As the sun set over Westhaven Marina tonight, I could feel the festive atmosphere developing. It’s a great day to be a Kiwi. Today is the day New Zealand brought home America’s Cup, winning 7-1 over Oracle Team USA. The highly sought after Cup will reside at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, overlooking Westhaven Marina to the South and the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf to the North.
Normally, I don’t stop at Westhaven Marina, although I see it often as we cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It’s the largest yacht marina in the southern hemisphere, and each time I look out at the nearly 2,000 boats, I fantasise that one of them is mine. It is no surprise that Auckland is nicknamed the City of Sails.
Sunset over Westhaven Marina.
Auckland Harbour Bridge viewed from Curran Street, on the west side of the bridge.
The boating entrance to this Auckland Marina.
A yacht passes in front of Rangitoto Island.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is one of the country’s most prestigious yacht clubs and will once again be home to the America’s Cup trophy when it returns to New Zealand next week. Rangitoto Island is reflected in one of the windows, while you can see the festivities starting to begin in the other building.
Flags fly proudly in support of Emirates Team New Zealand.
A bicycle leans against the boardwalk fence along the Auckland waterfront. You can see the Harbour Bridge traffic starting to build as rush hour approaches.
Another Auckland Harbour Bridge view from the boardwalk.
Barnacles and mussels cling to the wall just outside Westhaven Marina. Auckland city centre stands proudly in the background.
Sun is setting beyond the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
More on Westhaven Marina, the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron:
- Auckland Council purchased Westhaven Marina in 2004 from Ports of Auckland for $46 million.
- The Auckland Harbour Bridge is the longest road bridge on New Zealand’s North Island. It spans the Waitemata Harbour connecting Auckland to the North Shore.
- By the end of 2017, the bridge will have all its lighting powered by solar-stored energy, a world’s first. The goal is to create colourful effects using over 90,000 LED lights and 200 flood lights.
- The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is the club behind New Zealand’s America’s Cup campaigns.
- America’s Cup resided at the RNZYS from 1995 until 2003 and with today’s win, the Cup will return.
- The club was established in 1871 as the “Auckland Yacht Club” until it received royal patronage thus changing its name to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The club patron is Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
- Take note of the warning signs in the marina car park. If you are a visitor, be sure to only park in the white spaces.
More on Boating in Auckland
- Westhaven Marina is the starting point for the Red Boat tours to Riverhead Tavern.
- America’s Cup racing fans can sail on former New Zealand America’s Cup yachts. These are the same boats that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge raced on when they visited Auckland.
- New Zealand’s Viaduct Harbour was a stopover destination for the Volvo Ocean Race Around the World.
- The annual Auckland Boat Show is in September. It’s an excellent place to learn more about boating. Last year I got to board the NZ classics Steinlager 2.
- If you love sunsets, check out these sunsets from the other side of the bay (Mt. Victoria) my favourite New Zealand sunset photos.
If you are headed to the Auckland or anywhere in New Zealand, don’t forget to pick up a copy of Lonely Planet’s New Zealand Travel Guide. It makes planning your adventures easy. Or, if you prefer a tour, Viator offers several day trips in and around Auckland that look great.
If you enjoyed these photos of Westhaven Marina, please pin this on Pinterest:
Don’t Miss: 25 Things to Do in Auckland at Night.
Have you been to Westhaven Marina? Did you watch the America’s Cup Racing?
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Rajlakshmi says
Such gorgeous pictures. The sunset makes the shore look so peaceful… I wish I owned one of those yatchs 😊
Rhonda Albom says
You and me both. I miss our yacht on nice sunny days. On wild days, not so much.
Driller's Place says
Very nice set of images. I really like the bicycle in the foreground and the bridge in the background. The final sunset image is just really well done. Have a blessed week.
Rhonda Albom says
You and I share a favourite photo of the day.
Ryazan says
Awesome post! Congratulations NZ!! 🙂 I was also converted visiting Marinas when I went to SG Marina Club. I can definitely live in one of those yachts!
Rhonda Albom says
I could live on one in the summer, or on a nice winters day, but I don’t think I would be too happy in a storm.
