Onetangi Beach

Overview

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

If you’re looking to do some surfing Onetangi Beach is for you, having more surf than most beaches on Waiheke, during strong northerly conditions you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re looking to relax and have a swim Onetangi is also perfect for that too. Being a long beach even during the busiest of month’s you will still find your own slice of heaven to. You can also find a number of big Pohutukawa trees to relax under if you’re looking for a shadier spot.

When feeling peckish Onetangi has that covered, above Onetangi Beach you have plenty of Restaurant/Cafe food choices such as Charlie Farley’s, Three Seven Two and Ki Maha.

Onetangi beach also has a free gas BBQ area where you can cook your own meals, the choice is yours.

If you’re on Waiheke during February/March you may experience our famous main annual event called Onetangi Beach races, you can spectate and watch horses, tractors and even sea legs boats race each other right on the beach front. It is the perfect fun day out with the family with plenty of competitions and prizes to win.

There are public toilets and changing rooms available opposite the BBQ Area, and more toilets at the far end by Seventh Ave

Bus stops are found on Third Ave, Fourth Ave and Seventh Ave.

There are access points for boat launching at either end of the beach (via Le Roy Road and First Avenue). You must use the accessways provided to avoid damaging the coastal planting and fragile coastal dunes.

Waiheke Beaches

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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…

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…

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.

Dogs on Onetangi Beach

There is a seasonal council rule in place for dogs on the beach. The rule for Onetangi beach and foreshore areas state that dogs are allowed on Onetangi Beach from the rocky outcrop at western end of the beach to the eastern end of the beach area during the dates below.

Dogs are prohibited covering all beach and foreshore areas westwards of the rocky outcrop at the northern end of beach at all times.

Seasonal rule:

From 1 December to 1 March. On public holidays and weekends between Labour weekend and Easter weekend.

10 am to 5pm – Prohibited
Before 10 am and after 5pm – Under control, off the leash.

Beach Amenities

• Toilets/changing rooms
• BBQ area
• Picnic tables
• Rubbish bins
• Boat launching
• Restaurants/ Cafes

Key Access Points

From Oneroa – Ostend (Onetangi Road)

If driving/cycling or walking coming from the other side of the island, this is the main road it is called Onetangi Road, it will take you right to Onetangi Beach.

From Ostend – (Sea View Road)

Another access to Onetangi Beach is our coastal road Sea View Road, this road is found in Ostend it is a long stretch of road that has stunning sea views. You can either take a road called Seventh Ave which has a hairpin corner that leads you to the far end of Onetangi Beach. Or continue on until you reach the Challenge Gas Station, Onetangi Road will take you to the middle of Onetangi Beach.

Walking Tracks

There are a few walking tracks

Jacob’s ladder track – The top of Jacobs ladder track is found near Pah Road on Seaview Road which comes out to the middle of Onetangi Beach, it it a 6 minute track of just steps, fitness certainly needs to be high to do this climb

Pohutakawa Reserve – Top of the track is found on Waiheke Road in the Reserve it will lead you to First Ave of Onetangi beach.

Parking

You can find parking lots close to the BBQ, Toilets and Charlie Farley’s plus the Hidden Onetangi Parking Lot

Parking lots are also found on Second Ave, Sixth Ave and Seventh Ave plus there is a small stretch of parking next to the grass berm at both ends of the beach.

There are a few disability parks in the parking lots

(It’s a Very popular Beach so parking can be hard to find during peak seasons)

Wheelchair Access

Onetangi Beach is made of sand it has plenty of ramps and pathways down, with ample room on the grass berms to take in the views. But no beach access as its soft sand.

Well Known For

• Popular
• Sunbathing, Metal detecting, Dog walking
• Surfing
• Onetangi Beach Races
• Restaurants/Cafes
• Wedding Photography

Hire Beach Gear

If you need beach items on your stay at Waiheke, there is a local hire 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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