Things to do

Wineries, beaches, history & art: Exclusive tours for the best Waiheke experience

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Things to do
Wineries, beaches, history & art: Exclusive tours for the best Waiheke experience
Updated on:
Jul 18, 2025 9:54 PM

When we’re searching for a memorable holiday destination, we’re usually looking for that feeling of fulfilment. No wonder you have decided to discover more about an amazing island close to Auckland. To help you get the best Waiheke experience ever, we are going to guide you through some of the top things to do here and Omana exclusive tours, including wine tastings, fine dining and outdoor exploration.

Waiheke is a Pacific hidden gem for the distinguished travellers, from the most adventurous to the ones that are simply looking for peace and quiet, and an escape with their loved ones.

Even though a full Waiheke experience can be different for each person, once you feel you are a world away, it is up to you to decide how your holiday is going to be, so let us help you plan the most unforgettable trip.

Your Waiheke experience begins in Auckland

Auckland is a vibrant city in New Zealand, with so much to do and see, but its surroundings are definitely a must-visit. This is how your Waiheke experience starts and with how you choose to come to the island. For local and international travellers, there are a few transport options from Auckland:

For those who are visiting New Zealand, Omana also offers a stress-free transfer from Auckland airport to the ferry terminal.

Experience Waiheke from the skies

To make your journey to Waiheke even more wonderful, you might want to try taking a helicopter flight from downtown Auckland. You’ll be able to enjoy a remarkable view on your swift 12-minute journey.

The helicopter flight to Waiheke is one of the most stunning experiences right at the start of your vacation, so we have partnered with Heletranz to offer a special package to our guests.

Car rentals, private driver and airport transfers

Two ways to get around Waiheke Island that are part of our exclusive services include:

  • Private driver hire: Comfort and convenience for island exploration. 
  • Luxury vehicle rental: Drive in style through Auckland and Waiheke Island (pickup and drop off at Auckland airport, or anywhere in the city).

Exclusive tours for a unique Waiheke experience

Now, it’s time to explore the best of Waiheke through a memorable selection of exclusive tours. Omana has partnered with the most trusted suppliers to ensure guests have the time of their lives on the island.

Discover Waiheke Island’s stunning beaches

Now that you have seen them from above on your helicopter flight from Auckland, Waiheke’s wonderful beaches are worth a full exploration, starting with the main one, Oneroa, set in the village that carries its name. You will certainly pass by Oneroa, admiring the view, while choosing places to visit and restaurants to enjoy around it.

Other beaches that are part of the Waiheke experience are:

  • Little Oneroa Beach
  • Palm Beach
  • Blackpool Beach
  • Surfdale Beach
  • Onetangi Beach
  • Cactus Bay, which can be accessed by kayak

To make the beach experience in Waiheke even more complete, there's more to a simple dive to it. You can go on snorkelling diving tours to watch the wonderful ocean life New Zealand has to show.

To help you with beach exploration, our exclusive tours include:

  • Scenic island drive: Two hours of a memorable coastal drive from Oneroa to Onetangi, as well as other requests from our cherished guests.
  • Bush & beach walk: Five hours of fabulous coastal exploration, views, seabird nesting grounds and lush forest trails that will make this an adventure to remember!
  • Exclusive sailing charter: Charter the 41-foot catamaran Pacific Star for a day and set sail on your own adventure.

Explore a private beach on Waiheke

The beaches in Waiheke are simply marvellous, as you will experience during your trip. But for a more intimate and exclusive experience, Omana guests can explore the private beach on Woodside Bay, where our 5-star boutique hotel is located. The guests to our villas have full access to this secluded and unique spot on Waiheke.

Omana guests at Woodside Bay private beach

To continue your search for a full Waiheke experience, you can step outside to the forest and access the beach within a quick walk down the trail from the villas, then come back and marvel at the ocean and verdant surroundings from the balcony or your oversized bathtub.