Megan Jerrard says
Wow, Westhaven Marina definitely lives true to Auckland’s title of the city of sails – beautiful but very busy scene! It’s nice to stop and explore a place you drive by so frequently 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Didn’t you get to see Westhaven when you were here? I would have thought you would have passed it on your way out west.
Trisha Velarmino says
Congrats, NZ! I love the photos! I am a golden hour lover!
Rhonda Albom says
New Zealand thanks you, and I am a golden hour lover too.
Kasia says
I will be visiting Australia nad New Zealand at the beginning of 2018 😀 I hope this is a good time to travel there. I’m really looking forward as it was alwasys my dream to visit these two countries. It’s gonna be a looong journey from Europe but I’m sure it’s worth it 😀
Best,
Kasia
Rhonda Albom says
It’s summer, always a good time for New Zealand, but quite hot in parts of Australia.
ladyfi says
Gorgeous shots.
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Fi.
Siddhartha Joshi says
Ah! That first picture of Westhaven Marina is heavenly…it would be damn amazing to go into the sunset on one of those yachts 🙂 All your pictures are amazing…
Rhonda Albom says
The problem with sailing into the sunset is coming back in the dark. I am not a fan of night sailing.
Jenn and Ed Coleman says
We are awful America’s Cup fans. We live in San Diego, home port to Stars and Stripes and we have never made a point to visit. I am pretty sure that we have cruised past it a couple of times and couldn’t even identify it.
Your photos are lovely. I particularly liked your opening shot of the harbor at sunset. The colors were beautiful.
Rhonda Albom says
We are big fans, but we live in the city of sails and race in the summer – at the local yacht club level.
Marcus and Mel says
Some beautiful sunset pics over the water and a perfect place for sailing – well done by the way. We’ve got plenty of wind here in Wales, unfortunately, they come with matching dark skies.
Rhonda Albom says
We are lucky to have decent weather to go with our perfect sailing waters.
Tanvi Nadkarni says
Wow I’ve never been to any marina! This looks great and your pictures are beautiful
Rhonda Albom says
Westhaven is the largest yacht marina in the Southern Hemisphere. Most are not this big, but from the right angle of photography, they can all look pretty large.
Trave with Mei and Kerstin says
What a beautiful marina! I’m adding this place to our bucket list for when we travel to New Zealand (hopefully soon!).
Rhonda Albom says
If you arrive in Auckland (which you most likely will) you will see it.
Leah says
Ah, this post has me missing New Zealand, one of my favorite places. Like most visitors, I didn’t spend a lot of time in Auckland, but it looks like I missed out. Lovely photos.
Rhonda Albom says
I live here, so I may be biased, but I love Auckland.
Charli says
You’ve captured some really beautiful shots! I lived in West Auckland – Titirangi for a while and loved hanging out at the marina!
Rhonda Albom says
Titirangi is such a beautiful place to live too, with the rainforest right out your backdoor.
Patrick weseman says
Very Beautiful pics. What a great place to spend some time.
Rhonda Albom says
Agreed. Unfortunately, we rarely stop, as it’s at the base of the bridge, so we are usually in a hurry to either get to our destination or beat rush hour home.
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says
Great photos! I especially love the one of the boats on the piling moorings – that’s were we used to keep ours. Yay for NZ winning the America’s Cup!
Rhonda Albom says
Glad to bring back some good memories. And big Yay for the America’s Cup coming back to New Zealand.
image-in-ing: weekly photo linky says
Rhonda, this is positively gorgeous. Lovely setting, beautiful capture.
Mary says
Rhonda there are so many boats in that Marina. It makes ours look puny in comparison. Great photography!!
Rhonda Albom says
It is the largest yacht marina in the Southern Hemisphere.
Pat says
Congratulations to NZ! And I agree with Paul’s comment..lol…funny but sadly true! Loved seeing the harbor in all different light and all those yachts!
Rhonda Albom says
Agreed, I had good giggle over Paul’s comment, but as an American expat, I find the situation often embarrassing.
Sharon says
I love the pink tones in the sky against the blue water. What a lovely place!
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Sharon, I love the sky when it has soft colours like this.
