THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Discover Waiheke Island’s hidden wineries and scenic gems with Ananda Black. This private tour blends premium wine tastings, local art, and culinary highlights, all crafted around your interests.
Discover Waiheke Island’s hidden wineries and scenic gems with Ananda Black. This private tour blends premium wine tastings, local art, and culinary highlights, all crafted around your interests.
Book with Ananda Tours
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Ananda Tours · Auckland, Auckland
Set just off the coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island stands apart with its rugged coastline, rolling vineyards, and vibrant arts scene. Ananda Black, offered by Ananda Tours, provides an immersive six-hour private journey into the island’s lesser-known wine country and scenic treasures. More than a simple tasting tour, this experience layers personalized service atop local expertise cultivated through over two decades of family-run operations.
Departing from Auckland via Fullers Ferry, travelers arrive ready to slip away from the crowds and into a day tailored entirely to their preferences. Ananda Black’s guides have intimate relationships with boutique wineries tucked in the island’s varied microclimates. These vineyards produce distinctive varieties—from robust Syrahs flourishing on limestone-rich soils to crisp Chardonnays nurtured by the coastal breezes. Alongside sips, the tour uncovers a curated selection of culinary treats from island chefs whose ingredients echo Waiheke’s seasonal rhythms.
What elevates this trip is the flexibility and depth. Beyond wine tastings, the itinerary can include private visits to art studios where island sculptors and painters create in quiet gardens, or scenic strolls through hidden pockets of native bush showcasing pōhutukawa and nikau palms. For those seeking added adventure, optional activities such as horse riding, jet skiing, and ziplining bring an active edge to a day otherwise steeped in sensory indulgence. Helicopter or seaplane transfers can be arranged, enhancing access to remote spots.
Ananda Tours operates modern, comfortable vehicles and ensures pickup from any accommodation on Waiheke, reinforcing their commitment to seamless, personalized exploration. This family-run outfit’s longevity and local ties mean guests encounter an experience that feels more like time with old friends than a commercial tour. For anyone wanting a quietly luxurious, authentic encounter with Waiheke’s outdoor and cultural landscape, Ananda Black is a premiere choice.
easy.
6 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves leisurely walking on vineyard trails and gardens.
The tour includes six hours of private guided visits to select wineries, culinary tastings, scenic stops, bottled water, and hotel pickup.
Yes. The tour is tailored to your preferences, including optional activities like art visits, horse riding, or water sports at an additional cost.
The tour departs from Auckland via Fullers Ferry, but ferry tickets are not included and should be arranged separately.
There must be at least two participants for the tour to operate.
Yes, the tour includes culinary tastings paired with wines, but full meals are not provided.
The tour is recommended for guests aged 18 and over, mainly due to the wine tastings involved.
Waiheke Island’s viticulture roots date back to the 1970s, evolving into one of New Zealand's premier boutique wine regions recognized for its diversity and quality.
Many vineyards on Waiheke commit to sustainable farming practices to protect native flora and fauna, preserving the island’s delicate ecosystem.
Ananda Tours is a family-owned tour operator based in Auckland that specialises in guided tours of Waiheke Island. For over 25 years the company has delivered small-group and private experiences focused on boutique wineries, gourmet food, olive oil production, craft breweries and local artisans. Tours range from full-day wine circuits with tastings at three vineyards and a vineyard platter lunch to curated gourmet food and wine itineraries featuring family-style lunches, oyster and honey pairings, and visits to an olive oil mill. Signature departures include The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour, The Gourmet’s Food and Wine Tour, and specialised options such as Ananda Black, Private Gourmet’s Food and Wine Tour, and The Waiheke Naturally Tour. Itineraries may include stops at Allpress Olive Groves, Three Seven Two, The Heke, and Onetangi Beach, plus art studios, gardens and distilleries. Vehicles and small group sizes support flexible, personalised service with options for private tours and bespoke routes. Guides provide local insights into Waiheke history, vineyard techniques and island culture. The company’s multi-decade experience underpins relationships with boutique producers across Waiheke, enabling access to exclusive tastings, scenic vineyard lunches and culinary pairings. Guests can expect a combination of wine tasting, food experiences, scenic driving along the Hauraki Gulf, and opportunities to explore Oneroa Village. Ananda Tours focuses on delivering knowledgeable guiding, authentic local connections and memorable island experiences suitable for food and wine lovers, small groups, and private celebrations. Booking options include small-group departures and fully customisable private itineraries for special occasions and seasonal events.
Book with Ananda Tours