Is the America's Cup Sailing Experience in Auckland Worth It?

What the America’s Cup Sailing Experience is

The America’s Cup Sailing Experience is a two-hour sail on Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour aboard a former America’s Cup racing yacht. It leaves from Viaduct Harbour and is run by Explore Group. Instead of riding a motor launch around the harbour, you board a stripped-back race boat with a professional sailing crew.

After a safety briefing, the crew takes the yacht out and invites guests to get involved. You do not need to know how to sail. The crew sails the boat and supervises anyone who wants to help, and the grinders and the helm are offers, not jobs you have to do.

That makes the trip work for two quite different visitors. Active passengers can try some of the work a racing crew does. Sightseers can stay passengers, watch the action and enjoy the views across the harbour. It is more approachable than the words “America’s Cup yacht” might suggest.

How it differs from a regular Auckland sailing cruise

This is the question to settle before you pay the premium. A standard harbour sail is mostly about relaxing on the water and seeing the city. The America’s Cup trip is mostly about the yacht itself and the feeling of sailing it.

On the America’s Cup yacht

• a performance racing boat
• a more exposed deck
• plenty of ropes, winches and sailing hardware
• guests helping the crew
• the boat heeling as it sails
• fewer creature comforts
• a stronger connection to New Zealand’s sailing history

On a standard harbour sailing cruise

• a conventional cruising yacht
• a more relaxed pace
• more emphasis on sightseeing
• easier movement around the boat
• more comfort
• a much lower price

Explore runs both from the same kiosk: alongside the two-hour Cup trip there is the 90-minute Harbour Sailing Cruise on a 50-foot cruising yacht, NZ$115 direct or from US$65 on GetYourGuide.

If your thought is “I want to sail on one of those boats”, choose the America’s Cup trip. If it is “I want a lovely couple of hours sailing around Auckland”, choose the regular harbour sail. That distinction matters more than almost anything else on this page.

Are they real America’s Cup yachts?

Yes. Explore currently sails two, NZL 41 and NZL 68, and they are race yachts from the Cup’s monohull era rather than replicas built for sightseeing.

NZL 41

NZL 41 was built and raced by Japan’s challenge in the 1995 Louis Vuitton Cup, the challenger series for the America’s Cup, and reached the semi-finals alongside Team New Zealand, oneAustralia and Tag Heuer. Explore says the yacht is still close to its original racing configuration, with additions such as handrails for passenger safety.

• Length: about 24 metres (80 feet)
• Mast: about 34 metres (113 feet)

NZL 68

NZL 68 was commissioned for a German syndicate in 2003 and later used by Team New Zealand as a trial boat before the 2007 America’s Cup campaign. It is also close to its race configuration, apart from the changes needed for commercial passenger work and maritime safety. Its keel bulb alone weighs about 20 tonnes.

• Length: about 24 metres (80 feet)
• Mast: about 34 metres (113 feet)

Explore’s fleet information puts each yacht at about 30 passengers for leisure sailing.

Not one of today’s foiling yachts

Some visitors have seen recent America’s Cup footage and expect to step onto one of the boats that fly above the water on hydrofoils. You won’t. The yachts on Auckland’s public sailing experience belong to the earlier International America’s Cup Class monohull era. Modern Cup boats are far more extreme: for the 2021 defence in Auckland, teams raced 75-foot foiling AC75 monohulls capable of more than 50 knots in good conditions.

The older yachts are slower, and for a visitor that is an advantage. You can climb aboard, move around the deck, work the grinders and take the helm.

Why Auckland is the place to do it

The trip makes more sense here than a generic yacht ride would anywhere else, because the America’s Cup is part of modern Auckland. Team New Zealand won the trophy in 1995, beating Dennis Conner’s American defence 5–0 in San Diego, and defended it in Auckland in 2000. Hosting the Cup reshaped the waterfront: the Viaduct Basin was redeveloped for the event, and old working wharves became the visitor precinct you walk through today. New Zealand won the Cup back in Bermuda in 2017 and defended it on Auckland’s waters in 2021.

So when you leave the Viaduct on a former Cup yacht, the connection is unusually tangible. You sail out from the waterfront the competition made famous, onto the same wider harbour used for top-level racing, and that lifts the trip above a novelty ride.

What happens during the two hours

The route follows the wind and the conditions rather than a fixed sightseeing circuit, which is normal for sailing. A typical trip runs like this.

