Boat Trips & Cruises · Auckland CBD

Auckland Harbour Sailing

4.4381 Google reviews

Younger kids (4–8)Older kids (9+)Outdoors

How muchTe utu: $65–$110
Their siteHe pārongo atu anō: exploregroup.co.nz
Last checkedI tirohia: Last checked 15 Aug 2026

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LocationTe wāhi

Auckland CBD

Viaduct Harbour

Directions Website

What it is

A 1.5-hour sailing cruise on the Waitematā Harbour, this experience puts the Auckland city skyline and the Harbour Bridge in front of families from the best possible vantage point — on the water. The crew offer informative commentary about the harbour and its history throughout.

Families can simply sit back on deck or get hands-on and help the crew sail the purpose-built 50-foot yacht, which tends to be a highlight for children. The boat pitches and rolls as a working sailing yacht, so little ones get a genuine sense of being at sea. A hot drink and a cookie are included for everyone aboard.

The experience is noted as suitable for all ages, with children under five travelling free. Guests do need to be able to independently manage stairs to board and disembark, so those with limited mobility are best advised to check ahead.

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.