Sailing in New Zealand: the 15 Best Trips

Lake Taupo: Classical Sailing to the Māori Rock Carvings - Leaving Taupō Marina aboard Fearless

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,275 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35Top of the fleet

Sail from Taupō Marina for 2.5 hours aboard Fearless, a classic yacht, or a catamaran when conditions require. Your English-speaking crew shares stories about Lake Taupō and Ngātoroirangi, then stops for a swim. Morning trips include a hot drink and biscuit, afternoons a drink, and sunset cruises beer, wine, or soft drink.

“Loved the swimming, the carvings and the sail. Great day out!”

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Maori Rock Carvings Eco Sailing Taupo

2.Maori Rock Carvings Eco Sailing Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 758 reviews · from $33Lowest fare aboard

Sail with Sail Barbary from Taupō to the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings on a quiet electric yacht, usually with Captain Chris or Pete. The 2.5-hour trip includes lake stories, Māori myths, a complimentary drink, a postcard, and time for a swim in warm weather. Groups are capped at 18.

“Was fun funny and what a relaxing morning the guide was amazing and full of knowledge I do highly recommend this charter”

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Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner

3.Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 476 reviews · from $105

Set sail from Viaduct Harbour aboard a 50-foot yacht for 2.5 hours of Auckland views, sailing, and a three-course dinner. Your crew shares local stories, points out the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Ferry Building, and Mt. Eden, and may let you help with the sails or take the wheel. One arrival drink, jackets, blankets, and onboard toilets are included.

“It was lovely trip to celebrate our Anniversary with our friends . We had absolutely amazing time. All crew was friendly and fun .”

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America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour

4.America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 370 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Join a professional crew for two hours aboard an authentic America’s Cup yacht on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. You can steer, help raise sails, work the grinders, or sit back while the yacht tacks and jibes. No sailing experience is needed, but wind conditions shape how fast and physical the trip feels.

“Very fun and informative. The guide explained the workings of the boat and even let us steer it at times. Caption Luke was also kind enough to fish my husband’s hat from the bay! Kudos to the crew as well.”

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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

5.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · from $111

Spend 5.5 hours aboard the working schooner R. Tucker Thompson, sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Help with ropes, steer the ship, climb the rigging, swim from the boat, and visit an island viewpoint. Morning tea, scones, chicken BBQ lunch, and optional Paihia to Russell ferry transport are included.

“A fantastic experience. Our son loved the wild weather, the ability to help on the boat and the crew where incredibly. Highly recommend for everyone.”

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Auckland: Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

6.Auckland: Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 319 reviews · 2h 30m · from $95

Join Explore Group Auckland for a 2.5-hour evening sail on a 50-foot yacht. You’ll receive a welcome drink, hear stories about Auckland from the crew, and choose a main and dessert from a set menu supplied by The Lula Inn. Crew members may invite you to help sail or try the wheel.

“Fantastic crew aboard, relaxed and engaging skipper and all around excellent experience - an “Aukland “must do”’!”

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Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

7.Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 301 reviews · 1h 30m · from $65

Sail from Viaduct Harbour on a 50-foot yacht with an English-speaking crew. Captain Noel and other crew members have welcomed passengers on past departures, offering harbor commentary, chances to steer or help with the sails, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate with a cookie. Expect an easygoing cruise past Auckland’s skyline, bridge, marina, and Devonport.

“Fabulous, so much fun. Beautiful scenery on the water. Nice large sailboat. Our guides were very nice and made us feel comfortable. I would definitely recommend it if you like sailing.”

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Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

8.Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 301 reviews · from $139

Spend six hours with Barefoot Sailing Adventures exploring the Bay of Islands from Paihia. Luke and his crew take a small group by catamaran to a wildlife sanctuary island, with time for snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, lunch, and a bush walk. Expect live commentary, changing weather, and a relaxed pace rather than a rushed sightseeing circuit.

“Lovely crew, well equipped with lunch and activities, very chill to sit on the bean bags. Also learned some interesting fact about the nature and culture.”

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America’s Cup Sailing on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour

9.America’s Cup Sailing on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 298 reviews · from $130

Join Explore Group for a two-hour sail aboard an authentic America's Cup racing-class yacht on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. Captain Julia and the crew may invite you to steer, grind, handle lines, and help raise or lower sails. No sailing experience is needed. Jackets and sunscreen are supplied, but bring flat shoes and dress for changing weather.

“Unique and very enjoyable experience. Great tour of the harbor on a historic and fast boat. Was able to take the helm and help with line handling. Exceeded expectations with very knowledgeable crew!”

