Wine and Heritage tour - Wine and Heritage tour on the island provided origins, history and modern day perspectives of island life, with a focus on the wine industry and the Māori culture, particularly the Polynesian traditions of NZ and the surrounding islands of Auckland. Whilst focused on the wine history, we were entertained by short walks and a trip around Waiheke island. The wines were great, leaning about the early pioneers was thoughtful, and our guide of 17 years on the island provided knowledgeable perspectives.

Waiheke Island is worth the ferry ride! - We spent a full day touring Waiheke Island. Easy to get to the island on the local passenger ferry. Our guide Karen, was a local who was able to share so much about the region and the Island. We visited stunning lookout areas, wineries, and had a great lunch. Karen even managed to arrange a last minute trip to a few galleries in the town center. I highly recommend this tour company.

OUTSTANDING EXPERIANCE - We had the best excursion / tour with this company. They were extremely flexible and our guide Dell was personable, friendly, funny and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this company.

Why not do the Best tour?! - Dell was an informative and native New Zealander now residing on Waiheke Island. As such she brought the history and soul of this place alive right before our eyes! She greeted us after we exited the ferry onto the Island. We explained we had booked a luncheon at Mudbricks for 1:30 pm. With a smile and a flourish she managed to move the wine tasting she had planned for us there to one hour before our luncheon. Then she proceeded to show us all of the highlights and backstory of this beautiful place. From very light walking tours to beach and neighborhood drive-by’s, even calling our flora and fauna names and histories. Dell was kindness personified and helped us to really feel this place in our hearts.

A special day on Waiheke Island - We met Maria where we were staying, at the Delamore Lodge. We drove out to the eastern part of Waiheke Island heading to Stony Batter. Maria's vast knowledge of the islands history, geography, as well as the birds and animals, was incredible. She joined us on the tour of the SB tunnels and continued to give us background information in addition to the tour guide. We finished up our tour at the Man O' War winery and lunched there as well. We have never had a tour guide quite as knowledgeable as Maria. She made it one of the highlights of our trip

Fabulous Fantastic tour! - Justine was fabulous…prompt welcoming warm knowledgeable. She was attentive to our interests, tailored the trip when possible and took us to so many cool and beautiful locations. Highly recommend her and the tour company!

Great day out on Waiheke Island - Cindy was an awesome tour guide. She was very knowledgeable about Waiheke Island and we learned so much. Above all though, she was great fun to spend a day with and we had such a fun day!

Excellent value - Guide Justine was very knowledgeable & fun & responded to our interests. We could not have experienced the island to this extent on our own. Wholeheartedly recommend this company!

Fantastic! Very memorable! - Dell was an amazing guide! She gave wonderful insight to the island’s history, plants, and birds. Every stop was lovely, but I especially liked the sculpture garden. What a beautiful jewel of an island! Very memorable day! Dell, thank you for showing me your island home!

Simply Perfect - Most family tours follow a predictable, weary rhythm, but our day with Terra and Tide on Waiheke Island was a refreshing departure from the scripted norm. We arrived as a family of four, including two boys whose primary hobby is asking questions that would exhaust a search engine. We were met by Justine, who stepped into the role of guide, educator, and logistical mastermind with an ease that can only be described as professional grace. The beauty of a private, personalized tour is the luxury of choice, and Justine curated a day that felt precisely calibrated to our interests. We didn't just see the island; we actually learned it. The boys were kept fully engaged as we delved into the island’s history and the nuances of Māori language and culture. It is one thing to look at a landscape, but quite another to have the flora and fauna explained with the kind of depth Justine provides. She has a gift for making complex history feel like a series of fascinating stories rather than a dry classroom lecture. The itinerary itself was well balanced. We spent time on a bush walk that felt rugged yet accessible, followed by a private olive oil tasting that was a sophisticated highlight for the adults while remaining surprisingly engaging for the kids. Lunch was a genuinely tasty affair. Of course, no successful outing with children is complete without a strategic gelato stop, and Justine’s timing on that front was impeccable. What really sets Terra and Tide apart is the seamless nature of the experience. Being picked up and dropped off right at the ferry terminal removed the typical logistical friction that usually haunts a family day trip. There was no checking maps or worrying about timing; we simply moved from one highlight to the next. Justine is kind, caring, and possesses a level of local knowledge that makes you feel like an insider by the time you head back to the mainland. She handled our inquisitive group with genuine patience that we all appreciated. If you are looking for a way to see Waiheke that avoids the crowds and offers a smart, deep dive into what makes this place special, this is it. It is rare that a day meets every expectation, but this tour exceeded them all. My highest recommendation for anyone who prefers substance over spectacle.