1. Check in at Viaduct Harbour

Explore asks you to check in 15 minutes before departure. Its booking kiosk is at the end of Quay Street in Viaduct Harbour, diagonally opposite the New Zealand Maritime Museum.

2. Safety briefing

The crew gives a full safety briefing before you sail. Lifejackets are supplied and must be worn at all times.

3. Leave the Viaduct

The yacht heads out into the Waitematā. How quickly the real sailing starts depends on the conditions.

4. Sails up

Once conditions allow, the crew gets the yacht under sail, and this is when volunteers may be called to the grinders.

5. Get involved

If you want an active trip, you can grind, help with the sails under instruction, take the helm and move across the deck as the yacht tacks. How much each person does depends on passenger numbers, the conditions and what the crew needs.

6. Sail the Waitematā

Much of the outing is spent sailing across the harbour, with views back to the skyline, the Harbour Bridge and Rangitoto.

7. Back to the Viaduct

The yacht returns to Viaduct Harbour about two hours after leaving.

What the grinders are

You will hear the word a lot. On traditional America’s Cup yachts, grinders are the crew who turn the big handles connected to the winches, and the power they generate lets the team control and trim the huge sails. The job is so closely tied to Cup racing that even modern Cup designs kept human-powered systems in some form.

On Auckland’s visitor trip, the grinders are one of the easiest ways to become part of the action. You don’t need any sailing knowledge, mostly enthusiasm, and possibly more arm strength than you expected.

Can you steer the yacht?

Quite possibly. Explore advertises the chance to take the helm under the professional crew’s supervision, and for many guests this is the highlight. Standing at the wheel of a 24-metre former race yacht with Auckland behind you is a different thing from looking at one.

Treat it as an opportunity, though, not a guaranteed turn. A shared trip can carry around 30 guests, and the time each person gets at the helm varies. If steering matters a lot to you, volunteer early when the crew asks.

How physical is it?

You don’t need to be athletic, and you can sit back if you don’t want to work the boat. The boat itself is physical, though. Unlike a stable sightseeing catamaran, a racing monohull heels under sail, pitches in waves, has ropes and gear across the working deck, makes you watch where you put your feet, and may ask you to move from one side to the other.

Explore says guests must be able to step up onto the yacht unaided and warns that it can pitch and roll. It is not a hard fitness activity, but it is nothing like sitting in a ferry seat.

How exciting is it?

That depends heavily on the wind. On a good sailing day it can be one of Auckland’s most exhilarating ways to see the city. As the breeze builds, the yacht heels, water rushes past the hull, the sails load up, the crew gets busier, the grinders start to make sense and steering suddenly feels like a real responsibility. Recent reviewers describe thrilling moments as the yacht leaned towards the water and praise the hands-on time at the helm and trimming the sails.

There is a flipside, and it gets its own section.

What if there isn’t enough wind?

This is the biggest drawback of any sailing trip: no operator can make wind. In very light conditions the yacht may move slowly or need its engine to reposition, and a trip you imagined as a racing experience becomes a pleasant but fairly sedate harbour outing. Some reviews describe exactly that, with guests disappointed by how little real sailing there was on a calm day. It is not a sign of a badly run trip, just the basic limit of sailing.

Our advice

If this is a bucket-list trip and you have several days in Auckland, book it early in your stay so you have room to rearrange if the weather interferes. Don’t book expecting a guaranteed adrenaline ride; think of a strong breeze as an upgrade that sometimes comes free.

Does the yacht go fast?

It can feel fast, because you are close to the water, the yacht heels, the deck is open and there is little between you and the sailing. Don’t expect modern America’s Cup speeds, though. These are displacement-era race yachts, not today’s foiling AC75s, so the feeling is closer to powerful traditional yacht racing than to flying across the harbour at 40 to 50 knots. That is still far more involving than a normal sightseeing boat.

What you see on the sail

The route changes with the wind and the harbour, so don’t book this expecting a checklist sightseeing tour. The Waitematā still gives some of Auckland’s best city views, and depending on the route and the visibility you may see:

• the city skyline and the Sky Tower
• Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter
• the Auckland Harbour Bridge
• Devonport and North Head (Maungauika)
• harbour islands and headlands
• Rangitoto in the distance
• ferries, other yachts and working harbour traffic

The best moment is often looking back at the city from open water, when the centre looks compact and the Sky Tower stands over everything.

