Top Waiheke Island Nature and Wildlife Tours

Explore Waiheke Island at your own pace with all-day tickets for a hop-on, hop-off island explorer bus. Plan the perfect day with help from the onboard host, then see the things that interest you most, choosing from 16 stops near vineyards, galleries, beaches, and trailheads. This full-day Waiheke Island experience offers a personalized combination of nature, culture, and food, and departs from Matiatia every 60 minutes from morning until evening.

Soar through the treetops of Waiheke Island on a zipline tour featuring dual cables that let you fly side-by-side with a friend. After a quick ferry from Auckland (own expense), your half-day tour includes a brief island overview by minivan and an interpretive bushland walk. Numbers are limited to 12 participants for a personalized small-group experience. Weight limits apply: minimum 66lbs (30kg), maximum 275lbs (125kg).

Take a break from Auckland's busy streets on this small-group tour to Waiheke Island. Arrive via boat from downtown Auckland for an action-packed itinerary among the island’s many vineyards and olive groves. Join your guide for a thrilling zipline experience, forest walk, and wine tasting, and recharge with a 2-course lunch.

Take a small-group guided walk on Waiheke Island so you don’t get lost exploring the beaches and forests on your own. Your guide will point out native wildlife and birds, and tell you all about the island’s unique plant life. This is an ideal day out for active travelers who enjoy being outdoors, plus you can go swimming or relax afterwards, as the tour ends near a beach.

Hike across Waiheke Island, stopping at vineyards on the way, without the risk of getting lost on this half-day guided walk. Your guide will help you spot native wildlife—which is notoriously shy in New Zealand—and lead you to the best lookout points on the island. Sample some of Waiheke Island’s famous wines and have lunch at a vineyard (own cost).

Delight in the birdsong on magical Waiheke Island, one of NZ’s best birding destinations. Waiheke is increasingly a bird lover’s paradise thanks to our extensive reforestation and government-funded predator-free Waiheke project, Te Korowai O Waiheke. Join us to discover seabirds, shorebirds as well as birds of the forest in our regional park. Spot all the major species that make their home here whilst learning about our conservation efforts, their habitat and what makes these species special.

Active travelers can enjoy a guided hike amid the beautiful nature of Waiheke Island without getting lost. The small-group tour ensures that hikes are personalized to your needs and interests. Your expert guide will meet you at the ferry terminal, brief you on the day, and tell you all about the nature and history of the island en route. Have a leisurely, scenic lunch at Oneroa village.

Take an in-depth tour of the wine-growing region on Waiheke Island with a guide on this excursion. You'll learn about what makes the vineyards so successful and the characteristics of the local wine through guided commentary and visits to three top vineyards. With round-trip transportation from Waiheke’s ferry terminal provided, you can take full advantage of the tastings without worrying about who will drive.

Experience the twin headlands of Matiatia and Church Bay on Waiheke Island, walking with your private group and an expert local guide. This walk consists of two parts, with lunch in between. Sometimes we do the northern route first, and sometimes the southern. Why is that? Well, we often need to work around the tides! Northern route (approx 2 hours): We’ll walk around the Matiatia headland and past Owhanake Bay, enjoying beautiful views of the Hauraki Gulf Islands, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula. You’ll spot sea birds, native plants and, if you’re lucky, orcas or dolphins. We’ll stop for lunch at Oneroa Village. You can eat in one of the local cafes or have a picnic on the beach with food you’ve purchased or brought with you. Southern route (approx 2 hours): We’ll walk through Pio Rehutai Reserve and around the Church Bay headland through a sculpture park and a stunning bush reserve. We’ll pass hidden coves and amazing homes, as we enjoy view of the city and sea.

Explore Waiheke Island on foot and gain insight into the region’s rich Maori heritage on a walking tour. Hike along winding trails and enjoy sweeping views over the beaches and Hauraki Gulf from the soaring coastal headlands. Along the way, listen as your Maori guide sheds light on the region’s deep roots and shares stories about the island’s past. Stop at a local vineyard and learn of the diverse grape varietals thriving in the fertile soils, then finish with a wine tasting.

Waiheke Island is a great destination for travelers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. On this full-day private tour, customize your trip to suit your tastes. Take in the island’s serene countryside with a peaceful forest walking tour or coastal trail, relax on one of Waiheke’s sandy beaches, visit one of the many local wineries, and much more.

Enjoy this spectacular private walk with your friends, and you'll experience a little bit of everything – bush, beaches, headlands and vineyards. We start with a walk through restored and regenerating bush up to the headland for some breathtaking views of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. We continue through lush, established bush tracks and rolling hills, where you’ll enjoy lovely views of valleys, vineyards and the sea. There’s time for wine tasting and/or lunch at two of Waiheke’s best-loved vineyards – Mudbrick Vineyard, Jurassic Ridge or Cable Bay Vineyards – with tasting options to suit all budgets.

Discover the beauty of the Hauraki Gulf while aboard a 41-foot Catamaran Pacific Star. This charter is for an exclusive use of the yacht along with two crew members. There is the opportunity to stop at a pest-free island for a guided walk, and plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and try stand-up paddle boarding.

Delight in a dark sky experience on Waiheke Island. Join us for a night walk and a special stargazing experience on Waiheke Island – far enough away from the city to have a stunning night sky. We offer customised tours with telescopes, binoculars and the naked eye with our specialist guides. Learn all about the Southern skies and discover planets, constellations, distant stars and galaxies.

This tour takes in all that Waiheke has to offer while also getting you off the beaten tourist trail. To truly understand our land is to understand it through the eyes of us, the indigenous people. You will be greeted by your local guide at the wharf upon your arrival. First is an orientation around Waiheke taking in stunning sea views of the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland City and the Pacific Ocean. You will visit pristine white sand beaches and hear the history and stories of the places you visit and see. You will visit the focal point of the Māori community on Waiheke, learn about the significance and importance of carving and traditional tattooing, the revitalization of Māori language and the impact of colonization on Māori people.

Indulge in the succulent tastes of Waiheke Island on a 5.5-hour food and wine tour. An informative guide picks you up from the wharf and takes you to boutique wineries. Taste wine accompanied by locally produced specialties such as olive oil, oysters, and artisan cheese. Then settle in for a platter lunch at a vineyard restaurant. Linger on Waiheke and take the ferry back to Auckland whenever you like.

Experience the best of the Hauraki Gulf on this day trip from Waiheke Island. You’ll receive personalized attention on a small group tour aboard the Pacific Star catamaran. Stop at an island in the harbor for a guided walk, spot a variety of birds and marine animals, and get the chance to swim, snorkel, and stand-up paddleboard. There’ll also be time to relax on board and admire the views.

This tour takes in all that Waiheke has to offer while also getting you off the beaten tourist trail. To truly understand our land is to understand it through the eyes of us, the indigenous people. You will be greeted by your local guide at the wharf upon your arrival. First is an orientation around Waiheke taking in stunning sea views of the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland City and the Pacific Ocean. You will visit pristine white sand beaches and hear the history and stories of the places you visit and see. You will visit the focal point of the Māori community on Waiheke, learn about the significance and importance of carving and traditional tattooing, the revitalization of Māori language and the impact of colonization on Māori people.