Quiet bays, a beachfront vineyard and a pest-free island sanctuary, all about three hours' sail from Westhaven. Here's our guide to the southern and eastern side of Waiheke and its neighbouring islands.
Updated October 2026 · By the YachtShare team, Westhaven Marina
Locals call the eastern end of Waiheke the "Bottom End". It's most of the island's land but home to few people, so it feels a world away from Oneroa: sheltered bays, farmland and some of the best island stops in the inner Hauraki Gulf.
Heading for the beaches on the northern side instead? See our guide to sailing to Waiheke Island's northern bays.
From Westhaven, head out past North Head. Either run east through Tāmaki Strait along Waiheke's southern shore and into the Waiheke Channel, or go along Waiheke's north coast and round the eastern end.
Both routes are roughly the same length: about 23 nautical miles to Man O' War Bay, so about 3 hours at 8 knots. Rotoroa is about 22 nm (about 2¾ hours at 8 knots) and Putiki Bay about 14 nm (about 1¾ hours at 8 knots). Pick whichever route suits the wind on the day.
The classic Bottom End stop. Cruising notes describe it as sheltered from westerlies and as far round as north-north-east, with good holding in thick mud. The bay faces east, so look elsewhere when the wind has easterly in it. There's a floating jetty on the right-hand side as you enter, used for drop-offs and pick-ups, with a smaller dinghy platform. In summer, Auckland Council has run a rubbish and recycling barge for visiting boats nearby.
On Waiheke's southern shore, Putiki is a calm bay that's home to the island's houseboats. It's known for good shelter from everything except the south-west, but both arms of the bay are shallow with wide mudflats.
Te Matuku, in Waiheke's south-east corner, is a marine reserve, so no fishing or collecting. Much of the bay dries at low tide, and DOC asks boaties not to let boats sit on the tidal flats or drag anchors. Treat it as a high-tide visit, not an overnight anchorage.
This bay on Ponui's northern coast is the island's most popular anchorage. It's sheltered from the south and west, with good holding in sandy mud, but it can become untenable quickly in a northerly. You can anchor, but not land.
Rotoroa is a predator-free sanctuary. The Salvation Army ran an alcohol and drug treatment centre here until 2005. The Rotoroa Island Trust has restored it, and it opened to the public in 2011. Look out for takahē, kiwi, tīeke (saddleback) and pāteke.
Private boats can anchor and land by dinghy with a landing pass, bought online, at the exhibition centre or at the Ladies Bay honesty box. You can anchor in Home Bay, Maimai Bay, Cable Bay, Ladies Bay or Men's Bay. Home Bay is the most popular but is exposed to westerlies. You can't moor at the wharf or pontoon. No pets, camping or open fires.
Pakatoa is just north of Rotoroa. It's a former resort and is now privately owned. Landing is not permitted. The waters around Pakatoa and Tarahiki/Shag Island became a High Protection Area in 2025, so don't take or disturb anything there.
Ponui sits at the southern entrance to the Waiheke Channel. The Chamberlin family has farmed it since the 1850s, and it's private with no public access. It's also home to one of New Zealand's densest populations of North Island brown kiwi.
The bar and restaurant on the beach is Man O' War, a vineyard with a cellar door and restaurant right beside the beach at Man O' War Bay. Anchor, take the dinghy in and settle in for a long lunch overlooking the bay. Its hours change with the seasons, so check opening times before you go, and book ahead if you can.
Recreational gathering of some shellfish is currently closed within one nautical mile of Waiheke. Check the Fisheries New Zealand rules before you gather anything.
Saturday: Leave Westhaven mid-morning and sail through Tāmaki Strait to Man O' War Bay, about 3 hours at 8 knots. Anchor, take the dinghy ashore for a late lunch, then enjoy a quiet evening on board if the forecast is settled with a westerly.
Sunday: Motor or sail the short hop to Rotoroa. Anchor, get your landing pass and walk the island looking for takahē. Head home in the afternoon, about 2¾ hours at 8 knots, with a stop in Putiki Bay if there's time.
Every yacht in our fleet can sail the Bottom End. The J/112e Oro Rosa makes a lively day trip. For a weekend with friends, Schonica, Incognito and Zen have plenty of room, and the Orana 44 catamaran The Bach is a stable family base at anchor. Couples will love Thin Air, Island Breeze or Mirabelle. Meet the whole fleet.
Bookings run from 1 to 14 days, so a long weekend down the Bottom End is easy to plan. See how it works, membership options, our sailing courses and more sailing guides.
Planning note: distances and times are approximate and based on an average of 8 knots. Always check current charts, forecasts and local notices before you sail, and confirm landing rules and opening times before you go.
Since 1998, YachtShare has kept Auckland sailors on the water from Westhaven Marina. Come and see the fleet and start planning your trip.
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