Our most recommended things to do in Auckland CBD

America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour

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

Join the crew on an America’s Cup yacht for a unique 2-hour tour from Auckland that gives you the chance to experience the sensation of competing in this world-famous racing meet. The America's Cup is the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Experience this first hand by sailing these remarkable vessels on the harbor that hosted the America's Cup in 2000 and 2003. Feel the thrill of the wind in your face as you tack and jibe. These powerful and highly engineered race vessels are usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yacht owners, but this unique two-hour sailing experience offers everyone the opportunity to sail these grand prix racing machines. Set sail around Auckland’s stunning Waitemata Harbor and enjoy all the thrills of sailing in a proper racing yacht. Be transported to a world where the thrill of international sport meets the beauty of the sparkling sea. No sailing experience is required to participate. Take the helm and exert energy on the grinders, or simply sit back and enjoy the journey. Look back at the contrast of natural landscapes and city skyscrapers that line the harbour while you sail the seas.

Auckland: Shuttle Between Airport & City CBD

2. Auckland: Shuttle Between Airport & City CBD

Enjoy a simple, stress-free journey between Auckland CBD and the Auckland Airport, both domestic and international terminals. After a streamlined meeting with your driver, either outside of your accommodation or your terminal, you’ll head to your destination with peace of mind that you’ll arrive on time and without delay. After meeting your driver, you’ll be escorted to the vehicle and driven to your destination, making 2 to 4 stops along the way. Enjoy a smooth ride in a modern, air-conditioned mini bus driven by a professional and friendly driver.

Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink

3. Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink

Dine on Waitemata Harbor for a memorable experience in Auckland. Join a 2.5-hour sailing dinner cruise for a uniquely local experience with a relaxed, intimate and engaging atmosphere. Discover the city skyline and iconic highlights as they light up for the evening. Set sail while enjoying the city highlights and engaging commentary from your captain. Assist the crew or try your hand at steering the boat. Enjoy the breeze and relax with a drink, with ample space and seating above deck.  Enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner, supplied by top Viaduct restaurant Coops. Complement your meal with a selection of premium locally produced wine or beer. After dinner, marvel at the city views and as the sun sets to watch the night lights of the cityscape come alive.

Auckland: Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket

4. Auckland: Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket

Auckland Attractions The largest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand’s largest art collection and up close encounters with penguins and sharks – just a few of the incredible experiences that can be visited with Auckland Explorer Bus. Downtown Auckland Sky City / Sky Tower Weta Workshop Unleashed The All Blacks Experience Queen Street Auckland Art Gallery Newmarket Auckland Museum Hold Trinity Cathedral Parnell Bastion Point SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's

Auckland: Sky Tower General Admission Ticket

5. Auckland: Sky Tower General Admission Ticket

Visit the 328-meter-tall Sky Tower, an icon of Auckland's skyline, with this entry ticket. Admire views of the city, the water, and of Mount Hauturu from the Tower's three viewing platforms.  Show your ticket at the entrance and make your way to The Sky Deck platform which stands at 220 meters, the Main Observation level at 186 meters, and the Sky Café platform at 182 meters. Stay connected while you there with the included Wi-Fi access.  Have the option to dine with a view with 3 eateries to choose from. Buy a tasty treat at The Orbit 360˚ revolving restaurant, order a drink at the chic and elegant venue known as The Sugar Club, or have a coffee at the Sky Café. After you are finished taking in the views, the base of the Sky Tower, the SKYCITY Auckland entertainment complex, features 2 world-class hotels, Auckland's premier dining precinct with over 20 bars and restaurants, a 700-seat theatre, and a world-class casino.

Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

6. Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

Enjoy Auckland, the City of Sails, as you join the yachts on Waitemata Harbor and enjoy the relaxed pace of harbor sailing. Set sail on a 50-foot cruising yacht for a spectacular sailing experience on the sparkling harbor waters. Meet your captain at the Auckland waterfront and be welcomed by the crew, who will supply you with weather-proof jackets if required. After a brief introduction accompanied by a safety briefing, depart Viaduct Habor to sail past the Sky Tower and Auckland Harbor Bridge for a 1.5-hour sightseeing tour. Enjoy engaging commentary from your skipper on Auckland, the home of the Americas Cup. Set sail to cruise Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbor. If you like, help the crew sail the vessel or simply sit back and relax as you take advantage of photo opportunities. Glide past the Auckland Bridge, Westhaven Marina, the charming suburb of Devonport and the city skyline before returning to Auckland.

