See the highlights of Auckland on a 2.5-hour sailboat cruise on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. Cruise to a sheltered marina where you enjoy a 3-course dinner while at anchor, then see the highlights of the city, including Sky Tower and Auckland Harbour Bridge. Your expert captain shares fun and informative facts about Auckland and its iconic sights throughout your tour. Appreciate the beauty of Auckland as evening falls during this memorable dinner cruise.
Board your sailboat at Viaduct Harbour to start your dinner cruise. Your expert captain welcomes you to the vessel and provides a safety briefing before you set out on the water. Take a seat in the cockpit and enjoy the fresh breeze and city views as your 50-foot (15-meter) yacht glides from Viaduct Harbour to a calm anchorage in Westhaven Marina.
While your boat is at anchor, savor a delicious 3-course dinner served in the dining room below deck. A range of beverages can be purchased from the ship's bar. Afterward, soak in the sights of the city as it lights up for the night while your boat sails across the waters of Waitemata Harbour.
Get amazing views of waterfront highlights including Auckland Harbour Bridge and the Ferry Building. See the iconic Sky Tower, which measures more than1,066 feet (325 meters) and is the tallest building in New Zealand. In the distance, the volcanic cone of Mount Eden rises above the surrounding fields and city outskirts. Your captain points out suburbs such as Devonport and gives you background on the sights that you pass throughout your cruise. Take great photos of Auckland during the light of the "magic hour" at dusk.
Learn about New Zealand’s national passion for sailing, and their strong performances in international competitions such as the America’s Cup. You also have the option to try your hand at steering the boat or helping the crew to hoist the sails. Or just relax and savor the experience.
After a 2.5-hour cruise, your sailboat returns to Viaduct Harbour where your tour ends.
I ENJOYED THIS CRUISE VERY MUCH. THE STAFF WERE WONDERFUL, VERY HELPFUL. THE FOOD WAS GOOD. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD BEEN OUT IN A BOAT THIS SIZE AND I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. I WOULD RECOMEND THIS TRIP TO EVERYBODY
Review by: Debra S, March 2018
I want everyone to experience the fun and beautiful sunset we had. We were so lucky that our captain really let us experience sailing in the harbor. Food was out of this world, and on our cruise the chef's came along so I was able to compliment them myself. Great excursion to do.
Review by: Audrey W, February 2018
This tour is probably best for folks who are not overly familiar with sailing vessels and are looking for something a bit different. Our guides were Jess and Quinton, who managed the sailing of the boat while providing bar services, being our waiters and providing running commentary on the sights around the harbour and general conversation on any other topic that came up. There were 10 of us on board, so these guys were quite busy at times! We had chosen a lamb pot pie as our main course for dinner, which was very tasty. These are preselected and preprepared meals brought on board just prior to the start of the cruise though, so dont expect a fancy sit down dinner! Our group also chose to have dinner outside on deck at the back of the sailboat rather than sit inside the hull. This provided a much more scenic and relaxed atmosphere. One complementary drink was provide from a limited selection of wines and beers. For our particular cruise, they had not brought along a cash box, so we enjoyed a number of refills on our drinks at no charge! Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this outing, and recommend it highly!
Review by: Holly R, February 2018
It is on a sailboat. The food was marvelous. The main courses including the salmon and the lamb were outstanding! My husband, an avid sailor was allowed to steer the boat and he was in heaven. The sailing portion was about 15 miles and one hour and we were able to see the lights come on in the city
Review by: Carol D, February 2018
Dinner was good and the sail was pleasant
Review by: ewan m, February 2018
Very enjoyable and informative harbour cruise._br/_ Fun and friendly crew._br/_ Food better than expected...very yummy!_br/_ Would recommend.
Review by: Nerida G, February 2018
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Andrea C, February 2018
Dinner was good and the views were nice. However, it was a little awkward being the only single person on the cruise.
Review by: Lance G, January 2018
Boat captain was excellent. After motoring around the harbor, seeing the sights and having our dinner, he took the boat to a location where we could have a long sail back to the dock after dinner. We enjoyed the setting sun and city views as we sailed along for what seemed like an hour. Fantastic experience.