Photography on board

You will get good photos, but photography comes second to the sailing. Likely shots include the skyline, the Harbour Bridge, sail and rigging details, other guests on the grinders, someone steering against the city and the open harbour.

This is a moving yacht, so don’t plan to spend two hours holding a phone over the rail. A wrist strap or a zipped pocket is sensible, and when the boat heels hard, holding on matters more than the picture.

What it costs

Explore Group’s own fares, in New Zealand dollars:

The trip lasts about two hours. On Viator, where the America’s Cup sail is now sold (GetYourGuide no longer lists it), the same trip starts from US$123 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and is rated 4.6 from 341 reviews. Prices can change, so check the price for your date before you book.

That makes it one of the more expensive short harbour trips in Auckland. If you think of it as a two-hour cruise, the price looks steep. If the comparison in your head is how often you will get to sail a former America’s Cup yacht, it looks much better.

Is NZ$215 good value?

Yes, if you

• are genuinely interested in sailing
• want to take the helm
• want an unusual Auckland experience
• like the America’s Cup connection
• prefer activities where you take part
• are visiting Auckland once and want something memorable

Maybe not, if you

• mainly want to see Auckland Harbour
• don’t mind which boat you are on
• dislike moving around on boats
• are mainly after drinks, food and comfort
• are on a tight sightseeing budget

A standard harbour sail gives you many of the same views for less. The extra money pays for the boat and the chance to sail it.

Departure times

Explore publishes a seasonal timetable. From April to October there is one sailing a day at 1:00pm. From November to March there are two, at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Each lasts about two hours, and Explore notes that the schedule can change with the tides, so check the live booking calendar before you plan around these times.

Where it leaves from

The trip leaves from Viaduct Harbour in central Auckland. Explore’s booking kiosk is at the end of Quay Street, diagonally opposite the New Zealand Maritime Museum. If you are staying in the centre, that is an easy walk from Britomart, Commercial Bay, Queen Street, Wynyard Quarter, the waterfront hotels and the Downtown Ferry Terminal. There is no transfer or long bus ride, which makes the trip easy to fit into an Auckland day.

How early to arrive

Explore asks you to check in 15 minutes before departure. We would aim for 20 to 30 minutes early: the waterfront is a pleasant place to wait, and it saves turning a premium sail into a sprint through the Viaduct.

What to wear

Dress for the harbour, not the city streets (what to wear on an Auckland harbour cruise goes into more detail). Explore asks for a light jacket and flat-soled shoes, and we would add a little more.

Wear

• trainers or deck shoes
• trousers or shorts you can move in
• layers
• a windproof outer layer
• sunglasses and sunscreen
• a hat that stays on, if you wear one

Avoid

• heels
• slippery soles
• long, loose clothing
• hats that blow off easily
• expensive accessories dangling from straps

Even on a sunny day the harbour feels noticeably cooler once you are out in the wind. Rain jackets are provided in wet weather.

Do you get wet?

Possibly. It is not a soaking-wet speedboat ride, but spray is possible, especially when the yacht is sailing hard, and Explore hands out wet-weather jackets when it rains. Keep electronics secure and don’t dress for a formal dinner straight afterwards.

Lifejackets

Lifejackets are supplied and must be worn for the whole trip, and the crew gives a safety briefing before departure.

Is it suitable for children?

Children must be at least 10, and the child fare covers ages 10 to 15. For the right child it can be fantastic: a sailing-mad 12-year-old who gets to work the grinders may remember it for years. A child who is nervous on a moving deck, or easily bored by sailing, may enjoy a conventional sightseeing cruise more.

The best age in practice

The trip works best for confident older children and teenagers, because the boat moves, heels and has working sailing gear all over the deck.

Is it suitable for older travellers?

Age alone isn’t the issue; mobility is. You need to be able to step aboard unaided, and the yacht pitches and rolls under way. An active traveller in their 70s may have no problem at all, while someone younger with balance or mobility limits may find it hard. If mobility is a concern, contact Explore before booking.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

A former race yacht is a hard boat for travellers with significant mobility restrictions. Explore says passengers must step on and off the vessel independently and asks anyone with limited mobility to get in touch first. For wheelchair users, or anyone who needs a stable, level boarding, a larger harbour cruise boat is far more suitable.

Pregnancy

Explore describes the trip as an adventure activity and does not recommend it for pregnant women. A conventional harbour cruise is the better choice.

