Day Cruises in Auckland

Take in the sights of Queen Charlotte Sound and visit Ship Cove on a morning boat tour from Picton. The 3.5-hour journey follows a network of waterways as your captain narrates the highlights of the Marlborough Sounds. During free time while anchored at Ship Cove, see Maori wood carvings and a Captain Cook memorial, and explore the sheltered beach. Be on the lookout for marine life and other natural features of this breathtaking region while you sip complimentary tea and coffee on board.

Enjoy time aboard a sailing yacht on Waitemata Harbour. Your 1.5-hour Auckland cruise sets sail from Viaduct Harbour, passing the Auckland Bridge, Westhaven Marina and Devonport while you listen to informative commentary on the sights. Relax as you take in the views or help the crew sail the vessel - it's up to you.

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound to Motuara Island and Ship Cove on a 4.5-hour boat tour from Picton. Search for birdlife and marine mammals, such as Hector's dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, as your captain details the region's natural and cultural history. Spend time exploring Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary, home to endangered native birds including the South Island saddleback, king shag, little blue penguin and kiwi. Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee on board, with free time ashore in Ship Cove.

Glide past the Sky Tower, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Bean Rock Lighthouse and Devonport Naval Base on a cruise from Waitemata Harbour. Your tour includes morning or afternoon tea.

Secure a limited ticket to Tiritiri Matangi island, a protected sanctuary for rare and endangered bird species of New Zealand. A 75-minute ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf brings you to the island preserve, where you have the day to stroll the trails and enjoy the coastline after a ranger orientation. Gain a deeper understanding of Tiritiri Matangi's role in preserving birdlife with an optional 1.5-hour guided hike.

Discover the natural beauty and fresh seafood of the Marlborough Sounds during a 3.5-hour cruise from Picton. Travel by luxury catamaran through the sheltered waters of the Queen Charlotte Sound, located at the top of New Zealand's South Island. Taste fresh seafood served on board and paired with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. You'll also learn about aquaculture in the Marlborough Sounds, check out a salmon and mussel farm, and get great photo ops of the region.

Take a 75-minute journey across the Hauraki Gulf aboard the Rotoroa Island ferry. Your round-trip ticket allows you to explore the island's arts, history and conservation park, including sandy shoreline, hiking trails and an award-winning museum. Opened to the public in 2011, Rotoroa Island was the longtime home to an addiction treatment center run by the Salvation Army. Visit the heritage buildings and a Rotoroa wildlife sanctuary for endangered New Zealand species. Spend about 6 hours at your leisure before returning to Auckland.

Visit the remote communities of Queen Charlotte Sound aboard a working mail boat. This scenic 4-hour boat cruise departs Picton in the afternoon and makes New Zealand Post rural delivery service along different routes each day of the week. Experience the lifestyle of the Marlborough Sounds firsthand as the boat captain shares regional history and stories of these isolated hamlets. Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee on board and disembark for a 15-minute stop at Ship Cove (1st Oct to 30th April).

Explore the volcanic terrain of Rangitoto Island aboard a 4WD tractor-pulled tram on this half-day guided tour. Depart Auckland for Rangitoto on a ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf, and be rewarded with 360-degree views of the water and city skyline after a short walk to the island's summit. During your 2-hour off-road adventure, hear commentary about the island's history, geology and rich plant life, including the largest preserved pohutukawa forest in the world.