Review by: sandip r, January 2018
Great experience. Sailing was great.
Review by: Sheryl B, January 2018
A VERY pleasant, relaxing ride on a yacht around Auckland Harbor. Highlight of the sail was having a turn at the wheel AND then watching my 84 year old mother having a go at it as well reliving experiences from the 1930's. Liked the option of having to a table below deck to eat dinner dinner could use an upgrade, but I was there for the view mostly. Captain/crew were friendly, helpful, personable had no doubt we were in good hands. Would recommend this excursion. Serious suggestion would be to give more clear directions to the wharf - it is a busy area of town and not especially easy to find for people who are totally unfamiliar with Auckland maybe include a map with your paperwork.
Review by: Brenda L, January 2018
Excellent cruise!
Review by: Valerie A, December 2017
Had a wonderful evening and meal despite the lack of a breeze only meant we didn't get very far!
Review by: Keith M, December 2017
Did not enjoy the dinner.
Review by: Lizbh, November 2017
Wonderful sailing,but dont go for the average dinner.
Review by: blindman.clark, November 2017
Great way to see Auckland Harbour! Captain and crew were amazing!
Review by: Deborah P, October 2017
Happy and personable young crew made this 3 hour dinner cruise an memorable Auckland experience. Given the limitations of the small galley kitchen, the 3 courses offered were to be commended. Returning after dinner, under sail, the lights of the City in the background, was a wonderful way to finish.
Review by: Dan V, October 2017
Amazing my wife got to steer for a vey short time was a highlight of our New Zealand Trip
Review by: Kristina P, September 2017
What a nice way to wind your day down. Sailing on the water, while being served dinner watching the sun set. Only wish we could have stayed out on the water longer. Highly recommend.
Review by: Koda, August 2017
Good food. Nice romantic atmosphere!
Review by: JAMES O, June 2017
One of our favorite things we did in Auckland. The boat held about 10 of us and we sailed around the Harbor while we were served appetizers and drinks. It was a little cool, so we chose to be served dinner in the cabin, which was very nice and the food was delicious. Afterwards, we went back up, and were served hot chocolate. Our captain was very friendly- he let any of us who wanted to drive the boat for a bit. Even though the sunset was not so good because of the weather, the lights of Auckland coming back into the harbor were beautiful.
Review by: Jeffrey H, March 2017
Great tour! Our tour guides were full of energy and very funny! We definitely enjoyed our unique experience in Auckland!
Review by: Jeffrey H, March 2017
Great tour! Our tour guides were full of energy and very funny! We definitely enjoyed our unique experience in Auckland!
Review by: Lawrence A, March 2017
Crew was friendly and informative. Appetizers were good, however main course was below average. Tour included one free beverage of choice included alcohol, asked for white wine, they didn't have any on board, so much for beverage of choice. Would have preferred just paying for the cruise and going out to dinner elsewhere.
Review by: tttxmn, March 2017
The captain made this cruise even more enjoyable with his extreme knowledge of everything about the Harbour. His stories were great. Bits of trivia about the cup racing and training were very interesting. The meal was very good, I had the lamb shepard's pie. Gave everyone a chance to steer the ship.
Review by: mlblaze4446, February 2017
A great perspective of the city and harbor. The crew was knowledgeable and interesting.
Review by: Janet E, February 2017
Lovely evening sailing in the Harbour. Very knowledgable crew and tasty dinner!
Review by: Adrianna G B, February 2017
Amazing! Crew was great enjoyed the harbor especially when it got dark and Auckland was light up. Beautiful!
Review by: Doug E, January 2017
Staff did an outstanding job. I met some great people!
Review by: May, December 2016
Amazing cruise. Food is good.
Review by: Marilynne S, December 2016
the atmosphere was so so friendly. the crew were great. even in the rain it was great. the sun came out as we boarded which made the trip more enjoyable. the meal is so so but who cared. the people we met on the boat made the trip for us
Review by: carpecactus, November 2016
Really great, love that it is a small group tour, only issue was the weather, which obviously is out of our control, still had a great time and got to steer the boat!
