A boat lover’s guide to Auckland
You’ve got your travel booked and now it’s time to start planning the finer details of your trip to Auckland for the 2026 Auckland Wooden Boat Festival. There is a reason that Auckland is fondly known as ‘the city of sails’, and a visit will not disappoint no matter if it’s a quick weekender or something longer.
Here are our top picks of must-see and must-do attractions during your visit:
Near the water
Photo / Chris McLennan
Central Auckland’s waterfront is magical. To the west is the largest marina in the Southern Hemisphere, Westhaven, home to around 2,000 boats, four yacht clubs, cafes, and the spectacular Westhaven Promenade. Journeying east on foot or bike takes you through three marinas, home to superyachts and luxury vessels, Heritage Landing where you can view a selection of wooden boats at any time of day, the heart of Auckland’s vibrant restaurant district, Viaduct Harbour. From there you can journey east along beaches and paths, as far as you like.
On the water
The Hauraki Gulf is known as one of the world’s boating meccas and from luxury charters to ferry rides, there are numerous ways to explore it.
Tiritiri Matangi Island is just a ferry ride away
From the Downtown Ferry Building you can catch a ferry to the heritage suburb of Devonport, to Waiheke Island which is famous for its wineries and dining, the bird sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi, or the volcanic Rangitoto.Learn more about where to go
If you’d like to reach out to the wooden boating world ahead of your arrival, and learn about other classic boat events on at the same time, we recommend contacting the friendly Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand which runs the famous Perpetual Guardian Classic Yacht Regatta just one week before our festival. Or find a friendly yacht club to visit on your travels.
A must-do is a visit to the New Zealand Maritime Museum where there are remarkable stories to be discovered and you can sail on a classic scow and see the sights of the Waitemāta Harbour.
The New Zealand Maritime museum
Moana Auckland is New Zealand’s Ocean Festival and it’s on from 28 February to March 15 2026. This includes the 25th Auckland Boat Show from 5-8 March where there are more than 150 boats on display in the water including many available to sea trial and 500 brands on display.
City life
Auckland is a cultural city and there is much to be discovered while you are out and about. Learn about galleries, history and heritage, museums and street art on Aucklandnz.com It’s also a great destination for shopping, and dining.
Locals tips
The Westhaven boardwalk
For a short visit, there is plenty to do from the centre of Auckland and we recommend looking for accommodation around the Viaduct, Wynyard Quarter.
If you are staying centrally, then public transport is a great way to get around - but for a longer expedition, a rental car is recommended.
Booking a stay on Waiheke Island is also a great option - the island is easy to travel around by bus, taxi, or rental car.