6 Sailing Trips in New Zealand to Build a Day Around

1.Classical Sailing to the Māori Rock Carvings

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,275 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35Our pick

Set out from Taupō Marina for a 2.5-hour cruise to the 14-metre Ngātoroirangi carving, visible only from the water. You may sail aboard the yacht Fearless or a comfortable catamaran, depending on conditions. Local guides such as Aaron, Liam, Danny, Erin, and Dave add stories, and there is time for a swim.

“Such a good experience. Would recommend for anyone that was a chill afternoon with a swimming stop. The carvings were cool to see up close and the guides were great! Very informative and easy to talk to! Thank you :) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

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2.Maori Rock Carvings Eco Sailing Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 758 reviews · from $33Best value

Sail Barbary takes you across Lake Taupō in a small electric yacht to the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings. Captain Chris or Pete provides lively commentary, with swimming stops, refreshments, and evening wine or beer on selected departures.

“Great tour, knowledgeable and witty skipper made the slow bits entertaining. Great atmosphere, we got lucky with the weather.”

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3.Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner

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

Board a 50-foot sailing yacht at Viaduct Harbour for a 2.5-hour evening cruise with a welcome drink, three-course dinner, and live commentary. See the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Ferry Building, and Mt. Eden. You may help raise the sails or take the wheel, weather permitting.

“Highly recommend! Fabulous! A great way to see Auckland from the harbour. Customer service exceptional and crew extremely attentive couldn’t fault anything. 3 course meal flavoursome and delicious. Best fish I have ever had.”

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

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

Join a professional crew aboard an authentic America’s Cup yacht from Viaduct Harbour. You can help raise sails, work the winches, steer, or simply enjoy Auckland’s skyline and harbour. No sailing experience is needed, but you should be comfortable moving around the deck.

“An exciting sailing trip. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I would definitely recommend it. The crew were great. The hands on experience was amazing. It’s definitely not for the faint hearted.”

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5.Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

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

Join Explore Group Auckland for a 150-minute evening sail on Waitematā Harbour aboard a 50ft yacht. Choose a main and dessert from a New Zealand menu, listen to stories from your English-speaking crew, and enjoy the skyline, Harbour Bridge, sunset, and city lights. Jackets and blankets are provided.

“We had a great time even with a broken boom for the mainsail. The crew made sure we had a wonderful sail and the meal was fantastic! I felt well taken care of and had a good time the choice of music wasn’t bad either. 😁 Everyone from the office and the boat were friendly and helpful.”

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6.Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

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

Join Explore Group New Zealand for a 90-minute sailing cruise from Viaduct Harbour. A skipper and crew take you past the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Westhaven Marina, and Devonport, with live commentary, optional help at the helm, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate with a cookie.

“a beautiful sailboat and the skipper and crew were knowledge so we had no worries about taking our first sailboat ride. couldn't have been happier about on this tour. had some good sailboat manivores from turns to leaving into the water on turns. would do this again”

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