America's Cup Sailing: Auckland Harbour Adventure

Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or sit back, relax and enjoy the sail on an America’s Cup racing yacht as you sail Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. Become part of the crew and feel the thrill of yachting at its best. Or just sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere and stunning harbour scenery.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Waitemata Harbour - The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, New Zealand offers you the unique opportunity to participate in sailing on these grand prix racing machines. A once in a lifetime must do attraction…
What's Included
  • Sail on an authentic America’s Cup Yacht
  • Use of wet weather jackets and sunscreen
  • Informative commentary from our knowledgeable crew
  • Opportunity to participate in sailing the vessel as part of our crew
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks (not available on board)
  • Gratuities
Additional Information
  • Minimum age is 10 years
  • Sailing is subject to weather conditions, please dress appropriately Flat shoes such as sneakers or boat shoes are best
Location
Explore Group - Auckland
Quay Street
Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to departure time at the Explore Kiosk in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, diagonally opposite the Maritime Museum.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(182 Ratings)
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2ectravelers
Sep 30, 2024
Wind power is thrilling. - The boat flies under sail and although it became too much wind, experiencing this beautiful boat slice through the water was a thrill. A great time on the water!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bethhb1859td
Jul 13, 2024
Sailing the Waitemata - sublime experience - Amazing experience. So nice to be out sailing on the beautiful Waitemata again! The crew were super helpful and looked after everyone really well, instructing their guests how to take the helm, work the grinders. It really showed the uninitiated how fit those sailors have to be and how hard they have to work on the America's Cup racing yachts. Thank you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vicky_h
Jun 29, 2024
Even a slow sail is better than no sail! - The crew was great! We had a lot of fun. Even got to turn the grinders. The crew was a little frustrated that there was no wind, so it was a very slow sail. They even gave us a voucher that’s good for as long as companies sit there to come back another day because they didn’t feel like they had given us a “proper sail”
Review provided by Viator
Sebbrandt
Jun 15, 2024
Well worth it - Phenomenal few hours. Boat is a weapon, fast and agile. Crew are awesome and very knowledgeable about all things sailing
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seaside51476071948
May 9, 2024
Stunning sailing day - Amazing trip I got to really feel apart of the team. Driving and grinding really showed me how much work sailers put into there work. Makes me proud how Nz won.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Axel
May 8, 2024
Beautiful Auckland scenery and sailing history - It was a fantastic and comprehensive look at the history of the americas cup as well as how sailing boats worked. I thought it was truly beautiful
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carin_b
Apr 16, 2024
Great experience! - This was a really fun experience! I have never really enjoyed sailing but today I really did. Great crew, easy to join and a wonderful day.
Review provided by Viator
Bandit384
Mar 28, 2024
Great Sail! - A great sail on a windy day. The crew did of sailing the boat with vigor while keeping everyone (relatively) dry. Good weather gear made the trip comfortable, even with a rain shower.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deepcove02
Aug 20, 2024
Buyer beware! - Last April we boarded a cruise from Sydney, Australia, that stopped in New Zealand, Tahiti, and ended in Honolulu. We rarely take excursions while on a cruise, but as a person who loved to sail years ago, the chance to sail on an America's Cup racing boat through the Aukland harbour sounded too exciting to pass up. We booked directly through the Explorer group, which seemed sensible and was cheaper than booking through the ship, of course. The reason we decided to travel from Vancouver to Australia and New Zealand this year, is because I am going blind. I have very little sight left, so we knew that time was running out for me to see this distant part of the world. Our cruise ship docked right in the Aukland harbour, and we walked by to see our ship in the morning. Our tour was booked for 1 p.m. We were impressed with the size of the boat and had a pleasant chat about the afternoon tour with one of the crew members working onboard. We raced around several blocks of downtown Aukland, then back to our ship so we could dress for our tour. We arrived on time, to find only one, sad-looking, person at the top of the marina. A young woman informed us that the Tour Was Cancelled! We were dumbstruck. We asked the reason, expecting an emergency or onboard malfunction, but they said that there were not enough people signed up!! How is this our problem? We booked weeks ago, paid in full, and travelled half way around the world, for my last chance to see New Zealand, from a sailing ship or from anywhere!! We will never be back there again, and to make matters worse, they must have known, days earlier, or at least That Day, that they might decide not to sail. Instead they told us less than 3 hours before our cruise was to leave N.Z.! We could have booked any number of tours to at least see the local sites, but now it was too late! All the tour operators were gone and any afternoon buses etc. were full. How incredibly thoughtless, callous and selfish can this company be?! It's what they advertise and at least there were 5 people signed up - so what if you make a little less profit for a 2 hour tour?! It is not that they couldn't sail, they just couldn't be bothered for too few people. Again, not my problem - and you took my money weeks ago. The poor young woman who had no answers (she was left there on her own. We were told that no employees or crew were available to speak with us...) and just had to repeat the bad news, kept assuring us that we would get a "full refund". Yes, I said, that is My money - you're not giving me anything. In fact you're taking away our only chance to sail or explore any part of Aukland. It sounded good on paper - a longtime dream finally realized, but NO. Buyer beware! Apparently they have plenty of business, so they don't care who they disappoint, and thus this poor review might make little difference, but I write so future tourists will weigh the risks. I hope you are treated much better than this.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert_k
Jun 2, 2024
Be careful of “full refund” claim. - Be aware that this vendor will not cancel a trip, but will motor around (not sail) if there is no wind so that they do not have to offer a refund. Although they state a full refund will be offered, we were only offered a future tour coupon. Because we were in Auckland on a cruise, we could return another time to use the coupon. In addition, the coupon contained our names and could ONLY be used by us.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 9 guests
1 Adult
November 2024
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