Medical conditions

Explore asks you to discuss any relevant medical condition when you book. The things to think about are balance, mobility, being able to board unaided, motion sickness, sudden boat movement and, if you join in, physical effort. Working the grinders is entirely optional.

Will you get seasick?

The Waitematā is generally more sheltered than open-ocean sailing, but seasickness is still possible. The yacht is narrow, built to heel, more responsive to the wind than a large ferry and far smaller than a cruise ship. If you know you get seasick, prepare as you would for any small-boat trip. A yacht leaning over under sail is normal, even if your inner ear objects at first.

Is there a toilet on board?

Check this directly with Explore if it matters to you. These yachts were designed as racing machines, not passenger boats, so facilities are far more limited than on a sightseeing cruise. For a two-hour sail, the safe plan is to use the restroom before you board.

Is food or drink included?

Don’t choose this trip for the food: the focus is the sailing. If eating on the water is part of the plan, Auckland has dinner and leisure sails that make much more sense, including Explore’s own 2.5-hour Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise (NZ$180 direct, or from US$103 on Viator).

How many people are on board?

Explore’s fleet guide puts the America’s Cup yachts at about 30 passengers for leisure sailing. That is worth knowing before you go: this is not a private sailing lesson, and on a full trip you share the yacht and the turns with a sizeable group. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the hands-on side, but at least one reviewer felt the numbers limited how much they personally got to do. If maximum time at the helm is the goal, a private charter is a different proposition.

Can you just sit back?

Absolutely. Explore says participation is not compulsory. That suits couples where one person wants to grind the winches like a Team New Zealand crew member and the other would rather look at the skyline. You can both have the trip you want on the same boat.

Is it scary when the yacht heels?

It can look dramatic at first. Race yachts are meant to heel under sail, and when the boat leans and the low side nears the water, first-time sailors sometimes feel something has gone wrong. Usually it means the yacht is finally doing what it was built to do. Recent guests single out the heeling as one of the most exciting parts of the trip, and the professional crew stays in control throughout.

Is it good for solo travellers?

Yes, and arguably better than many romantic harbour cruises. Because everyone is encouraged to join in, you naturally talk to the crew, the people on the grinders with you and the passengers swapping turns at the helm. Several recent reviews come from solo travellers who rated it highly, and you won’t feel conspicuous arriving alone.

Is it good for couples?

Very good, though not romantic in the usual sense. It is less wine, sunset and quiet conversation, and more “your turn on the grinder, go!” For an active couple that can be far more memorable. For an anniversary or a proposal, we would book a sunset sail or the dinner sail instead, unless your partner genuinely loves sailing.

Worth it if you know nothing about sailing?

Yes. You need no experience, and in some ways the trip is more interesting when it is all new. You quickly learn why grinders are needed, how much force it takes to control big sails, why crew coordination matters, what happens during a tack and how responsive a race yacht feels. The crew gives instruction and commentary throughout, so it works almost as an introduction to high-performance sailing that happens to show you the city.

Worth it if you already sail?

Probably even more so. Experienced sailors notice things casual visitors miss: the deck layout, the winch systems, the sail handling, how the helm responds, the displacement, the keel, the enormous mast and how little comfort mattered in race-yacht design. Sailing an International America’s Cup Class yacht is hardly an everyday opportunity, even for people who own boats.

Can you choose NZL 41 or NZL 68?

Don’t count on it. Explore sails both, but a public booking is for the experience rather than a named yacht. If sailing one particular hull matters to you for its history, contact Explore before you book.

The best time of year

You can sail in Auckland all year, and the trip runs daily, with one sailing a day from April to October and two from November to March. There is no single best month, because a sail depends far more on the day’s wind and weather.

Summer, December to February

Warm temperatures, long days and an easy fit with other outdoor plans. Popular dates can fill, and the sun is stronger.

Autumn, March to May

Often a pleasant balance of warmth and fewer peak-season bookings.

Winter, June to August

Cooler and often wetter, but still perfectly capable of excellent sailing. Dress for it.

Spring, September to November

A good time for lively sailing, although the weather changes quickly.

Our best time for an Auckland harbour cruise guide goes through the months in more detail.

Morning or afternoon?

There is no universal winner, because the wind changes from day to day. In summer, when the 11:00am and 2:00pm sailings both run, choose the one that fits the rest of your day; nobody can predict the breeze weeks ahead. The earlier sailing leaves you more room to rebook if the weather causes a problem, while the afternoon can benefit from a developed sea breeze on some days. Check the forecast close to the day rather than worrying about the booking time.

