8 Best Things To Do In Onetangi, Waiheke Island
Updated: 12th January 2025 By Lauren | Published: 10th June 2022
Home » Blog » Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland »Onetangi is a wonderful spot to visit on Waiheke Island. Located on the northern coast of Waiheke, the coastal village has one of the best beaches on the island, as well as award-winning restaurants and wineries.
Onetangi is one of the main townships on Waiheke Island and is well worth visiting during your trip.
The village is known for its beautiful sandy bay, a popular spot for watersports and swimming. Kitesurfers, surfers and bodyboarders enjoy riding the waves at Onetangi Beach.
The beachfront is lined with bars, cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy award-winning food and beverages while admiring the stunning scenery.
In the hills above Onetangi, you’ll find vineyards and wineries where you can try Waiheke’s famous wine. There are also numerous walking tracks in the reserves and bushland.
This post will tell you all the awesome things to do in Onetangi on Waiheke Island. From a day visit to a longer stay, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Best Things To Do In Onetangi, Waiheke Island | Auckland, New Zealand
Read my New Zealand Travel Guide for all my blog posts and tips for travel in New Zealand!
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- 8 Best Things To Do In Onetangi, Waiheke Island
- Camping On Waiheke Island: Poukaraka Flats Campground
- The Best Hostel On Waiheke Island: Waiheke Backpackers Hostel Review
- How To Get Around Waiheke Island (By Car, Bike, Bus & On Foot)
- How To Get To Waiheke Island From Auckland (Fullers Vs Sealink)
- 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car
- 16 Best Beaches On Waiheke Island, New Zealand (With Map!)
1. Onetangi Beach
Onetangi Beach is one of Waiheke’s most stunning beaches. It is also one of the island’s longest with approximately 2 km of beautiful white sand to walk on.
The wide bay is a popular spot for swimming as well as bodyboarding and surfing.
Onetangi means “Weeping Sands” in the Māori language, and the name comes from a battle in 1821 during the Musket Wars.
The beach is a great place for a long walk to enjoy the views.
It is easy to get to the beach by public bus from Oneroa and Matiatia Ferry Terminal. Take the 50A and 50B.
The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus also stops at Onetangi Beach.
Related Read: 10 Best Beaches On Waiheke Island & What To Do There
2. Casita Miro Vineyard & Restaurant
Take a trip to Casita Miro, a beautiful Spanish inspired vineyard and restaurant on Waiheke Island. It is located up in the hills from Onetangi Beach.
It is well worth a visit to see the colourful mosaics that decorate the front of the restaurant and sculptures in the gardens. You’ll feel as if you have been transported to Barcelona!
Simply admire the views at Casita Miro or book a table to dine in their restaurant.
Wine tastings are available at Casita Miro by visiting their cellar door.
To get to Casita Miro, you can walk from Onetangi Beach in 15 minutes.
3. Three Seven Two
Waiheke locals recommended that I try Three Seven Two on my visit to Waiheke and I was sure glad I took them up on the recommendation!
This wonderful beachside restaurant is a nice stop for a drink and a bite to eat.
Sit outside on their patio to admire Onetangi Bay as you feast on a creative and inspired menu and locally crafted beers. I recommend you try the Battered Crispy Cabbage!
Three Seven Two is located on The Strand, right by Onetangi Beach!
Visit Three Seven Two’s website here to see menus and book a table.
4. Onetangi Hidden Gems Path
The Onetangi Hidden Gems Path is a loop walk that will take you along Onetangi Beach and through Onetangi’s scenic reserves.
The path has a mix of beach, bush and suburban tracks that are easy with a few steep climbs.
The loop takes around 50 minutes and is 2.8 km.
To see a map of the walk and more information, visit Auckland Council’s website here.
5. Obsidian Wines
Obsidian’s vineyard is a popular spot for wine lovers on their cellar door tour around Waiheke Island’s wineries.
It is located in the hills above Onetangi beach, nearby to Casita Miro.
The classy vineyard is tucked away amongst the vines. The vineyard offers wine tastings in a relaxed environment with knowledgeable staff.
The walk from Onetangi Beach to Obsidian Wines is around 25 minutes.
For more information about Obsidian’s Tasting options, visit their website here.
6. Stonyridge Vineyard
Transport yourself to the south of France with a visit to the beautiful Stonyridge Vineyard. This picturesque, chateau inspired vineyard is one of the best vineyards to visit on Waiheke Island.
Stonyridge specialises in Bordeaux-blend wine, so if you are keen on red wine then it is a must-visit for you.
Stonyridge also grows olives, and they have the first commercial olive grove in New Zealand on Waiheke Island.
You can enjoy your wine on the veranda or bean bags on the lawns and admire the vineyards sweeping across the rolling hills.
Stonyridge is located on Onetangi Road within a cluster of wineries and vineyards.
For more information about Stonyridge Vineyard, visit their website here.
7. Wild Estate
Wild Estate is a great place to spend a few hours. They have a great selection of wines and beers along with a food menu focusing on sharing plates and grazing boards.
Located on Onetangi Road, the winery offers both wine and beer tastings.
In the surrounding gardens, there are also leisure activities, such as giant chess and a playground.
Wild Estate has a more relaxed feel to it compared to others on Waiheke. When we visited we did a good value wine tasting along with sharing a pizza. The music was great and the staff friendly!
For more information about Wild Estate, visit their website here.