Auckland City Small Group Morning Discovery Tour

7. Auckland City Small Group Morning Discovery Tour

Experience the best sights of Auckland City on a small group city tour. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights, plus see how Aucklanders live and play. After pick up from your central Auckland hotel, travel up Queen Street through Auckland’s central business district, past Auckland University, and through the inner city park 'The Domain'. Auckland is set on over fifty dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore. Here you can stroll on a beautiful beach with views out across the Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto Island and where there is time for a coffee.  After a short drive through historic Devonport, continue up to the summit of Mount Victoria for stunning panoramic views of Auckland City and historic Devonport. Mount Victoria is Devonport's very own dormant volcano. Then, travel back over the Harbour Bridge to view Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Auckland: Maritime Museum Entry Ticket

8. Auckland: Maritime Museum Entry Ticket

Take a trip to the Maritime Museum and spend a few hours learning about one of the most maritime nations in the world. Go deep inside the stories and narratives of those affected by the sea through galleries, displays, special exhibitions, and more.  Discover the relationship between the sea and other factors such as immigration, trade, design, innovation, and leisure.  The Museum houses one of the nation’s most important heritage collections which covers the breadth of our relationship with the sea; from the Great Pacific Migration a thousand years ago to the cutting edge of modern technology and design used in America’s Cup and modern yachting. Suitable for all the family, there is something for everyone at the museum thanks to the poignancy of the personal connections and stories told here. 

Auckland: Ted Ashby Sailing Tour & Maritime Museum Ticket

9. Auckland: Ted Ashby Sailing Tour & Maritime Museum Ticket

Explore Auckland’s sparkling Waitematā Harbour aboard the New Zealand Maritime Museum’s heritage scow, Ted Ashby. Help hoist the sails or simply sit back and absorb stunning views of the city skyline as you cruise beneath the iconic Harbour Bridge. After your sailing experience, spend some time at New Zealand Maritime Museum and discover the genius of early Pacific navigation and the great voyages of exploration to Aotearoa through to Blue Water Black Magic, a gallery dedicated to our extraordinary story of innovative design, meticulous teamwork, outstanding leadership and New Zealand's international success in sailing.

New. Maori Cultural Tour with Maori Guides and lunch

10. New. Maori Cultural Tour with Maori Guides and lunch

Join us on a journey through the rich Maori culture of Auckland and Waiheke Island with our specialized Maori Cultural Ambassador, Paora. With 34 years of residency on Waiheke, Paora is an expert in Maori protocol and history, and will take you on a scenic tour of our Motu while weaving in fascinating stories. Paora's passion for sharing the essence of Waiheke with visitors stems from his upbringing - from supporting Kato Kauwhata in running Piritahi Marae as a young man to learning the history and ancestry associated with Waiheke from his late Uncle and Tohunga. As a filmmaker, Paora has a special appreciation for the magic of the Island and is excited to share it with you. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience! What to expect: Your cultural tour will begin once you arrive and step foot on the grounds of Matiatia. Paora will guide you to a number of Wahi tapu (sacred sites) on Te Motu Arai Roa – Waiheke. You will visit Cable Bay for wine tasting first to learn about their unique partnership with the Maori (Iwi), then up to The Batch for lunch where 360-degree views over the waters of Te Waitemata and Tikapa will inspire more storytelling to deepen your connection to the beauty and culture of Waiheke. Exclusive to this tour, your next stop is at the Waihekeana store in Onetangi, where you can taste Waiheke honey and olive oils while browsing locally made arts, crafts, and jewellery. Your tour ends with a sharing of each other’s experience and Karakia at the water’s edge of Matiatia. Your cultural itinerary: 9am – Depart Auckland on Fullers sailing to Waiheke Island 09.40am – Paora will greet you at the Maori bronze warrior sculpture “Te Werowero” at Matiatia: here is where the rich tapestry of storytelling will begin with a Karakiha (blessing). 10.15am – Sacred Sites Tour around Waiheke Island with Paora talking about the rich history of the Maori and how they came and lived on Waiheke Island. 11am – Visit Cable Bay Vineyards’ cellar door, exploring a variety of Waiheke Island and Marlborough–produced, hand-picked, and harvested award-winning wines. Learn about the former largest Maori settlement at Church Bay. 12pm – Lunch at Batch Winery, the highest vineyard on Waiheke Island with spectacular views and north-facing sun-soaked hillsides of vines, including terraces of traditional elegant vines. Here you will enjoy a lovely set menu lunch with a vegan option, fish or steak with a glass of wine or beer. 2 pm Depart Waiheke on Fullers sailing to Auckland Downtown Ferry Terminal. *Itineraries are subject to some variation depending on seasonal vineyard availability and may vary from those advertised. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Reserve your spot now because seats are filling up fast. You won't want to miss this incredible experience.   Lunch and an alocholic drink are included in this tour.

Other Sightseeing Options in Auckland CBD

Want to discover all there is to do in Auckland CBD? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Auckland CBD

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 635 reviews

Very easy to book great service. Arrived after midnight, took us a while to get luggage and getting thru custom. The driver awaited us just at the exit and was very friendly even though he had to wait a long time. It was a most pleasant drive to the hotel. Would recommend this service any time.

Service was excellent value with both drivers being amiable and great drivers. Vehicles were on time and were quite new and comfortable. Would have no hesitation in utilising their service again.

We arrived a lot later than expected ,but our driver was still waiting.He was very helpful and polite, a credit to the company,would recommend to anyone

I've done some small boat sailing on a lake in Illinois, but an America's Cup boat? That was something else.

Stunning experience to sail on actual Americans cup! We all loved it. A must do in Auckland!!