Should you book ahead?

Yes, especially in summer, at weekends, in school holidays, when several cruise ships are in port, and if you are only in Auckland briefly. Travellers report the trip filling well ahead, including in February. If it is one of your priorities in Auckland, don’t leave it until the morning you want to sail.

How weather-dependent is it?

Very, and that is both its weakness and its charm. For sailing, the question is less sunny versus rainy than how much wind there is. A beautiful blue-sky day can give dull sailing if the harbour is calm, and a cloudy, breezy day can be far more exciting. If you want a predictable sightseeing trip whatever the wind, choose a powered harbour cruise. If you are happy to let the weather shape the day, sailing is more interesting.

What if it rains?

The trip can still run in wet weather, depending on conditions, and rain jackets are provided. Wind strength, visibility and the general state of the sea matter more for safety than rain alone.

Will bad weather cancel the trip?

It can. As with any sailing trip, the operator can change or cancel a departure if conditions are unsuitable. Check the cancellation terms when you book, especially if you are comparing Explore’s own website with a booking platform, because the policies can differ. On Viator, this trip can be cancelled for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure.

America’s Cup sail or the regular harbour sail?

For most visitors choosing between the two, this is the comparison that matters.

Which one to book

• First visit and you love sailing: the America’s Cup sail.
• First visit and you just want a lovely trip on the harbour: the regular harbour sail.
• Travelling with mobility concerns: the regular sail, or a motor cruise.
• Teenagers who want action: the America’s Cup sail.
• A relaxed, romantic afternoon: the regular sail or a sunset cruise.

Our sailing experience page compares all of Auckland’s sailing trips, including the dinner sail and a full day from Waiheke.

America’s Cup sail or a sightseeing cruise?

These are even further apart. A conventional sightseeing cruise, such as the Red Boats Sightseeing Cruise with Live Commentary, gives you stable seating, easy boarding, shelter, a predictable route, straightforward photography and sightseeing almost anyone can manage. The America’s Cup trip gives you physical sailing, changing conditions, an open deck, crew work you can join, racing history and far more personality. If you only have time for one, decide whether you want to see Auckland or to do something in Auckland. For the everyday version of that choice, a sightseeing launch against the 90-minute harbour sail, see our guide to booking a harbour cruise or sailing cruise.

The biggest drawbacks

No trip is worth recommending without saying where it falls short.

1. It is expensive

NZ$215 for two hours is a lot, and you can see the harbour for much less.

2. The wind can make or break it

No wind means no thrilling sailing.

3. Taking part is shared

On a busy departure you won’t spend two hours at the helm.

4. It isn’t luxurious

These are former race yachts, not premium leisure catamarans.

5. You need to move well

The deck moves, the boat heels and you have to board unaided.

6. No children under 10

That rules it out for many young families.

The best parts

You sail a genuine Cup-era yacht

That alone sets it apart from Auckland’s other boat trips.

You can take the helm

It turns sightseeing into a memory.

You can work the grinders

It is physical and social, and it makes the mechanics of sailing instantly clear.

Auckland is a superb backdrop

The skyline looks its best from the Waitematā.

You need no experience

The trip is designed for beginners.

Joining in is optional

One person can get stuck in while another just enjoys the ride.

The yachts have real history

NZL 41 and NZL 68 aren’t decorative replicas.

Who should book it

A great choice for

• sailors and America’s Cup fans
• active couples and solo travellers
• confident teenagers and families with children aged 10 and over
• visitors who dislike passive sightseeing
• repeat visitors looking for something different in Auckland
• anyone with “sail a racing yacht” on their list

Think twice if you

• have significant mobility problems
• dislike moving boats
• want comfortable seating
• are travelling with children under 10
• want guaranteed fast sailing
• are pregnant
• mainly want food and drinks
• suffer badly from seasickness

How we would book it

1. Book it early in your Auckland stay, so there is room to rearrange if the conditions interfere.
2. Choose a refundable, flexible ticket when the price difference is small.
3. Check the wind forecast a day or two before. You can’t change it, but you will know what kind of sail to expect.
4. Dress one layer warmer than you think you need.
5. Arrive early.
6. Volunteer quickly. If you want to grind or steer, don’t spend the first half of the trip politely waiting for everyone else.

