AUCKLAND WATER PACK
Getting out on the water is an essential part of the New Zealand experience. As an island nation they have an endless coastline, and the mountainous interior provides hundreds of inland waterways that run to the sea.
There are islands, harbours, beaches, rivers and lakes to be discovered and explored.
Auckland city (City of Sails) is the centre of sailing on the North Island and the home of the America’s Cup. Boat cruises, sailing trips and sailing instruction are easily available from a myriad of suppliers.
Boats Trips
Pride of Auckland Co. Ltd.
Corner Hobson and Quay Streets, Through the entrance of the NZ National Maritime Museum, Auckland
Enjoy a boat cruise with a difference! Combine your Harbour excursion with an introduction to sailing, the sport that made Auckland the City of Sails! They have four 50 foot sailboats and a 60 foot sailing catamaran to give you an experience that can be as relaxing or exhilarating as you make it. In Auckland’s sheltered harbour, flat waters and perfect breezes mean we sail every day, all year round. Rain/wind jackets provided free.
They offer dining afloat too.
www.prideofauckland.com
City and Sails inc Kelly Tarlton’s Tour – Great Sights
Karanghape Road, Auckland
An Auckland city and sails tour is the perfect way to view the city highlights, experience the amazing Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and cruise the harbour on a Pride of Auckland Sailing Yacht.
Highlights include: Kelly Tarltons – See the Penguins, The American Express Viaduct – location of the last America’s Cup, Queen Street – Auckland’s main shopping and business district, Mount Eden – a dormant volcano whose summit offers panoramic views, and Parnell Village – one of Auckland’s trendy café and shopping areas.
www.greatsights.co.nz
Kayaks and Canoes
Cliffhanger Training & Adventures Ltd
Woodglen Road, Glen Eden, Auckland
Cliffhanger Adventures offers you a wide range of Adventure Options —from a half-day to four days or more, depending on your schedule & your budget. For sea-kayaking no previous experience is necessary, though a moderate level of fitness is required. Full instruction is given.
www.cliffhanger.co.nz
StressFree Adventures
8-12 River Lane, Waiuku
Flat water kayaking on one of the estuaries of the Manukau Harbour or cruise down part of the Waikato River (New Zealands longest river). The experienced guides will tailor the trip to your ability. Trips range from 1/2 day to 2 days with food and all accommodation supplied.
www.StressFreeAdventures.co.nz
Puhoi River Canoe Hire Limited
84 Puhoi Road, Puhoi Village, Puhoi
They offer a unique freedom kayaking adventure which goes from the Historic Puhoi Village to the scenic Wenderholm Regional Park.
Also available is a guided moonlight paddle down the Puhoi River; a magical adventure not to be missed. Booking essential.
www.puhoirivercanoes.co.nz
Google Earth Co-Ords – Lat 36°30’53.29″S Long 174°39’43.82″E
Sea Fishing
With endless coastlines and pristine oceans it is not surprising that sea fishing is extremely popular in New Zealand. There are many websites devoted to the subject but here are one or two to whet your appetite.
www.fishandgame.org.nz – Fish & Game New Zealand is the organisation with the statutory responsibility for the sports of freshwater sport fishing and gamebird hunting. Information on seasons and licences are available here.
www.fishnhunt.co.nz – Welcome to Fishing and Hunting New Zealand. Within our site you will find everything about fishing – saltwater and fly fishing – hunting New Zealand
www.fishnz.co.nz – A popular fishing magazine in New Zealand. Their website is packed with useful information and links.
www.fishing.net.nz – The Fishing Website was launched in 1997 to cater for the recreational anglers in New Zealand and to provide information for international visitors looking for more background on New Zealand’s fantastic fishery.
Shadze in Leigh by the Sea
17 Totara Road, Leigh
Fishing trips in both sheltered and open ocean waters with a commercial qualified skipper. Catch snapper (bream), kingfish, hapuka and kahawai amongst others, we can also offer salt water fly fishing. They offer a variety of fishing options, from half day trips to full day trips away from the hustle and bustle. The boat is also available for diving and sight seeing as well as whale and dolphin watching.
[email protected]
Auckland Maritime Adventure Company
6 Greta Place, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa
The Auckland Maritime Adventure Company (AMAC) has been established to provide the ultimate adventurous maritime experience and to enable an appreciation of the fishing, diving and all round maritime opportunities available in the Hauraki Gulf and beyond.
AMAC is 100% kiwi owned and operated with the skipper (Phil) totally focused on provided the very best fishing, diving and overall experience to our customers.
www.amac.net.nz
Hauraki Gulf Google Earth Co-Ords – Lat 36°37’54.09″S Long 174°55’59.57″E
Diving
With about 15,000 kms of coastline and hundreds of offshore islands, New Zealand offers divers a vast and varied underwater landscape.
