Auckland Harbour Sailing Experience
Badge of Excellence
Auckland, New Zealand
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy views of Auckland you can’t get from land while sailing on a yacht in the Waitemata Harbour. Your Auckland cruise sets sail from the Viaduct Harbour, passing Auckland Harbour Bridge, Westhaven Marina, and Devonport while you listen to informative commentary on the sights. Relax as you take in the views or help the crew sail the vessel—it’s up to you. Provided snacks and hot drinks keep you energized.
- See first-hand why Auckland is known as the City of Sails
- Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and a sweet treat are included
- Plenty of photo opportunities of the city and harbor
- Learn more about Auckland through informative commentary
What's Included
- 1.5-hour cruise aboard a yacht
- Complimentary tea, coffee or hot chocolate and cookie
- Live commentary on board
- Use of windproof and waterproof jackets
- Gratuities
- Private transportation
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Explore Group - AucklandExplore Booking Kiosk Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Go to the Maritime Museum Koel Cafe, the Explore Kiosk is diagonally across from there.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Set sail from Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour on a cruising yacht for a morning or afternoon on the water. Your captain welcomes you aboard and the crew supplies windproof and waterproof jackets, depending on weather conditions.
After a brief introduction accompanied by a safety briefing, depart the Viaduct Harbour for a sightseeing tour that includes interesting commentary on Auckland, the City of Sails.
Once you have enjoyed morning or afternoon tea—including coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and a sweet treat—in the sunshine or below deck, the crew sets the sails to cruise Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour. You have the option of helping the crew sail the vessel or simply sitting back and relaxing as you take advantage of photo ops.
Glide past the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Westhaven Marina, the charming suburb of Devonport, and the city skyline before returning to the starting point.
After a brief introduction accompanied by a safety briefing, depart the Viaduct Harbour for a sightseeing tour that includes interesting commentary on Auckland, the City of Sails.
Once you have enjoyed morning or afternoon tea—including coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and a sweet treat—in the sunshine or below deck, the crew sets the sails to cruise Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour. You have the option of helping the crew sail the vessel or simply sitting back and relaxing as you take advantage of photo ops.
Glide past the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Westhaven Marina, the charming suburb of Devonport, and the city skyline before returning to the starting point.
Viaduct Harbour (Pass By)
Auckland Harbour Bridge (Pass By)
Waitemata Harbour (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Toilet is also located on-board vessel
- Guests must be able to independently use stairs to board and disembark. This experience is onboard a sailing yacht which includes moving parts and ropes, during the experience the boat will pitch and roll. For those with limited mobility please contact us for more information
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Lee_S
We had a great time with Pippa, Alec and Olivia. The crew was quite friendly and the sailing was top notch. It was a windy day and the boat keeled over and glided effortlessly through the harbour. I would not hesitate to recommend. A true sailing adventure!
Reviews
4.5
based on 92 reviews
Lee_S, Apr 2026
We had a great time with Pippa, Alec and Olivia. The crew was quite friendly and the sailing was top notch. It was a windy day and the boat keeled over and glided effortlessly through the harbour. I would not hesitate to recommend. A true sailing adventure!
Jared_W, Mar 2026
I wanted to take my family sailing because it seems like such a part of the NZ, especially Auckland, lifestyle. I understood they would be teaching us some about sailing and generally explaining the role of sailing in Kiwi culture. The staff were very uninterested and only talked when we asked questions. The sailing experience was not interactive, except for him letting us take the wheel for a couple of minutes. I would not recommend this experience. Also, if you’re looking for a quiet, romantic experience, this isn’t the thing either. Just pass.
Ruth_W, Mar 2026
Wonderful crew and we all had a turn at steering the yacht 😊
Weather was perfect too.
Recommend to everyone!
Lorna_F, Feb 2026
This was a pleasant afternoon sailing on the water. We enjoyed great views of the Auckland skyline from another perspective. The crew was great. Our only disappointment was a bit of crowding on the rather small vessel.
Irene_C, Feb 2026
If you have not been on a sailboat, this is a must do experience. The staff were friendly and tentative, informative and helpful. We went around the harbor under Auckland bridge and back. We’ve been many harbor cruises, this one is very unique on a sailboat. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Emmanuel_E, Feb 2026
The skippers were very accommodating and hospitable. I was able to enjoy sailing even for someone who hasn’t done it before.
beachbunker, Feb 2026
Wonderful thrilling experience! We thoroughly enjoyed the boat, the guides and the scenery! Highly recommend this tour
Mary_S, Feb 2026
Relaxing sail on the harbor!!! Captain was VERY INFORMATIVE, had a wonderful disposition, and we appreciated his hard-working/charming first mate. Learned about racing, history of area, the Harbor bridge construction, and fundamentals of sailing. My husband took the helm for a short time!
