Waiheke Island — Local services in Waiheke

Waiheke Island—what an absolute gem! Even with just a brief visit as part of my cruise, I was completely taken in by its beauty. I booked a Fullers 360 ticket that included both the ferry ride and the hop-on-hop-off tour bus, and it was the perfect way to explore.

The double-decker bus was a fantastic way to take in the island, offering air-conditioned comfort and panoramic views from the top deck. Our driver was an absolute highlight—his engaging commentary brought the island to life, sharing fascinating insights into Waiheke’s history, wineries, and local life. I was so captivated that I didn’t want to get off the bus!

Unfortunately, due to our ship’s short stop in Auckland, I didn’t have enough time to visit a winery without risking a frantic dash back to the port. But the island’s breathtaking scenery and stunning views back to Auckland were worth the trip alone.

Next time, I’ll be back with more time to give Waiheke the attention it truly deserves! My tip? Catch an early ferry from Auckland so you can soak in everything this paradise has to offer. And if you can, upgrade your ferry ticket to include the shuttle bus—it’s well worth it. My husband and I talked about Waiheke for days afterwards, and we’ll definitely...

In the summer season, it is super busy which requires preparing well to enjoy.

Things to know:

Ferry: As the ticket says, it would be really good to arrive at the ferry terminal an hour before your estimated departing time. We aimed to take a ferry at 9 am and we arrived around 8.20 am. The 8 am ferry arrived at 8.25 am and left from the downtown ferry terminal at 8.35 am. We were super lucky, and I am unsure how this would impact the rest of the hours ferry.

Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus: Although we purchased tickets, we didn't use them. Yes.. it is a waste of money, but we wanted to avoid possible hassles. On Friday, the interval is an hour and most of the winery at the bus stop was fully booked. Some people complained of 1.30 hours waiting at the bus stop.

Rent a car: In the end, we rented a car a day after checking all the recent reviews. -- Pros: good to go wherever you go, enjoy some viewpoints and avoid crowded spots. -- Cons : limits for drinking and unable to go Man O war bay road if it is...

Lovely day trip to see the sea, beautiful beaches and natural beauty of this small but picturesque island. It was easy waving on a well scheduled ferry from Auckland’s downtown Harbour to go to Matiatia ferry wharf and loved the smooth fresh air ferry ride. (I purchased tickets for both the ferry ride and hop on hop off bus shuttle at Auckland ferry terminal and was pleased I did so)

Once on Waiheke island I hopped onto the scheduled 30 minute island circuit ride and enjoyed exploring the many vineyards, several beaches and a good forest walk. There is lots of to do on your day trip so be mindful of the last hop-on hop-off bus on the schedule.

Make sure that you respect this beautiful island and avoid going off established pathways, put garbage in its proper place and keep your eyes open for the road traffic. Local drivers don’t have much patience for pedestrians.

If you like my reviews, photos or videos then don’t stay stuck on an island just jump on and off and hit...