Waiheke Island History and Heritage Tour
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Spend a day exploring Waiheke Island from a Māori perspective. 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 revitalisation of Māori language and the impact of colonisation on Māori people. Lunch is at a local cafe with delicious food and coffee. During a guided walk through native bush, your guide will explain the traditional and medicinal Māori uses of native plants and take you to the summit of a pa (fortified village) site with archaeological remains of kumara pits, shell middens and defensive terraces. You will also likely see our native birds tui, kereru and piwakawaka. Your guide will drop you back to the wharf in time for the return 4pm ferry. Or, if you wish to stay on the island longer you can be dropped in Oneroa, the main village and make your own way back to the ferry by either a 15 minute walk or short bus ride.
What‘s Included
Expert local guide
Ferry to/from Waiheke Island. Tickets can be purchased from us at $42/adult return.
Lunch
Wine and olive oil tasting
Options
Waiheke Island History and Heritage Tour
Reviews
38 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Maori Intro
hessmund,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dell showed us all around Waiheke Island and did a fantastic job. She was very knowledgable, personable, considerate and fun. She was especially good at introducing us to the Maori culture which was a perfect start to our New Zealand journey. I think Dell would be a fine guide for all groups of all ages!
Magnificent
debbiesY8169BI,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dell conducted our tour and it was just amazing. She did a great job of showing us around your island, explaining the history of the Māori people, and taking us to a lovely wine tasting and lunch.
Culture Visit
Adventure325891,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super good guide - and a good mediator. Exciting to hear the island's history and present. Lunch restaurant was a really good choice.
A day on Waiheke Island
carolcX840IA,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great day touring the island with Dell. She knew so much about the local history. We had a lovely lunch at Batch..All in all it was a successful day. Carol and Sean
A brilliant day out!
jaynebutcher123,,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A day tour to learn about the history and heritage of the island. Interesting and fun. Tailored to what we wanted to see too.
Great way to see and understand Waiheke
Z2434BZmikeg,,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dell is an amazing and knowledgeable guide with a delightful sense of humor. Our private tour of 6 hours was spectacular!
Discoveries, Stories and Warmth with Jasmina
Kristine M,,Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.005 A big thank you to Jasmina for a wonderful tour – it was a great opportunity to learn so much while also enjoying warm and genuine human contact. Jasmina shared stories with passion and ease, making the whole route come alive and truly engaging. What I especially appreciated was that it wasn’t just a list of facts, but inspiring details and narratives that allowed me to experience everything more deeply. The driving distance was comfortable, and the walk was pleasant – just enough to stretch the legs without getting tired. The food was delicious, and the olive oil tasting was a true discovery with unexpected flavor nuances that gave the whole experience a special touch. Overall, it was professional, heartfelt, and enriching – a tour I will definitely remember and recommend to anyone who wants not just to see, but to truly experience.
Beautiful and Memorable Day in Waiheke!
Scenic258813,,May 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly recommend a visit to Waiheke when visiting Auckland. It is a spectacular place filled with beautiful views We spent the day with our guide Dee who was a lovely person and fantastic guide. We learned all about the Māori culture (Dee was super knowledgeable) and we even did a little bit of wine tasting. The ferry ride to and from is very enjoyable and pretty quick.
A Day of Beauty, Brilliance, and Lifelong Learning on Waiheke
BarbO8,,Apr 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you're lucky enough to spend a day on Waiheke Island, do yourself a favor and go with Terra & Tide—and if you can, ask for Justine. My husband Phil and I had the good fortune of touring with her yesterday, and I have to say: it was one of those rare experiences where you walk away not just wowed by the scenery, but enriched on every level. Justine isn't just a guide—she's a lifelong learner in action. (And believe me, I know a bit about lifelong learning—I teach the neuroscience behind it!) She brought an astonishing depth of knowledge to everything we encountered, from native flora and fauna to Māori culture, history, and art. And the way she wove it all together—cultural, botanical, ecological, historical—was nothing short of masterful. You could tell she was deeply rooted in the land and its stories, especially as a native of nearby Great Barrier Island. That personal connection made everything feel authentic and deeply human. The tour itself was beautifully structured. Yes, the catalog says you'll see stunning sea views, native birds, ancient pā sites, and traditional uses of plants—but what you really get is the sense that you’re being invited into a living classroom with nature as the chalkboard and Justine as the inspired teacher. We learned so much, yet it never felt like a lecture. Justine made it feel like a conversation among curious minds. The lunch stop? Delicious. The native bush walk? Peaceful and full of unexpected wonder. And the views—oh, the views. Jaw-dropping panoramas that reminded us just how glorious this planet can be. Terra & Tide is clearly a company that values quality, integrity, and depth. They don’t just hire guides—they bring on board people who embody the spirit of exploration and respect for place. Justine made the day unforgettable, and we’re so grateful. Highly, wholeheartedly recommended. —Barbara Oakley Professor of Engineering & Neuroscience Educator (And proud, awe-struck tourist on Waiheke Island)
Breathtaking views!
Road44921901431,,Mar 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Justine our tour guide was amazing! Highly recommended tour! We had the wine and olive oil tasting tours and they do ship worldwide!
From NZ$615.00
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