The 8 Best Sailing Trips in Auckland

1.Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 476 reviews · from $105Our pick

Board a 50-foot sailing yacht at Viaduct Harbour for a 2.5-hour evening cruise past the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, and volcanic Mt. Eden. Your captain provides live commentary, and you can help hoist the sails or try the wheel before sitting down to a preselected three-course dinner.

“Crew was amazing and very professional. Ride was nice if it started earlier it got dark 30 mins after our ride started and the other 2 hours were in the dark. Food was not worth it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 370 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Join a professional crew aboard an ex-America’s Cup yacht in Auckland. You can steer, help raise sails, work the grinders, or simply enjoy the harbor views. No sailing experience is needed, but comfortable shoes, light luggage, and a willingness to move around are useful.

“Great two hours on Auckland harbour. Knowledgeable and competent staff, who made it a memorable experience. The good weather helped of course!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 319 reviews · 2h 30m · from $95

Meet Explore Group at Viaduct Harbour for a 2.5-hour evening sail on a 50-foot yacht. Captain Noel, Peter, Luke, or another local skipper may share harbour stories, invite you to steer, and serve a three-course meal from The Lula Inn. Jackets and blankets are provided.

“It was a perfect way to see Auckland harbor. The sail back in 30 knot winds was wonderful!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 301 reviews · 1h 30m · from $65Best value

Join Explore Group New Zealand at Viaduct Harbour for a 90-minute sailing trip on a 50-foot yacht. You’ll pass the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Westhaven Marina, and Devonport, with a chance to steer or help with the sails. English-speaking crew provide commentary, ponchos, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate with a cookie.

“The interaction between the crew and passengers was enjoyable. They were very engaging!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.America’s Cup Sailing on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 298 reviews · from $130

Spend two hours sailing Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour aboard an America’s Cup racing-class yacht with a professional crew. Take the helm, grind the winches, help with sails, or simply enjoy the ride. Julia and the crew provide safety guidance and commentary. No sailing experience is needed.

“So this review has two parts. First, the sail on the boats was amazing. Got to pilot the boat as well as work as a grinder; great experience. The crew was entertaining and had appropriate emphasis on safety. Felt very comfortable. Second, I had originally booked for 2, then later amended the count to 4. I paid for 4 via the viator app and got confirmation of payment and 4 people. When arrived at provider location, they didn't show the amended list, only the original two. Evidently there was an issue between the provider and viator. The provider tried to contact viator to resolve the issue, but had to wait…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Auckland Harbour Sailing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · from $68

Board at Viaduct Harbour for a 90-minute yacht cruise past Auckland Bridge, Westhaven Marina, Devonport, and the skyline. The crew may let you steer or help with the sails. Brad, James, and Bridget have been praised for friendly, capable hosting, with tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and a cookie included.

“My husband and I had a wonderful time on the sailing cruise. We had delightful weather. Our captain and the first mate were great! Very friendly guys. I got to steer the ship, which was so cool. This was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon and see Auckland from a different perspective in a nice, casual and relaxing way. Thank you for a great cruise!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Exclusive Sailing Charter from Waiheke Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews Top rated

Join Terra & Tide aboard Pacific Star, a private 41-foot catamaran departing Waiheke. With skippers such as Bruce, Peter, and Renee, you can sail the outer Hauraki Gulf, spot seabirds, swim, snorkel, paddleboard, enjoy lunch, and walk on a pest-free island.

“Absolutely fabulous day out in the Hauraki Gulf. Snorkeling, paddleboarding, doubles kayak, great food, great boat. The skipper Peter and his assistant, Renee we gracious hosts. We all had an amazing day. Highly recommend this for anyone. We were part of a 21st and it was just a truly wonderful day for us all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Hauraki Gulf Eco Sailing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $403

Join Captain Bruce and the Terra & Tide crew aboard the Pacific Star for a seven-hour Hauraki Gulf outing from Waiheke. Expect sailing, a guided walk on a pest-free island, seabirds, possible dolphins or whales, swimming, snorkeling, SUP boarding, lunch, and time to relax on deck.

“Wind and sailing were excellent. Captain Bruce let us sail quite a bit. We also had a walk on Tiritiri Matangi island that had amazing birds and views. His lunch spread was also top-notch.”

Check availability →Read our full review