Sandy Bay

Overview

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 sun, or take the kayak or paddle board out for a spin.

With its shallow calm water it is perfect for young children to paddle and play or get a little adventurous and search under rocks for crabs.  

Sandy Bay is the only northside beach with a boat ramp making it easy to launch off the beach all year round.

Above the beach, you can find a small grass area with a picnic table to enjoy some yummy fish and chips. A public toilet is near by and rubbish bins. Nearby is one of our other favourite beaches, Enclosure Bay.

There is also a walking path from the top of Coromandel Road, that will lead you straight down to the beach.

Waiheke Beaches

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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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

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…

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 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.

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.

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.

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…

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…

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.

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.

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…

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…

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

Beach Amenities

• Bins
• Grass edge/platform
• Picnic table
• Toilet
• Boat ramp

Aerial Video 2025

Key Access Points

From Coromandel Road

Coming from Hauraki Road take a left onto Karaka Road, another left onto Coromandel Road. Follow the windy road until you reach the bottom of Coromandel Road on your left you will see a unsealed path. A small parking area can be found here welcome to Sandy Bay.

Coromandel road walkway path

Half way down coromandel road on a corner you will come across a sign leading you to a path/ follow the grass path, half way through it becomes a concrete path. Don’t forget to take in the spectacular views – Welcome to Sandy bay

From Great barrier Road

Coming from Cory road/Hauraki road (Palm beach/Ostend) take a right onto Coromandel Road, and a tight right onto Great Barrier Road. Follow the windy road first you will come across our beautiful Enclosure bay, continue on straight you will find a unsealed road at the end – welcome to Sandy Bay.

Wheelchair Access

Sandy bay has a slight slope of a boat ramp, so it may be possible for a wheelchair, but there is a nice grass frontage at the edge of the beach and a nice area with a picnic table to take in the beach.

Well Known For

• Paddle boarding/kayaking/water activities
• Shallow calm water
• Easy boat Launch
• Quiet

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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