa”, this is a popular beach that is just a short walk from the main Oneroa village. In the village you will find plenty of…

Omiha Bay

Omiha bay also known as Rocky Bay is a small bay located in Rocky Bay Omiha. It is home to many moored boats, Rocky Bay historic boat sheds and access…

Woodside Bay

Woodside Bay is a quiet little bay located in the Whakanewha region. It is a little bit of a drive but can be perfect for a quiet picnic away from…

Enclosure Bay

Enclosure Bay is semi hidden gem bay made of rock formations that almost entirely enclose the bay from the sea. This creates a natural, shallow swimming pool.

Little Palm Beach

Little Palm also known as "Nudie Beach" is a nudist beach located on the western side of Palm Beach. It is Waihekes only beach where its safe to swim and…

Te Miro Bay

Te Miro Bay is a little secluded beach sheltered by pohutukawa trees. Only accessed via foot, it is located below the Matiatia Headland Path. The bay is perfect for fishing.

Rocky Bay/Kuakarau Bay

Rocky Bay also formally known as Kuakarau Bay is a pretty quiet bay, it is perfect for a picnic and a fun space for children to play on its wooden…

Matiatia Bay

Matiatia bay will be the first beach you see when walking off Fullers or Island Direct passenger ferry services coming from Auckland city or Devonport.

Pearl Bay

Pearl bay is a lovely privately accessed bay. To enter this bay is on foot via the walking track on Otakawhe Bay. This bay has many beach houses around it.

Surfdale Beach

Surfdale beach is a south side beach on Waiheke, the beach is best at half tide or higher. The Beach is made from Shell/Sand and popular for high wind activities.

Putiki Bay

Putiki bay is the home of Waiheke house boats and the little yellow submarine, it is a beautiful calm little bay that wraps around the causeway and wharf road.

Little Oneroa Beach

Little Oneroa Beach also known as Little O, is another popular beach in Oneroa. It is situated right across the road from Little Oneroa Takeaways and Little Oneroa dairy.

Dead Dog Bay

Dead dog bay also formally known as Okoka Bay is a little secluded tidal beach, this is entered via a short path at the end of Margaret Reeve Lane.

Otakawhe Bay

Otakawhe Bay is a gorgeous bay located on Nepean Ave in Orapiu, many bays in Orapiu are accessed only via private driveways, this one can be accessed easily to the…

Onetangi Beach

Onetangi Beach is the longest beach on Waiheke, being over 2kms of beautiful white sand. It is popular for surfing, swimming and just relaxing.

Hooks Beach

Hooks Beach is a small, calm, picturesque beach, you can get some amazing photos and views of the Waiheke sunsets from here. Pathway to access down stairs.

Owhanake Bay

Owhanake Bay is a private little gem. It is quiet and peaceful unlike other Waiheke beaches, which is perfect to just take some time for yourself.

Bay Amenities

• Bins
• Grass edge
• Parking
• Toilet (Ferry terminal office)
• Boat ramp
• Ferry Terminal
• kayaking, E bikes, Bicycles hire

Aerial Video 2025

Paths

• Nick Johnson Drive this is where you can take in the beautiful scenic views of Waiheke island, watch the ferries coming in from a different perspective.
• Delamore drive (Matiatia walk) you can take this 55 minute advance coastal walking track and check out Waiheke Historic reserve.

Key Access Points

From Auckland City or Devonport

A 35-45mins boat ride will lead you straight into Matiatia Bay.

From Ocean view road

Coming from Oneroa village (Ocean view road) it is just a short drive down to the ferry terminal, you will come across a few parking lots these are all paid parking lots, sometimes during the busy seasons it can be difficult to find a park. Make sure you are all up to date on your rego and Wof to avoid a ticket and don’t stay any longer then your ticket time, ticket wardens are around.

Wheelchair Access

Matiatia bay beach isn’t possible to enter in a wheelchair, but there are plenty of concrete pathways, to move around freely to catch the ferry or just take in the views.

Well Known For

• Passenger ferry wharf/terminal
• Sculpture on the gulf exhibitions
• Easy boat launch
• Busy

Hire Beach Gear

If you need beach items on your stay at Waiheke, there is a local shop called Gear Grab, they have a Range of Beach items, like Sea Scooters, metal detectors, beach speakers, sea biscuits, beach tents and games starting at a price of $5 for the smaller toys.

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