Waiheke Beaches and Bays

Waiheke Island has over 40 beaches and bays. They are located around its coastline and each beach or bay can be surprisingly different to the next. One beach might be better for fishing and another might be better for surfing or taking a walk. The island offers a contrast between sandy beaches in the north and tidal bays in the south. There are also dozens of smaller bays and beaches that are only accessible by boat or hiking track.

Northern Beaches and Bays – Waiheke is well known for its most visited beaches which are located on the northern side of the island. These are Oneroa Beach, Little Oneroa, Palm Beach, Enclosure Bay and Onetangi Beach. These beaches/bays face the open Hauraki Gulf, offering clear, turquoise waters and sand that ranges from ivory to golden. These are the most accessible beaches, known for their white sand and small pebbles.

Oneroa Beach – 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 shops and food places to enjoy. Oneroa is the go to beach for a quick dip in the ocean, socialising or taking your dog for a run. At high tide the water is a brilliant blue and is often filled with yachts seeking safe anchorage. Beautiful pohutukawa trees line the edges of the beach.

Little Oneroa – Known as “Little O” – that’s what locals call it – this is a beach for families. It features a popular playground, a beach dairy and fish and chip shop. Seating is on a grassy reserve or at some public tables. At low tide, you can walk between Oneroa and Little Oneroa via the rocks.

Palm Beach – A well known favourite of Waiheke locals and of tourists. With its beautiful white sand and palm trees surrounding the beach it makes you feel like you are in the tropics. The water here is generally calmer than Onetangi, making it a favourite for swimming, tanning and paddleboarding.

Just over the rocks there is a clothing optional beach called Little Palm Beach also known as “Nudie Beach”.

Enclosure Bay – A semi hidden gem bay made of rock formations that almost entirely enclose the bay from the sea. This creates a natural, shallow swimming pool. It is one of the best spots on the island for snorkelling, sea scootering and teaching young ones to swim.

Onetangi Beach – Is the longest beach on Waiheke and stretches to around 2km in length. Onetangi is one of the few beaches on the island that regularly sees surfable waves. Its sheer scale means that even on the busiest summer day you can find a semi quiet spot. The beachfront has a few high-end eateries in the middle section.

Sandy Bay – Located only about 200-300 metres away from Enclosure Bay, this is a picturesque white sand bay where you are able to launch boats. Note that the boat ramp gets closed during some hours of the day, so it is best to check the sign down there before planning your day out. This bay is great for paddleboarding and wakeboarding on calm days.

Southern Beaches and Bays – They are often ignored by day-trippers. These beaches and bays are tidal, meaning the water goes out hundreds of metres at low tide revealing mudflats and shell banks. These beaches/bays are Surfdale Beach, Blackpool Beach, Shelly Beach, Putiki Bay, Rocky Bay and many more.

Surfdale Beach – Surfdale Is the top location for kite surfing, wind surfing and sea tubing on Waiheke. This is because it features a ski lane and basic boat ramp, and because it faces south. It is also a good beach to walk dogs and has some grass paths. Note, this beach can have lots of sea lice depending on season and weather. So just take care when swimming here.

Blackpool Beach – Blackpool is a similar beach type to Surfdale, but it’s a little more laid back. A small park in the middle has a set of swings. It offers some of the best views of the Auckland skyline. It is also a wild bird hangout where you can commonly see godwits and dotterels. It also features homes very close to the waterfront.

Shelly Beach – Is a south side beach on Waiheke and is best for swimming at half tide or higher. The beach is secluded and less populated than the northern beaches, making it a nice spot for a quiet picnic. As the name says, it is a shelly beach and its top section is  made of crushed shell.

Putiki Bay – Is the home of Waiheke locals’ house boats and the little yellow submarine. It is a beautiful calm little bay that wraps around the causeway and wharf road. This bay also features an ocean crossing road and a boat yard where locals work on their boats.

Rocky Bay – Also formally known as Kuakarau Bay, is a pretty quiet bay. It is perfect for a picnic. It has a wooden playground called “The Black Smith”.

The “bottom end” of the island is full of gravel roads and rolling hills. With many eastern bays that are usually only available with private access or by boat, the beaches feel like a step back in time as they are private and secluded. You will find Man O War Bay, Otakawhe Bay, and Orapiu Bay here, just to name a few.

Bay/Beach Table