New Zealand’s 15 Best Harbour Cruises

1.Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,143 reviews · from $80Our pick

Spend two hours on a roomy catamaran exploring Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula and the Akaroa Lighthouse. Skippers such as George, Dave and Joe share local stories while trained dogs help locate Hector’s dolphins. Your ticket includes a New Zealand beer, wine or soft drink and a home-baked cookie.

“So diverse sampling of history of surrounds, wildlife variety encountered. Great weather and welcome complimentary cold beer.”

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2.Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner

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

Board a 50-foot sailing yacht at Viaduct Harbour for a 2.5-hour evening cruise with a welcome drink, live commentary, and three-course dinner. You’ll pass the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Ferry Building, and Mt. Eden, with chances to help hoist the sails or try the wheel. Jackets and blankets are provided.

“The sailing and crew were great the food was tasty, but dinner was not very hot and serving size was small. It was a wonderful evening.”

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3.Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 332 reviews · from $77

Spend two hours aboard Black Cat Cruises’ modern catamaran, leaving Akaroa’s main wharf for sea caves, volcanic cliffs, and wildlife. Your skipper provides live commentary on Māori culture, local history, geology, and conservation. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, blankets, and outdoor viewing areas make this a comfortable choice for dolphin, seal, penguin, and seabird watching.

“In all a great experience, especially liked seeing the seals . Excellent tour. Would recommend to everyone.”

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4.Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

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

Join Explore Group New Zealand at Viaduct Harbour for a 2.5-hour evening sail aboard a 50-foot yacht. Enjoy a welcome drink, local commentary, and a three-course meal from The Lula Inn. You may help the crew or try the wheel, while jackets and blankets keep you comfortable when Auckland’s weather turns cool.

“A nice and windy evening, so lots of great sailing. Food was tasty.”

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5.Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

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

Meet the Explore Group crew at Viaduct Harbour for a relaxed 90-minute sail on a 50-foot yacht. You’ll pass the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Westhaven Marina, Devonport, and Auckland’s skyline. The crew may let you steer or help with the sails, with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a cookie included.

“Fabulous sail. Several passengers had a go at the helm including my husband. It was a bucket list present for his 80 bday and couldnt have been a better gift. Thank you so much Captain and crew for a fantastic sail.”

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6.Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 265 reviews · 4h 30m · from $107

Spend 4.5 hours cruising from Paihia among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands, with live English commentary, wildlife spotting, and a weather-dependent passage through the Hole in the Rock. You’ll stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island for lunch and 1.5 hours of free time. Summer brings optional kayaks, paddleboards, and a later return.

“Such a fun tour! Everyone was so knowledgeable and the conditions were perfect”

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7.Auckland Harbour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 224 reviews · from $36

Cruise Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour for 90 minutes aboard Fullers360, starting and ending at 107 Quay Street. You’ll pass the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Bean Rock Lighthouse, Devonport Naval Base, and nearby islands while listening to live commentary. Choose outdoor views or a sheltered cabin, with snacks and drinks available to buy.

“Nice boat ride but not masses to see. Good commentary but often hard to hear. Did make a nice way to spend an hour and a half on a beautiful sunny afternoon.”

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8.Raglan: Scenic Harbour Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 87 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Board the Wahinemoe at Raglan Wharf for a 90-minute sunset cruise with skipper Barlow and crew. You’ll see 25 to 50-million-year-old limestone pancake rocks, old Māori pā sites, volcanic scenery, seabirds, and perhaps marine life. Live commentary, music, and a licensed bar make this a relaxed evening outing.

“We did this as part of our first night for my sister's hens do, the staff members were fantastic and really good sports. The music was great the scenery was unbelievable!! It was raining but it didn't matter we had the best time on this cruise and would definitely do it again”

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9.Auckland Harbour Sailing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · from $68

Join Explore Group at Viaduct Harbour for a 90-minute yacht cruise with live commentary, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and a cookie. You’ll pass Auckland Bridge, Westhaven Marina, Devonport, and the city skyline. The crew may let you steer or help with the sails, weather permitting. Jackets are supplied, and the boat carries up to 18 people.

“Sailing was amazing! My husband doesn't really love boats so I wasn't sure how comfortable he would be but he loved it! The guides were great and very knowledgeable about the harbor and history. The day was perfect for sailing. I can't recommend this enough. SO FUN!”

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10.Auckland Sunset Harbour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 55 reviews · 1h 30m · from $22

Join The Red Boats for a 90-minute English-language sunset cruise on Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour. You’ll sail beneath the Harbour Bridge, hear live commentary about local landmarks and history, enjoy open-deck views, and buy drinks or snacks from the licensed bar. The boat is wheelchair accessible.

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11.Nightlights Harbour Cruise with Canapés and Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 42 reviews · 2 hours · from $38

Board The Red Boats at Westhaven Marina for a two-hour evening cruise beneath Auckland Harbour Bridge and past the glowing Viaduct. You’ll enjoy complimentary canapés, one drink, relaxing music, and clear views of the Sky Tower and waterfront. The English-language cruise suits date nights, family outings, and small celebrations.

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12.Scenic Harbour Cruise with Live Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 40 reviews · 1h 30m · from $17Best value

Cruise Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour for 90 minutes aboard a spacious red boat with an English-speaking skipper and crew. You’ll see the Harbour Bridge, Sky Tower, Devonport, waterfront, and Rangitoto Island from indoor and outdoor viewing areas. The tour leaves from Z Pier and includes live commentary, with drinks available to buy at the licensed bar.

“A harbour cruise with good information. Wine or beer available to buy. The cruise gave a good perspective on the harbour. Great value.”

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13.Commentated Harbour Explorer tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 26 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41

Board Ika Rere at Berth C, Queens Wharf, for a 90-minute English-language tour of Wellington Harbour. Your guide explains Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s maritime past, natural setting, and capital-city story while the electric ferry travels wherever conditions offer the best views. An onboard bar sells drinks and snacks.

“The skill of our guide who brought it all to life. We were impressed with the flexibility to help one of the passengers, a professional singer, get off where he needed to be for a singing engagement.”

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14.Waitemata Harbour Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 8 reviews · 35 min · from $71

Board a 20-seat jet boat at Westhaven Marina for a fast, splashy ride across Waitemata Harbour. You will receive a safety briefing, wear a lifejacket, pass super yachts, speed beneath the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and enjoy high-speed drifts and spins. The English-speaking crew combines sightseeing with a short thrill ride.

“This was an easy access activity with lots of water splashing. Great for kids of all ages. The meeting point is Z pier as advertised except, there’s no signage.”

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15.Christchurch: Sea Kayaking Tour of Lyttelton Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 8 hours · from $268

Join Adventure By Nature for an eight-hour small-group sea kayaking trip from Christchurch to Lyttelton Harbour. With guides such as Alan, John, or Sarah, you will learn basic strokes, paddle around Quail Island, visit sea caves and old steamships, and enjoy lunch, snacks, transport, and equipment.

“Amazing experience! we were lucky and the weather was great so we managed to go around the Island and into the cave! rally great and different experience :)”

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