Boat Trips & Cruises · Auckland CBD

America's Cup Sailing Experience

4.4381 Google reviews

Older kids (9+)Outdoors

How muchTe utu: $150–$210
Their siteHe pārongo atu anō: exploregroup.co.nz
Last checkedI tirohia: Last checked 8 Aug 2026

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LocationTe wāhi

Auckland CBD

Directions Website

What it is

Few things on Auckland's waterfront match the thrill of stepping aboard a genuine America's Cup race yacht on the Waitematā Harbour. This two-hour experience puts families to work alongside a professional crew — taking the helm, grinding the winches, or simply soaking up the city views from the water. No sailing knowledge is required; the crew guide participants through everything.

Those who prefer to sit back and watch the action are equally welcome, and an informative commentary covers the harbour itself as well as the history of the America's Cup. Lifejackets are provided and worn throughout.

The experience suits children aged 10 and over, though families should note the yacht pitches and rolls under sail, and guests must be able to step aboard and disembark independently. It is an adventure activity, so anyone with relevant medical conditions is advised to check suitability beforehand.

What other parents say

MJ Raatza month ago

What a spectacular experience. Under the southern cross on a peaceful sailing evening just with the wind in the sales and a wonderful 3 course dinner. Pippa the Skipper, Craig and Billi were wonderful hosts. This is a must do if you love the water - such a great sunset cruise!

Susan Heggie5 months ago

We took the Tikapa Moana full day tour. We were lucky to have outstanding weather - some cloud so not too hot and 24 degrees in early March. The gulf was like glass and visibility was incredible this meant we saw many dolphin pods up close, although no whales today. Plenty of viewing points on the boat. Great commentary, but not too much and lots of time to just enjoy the wildlife quietly. We took the Rotoroa Island stopover and tried two lovely swimming spots. Also incredibly beautiful. Highly recommend. Book directly, not through a travel company such as get your guide, as it will be slightly cheaper.

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Shopper Cecilia4 months ago

We recently went on a whale and dolphin watching trip, and while we didn’t spot any whales this time, we were lucky to see a large number of dolphins, which was still an amazing experience! Watching them swim and play alongside the boat was definitely a highlight. The tour also included a stop at a Man O War vineyard, which turned out to be a lovely surprise. We enjoyed a delicious meal there in a beautiful setting, making the trip feel even more special. Overall, even without the whales, the experience was very satisfying and well worth it. The combination of wildlife, scenery, and great food made for a memorable day. Would definitely recommend!

Troy Windhorst4 months ago

Why choose this ferry service? It’s pretty simple: Clean boat, friendly staff, efficient operation, and clean toilets. We purchased tickets for the purpose of visiting Tiritiri Matangi Island. To be honest, there were not many options, but we were 100% satisfied with Explore. The whole process was super easy. Good to know: This particular excursion was popular, so do book early—it will be sold out. We did have to use the service on a different day than intended.

Richard Scott4 months ago

Well worth the experience. Crew were very knowledgeable and we saw plenty of dolphins. They tried their best to find a Whale but wasn't to be this time. Despite that still good value for money and would recommend.

Reviews from Google.