Gillian_I, Feb 2026
I have recommended it to people already. Excellent. Highly recommended.
A really quality operation. The front desk is perhaps not the best, I tried to book direct and it was a bit 'computer says no' but via Viator it was easy. My only comment.
Stephanie_V, Feb 2026
Easy to arrange and access! Boats right in inner harbor near all the restaurants. Beautiful Americas cup type sailboat captained by Hamish and mate Finn. Great way to see Auckland from the water with insights on the yachting culture of Auckland.
Erich_P, Feb 2026
Very much worth doing. We went on a windy day so really got to go sailing, not just putting about. Great fun. Highly recommended.
michellecostonjohnso, Jan 2026
beautiful day for a quick morning trip around the harbour. not too crowded and sailing staff professional
Henry_R, Jan 2026
A pleasant way to spend 90 minutes. We did have some wind so we did get some sailing in. Overall, worth considering!
Carolyn_H, Nov 2025
Relaxing way to see Auckland’s skyline. The captain and first mate were friendly and took good care of us!
Jennie_W, Nov 2025
Sailing was amazing! My husband doesn't really love boats so I wasn't sure how comfortable he would be but he loved it! The guides were great and very knowledgeable about the harbor and history. The day was perfect for sailing. I can't recommend this enough. SO FUN!
Justin_G, Nov 2025
Great introduction to Auckland. Beautiful views. And we got to steer to sailboat! Would recommend to all!
Gregory_h, Sep 2025
A nice relaxing sail in Auckland harbor. Great crew and vessel. Had a wonderful time with group of friends.
Aidan_O, Aug 2025
Great to celebrate a honey moon and 60th on the boat this afternoon, staff fun and easy going, Auckland winter weather perfect
Bonnie_A, Mar 2025
Easy ride around the bay. Nice crew and relaxed environment. You can help pull or unfold sails if you want. Or to steer the boat.
lb434406, Mar 2025
Fun adventure. Driving the boat was awesome. More narration of the area would have been nice. Good skippering.
Tom_M, Feb 2025
The sailing yacht was well crewed with experienced staff, who also explained everything that was happening or going to happen with the sailing operation.The experience provided us with a different view of Auckland. We thought it was a good experience and value for money.
Kari_A, Feb 2025
Really nice sailing experience. Great captain and crew. Nice way to see Auckland and experience the “city of sails.”
Donna_M, Feb 2025
You are in the sun but they supplied water snack and sunscreen. Music and you were on a sailboat. Very fun
Mark_S, Jan 2025
We enjoyed the sailing experience! Our boat and crew were great. Harbor views of shore and other boats were interesting and beautiful. We would have liked a little more historical commentary on the harbor and maybe a couple of less passengers on the boat.
Kylie_F, Dec 2024
We enjoyed the half hour sailing but was pretty bland. We were pretty annoyed that Viator advised us that or tour included purchasing alcohol on the cruise only to find that this was incorrect from the companies liquor licensing laws. When we asked for a refund the staff were excellent at sorting out a compromise. It was totally not their fault and purely Victor’s. But otherwise it would have been a really boring 1 1/2 hrs on the water sailing in and out of the harbour. Having a few beers made all of the difference so strongly suggest you book a different cruise or lobby Explore group to change their policies.
Of note out of the other ten people on board pretty much,uch everyone else also jumped at chance of drinking!
Souren_C, Nov 2024
What an incredible experience! The boat is well-maintained and spacious. The crew was super friendly, making everyone feel welcome and relaxed throughout the trip. The wind conditions were perfect, providing an excellent sailing experience. A special highlight was when the captain let me take the helm—such a thrilling and memorable moment! The views of Auckland from the water were amazing. I highly recommend this sailing trip for anyone looking to enjoy the sea, great company, and breathtaking scenery!
David_M, Nov 2024
Lovely day; very interesting letting some passengers with boating experience spend some time steering the boat.
Stacy_M, Oct 2024
Just a wonderful experience! The water was calm and the sailing was very relaxing. The skipper and his helper were very attentive and social. I'd highly recommend!
Gabby_O, Sep 2024
My boys both being able to Sail the ship, alongside the super friendly crew. Alongside the other passengers whom were on board with us. Made for a very delightful time.
EricAlfonso_L, Sep 2024
Nothing they offer in the booking is true... they didn't give us tea or coffee, cookies or chocolate, nor did they provide the jacket that was mentioned in the booking... I really don't recommend them.
From $66.40
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Auckland Harbour Sailing Experience
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1 hour 30 minutes
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