The 7 Harbour and Bay Cruises in New Zealand That Earn Their Price

1.Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,143 reviews · from $80Our pick

Spend two hours aboard a stable catamaran with local skippers, guides, and dolphin-spotting dogs such as Albie. Look for rare Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, white-flippered penguins, seabirds, Akaroa Lighthouse, and Banks Peninsula scenery. Your fare includes a beer, New Zealand wine, or soft drink, plus a family-recipe cookie.

“Loved it! Everyone was so enthusiastic about the wildlife and it seeped into everyone onboard! We got very lucky with a gap in the awful weather and even luckier (given the conditions) to see dolphins and an albatross. Dog was a welcome plus also who kept everyone aboard smiling. Would highly recommend.”

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2.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 past the Sky Tower, Ferry Building, and Harbour Bridge. Enjoy a welcome drink, live commentary, and a three-course dinner while the crew may invite you to help with the sails or take the wheel. Jackets and blankets are supplied.

“What a beautiful way to see Auckland Harbor, and the city other than a sunset, cruise coming back into the harbor and you get to see some of the sunset colors against the backdrop of Auckland and the sky tower was beautiful”

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

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

Join Explore Group New Zealand at Viaduct Harbour for two hours aboard an ex-America’s Cup yacht. Professional crew members, including guides such as Alex, Julia, Annabelle, Luke, and Jessie, explain the boat and invite you to steer, grind the winches, and help with the sails. No sailing experience is needed.

“Excellent sailing in the fastest boat in Auckland Harbor. I got to grind on the winches and I got to drive!! We got the genaker up and the boat was really flying. A most excellent adventure!!”

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4.Auckland: Scenic Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 369 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35Best value

Board at Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal for a 90-minute Fullers cruise across Waitematā Harbour. An English-speaking local guide covers Auckland’s waterfront and maritime past as you view the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, skyline, and coastal scenery. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, with cafés, toilets, WiFi, and power points on most vessels.

“This tour run by Fullers. The commentary was good, the day was overcast, which unfortunately did not show the harbour at its best. The windows could have done with a good clean, as they were very streaked. We sat inside, so unable to take any decent photos.”

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5.Auckland: Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

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

Spend 2.5 hours sailing Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour aboard a 50-foot yacht with an English-speaking captain and crew. Choose one main and dessert from a New Zealand menu, try steering the boat, and enjoy a welcome drink, city views, local stories, jackets, and blankets. Captain Noel and crew members such as Alex, Jessie, Peter, and Sophie have helped make this a warm, personal evening.

“The sailing experience is most memorable. The food is good. However, the captain seems to be a racist, paying no attention to Asians at all all through the voyage. During the whole course, he only responded and have conversation with white people. It is fortunate that the other younger crew members are much more friendly to all indiscriminately.”

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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 at Viaduct Harbour for a 90-minute cruise on a 50-foot yacht. Sail past the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Westhaven Marina, Devonport, and Auckland’s skyline while the English-speaking crew explains the sights. You can help with the sails or take the helm, then enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a cookie.

“Peaceful sailing trip out and around the Harbour. The crew was very and friendly.”

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7.Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 265 reviews · 4h 30m · from $107

Spend 4.5 hours cruising from Paihia through the Bay of Islands, with live commentary, wildlife watching, and a weather-dependent passage through the Hole in the Rock. The trip includes lunch and 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island, where you can walk, swim, or hire a kayak or paddleboard in summer.

“A thoroughly enjoyable trip around the Bay of Islands, including a fun drive through the ‘hole in the rock’. We slowed down by a few bays, were directed to a provided map so that we could orientate ourselves, and we were given insightful information about these areas. Such a beautiful location, and even on the slightly overcast day, it was stunning. Towards the later part of the cruise, we had a stop on Otehei Island for lunch, which was delicious, and then enjoyed some free time - we opted for a pretty 40 min walk around part of the island, but was very tempted to swim/snorkel. Then it was back…”

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