Cruise-ship passengers

The trip can work well on a cruise call, because Auckland’s main cruise berths are close to the downtown waterfront and the sail leaves from the Viaduct, so you may not need a long shore-excursion transfer. Leave a generous buffer before your ship’s all-aboard time, though. Never fit a two-hour, weather-dependent sail so tightly that a modest delay puts your ship departure at risk.

Combining it with the rest of Auckland

Because it starts on the central waterfront, it fits easily with:

• New Zealand Maritime Museum, the obvious pairing if you want more maritime history.
• Wynyard Quarter, for waterfront restaurants and a walk before or after the sail.
• Sky Tower, which adds a view from high above to your view from the water.
• Devonport, a short ferry ride across the harbour for a half-day outing.
• Waiheke Island, possible on a longer stay, though we would not squeeze a Waiheke day and the sail into one rushed schedule.

A half-day plan around a 1pm sailing

It is one of the easiest premium trips in Auckland to build into a day, because almost no time goes on getting there.

A little history before you sail

You don’t need to follow yacht racing to enjoy the trip, but some context helps. The America’s Cup dates from 1851 and is widely described as the oldest trophy in international sport. New Zealand’s breakthrough came in 1995, when Team New Zealand’s Black Magic beat the American defender 5–0 in San Diego. Auckland hosted a successful defence in 2000, before the Cup was lost to the Swiss team Alinghi in 2003. Team New Zealand won it back in 2017, beating Oracle Team USA in Bermuda, and defended it again in Auckland in 2021.

The boats changed enormously over those decades. The yachts you sail belong to the era of large, narrow International America’s Cup Class monohulls, and today’s machines barely resemble them. That is part of the appeal of stepping aboard an older race yacht: it feels both advanced and wonderfully mechanical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the America’s Cup Sailing Experience in Auckland worth it?

Yes for sailing fans and active travellers. It costs more than a regular harbour cruise, but you sail a genuine former Cup yacht and can join in on the grinders or at the helm. If you only want harbour views, a cheaper conventional cruise is better value.

How long is the America’s Cup Sailing Experience?

About two hours on the water, plus 15 minutes to check in beforehand.

How much does it cost?

Explore Group charges NZ$215 per adult and NZ$165 per child aged 10 to 15. On Viator the America’s Cup Sailing Experience starts from US$123 per person.

Do I need sailing experience?

No. The professional crew gives a safety briefing and shows you what to do.

Can I steer the yacht?

Guests may get the chance to take the helm, depending on the conditions and the crew’s instructions.

Do I have to work the grinders?

No. Taking part is optional, and you can sit back and enjoy the sail instead.

Is it a real America’s Cup boat?

Yes. Explore sails former America’s Cup yachts NZL 41 and NZL 68.

Is it one of the modern foiling yachts?

No. These are older International America’s Cup Class monohulls, not modern foiling AC75s.

What is the minimum age?

Ten years old.

Where does it leave from?

Viaduct Harbour in central Auckland, with check-in at Explore Group’s booking kiosk at the end of Quay Street, opposite the New Zealand Maritime Museum.

What should I wear?

Flat-soled shoes, clothes you can move in and a light or windproof jacket.

Will I get wet?

Possibly, from spray or rain. Rain jackets are provided in wet weather.

Is it suitable for people with limited mobility?

Often not. You must be able to step onto the yacht unaided, and the boat pitches and rolls. Contact Explore before booking if mobility is a concern.

What if there is no wind?

The sailing will be gentler. That is the one risk you can’t avoid when you book, and a calm day can be much less exciting than a breezy one.

The verdict

Auckland has plenty of ways to see its harbour, and this is one of the few that makes the boat itself the attraction. It won’t suit everyone: it is relatively expensive, depends on the weather and is less comfortable than an ordinary harbour cruise. You may share the hands-on moments with a fairly large group, and on a windless day the race-yacht dream loses some of its magic.

When the Waitematā has a decent breeze, though, the trip makes its own case. You are on the deck of a genuine former America’s Cup yacht with the city behind you, the sails loaded above your head and a professional crew asking whether you would like to take the helm. For anyone even mildly interested in sailing, that is far more memorable than another hour behind a sightseeing-boat window.

Book the America’s Cup Sailing Experience if the yacht is part of the reason you want to go. If you just want beautiful harbour views, take the 90-minute harbour sail and save the money. Our guide to which Auckland harbour cruise is right for you compares every trip on the water, and our guide to Auckland harbour cruise prices shows what each one costs.