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Lake Taupo: Luxury Sailing Catamaran to Māori Rock Carvings

10.Lake Taupo: Luxury Sailing Catamaran to Māori Rock Carvings

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 234 reviews · 2h 30m · from $41

Spend 150 minutes aboard Tiua, a 53-foot sailing catamaran, cruising from Taupō Marina to the Māori Rock Carvings. Your English-speaking crew shares local stories, serves a drink, and stops for a swim when conditions allow. The covered cockpit, indoor saloon, blankets, and beanbags keep the trip comfortable in changing weather.

“Excellent. The weather was beautiful & sunny, although the sails didn’t go up as the wind didn’t reach 10 knots.”

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Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

11.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $121

Spend about 5.5 hours aboard the Phantom, a live-aboard yacht run by sailors Rick and Robin. With no more than 10 people on board, you can sail through the Bay of Islands, stop for a beach walk and viewpoint, swim or snorkel, enjoy a homemade lunch, and hear local stories from Russell back to Russell.

“A very relaxed day in the sunshine on Phantom with Rick and Robyn. Great hosts, good fun, delicious lunch on deck. Enjoyed the swim to shore and walk up to the viewpoint. A wonderful day…..”

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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

12.Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 173 reviews · 6 hours · from $134

Join Barefoot Sailing Adventures in Paihia for six hours aboard a comfortable catamaran. Skippers such as Luke share local wildlife stories while you sail among 144 islands, help at the helm, then spend two hours on a sanctuary island with lunch, hiking, snorkeling, swimming and paddleboarding.

“Thoroughly enjoyable day thank you; sailing, snorkelling and walking were great; Luke was engaging and interesting; communication about the booking was straightforward”

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Luxury Sailing – Māori Rock Carvings – Taupo Sailing Adventures

13.Luxury Sailing – Māori Rock Carvings – Taupo Sailing Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · from $42

Spend about 2.5 hours aboard the 53-foot catamaran Tiua with Taupo Sailing Adventures. Swim in the lake, use the onboard snorkeling gear, and see the 14-meter Māori carving of Ngātoroirangi, visible only from the water. Aaron, Erin, Steph, Dave, and other crew members are known for friendly, informative service. Drinks, blankets, beanbags, and restrooms are provided.

“Superb evening cruise, lovely and warm with pizza and wine unexpectedly included. Large party also on the catamaran, but everyone got on well with really friendly crew.”

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Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

14.Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 147 reviews · 5h 30m · from $107

Spend about five and a half hours aboard the locally built R. Tucker Thompson, sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Help raise sails, take the helm, climb the rigging, swim from the ship, or relax with scones and tea. A BBQ lunch, ferry from Paihia, and support for youth sail training are included.

“We had a beautiful day sailing. The crew were very helpful, great to talk to and happy to pass on their knowledge. Our walk to Cooks lookout at our lunch stop was scenic and very interesting. Climbing the mast was a highlight for two of our group, adventurous husbands.”

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Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop & Lunch

15.Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · 6 hours · from $128

Join Brad and Monique aboard the Bayscapes catamaran from Paihia for six hours around the Bay of Islands. Sail when the wind allows, stop at a quiet island for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, and a short walk, then enjoy a catered lunch onboard. The smaller group, beanbags, blankets, and spotless facilities make this a relaxed day on the water.

“it was one of the best experiences in NZ. We really appreciated the whole day. and the crew was amazing. trully dedicated to what they do. it was a pleasure sailing with them”

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Other ways to get on the water

Sunset Sailing Cruises Catamaran Sailing Trips Sailing and Snorkeling Trips Private Sailing Charters Island Hopping Sailing Trips Tall Ship and Schooner Sailing

Sailing in New Zealand: the 15 Best Trips

Lake Taupo: Classical Sailing to the Māori Rock Carvings

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

Maori Rock Carvings Eco Sailing Taupo

2.Maori Rock Carvings Eco Sailing Taupo

Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner

3.Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner

America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour

4.America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour

Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

5.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

Auckland: Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

6.Auckland: Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

7.Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

8.Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

America’s Cup Sailing on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour

9.America’s Cup Sailing on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour

Lake Taupo: Luxury Sailing Catamaran to Māori Rock Carvings

10.Lake Taupo: Luxury Sailing Catamaran to Māori Rock Carvings

Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

11.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

12.Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

Luxury Sailing – Māori Rock Carvings – Taupo Sailing Adventures

13.Luxury Sailing – Māori Rock Carvings – Taupo Sailing Adventures

Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

14.Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop & Lunch

15.Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop & Lunch

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