The area has opportunities for swimming, diving, boating, kayaking, snorkelling and walking where weather conditions permit.

[4] On the eastern side of the bay are small shell spits, where native and migrating shorebirds roost and nest.

[4] The bay was also an important waka landing place for Māori living in coastal settlements, or at the pā at Maunganui, the highest point on Waiheke Island.

Ngāti Paoa were the primary inhabitants and guardians of Waiheke Island, but other iwi like Hauraki and Ngāi Tai have ancestral ties of the area, making it historically, culturally and spiritually important.

However, an offshore oyster farm was allowed to continue operating at its existing scale and extent.