Waiheke Island
Landsat image of the island, August 2002 | |
Location in New Zealand & Pacific Ocean | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Hauraki Gulf |
| Coordinates | 36°48′S 175°06′E / 36.800°S 175.100°E |
| Archipelago | New Zealand archipelago |
| Area | 92 km2 (36 sq mi) |
| Length | 19.3 km (11.99 mi) |
| Width | 0.64–9.65 km (0.40–6.00 mi) |
| Coastline | 133.5 km (82.95 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 231 m (758 ft) |
| Highest point | Maunganui |
| Administration | |
New Zealand | |
| Regional Council | Auckland Region |
| Demographics | |
| Demonym | Waihekean |
| Population | 9,100 (June 2024) |
| Pop. density | 81/km2 (210/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | European, Māori |
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Waiheke Island is the second-largest island (after Great Barrier Island) in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. Its ferry terminal in Matiatia Bay at the western end is 21.5 km (13.4 mi) from the central-city terminal in Auckland.
It is the most populated island in the gulf, with 9,100 permanent residents, and the third most populous island in New Zealand (behind the two main islands). An additional estimated 3,400 people have second homes or holiday homes on the island. It is more densely populated than the North and South Islands. It is the most accessible island in the gulf, with regular passenger and car-ferry services, a helicopter operator based on the island, and other air links.
In November 2015, Lonely Planet rated Waiheke Island the fifth-best region in the world to visit in 2016.