Auckland Private Sailing Yacht Charter Motuihe Island

Anchor at an island, swim from the yacht, eat lunch on the water.

A private sailing charter on the Yonder Star departs Viaduct Harbour and cruises Waitemata Harbour under the Auckland Harbour Bridge, past the CBD and Devonport Naval Base. Half-day sails past Mount Victoria and the North Shore beaches. Full-day anchors at Motuihe Island for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and bush walks, with lunch served onboard. Overnight charters accommodate up to six guests and are fully customizable.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private sailing charter in Auckland

• Board Yonder Star yacht
• Depart from Viaduct Harbour
• Sail under Auckland Harbour Bridge
• Pass Chelsea Sugar Factory
• Pass Devonport and North Head
• View Rangitoto Island volcanic landscape
• Explore Motuihe Island beaches and trails
• Return to Viaduct Marina

The experience

What does a private yacht charter from Auckland actually look like? You board the Yonder Star at Viaduct Harbour, a working waterfront ringed with cafes and moored boats, then sail through a lifting drawbridge into Waitemata Harbour. The route takes you under the Auckland Harbour Bridge (watch for bungee jumpers on the span), and west past the CBD skyline, the heritage-pink Chelsea Sugar Factory on the northern shore, and the seaside village of Devonport with North Head's volcanic cone rising behind it. On a half-day charter, you cruise past Mount Victoria, Cheltenham and Narrow Neck beaches before returning to Viaduct Marina, with champagne and a fruit and cheese board served underway.

The full-day charter anchors at Motuihe Island, a golden-sand island with walking trails and native bush. Once anchored, you swim from the yacht, paddle out on a kayak or paddle board, or walk the island's trails while the crew prepares lunch onboard. You eat at anchor, then sail back to the city. An overnight charter holds up to six guests and runs entirely to your plan. You work with the captain and crew to set the itinerary, choose the stops and decide what happens each day. Food and drink menus are emailed before departure so you can request dietary preferences or specify what you want served.

The yacht carries kayaks, paddle boards and fishing rods, so you can fish from the boat or paddle into coves. A captain and crew come with every charter. Fuel is included. A minimum of two people is required to depart, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour operates year-round and suits all fitness levels. You set the pace and the activities, and the crew adapts to what you want to do.

What’s included

• Private charter of the Yonder Star and tender boat.
• captain and crew.
• kayaks, paddle boards and fishing rods.
• fuel consumption.
• champagne and a fruit and cheese board on half-day charters.
• champagne bottle on full-day charters.
• lunch onboard on full-day and overnight charters.
• customized itinerary on overnight charters.

Options for this experience

3 options

Half Day CharterUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 09:30 and 16:30includes pickup

Full Day CharterUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 09:30includes pickup

Overnight CharterUp to 1 per booking · Guide in English · 09:30includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 16:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Auckland & Beyond Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the half-day charter to see the Harbour Bridge, Devonport and the North Shore in a morning or afternoon. Pick the full-day if you want to anchor at an island and spend time swimming, paddling and walking. Overnight charters work for groups up to six who want to set their own schedule and explore multiple stops over a full day and night.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can we swim and paddle board at Motuihe Island on the full-day charter?

Yes. The full-day charter anchors at Motuihe Island specifically so you can swim from the yacht, paddle out on a kayak or paddle board, or walk the island's trails. Kayaks and paddle boards are included with the charter.

What happens if we want to customize the route on an overnight charter?

Overnight charters are fully customizable. You work with the captain and crew before departure to plan the itinerary, choose which islands or harbours to visit, and decide what activities happen each day. The crew adapts the route to what you want.

Is lunch included on the full-day charter?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard while the yacht is anchored at Motuihe Island. On overnight charters, menus are emailed to you before the charter so you can request dietary preferences or specify what you want served.

What's the difference between the half-day and full-day charter?

The half-day charter (3 hours) sails from Viaduct Harbour under the Harbour Bridge, past Devonport and the North Shore beaches, then returns to the marina with champagne and a cheese board. The full-day charter (6 hours) sails toward Motuihe Island and anchors there for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and walking, with lunch served onboard.

Does the yacht pass under the Auckland Harbour Bridge on every charter?

Yes. Every charter departs Viaduct Harbour through a lifting drawbridge into Waitemata Harbour, then sails under the Auckland Harbour Bridge as part of the route out of the city.