A long sandy beach with Waiheke's main village just up the hill, about 14 nautical miles from Westhaven. Here's how to anchor, get ashore and make the most of Oneroa.
Updated October 2026 · By the Daily Boats team
About 14 nautical miles from Westhaven
About 40 to 45 minutes at 20 knots
Southerly winds, from south-east to south-west
Northerlies and north-easterlies
Very good, on firm sand
Oneroa village, cafés, shops and coastal walks
Oneroa's beach is about a kilometre long, and the village sits only around 100 metres back from the sand. For the rest of the island, see our guides to boating to Waiheke Island and Waiheke's Bottom End.
From Westhaven, head out past North Head, run east along the south side of Rangitoto, then through the Motuihe Channel towards Matiatia. Round the headland north of Matiatia and follow the coast east into Oneroa Bay. It is about 14 nautical miles, so roughly 40 to 45 minutes at 20 knots. Allow longer if the sea is lumpy: at 20 knots, sea state matters more than wind direction for a comfortable ride. Plan your fuel for the round trip and keep a reserve.
Keep a good lookout on the way. The Motuihe Channel has a fast passenger ferry lane, and ferries run in and out of Matiatia all day. Matiatia Bay itself is a prohibited anchorage under Auckland's navigation bylaw, so don't plan to stop there.
Oneroa faces north. Cruising notes describe it as sheltered from any wind with south in it, with very good holding on firm sand. The flip side is that it's open to the north and north-east. If a northerly is forecast, swell rolls straight in and the bay becomes uncomfortable, so move somewhere more sheltered before it arrives.
Most boats anchor off the main beach, in front of the village. The bay shelves gently, so check chart NZ 5324 and your depth sounder, and allow for the tide falling while you're at anchor. Give swimmers plenty of room, and keep to 5 knots within 200 metres of the shore.
On summer holiday weekends, especially Christmas and New Year, the bay fills up. Arrive early and leave room to swing.
If the forecast swings north, the island's southern bays are the usual fallback. Our Waiheke guide covers Putiki and Huruhi bays.
At the eastern end of the main beach, a rocky outcrop separates Oneroa from Little Oneroa. It's a smaller sandy beach and a little less built up. It suits the same southerly conditions as the main bay.
A short way east, rocky Enclosure Bay is known for snorkelling at low tide. Treat it as a swim stop, not a place to anchor for long.
West of Oneroa, between it and Matiatia, Owhanake is a quieter bay that also suits southerly weather. The coastal walk to Oneroa village passes along its shore.
Waiheke's main ferry terminal and a prohibited anchorage. Keep well clear of the ferries.
Take the dinghy to the beach, pull it well above the tideline and check the tide times. The village is a short walk up from the sand.
The village has cafés, restaurants, wine bars, galleries and gift shops, plus a small supermarket for bread, milk and ice. The island's bigger supermarket is at Ostend, and buses run from Oneroa.
Little Oneroa Reserve has a playground for all ages, toilets, picnic tables and an electric barbecue, so it's a good base for a family afternoon.
About 6.4 km, 1½ to 2 hours, past Little Oneroa and Enclosure Bay. There are lots of steps and some steep sections.
About 5.5 km, roughly 2 hours, past Owhanake Bay and the historic Mokemoke Pā site. It isn't passable at Matiatia for 1½ hours either side of high tide.
Both walks are part of Te Ara Hura, Waiheke's 100 km walking trail.
The formal "check and clean" controlled area runs from Palm Beach east around Thompsons Point to Onetangi Bay. You can anchor there, but must check and clean your anchor, chain and gear before moving. Local divers have also found caulerpa west of Oneroa Bay, in Owhanake Bay and outside the Enclosure Bay reef. Wherever you anchor, check your anchor and chain for seaweed, bag anything you find and bin it ashore. Check biosecurity.govt.nz/caulerpa before you go.
Check, clean and close: check the boat, dinghy and bags for rats, mice, ants and skinks, and keep food sealed. Report pests to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
Taking mussels, pāua and packhorse rock lobster is banned within one nautical mile of Waiheke until 6 August 2028, and scallops are closed under separate Gulf rules. Check the Fisheries New Zealand rules before taking anything.
Check the MetService marine forecast for the Hauraki Gulf, and again before you head home. Log a trip report with Coastguard on the app, by calling *500 or on VHF. In an emergency, call Maritime Radio on VHF channel 16.
Check Safeswim for water quality, especially after heavy rain.
Plan your fuel for the round trip, plus any running between bays, and keep a reserve.
Morning: check the forecast for a southerly or light conditions, log your trip and head for Oneroa.
Midday: anchor off the main beach, swim, then take the dinghy in for lunch in the village.
Afternoon: walk to Little Oneroa or snorkel Enclosure Bay. Check the anchor and chain for weed, then head home in daylight.
Saturday: head out in the morning and anchor at Oneroa. Walk the coast to Palm Beach, then dinner ashore or on board.
Saturday evening: recheck the overnight forecast. If the wind is heading north, move to the south side of the island before dark.
Sunday: a swim or the Matiatia walk, then head home.
This is a longer trip than a typical Daily day out. Talk to the Daily team before planning it.
Daily members boat on Buccaneer 635 HT hardtops kept in their own berths at Westhaven, Pine Harbour and Gulf Harbour. Oneroa is an easy run from Westhaven, which makes it a natural first destination for a full day out.
New members do a sea trial when they join. See how it works, membership options and more destinations.
Planning note: distances and motoring times are approximate and assume an average of 20 knots. They will vary with the boat, load, sea state and wind. Always check charts, the MetService marine forecast, tide times and local notices, including Biosecurity New Zealand's caulerpa rules and fishing rules, before you set out.
Daily members boat from Westhaven, Pine Harbour and Gulf Harbour on fully maintained Buccaneer 635 HTs, without the cost of owning one. Plans from $470 a month.