Join an America’s Cup sailing experience aboard an authentic racing yacht on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. Feel the exhilaration of yachting as you take the helm and participate with the professional crew, or just sit back and soak up the harbor views. No experience necessary.

America's Cup sailing on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour
Experience the thrill of sailing aboard an authentic America's Cup racing class yacht
Sit back and relax or get hands-on and help sail the America's Cup yacht

What's Included

Sail on an authentic America's Yacht
Use of wet weather jackets and sunscreen
Opportunity to participate in sailing the vessel as part of our crew
Informative commentary from our knowledgeable crew

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Explore Group - Auckland
Explore Booking Kiosk Quay Street, Viaduct, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Depart from the berth, inside Auckland's Viaduct Harbor

Start time

01:00 PM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

While in Auckland, participate in the world's most prestigious yachting regatta: the America's Cup. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity invites you to sail with elite professional yachties and reach for the ultimate sporting trophy. Sail alongside New Zealand billionaires aboard a grand prix racing yacht — a must-do experience any visitor to the 'City of Sails.’

2-Hour Sailing Experience: Enjoy a unique opportunity to become part of the crew on an actual America's Cup yacht. Exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back for the ride as you sail through stunning Waitemata Harbour.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 10 years
Sailing is subject to weather conditions, please dress appropriately Flat shoes such as sneakers or boat shoes are best
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

wpq595x4st

Great experience. Crew was very friendly and helpful. They let us steer the boat as part of the experience. It was worth it. I definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Auckland.

Reviews

4.5

121 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 121 reviews

Amazing

wpq595x4st, May 2023

Great experience. Crew was very friendly and helpful. They let us steer the boat as part of the experience. It was worth it. I definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Auckland.

Recommended

Catherine_L, Oct 2022

Great day on the Hauraki Gulf. And they let me drive! Thrilling. Recommended to all Auckland sports lovers.

Much more than sailing!

John_K, Oct 2022

Brad and his crew, Bridget, Luke and Chantelle, made this one of the best sailing experiences ever. This has always been on my husband’s bucket list and it did not disappoint.

Cancelled with no notification!

Gayle_A, Oct 2022

We showed up for the tour and there were two giggling females at the explore kiosk who informed us the trip was cancelled. They said because We booked through Viator they could not inform us. We wasted our day because we thought we had a booking!!! Then she had the nerve to ask if we wanted a refund????!!! Rude, unprofessional and ridiculous. I doubt I’ll use Viator again after this experience.

Super sailing trip.

Jules_P, Oct 2022

Fantastic experience to get out on the water and hands on on an Americas cup yacht and in the harbour where the race was held. Friendly and knowledgeable crew. Would really recommend this trip.

Afternoon sailing

Jennifer_C, May 2022

Fun time! Got to sail with the kite up on return trip back to port. We worked in teams to raise the sail and were given the chance to steer, if we wanted too. Beautiful weather and nice, knowledgeable crew.

Let's go sailing on a powerful boat.

David_S, Apr 2022

I have sailed for much of my life but not on one of these boats, they sail beautifully, smooth and grunty, we were lucky with the weather, hard on the wind towards North head and a run back and past the harbour bridge, crew picked up on the fact that I enjoy sailing and know a bit about it so were good to talk with and gave me a bit of a tour below decks at the end of the sail. I could have quite happily carried onto Tonga if we had had some stores and creature comforts on the boat, in a breeze like the one we had we would have been there in a week!

The real deal!

BRUCE_W, Mar 2020

This excursion was magnificent and memorable from start to finish. Happily, exactly as advertised! The expertise and knowledge of the crew proved to be very interesting and informative along with their friendliness which was sincere and delightful. We would highly recommend to anyone and everyone who enjoys sailing and being on the water!

The sail of a lifetime

Helen_S, Mar 2020

I enjoyed this experience much in 2015 that I wanted to repeat it, This time my husband joined me. It was a fabulous 2 hours, exhilarating and challenging with a great crew, and fellow sailors. I especially enjoyed steering the boat: I felt apprehensive, having sailed only dinghies before, but I am so very glad I did it. An experience not to be missed.

Amazing sail

John_P, Mar 2020

Great excursion, the crew was great, if your so inclined you can participate in the sail by helping raise and lower the sails. Would rerecommed if you want a unique experience on the water

Great Tour

Trish_S, Mar 2020

This was a great 2 hour trip. The crew was extremely friendly and you got to help steer the sailboat and help put up the sails.

America Cup sailing NZ

Richard_W, Mar 2020

Great fun but expensive for what we got. Too many on the yacht which meant little time to join in crewing or time at the helm.

Disappointing, no wind

Martin_K, Mar 2020

The crew made the impossible to make it better, but unfortunately there was no wind. It was really disappointing. They offered us to return in the afternoon, but there was no wind either. Unfortunately we lost the opportunity of a good sail, after driving almost 2 hours back and forth Coromandel. Hope to have better luck next time

Wonderful Experience

Michele_H, Feb 2020

This is a perfect thing to do when visiting Wellington on a cruise and easy to book on your own. It is a short walk from where the ships dock. We selected the 11 am time slot, so plenty of time to get there. I ordered the tickets online, and there was no problem picking the tickets up at the designated location, which is conveniently located and easy to find. The experience was perfect with breathtaking scenery and a wonderful crew led by Captain Brad. I highly recommend, you won’t be disappointed!

American world cup sailboat

Linda_M, Feb 2020

Very nice men in charge of the sailboat. The leader made sure that everybody got a chance to help at any place on the sailboat. We would definitely do it again.

Group had a blast!

Dana_S, Feb 2020

Last minute booking decision turned out to be a highlight of our trip. Scouted out the meeting point the day before and crew were on the yacht. They were very helpful and friendly giving us directions for the following day. They made us feel excited for our trip with them. We were a group of 7 ranging in age from 45 to 80. Crew were on time and ready for us to board the yacht. Each crew member has their specific job and are very knowledgeable in all aspects of the adventure. Members of our group helped the crew set the sails. They enjoyed being involved! It was a blast especially when the we were flying over the water and getting splashed! Very safe!

Heeling over

Michael_K, Feb 2020

Friendly, expert crew. We enjoyed the hands on experience and the lively sailing in a good wind! Highly recommended!

Terrific Sail

William_H, Feb 2020

Our tickets were ready and waiting when we arrived via present directives. The crew was safe, knowledgeable, and fun. We had a terrific sail.

Enjoyable

ljrdavies55, Jan 2020

Staff competent and knowledgable. Conditions were such that they could have given more of an experience to feel what the boat could do. On the positive side they did give a voucher to have another go, but will i ever get back to NZ; i hope so.

Fun on the water!

Diane_S, Jan 2020

Our second time on this tour... we enjoyed it so much. Serving time did not disappoint! Brad and his team are funny and very skilled sailors. Highly recommend this tour. A great way to experience Auckland!

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