Waiheke Island Getaway: Paradise Close to Auckland

This tropical paradise is just a 45-minute ferry ride from Auckland's city center. With stunning beaches, numerous wineries offering wine tastings, and amazing local cafes and bakeries serving delicious pastries, Waiheke Island is a must-visit destination. I booked the Fullers 360 package, which includes ferry tickets and hop-on-hop-off double-decker bus tickets. It's the perfect way to explore the island at your own pace. The buses are air-conditioned, and sitting on the upper deck offers panoramic views of the island. Our driver was fantastic! His commentary about Waiheke's history, wine culture, and local lifestyle was so engaging that we didn’t want to get off the bus. After wine tasting, you can conveniently hop back on the bus to return to the ferry terminal, avoiding the hassle of driving yourself. Tip: Take an early ferry to make the most of your day. If possible, opt for the ferry ticket that includes the shuttle bus—it’s definitely worth it. My husband and I talked about this trip for days afterward and decided we’ll definitely return! Also, the ferry ticket suggests arriving at the terminal an hour early. We planned to take the 9 AM ferry but arrived at 8:20 AM, just in time to catch the delayed 8 AM ferry, which departed at 8:35 AM. We were lucky to board an earlier ferry, but it’s unclear if such delays affect other time slots.