8. Museum Of Waiheke
For a bit of history, head to the Museum of Waiheke to learn about Waiheke’s past. The small little museum features interesting displays about settlers on Waiheke Island and how they used to live. There are several buildings, full of memorabilia.
Entry is by donation.
The opening hours are a little sporadic as it is a community/volunteer-run operation. You may catch it open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holiday Mondays from 12 noon to 4 pm.
The Museum of Waiheke is located on Onetangi Road, nearby to the wineries and vineyards.
For more information about the Museum of Waiheke, visit their website here.
How Long Should You Spend In Onetangi, Waiheke Island?
Onetangi is a great place to visit for a day or longer, depending on how much time you have. Onetangi is a lovely place to spend a few hours at the beach, at the restaurants, enjoying the wineries or taking a walk.
If you’re planning on spending a few days on Waiheke Island then Onetangi could be a great location to base yourself from. There are numerous hotels, guesthouses and a hostel in Onetangi.
From Onetangi you could make day trips across the island by bus or car. If you choose to stay elsewhere on the island, then you should definitely plan to make a trip to Onetangi as part of your itinerary.
If you’re visiting Waiheke Island on a day trip from Auckland, then you could visit Onetangi on the Explorer Bus or public bus. However, you might be pushed to fit so much into one day on Waiheke, as there are lots of great things to do on the island.
If you’re visiting for a day only, it might be better to focus your efforts on exploring Oneroa, as it is closest to the ferry terminal and there are many awesome things to do there too.
How To Get To Onetangi, Waiheke Island
Onetangi is located on the north coast of Waiheke Island.
How to get to Onetangi by car: From Kennedy Point Ferry Terminal (Sealink) it is an approximate 12-minute drive (7.6 km).
How to get to Onetangi by bus: Use Auckland Transport bus routes 50A or 50B to travel to Onetangi from the Matiatia Ferry Terminal via Oneroa, Surfdale and Ostend. The Explorer Bus stops at Onetangi Beach.
Related Read: How To Get Around Waiheke Island (By Car, Bike, Bus & On Foot)
Discover More Things To Do On Waiheke Island, Auckland
The Best Activities On Waiheke Island
If you’re planning your trip to Waiheke Island and would like inspiration on the best things to do and see on the island, then check out my other blog posts:
- 11 Best Things To Do In Oneroa, Waiheke Island – Oneroa is such a cute and charming little town on Waiheke Island. Discover the most awesome things to see and do in Oneroa in this blog post.
- 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car – Waiheke Island is a great place to visit in New Zealand without a car. This post will explain all the best things to do by walking, cycling and using the bus and how to get there.
- 10 Best Beaches On Waiheke Island & What To Do There – Waiheke has some of the best beaches in New Zealand. If you are a lover of the sea, then you must visit these 10 beaches. This post helps you know the best beaches on Waiheke and the most suitable activities for each beach.
Book Tours & Activities On Waiheke Island
Travelling To Waiheke & Getting Around The Island
For information on travelling to Waiheke Island and how to explore when you get there, read these posts:
- How To Get To Waiheke Island From Auckland (Fullers360 vs Sealink) – Two ferry companies travel from Auckland to Waiheke Island. Which one you choose will depend on whether you will take a vehicle or travel as a foot passenger, your budget and time. This post will explain everything you need to know about how to get to Waiheke Island on the ferry.
- How To Get Around Waiheke Island (By Car, Bike, Bus & On Foot) – Once you arrive on Waiheke Island, there are numerous options for how to get around the island. You can travel by car, bike, bus, tour or on foot. Discover all the ways you can get around to help plan your trip to the island.
Where To Stay On Waiheke Island
If you’re travelling on a budget, then I have a post about the best hostel in Waiheke:
- The Best Hostel On Waiheke Island: Waiheke Backpackers Hostel Review – Located above Onetangi Beach, this awesome hostel has amazing views across Onetangi Bay. The hostel is comfortable, well-equipped, in a great location and, best of all, it is an affordable price.
Finding a place to stay for your trip to Waiheke Island?
Take a look at options on Booking.com, Hostelworld and Tripadvisor. Or use the search box below:
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During my trip to Waiheke Island, I did house sitting in the cute town of Oneroa. I got accommodation completely for FREE by house sitting through Kiwi House Sitters.
Housesitting gave me a chance to explore Waiheke without having to worry about how much I was spending on accommodation. So my budget could go on wine tastings and nice restaurant meals instead!
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If you’re travelling New Zealand join now and maybe you can find a housesit on Waiheke Island. The membership fee lasts 12-months and is less than 1 night in a hotel.
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8 Best Things To Do In Onetangi, Waiheke Island – Thanks For Reading!
Onetangi is one of the largest settlements on Waiheke Island and is well worth a visit. With fabulous wineries, an amazing beach and great restaurants, you’ll enjoy your time in this little village. I hope this post has inspired your trip to Onetangi and you have a great time with all these awesome things to do! – Lauren x
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Lauren | Wild Lovely World
Lauren is a travel writer from the U.K., specialising in travelling on a budget as a solo female and in a couple. She moved to Australia solo at age 19 and has since lived in 7 different countries around the world, including teaching English in Japan, living in a campervan in New Zealand and hiking all across Scotland. Her style is travelling slow and she is an expert on moving abroad and long-term travel. She spends a lot of time working on her blog, WildLovelyWorld.com, and daydreaming about her next trip.
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