Review by: Marilyn R, November 2016
The crew were so good a little bit like comedy act, really made us laugh. It was great to be able to take over the controls of the boat. The food was very good considering the small area the crew had to work in
Review by: tpftantris, November 2016
Had a wonderful time and loved it, perfect start to my 2.5 days of vacation time in Auckland. I was going alone and was a bit unsure whether that was going to be awkward or not and it was fine.. would be more fun eating with someone. But a great time sailing and interesting information about boats, harbor and sailing as well as Auckland!
Review by: Jennifer D, October 2016
Short sail but fun and pleasant. Satisfactory food. Dinner ate into the sailing time and the location for dinner was a bit weird tied up across a mooring chanel.
Review by: Bill, September 2016
VERY BAD. DINNERS WERE SERVED COLD AND DID NOT TASTE WELL AT ALL. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TRIP TO ANYONE. NOT MUCH WIND, MOTERED MOST OF THE WAY FOR A SAIL BOAT. TERRIBLE
Review by: dave, August 2016
very nice. Don't expect gourmet food, but its a nice ride.
Review by: paul.eaton48, June 2016
Great trip. A gentle evening with little breeze. The sail was hoisted and we sailed quietly up the harbour. Coming back we had to use power though. Sailing at night was wonderful. Some of us even got to steer the yacht. That was an experience that was in itself worth the trip. The food was very good. I will do this again.
Review by: Siew W C, May 2016
An enjoyable cruise of Auckland Harbour in the evening. Good photo/video opportunities of the city skyline and harbour. Food/drink were OK. Crew were friendly and provided good commentary.
Review by: george, April 2016
Nice cruise but too crowded. Great view of the city at night.
Review by: VICKY A R, March 2016
The crew was great and unlike other dinner cruises we have experienced, this one involved a little high speed sailing after dinner. The dinner was marginal, at best
Review by: Lesley v, March 2016
A great experience even though the weather was overcast and rainy. The food was nothing fantastic but did not detract from the cruise.
Review by: David P, March 2016
Highly enjoyable cruise around Harbor dinner was delicious
Review by: 2016 NZ Dan and Mary Jo, February 2016
Great 2 and one half hour tour of Auckland harbor aboard smaller sailing ship. Crew of three was very attentive and served an enjoyable meal.
Review by: john w, February 2016
Lovely evening on the water. Friendly fun crew and the food was excellent. Everyone had an opportunity of taking the wheel. Would highly recommend the experience to all.
Review by: Neil S, January 2016
We had the best day / evening with theses guys. Fantastic sailing, lots of laughs, the crew were terrific. Recommend it 10/10
Review by: Teresa C, November 2015
The dinner harbour cruise is a lovely way to see the sunset over this beautiful city. Dinner is serviced by the crew and is provided by a local restaurant on the wharf. Dinner is decent. But be sure to bring cash if you'd like beer or wine with your meal.
Review by: DR AJ W, November 2015
The sailing and the cruising bits are worth it, and the views spectacular, but the food is a let-down. If only the menus were not as over-the-top in their description of what would be on offer, one's expectations would have aligned better with the pretty ordinary food that was actually served. They're doing themselves a disservice by promising too much in that respect. And much clearer and more specific directions are needed on where the meeting point is the Viaduct Harbour is pretty big, and no-one we asked at establishments - some as close to 50 metres from the kiosk knew where either that, or the Snapdragon Bar was.
Review by: Louise M, November 2015
Wonderful night out sailing for the first time. Small group which was lovely. Food was good. the crew was friendly and knowledgeable. defo worth doing when you visit Auckland or to celebrate something special.
Review by: derek v, September 2015
poor food, cold, undercooked and very average .dinner was not served in a bay it was in a marina!! _br/_ actual time trying to sail was very poor and only just met the sailing criteria_br/_ overall experience VERY UNDERWELMED_br/_ Only gave 1 star as 0 stars was not an option
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