6 Sailing Trips in New Zealand to Build a Day Around

1.Lake Taupo: Classical Sailing to the Māori Rock Carvings

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

Spend 150 minutes sailing from Taupō Marina to the Māori Rock Carvings with a friendly English-speaking crew. You may sail aboard the classic yacht Fearless or a catamaran, depending on wind and weather. Expect local stories, a swim stop, blankets, and a complimentary drink.

“The activity was absolutely fantastic. Our skipper was so knowledgeable and informative about the local area and the carvings. I can only recommend this tour to anyone who wants to do it. We also had a long swim session where we could jump off the boat into the beautiful lake.”

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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 14-meter Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay. Chris or Pete may guide the 2.5-hour cruise, sharing local myths, lake facts, and volcano stories. Bring warm layers, sunscreen, and swimwear. Evening trips include a complimentary wine, beer, or soft drink.

“Great relaxing way to see the lake and the Māori carvings. Nice swimming opportunity too! The evening tour added bonus is the wine and beer option.”

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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 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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4.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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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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