A network of substantial marine reserves protects an abundance of marine life in clean, clear waters. You can dive wrecks, drop-offs and sub-tropical reefs; explore huge kelp forests, swim with school fish or clown around with the seals.
For more information on diving and snorkelling, have a look at these links.
www.divenewzealand.com – Official web site of Dive New Zealand and Dive Pacific magazine. 100s of articles on diving in New Zealand, dive sites, dive travel, wreck diving…
www.newzealandnz.co.nz/scuba-diving-snorkelling – New Zealand’s coastal waters offer some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the world. The New Zealand Information Network has compiled this summary of the top diving and snorkelling locations to assist visitors with their holiday plans.
First Light Travel Diving Tours
6/1 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland
As well as boasting one of the 10 best dive sites in the world, divers can experience everything from wreck, drift, fresh water spring, and shark diving – the diversity of diving New Zealand offers is simply stunning. There is also plenty to do for non-divers, and our itineraries take care of non-diver needs or for when you just need a day above water – mountain ranges, arable plains and soaring fjords – all of which bear witness to New Zealand’s astonishing geographical diversity. Depending on how much time you have we can offer multi-sport or dive only tours, either premium hosted, group or self-drive.
www.firstlighttravel.com
Goat Island Dive
142a Pakiri Road, Leigh
A unique diving experience just one hour’s drive north of Auckland City. Scuba dive, snorkel and kayak from the safe Goat Island Marine reserve beach. Goat Island is an attraction for all the family while the more adventurous can dive the Leigh Coastline and outer islands where you will always find an abundance of marine life and fish. At our PADI Resort we have experienced instructors on-site for ‘discover scuba’ lessons or open water dive courses.
www.goatislanddive.co.nz
Google Earth Co-ords – Lat 36°15’56.15″S Long 174°47’53.03″E
Global Dive
6/1 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland
Global Dive is a highly experienced dive training operation based in Auckland, New Zealand. They train to all levels of SDI, TDI (Technical Diving) and PADI certification, as well as various diving specialties.
They run regular trips to dive locations throughout New Zealand, and can also assist with dive travel enquiries.
www.globaldive.net
Whales and Dolphins
Sea mammals such as whales and dolphins abound in the waters around New Zealand. Ask locally about viewing points from which they can be seen. Alternatively you can go on an organised viewing trip by boat. There are plenty of providers. There are two mentioned below as an example only. For more information about sea mammal species native to New Zealand and current research and conservation go to www.whaledolphintrust.org.nz/
Auckland’s Dolphin & Whale Safari
Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
Auckland’s beautiful Hauraki Gulf is considered to be one of the most biologically and geographically diverse marine parks in the world. It is also one of the world’s richest habitats for marine mammals: 22 species of dolphins & whales have been seen in the Hauraki Gulf. We encounter marine mammals on well over 90% of our safaris. Our skilled crew has over 20 years combined experience finding & interacting with dolphins & whales.
www.dolphinsafari.co.nz
First Light Travel
6/1 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland
Meet whales and dolphins in their own environment on an educational tour of marine mammal watching hotspots in New Zealand. On our private viewing vessels and with your own expert guide, we have a chance of encountering ten species of cetaceans; humpback, Bryde’s, Southern right, Minke, pilot and sperm whales, and bottlenose, common and Hector’s dolphin, orca, and two species of pinnipeds (the New Zealand fur seal and sealion).
www.firstlighttravel.com
Surfing
Surfing was introduced to New Zealand in 1915 and since then it has grown to become a part of the Kiwi culture. It is easy to rent boards and wet suits at any of the main surfing beaches if you haven’t been able to bring your own with you. If you would like to learn to surf, advance your skills or try something new like wipika or windsurfing, lessons and surf schools are many and varied.
For more information on surfing in New Zealand you can look at…
www.surf.co.nz – Provides news, surf reports, weather, clubs, schools, and related links for New Zealand.
www.surfingnz.co.nz – Surfing New Zealand Official Website. Surfing New Zealand was formed in 1963 after the first National Championships were held at Mount Maunganui. The organisation was formed to act as the body who administers surfing in the country.
www.surf2surf.com – Surf reports and beach cams for all the main surfing beaches.
For example…
OceanXtreme
115 Bryant rd, Rd1, Karaka
OceanXtreme is a school and safaris organisation that was established for the enjoyment of adventure water sports. They specialise in surfing and kite surfing lessons and trips in Auckland area and wider North Island.
www.oceanxtreme.co.nz