Omana guests enjoy a bath with an ocean view and sparkling wine

Indulge in wine and olive oil tastings and fine dining

Now that you have bathed – in the beach and the tub – it’s time to go on winery tours. Waiheke is known for its premium wines, making your couples or anniversary getaway even more special. Most of the wineries also offer lunch, making it a full experience. Also, the olive oil tours are also a must-do on the Island.

There are several vineyards to visit, so we are delighted to offer an exclusive – not open to the public – tasting at Te Rere, a boutique winery on Waiheke Island.

Moreover, we offer special tours for guests to explore other wineries on the island:

  • Olive oil & wine tasting tour: Four hours that include Allpress Olive Grove, Mudbrick & Batch Wineries. Or make it a full day to add Man O' War to your Waiheke experience.
  • Waiheke food & wine tour: Six hours to get a sample Waiheke’s delicious wines, award-winning olive oil, local artisanal products and fabulous vineyard lunches.
  • Waiheke Island luxury experience: A day of island sightseeing, premium wine tasting at three wineries, lunch, and olive oil tour & tasting.
  • Customised full-day wine experience: A fully tailored itinerary with vineyard bookings.

Enjoy the wonders of outdoor activities

Omana’s privileged and secluded location is wonderful to go on horseback riding tours. And there’s so much more to see and experience on Waiheke that we are proud to offer a range of island exploration:

  • Active adventure tour: A full day of sightseeing, kayak, paddle boarding, olive oil tasting, lunch & wine tasting, bushwalk or beach stop for a swim.
  • Tunnels, wine & dine tour: A glorious private tour of Stoney Batter tunnels, Man O' War Kulta wine tasting followed by lunch, Waiheke Distilling gin and vodka tasting.
  • Nature & ceramics tour: An unforgettable day of hiking the Whakanewha Nikau Trail, olive oil tasting, lunch & wine tasting, ceramics/pottery hands-on experience.

Discover local cuisine (including dine-in delights)

Around the island, you will discover delicious restaurants, which will definitely make for a delicious vacation. A few of our personal favourites are:

Omana also offers an exclusive menu with selected options for dine-in, so you won’t need to leave your sanctuary. Guests can choose from:

  • Charcuterie board
  • Gourmet picnic box
  • Caviar Imperial Oscietra
  • Three-course menu (starter + main course + dessert)
Omana guests enjoy sparkling wine with an ocean view in the back

Get immersed in art and history

To complete your Waiheke experience, get immersed in the beauty brought to the island by truly amazing artists. Just as an example, our Villa Joy has the birds from the TOI Gallery artist Sally Smith.

Stunning Villa Joy decoration and floor-to-ceiling window

From open-air sculptures in Alison Park to galleries in the village, you’ll be stunned by fine work around this land. Furthermore, a great memory to take home from Waiheke is a piece of antique from the vintage shops. Our exclusive art and history tours include:

  • Wine & art tour: A day trip that includes art gallery behind-the-scenes tour, Stonyridge Vineyard for Larose Vertical 3 Tastings & tour, Mudbrick Vineyard for 3-course lunch, Headland Sculpture Walk.
  • Waiheke history & heritage tour: Spend a day learning about New Zealand’s rich history and heritage whilst journeying across Waiheke’s landscape.
  • Waiheke art tour: A day exploring Waiheke’s lively creative community through galleries, sculpture parks, gardens and artist studios.

Make your own experience in Waiheke

In a place filled with beauty and things to do, it’s certainly not hard to get a full Waiheke experience on your holiday. For a number of days to spend or even for a short trip, you will find activities to fill each moment, especially with personalised tours, just as you please. All you have to do is contact our friendly team, and you’ll gladly arrange it all for you.

This is how we can make your time here of pure joy and relaxation – speaking of which, an in-villa massage and yoga session awaits!

We sure can help create unforgettable moments, so come stay with us!

BOOK YOUR STAYView all articles

Sign up to our newsletter and be the first to know about exclusive deals, news and events.

Thank you for signing up!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Copyright © 2024 Omana - All rights reserved.