Sailing in New Zealand
By boat you'll find magnificent scenery not visible from the roads, as well as marine and bird life which may include penguins, seals or albatross.
Sightseeing can be experienced by sailing in New Zealand, combined with activities like fishing, diving, swimming with dolphins or even whale watching. Relax on deck and see New Zealand's beautiful coastline and waterways from a unique offshore perspective.
You could find yourself sailing through glorious bays, island-studded gulfs and sheltered waterways, or exploring inland rivers and lakes.
Tourism Activities: Boats, Sailing and Charters | Boat and Yacht Charters | Sailing Schools | Day and Overnight Cruises | Boat and Sailing Tours | Day and Overnight Cruise Tours | Cruise Ship Tours
Sailing in New Zealand
New Zealanders' passion for sailing is revealed by the huge number of craft out on the harbour at weekends and evenings, particularly in summer.
Auckland is known as the 'City of Sails' and the opportunities there for the experienced sea-adventurer as well as the timid beginner are unrivalled. Day trips on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour are available year-round. Four-to-six berth yachts can be chartered for cruises of several days or weeks, and yachting schools are keen to impart their wisdom to visitors on short courses.
Dependent on the sea for trade and communications, New Zealanders were forced to build seaworthy, reliable boats and to develop a close understanding of seamanship. No part of New Zealand is far from the coast and, from its thousands of bays and coves, New Zealanders venture forth from an early age in all manner of boats. An often quoted, though difficult to prove, statistic is that there are more boats per head of population in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world.
Known as a nation of do-it-yourself people, many of these boats are home-built. Unlike some other parts of the world, sailing in New Zealand has never been an elitist pursuit. Many of New Zealand's top sailors began their careers in boats that emerged from hours of devoted labour in garages and backyard sheds. The late Sir Peter Blake, for example, whose sailing successes included the America's Cup, the Whitbread Race and the Jules Verne trophy, tested his mother's patience and ruined her flower beds by building his first boats in the family garden!
New Zealand sailing boats or motor launches can take you on trips ranging from a few hours to several days. Private charters are also available, as well as onboard dining and fully serviced functions. Scheduled day cruises are offered in the popular waters of:
- The Bay of Islands
- Hauraki Gulf
- Tasman Bay and Abel Tasman National Park
- Marlborough Sounds
- Akaroa
- Otago Harbour
- Fiordland
- Lake Wakatipu
Boat Safety
Remember to keep safe when boating:
- Each passenger should have a correctly fitting buoyancy vest (life jacket) when boating. Remember they only work when you are wearing them!
- When hiring a boat, familiarise yourself with the craft (location of life jackets, radio equipment, correct use of the motor, bilge pump etc), and let someone know of your intentions.
- Avoid excessive alcohol when operating a boat - just like driving a car, they don't mix!
Tourism Activities: Boats, Sailing and Charters | Boat and Yacht Charters | Sailing Schools | Day and Overnight Cruises | Boat and Sailing Tours | Day and Overnight Cruise Tours | Cruise Ship Tours
