Use the website http://www.fullers.co.nz for passenger ferry schedules from Auckland and Devonport to Waiheke Island, special deal prices (see Hot Deals), Waiheke bus schedules, and other Waiheke information. Print off the bus schedules because they are usually not available on the busses. They may be available at the Fullers Ferry office at the Matiatia wharf as you get off the ferry on Waiheke.
Car ferries from Half Moon Bay just south of central Auckland are provided by Sealink and Waiheke Shipping. Sealink has a discounted set of ferries called Freightlink. Freightlink and Waiheke Shipping are approximately the same price, which is cheaper than Sealink — this reduced price reflects the fact that they take a little longer than the Sealink ferry trip. Each month the ferry prices change. Make sure you inquire about the price of the ferry plus the number of people in your group. The one thing you have to deal with is that there are limited sailings at the lower price of Freightlink and Waiheke Shipping. Also the less expensive boats do not leave in the evening.
If using a taxi remember to reserve it well in advance — at least several hours – for peak times, including weekend evenings, and morning and evening weekday commute times. On the weekends there are many more people on the island than the weekdays and there will not be more taxis operating. When there are big events on the island it may be impossible to get a taxi as they may be totally booked up catering to those events.
The Ostend Community Market is one of the best places to get a feel for the spirit of Waiheke. Open from about 8 am to lunchtime (varies) on Saturday mornings it is both outside in the park by the RSA and inside the adjoining Ostend Community Hall. You may have to park a block or two away but there is ample parking in the dirt lot just past the shops (towards Oneroa from the Ostend Community Market). When the weather is warm enough (November through April) I am usually outside under a striped umbrella doing chair massages and answering questions about my massage therapy clinic and drive-out work. You need to sign the sign up sheet to reserve a place for yourself. What you see is what you get — please feel free to ask me and those receiving chair massage from me questions about my touch and effectiveness. Chair massage is good for a little bit of help — to get the full benefits of massage an hour or more of table massage in my clinic in quieter conditions than the outdoor market is more beneficial.
The best beach for children on Waiheke is Enclosure Bay, as it is shallow and protected. It is best to be there within one hour either side of high tide.
The community art gallery in the Artworks shopping area of Oneroa offers original arts and crafts of the island and is open most days. Also recommended: the Nikau Gallery just past Onetangi on the road taking you to Orapiu and Stony Batter. Beautiful views and unique crafts and hand-made jewellry.
For delicious bread and pastries on the weekend try Baked on Waiheke across from the RSA on Belgium Street in Ostend. Open 8-2 Wednesday through Friday and 8 to 1 on Saturday. Get there early as things sell out.
Some of the best coffee and the best cafe service on Waiheke Island can be had at Island Thyme, a cafe/deli/restaurant in Surfdale. Blink and you’ll miss it. The sign on the cafe in the middle of the handful of shops says Is.Thyme and there is a metal beaded curtain on the door. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Island Thyme sells gourmet deli items, free range eggs, gourmet desserts, and pre-made gourmet meals you can complete easily at home or in your holiday accommodation kitchenette. Island Thyme was written up in the Sunday Star Times March 29, 2009 for its outstanding lemon tarts and you can find the recipe in that day’s New Zealand Herald online. Brunch available on weekends and dinners on weekends in the restaurant above the cafe/deli, also called Island Thyme. No reservations.
On behalf of Waiheke I apologize that our street names are very confusing. The main road through Waiheke from Matiatia to Onetangi is called Ocean View Road in Oneroa and Little Oneroa, then Miami Road in Surfdale, then The Causeway in Surfdale near Ostend, then for a short bit as you enter Ostend it is called Wharf Road, then it curves right into Belgium Street in Ostend, and then becomes Onetangi Straight after the supermarket on the way to Onetangi, and then Onetangi Road in Onetangi. Just ask for directions if you get lost. The natives are friendly.
