Auckland harbour cruise, under full sail.

The Auckland harbour cruise we list is a sail, not a ride on a motor launch: a plain Auckland harbour sailing cruise, with no racing and no dinner, just the sail. For 1.5 hours you are aboard a 50-foot cruising yacht on the Waitemata Harbour, with a skipper and crew who give live commentary in English and a short safety briefing before you cast off. You meet at a kiosk inside Viaduct Harbour, at the end of Quay Street and across from the New Zealand Maritime Museum, and you come back to the same spot.

On the way the listing names the city skyline, the Sky Tower, Westhaven Marina, Devonport and the bridge across the harbour. Guests may help the crew sail and take a turn at the helm, or simply sit back with a hot drink and a cookie. There is a toilet on board. It is a gentle introduction for anyone who has never set foot on a sailing boat.

It starts from $65, with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and the option to reserve now and pay later. The rest of this site goes further: what every harbour boat costs, the dinner and sunset sails, private charters, the festive season, the ferries and the stories that earned Auckland the name City of Sails.

Explore Group, the operator named at the meeting point, runs a fleet of identical 50ft monohull yachts for its harbour sailing, each carrying 18 passengers at most. They are cruising yachts with a roomy cockpit, built for comfort rather than racing, and they still heel and surge when the breeze picks up.

Nobody needs experience. The crew give a safety briefing, then invite anyone who wants to steer or help with the sails to get involved. If you would rather not, there is no pressure: plenty of guests spend the whole trip watching the skyline and the boats around them. Either way of spending the trip is welcome, and you can change your mind halfway through.

Taking the helm is the moment people remember. A skipper stands beside you, points at a mark on the shore and lets you feel the yacht answer the wheel. It is a small thing, but it turns a sightseeing trip into a sailing lesson, and it is the reason to choose a yacht over a launch. Even a few minutes at the wheel give you a feel for how wind, sails and rudder work together.

It is cooler on the water than in the city streets, even in summer. Explore Group asks guests to dress for the weather, wear flat-soled shoes and bring an extra layer for the sail. Sunglasses and sunscreen earn their place when the sun glares off the harbour. A light windproof jacket is more useful than a thick coat, since you can add or remove it as the sun comes and goes.

Expect movement. The operator is clear that its yacht has ropes and moving parts and that the boat will pitch and roll. Keep a hand free for the boat when you move around, stow loose hats and scarves, and keep your phone on a strap if you plan to take photos from the rail. Rubber-soled trainers or deck shoes grip a wet surface far better than sandals or heels.

If you are prone to seasickness, sheltered water is usually gentler than open sea, but a breezy day can still bring some motion. Find a seat amidships, keep your eyes on the skyline and take any medication before you board rather than after you start to feel unwell. The motion usually feels strongest when the yacht turns or crosses another boat's wake, and it passes quickly.