Waiheke island
Waiheke island has some of the most spectacular boating destinations for a winter/summer getaway. Being right on Aucklands doorstep less than 9NM’s from Auckland she offers a slightly warmer ambient temperature, reported several degrees warmer than mainland.
The island has eight thousand permanent residents and is the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf, after Great Barrier Island.
I often think that if I could cruise nowhere else I would be satisfied spending many years exploring the 71 NM of coastline of Waiheke . The northern side of the Island features a number of beautiful sandy beaches, then the southern side of the island being more estuarine in nature.
A lot of boaties talk about the ‘bottom end’
Being on the eastern coastline, down amongst sheltered bays and other islands such as Ponui, Rotoroa and Pakatoa, they also give great protection. One of my personal favourite spots down the ‘bottom end’ is Man O’War Bay and Winery, that is well known for a great destination to spend time ashore with friends & family. The Anchorage is protected from the North/North East/North West, simply weigh the anchor and come ashore to the fabulous Man O’War Winery.
Waiheke offers a variety of shore-based attractions ranging from the bustling town centre of Oneroa, through to the thirty plus vineyards on the island. The all new Waiheke Island Marina is also an option to park your boat (with their approval) and then go ashore and enjoy your land based day around the beaches, restaurants and vineyards, finishing up back on board for a good nights sleep!
When discussing where to anchor from Owhanake Bay, Oneroa, Onetangi down to Garden Cove on the Northern and Easterly sides of Waiheke, gives great protection in South East to South West wind direction. This side is very exposed to Northerly to North-Easterly wind direction.
The ‘bottom end’ is also protected in Man O’ War in South-West to North- West winds.
One of my personal favourites at Waiheke is Rocky Bay, that offers great protection in those pesky Northerly, North-West directions, this is a large bay providing a number of anchorages, when entering Rocky Bay pass to the North of Koi Island. Just be aware of moorings and don’t park to close to the moorings for a peaceful nights sleep. Below are a few pictures of our great winter escapes to Rocky Bay in the past with an amazing sunset.