From whale watching out in the Hauraki Gulf to leisurely dinner cruises in vibrant Waitemata Harbor, Auckland has an excursion to cater for every taste.

Home to several yacht clubs and marinas – Auckland is aptly known as the “City of Sails” – Waitematā Harbor is ideal for all types of maritime tours. Go on a laid-back harbor boat tour in Auckland or longer cruise out on the Gulf and discover the most that the city has to offer.

Here's all you need to know about boat tours, one of the most invigorating outdoor activities in Auckland.

What are the most popular boat tours in Auckland?

Whale and dolphin watching cruise in Auckland

On this half-day whale and dolphin watching tour aboard a comfortable catamaran from Auckland, you will enjoy a fascinating trip searching for these ocean creatures.

Leaving from the colorful Viaduct Harbor, you will cruise the waters of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, which includes five marine preserves and some islands. Along the way, you will hear informative commentary from expert guides on New Zealand’s natural wonders.

You will meet the tour crew at the Maritime Museum in Viaduct Harbor in downtown Auckland, from where you will depart aboard a 20-meter catamaran. It is comfortably fitted for the best view of any wildlife out on the ocean.

Ocean wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but dolphins and whales are common sights around the marine park. During your cruise, watch out for six whale species that are frequently found in these waters, as well as seabirds like gannets, terns and petrels.

Also keep an eye open for dolphins, blue penguins and other marine life. All through your 4.5-hour trip, the guides will share fascinating information on the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

They will point out species, such as Bryde’s whales and bottlenose dolphins, which are indigenous to New Zealand. The park is known for its high biological diversity, where some 23 species are to be found.

Once your excursion has run its course, the boat returns to Viaduct Harbor for the end of your tour. Should you not observe any marine mammals, you will have the choice of going on another day again for free.

Included in your tour package are an experienced local guide, conservationist and commentary with onboard marine research scientists. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard. All money from tickets purchased contribute to marine mammal conservation.

Auckland harbor sailboat cruise with 3-course dinner

Enjoy a 3-course dinner and discover Auckland’s highlights during a delightful sailing yacht cruise in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbor. Your experienced boat captain will also share his intimate knowledge of Auckland and its attractions with you as you sail along.

Your cruise starts at Viaduct Harbor, where you will be welcomed aboard the comfortable 15-meter sailing yacht. You will have a safety briefing, then sail across Waitemata Harbor, past the Waterfront’s highlights.

These include the Auckland Harbor Bridge, the Sky Tower – New Zealand’s tallest building – and the Auckland Ferry Terminal. The Edwardian style Terminal dates back to 1909 and is the hub of Auckland’s impressive ferry network.

From the harbor, you will also view the volcanic cone of Mount Eden on the outskirts of the city. You will listen to live commentary about New Zealand’s popular pastime of sailing and hosting the famous America’s Cup. If you’re in the mood, you can also give the crew a hand in hoisting the sails or try steering the boat.

As your boat drops anchor in Westhaven Marina, you can sit down for a 3-course dinner in the below-deck dining room. Also make use of the fully licensed bar for additional drinks. Then enjoy the city views as Auckland lights up in the evening dusk.

You can savor canapés and choose between dining downstairs or on deck for the main course, from where you admire the views of Auckland Harbor. Finish the evening enjoying your dessert as the yacht slowly cruises back to the lively Viaduct Harbor, where your tour ends.

Your tour includes dinner and the use of windproof/waterproof jackets. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased onboard. Should your tour be canceled due to poor weather conditions, you can choose a different date or request a refund.

Auckland highlights, harbor cruise and Sky Tower tour

Discover the history and iconic sites of Auckland during this luxury bus tour and harbor boat cruise around the city.

You will admire the Tamaki Drive waterfront beaches, the lovely views of Hauraki Gulf and the historical architecture of the Auckland CBD. At the end of your fascinating tour, you will leave with a superb overview of the “City of Sails”, New Zealand's largest center.

Your tour kicks off with a 3-hour luxury coach tour of the city as you depart from Downtown Auckland. You will travel along Queen Street, known as the "Golden Mile" of the Auckland business and shopping precinct.

Many fine old buildings from the 1880s are still to be seen, weaved in between today’s modern high-rise structures. You will pass the University of Auckland, established in 1883 and New Zealand’s largest University.

Continue across the Auckland Harbor Bridge, from where you will enjoy wide views of Waitemata Harbor and the Auckland skyline. As the bus makes its way through the old Domain Park, Tamaki Drive and the Waterfront, you will see many of the 48 extinct volcanic sites.

See the classical-style Auckland War Memorial Museum, dating from 1852 and telling the story of the country and its people. The 75-hectare park also accommodates the Winter Gardens, dating from after World War 1.

Your next exciting tour stage starts at the Ferry Terminal, when you board for the 1.5-hour boat tour, a popular cruise on Waitemata Harbor. Around the port you can admire well-known landmarks such as Rangitoto Island, Harbor Bridge and Westhaven Marina.

You will also have a brief pause at Rangitoto Island to experience its special volcanic terrain. Also see Devonport, the laid-back bayside village with cafés and restaurants, classic Kiwi pubs and small boutiques.

At the end of your boat tour, a shuttle will pick you up at the Ferry Terminal for your visit to the Sky Tower. The 328-meter Sky Tower is the highest structure in New Zealand, which you can explore the Tower at your leisure.

Take the glass-front lifts to the viewing deck and get panoramic views of the city, and also enjoy the audiovisual displays depicting Auckland’s fascinating history. Your tour and the coach service end at the Sky Tower.

Included in your tour is pickup from your accommodation, tea or coffee and a muffin for the harbor cruise, tour commentary in English and admission to the Sky Tower.

How much do boat tours in Auckland cost?

The Auckland harbor sailboat cruise with dinner and the whale and dolphin watching cruise in Auckland cost about US$100 and US$110 per person, respectively.

The 6-hour Auckland city highlights tours with harbor cruise and the Sky Tower visit cost about US$110 per person.

Which places are visited?

The Auckland Domain

The Auckland Domain is the oldest park in Auckland and one of the largest, covering 75 hectares in the central Grafton suburb. The park land constitutes the remains of the Pukekawa volcano explosion crater.

It accommodates the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which is located on the crater rim. The museum is one of the most important in New Zealand and its collections focus on the country’s general and military history. The present neoclassical building was built in the 1920s.

The Domain also includes the Wintergardens, which contain two large glass houses designed in the early 1900s. These two barrel-vaulted Victorian style glass houses shelter rare plants and a large collection of chrysanthemums.

The Civic Theatre

The Civic Theatre is one of central Auckland's most important heritage buildings. Opened in 1929, it has retained its special atmosphere and has been admired by patrons for nearly a century.

It was built for New Zealand impresario Thomas O’Brien in only eight months and is one of the last remaining picture palaces built in Australasia. The Civic Theatre has a glamorous interior with coffered ceilings containing sculptures, ornate columns and panther statues.

The several extravagantly decorated halls were hotspots of the 1920s nightlife of the city.

The Museum of Transport and Technology

The museum is a science and technology institution in Western Springs in Auckland and located close to the Auckland Zoo and Western Springs Park. It houses large collections of civilian and military aircraft and a variety of land transport vehicles, such as trams and railway locomotives.

The museum was established in 1960 by several interested groups and its collections comprise more than 300,000 items, depicting the technological, transport and social history of New Zealand.

The New Zealand Maritime Museum

This fascinating museum is located on Hobson Wharf, adjoining the Viaduct Harbor in downtown Auckland. Its exhibitions span New Zealand's maritime history, from the original Polynesian explorers to the modern-day New Zealand triumphs at the America's Cup.

The Auckland Museum has been collecting items relating to the maritime narratives of Aotearoa New Zealand since the 1980s. It already boasts a collection of more than 130 watercraft, including artifacts from the earliest times of Pacific voyages, to the arrival of the Europeans.

The Auckland Town Hall

Located in Queen Street like the iconic Civic Theatre, the Auckland Town Hall is one of the city’s prominent historic landmarks. It was built in the neo-Baroque style and opened in 1911. Listed as a heritage building, it was fully restored from 1994 to 1997 to include modern amenities.

The Town Hall was Auckland's first permanent seat for administration and for entertainment in its history. Its Great Hall can seat more than 1,600 people and is renowned for its excellent acoustics.

The Town Hall organ is the largest musical instrument in New Zealand and dates from 1911, when the Town Hall opened. It is in itself a protected object in terms of New Zealand heritage law.

How long does a boat trip last?

The duration of a boat tour in Auckland varies according to the nature of the trip. A whale and dolphin watching cruise can last 4.5 hours, while the Auckland Harbor sailboat cruise with dinner usually lasts about 2.5 hours.

The duration of the Auckland city highlights tour with harbor cruise and the Sky Tower visit is roughly 6 hours.

Where do boat tours leave from?

Boat tours in Auckland usually leave from the Viaduct Harbor in downtown Auckland. For the Auckland city highlights tour with harbor cruise, participants will be picked up at their respective hotels/motels in Auckland.

Following the 3-hour coach tour, the boat cruise part starts from the Auckland Ferry Terminal in downtown Auckland.

When is the best time for a boat trip in Auckland?

The best time for boat trips in Auckland is from March to May and from September to November, when the weather is mostly sunny and pleasantly warm.

In addition, there are also fewer tourists around than during the peak travel season in Auckland, which is from December to February.

Which other water activities can be done in Auckland?

Kayaking
Scuba diving
Surf Lessons
Snorkeling
Rafting
Stand up paddleboarding

Travel tips

Make sure to book your boat trip in Auckland in advance.
Wear weatherproof clothes, a sun hat and flat-soled shoes.
Bring binoculars, sunglasses and wear sunscreen.

Boat Tours in Auckland