Mags says
Well this makes me want to go to New Zealand and get a yacht, but I’d settle for just a trip to New Zealand. Congrats on the big win!
Rhonda Albom says
LOL – then my vision was successful.
tom the backroads traveller says
…killer sunsets.
Rhonda Albom says
My favourite time of day.
Carol Colborn says
I will be in Auckland from Aug. 2 to 5 and will get to see this! Excited!
Rhonda Albom says
There is so much to see and do in Auckland. This is just one of many interesting things. Have you been before?
Amy says
I miss Auckland City alot. But we did watch the America’s cup – was so exciting!
Rhonda Albom says
So proud of Team New Zealand. Can you come up to the city for the celebration parade on Thursday?
melody pittman says
Rhonda, those harbor pictures are incredible! Wow. I’m so impressed. I’m sure the Auckland Harbor Bridge is fantastic anyway but so much better with these shots.
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Melody, dare I say, it’s not the world’s most beautiful bridge, but it does the job and it looks great at sunset 🙂
Christinchen Royalista says
Lovely photos from Auckland, New Zealand… glad to visit this page today for WW …
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Christinchen 🙂
JM Illinois U.S.A. says
You have such an interesting life. Keep on going for it!
Rhonda Albom says
LOL – it seems pretty normal to me, but thanks.
Evelyne CulturEatz says
Congrats NZ! great pics and there are no marinas really where I am so I am drawn to them like a magnet when I visit a plce with one.
Rhonda Albom says
Proud to be Kiwi! I live near one, and I am drawn to them too.
Molly says
I can totally see why it is has that nickname. Looks like a beautiful place
Mollyx
Rhonda Albom says
Wait until you see it on a sunny summer day, with sails up out on the water.
Sher Jester says
I loved seeing your photos. They are beautiful!
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Sher.
Magical Mystical Teacher says
Nice reddish touch to the clouds. Thanks for linking to Ruby Tuesday Too.
Rhonda Albom says
I love soft colours in the sky.
Bill says
Have to ask how do you find your boat amongst that lot, GPS. Looks a nice place
marja says
Ah what a great win isn’t it. There are indeed a lot of boats in Auckland. Auckland is one of the few places I haven’t explored in New Zealand yet. Have to put it on the calendar one day 🙂
Anda says
Forgive my ignorance, Rhonda, so from all I understand America’s Cup is a yacht race, right? Well, I’m not surprised that New Zealand won it then. Like you say, the Kiwis are great sailors. As for owning a sailing boat, it’s not exactly my ultimate desire. Laszlo is member of a yacht club and rents one once in a while, but I am not exactly comfortable out on the sea (to put it mildly). Beautiful pictures, like always.
Rhonda Albom says
Yes, America’s Cup is a yacht race. The two teams that race are the defending champion (in this case Team USA) and the winner of the Louis Vuitton Yacht Race (in this case Team New Zealand). In reality, both boats were built in New Zealand, and a large percentage of the sailors are Kiwi or Aussie, before being picked up by their various teams.
Suzy says
These photos say “SUMMER”!!
Rhonda Albom says
LOL – The photos may say it, but the weather doesn’t agree. Actually, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, the air temperature was probably about 12C last night when I took these shots.
Teresa Kindred says
I love boats and sunsets so this is a winner! Thanks Rhonda!
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Teresa, so do I for both.
Katie says
Beautiful photos! Have only been to Auckland briefly, but would like to spend some more time checking it out.
Rhonda Albom says
That’s what I said 15 years ago, and I am still here. And, thanks.
Felicia says
wow that’s alot of boats. love the pastel colors of the sky
Rhonda Albom says
It is the largest yacht marina in the Southern Hemisphere. The marina out by our house holds 1200+ yachts.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
The sunset ones are nice!
Rhonda Albom says
It was a near perfect night.
Photo Cache says
These photos are incredible. Thanks for the cybertour.
Worth a Thousand Words
Rhonda Albom says
thanks. Glad you enjoyed them.
Patrick Weseman says
Very beautiful. You had to rub it in-LOL. I went to the America’s Cup when it was here a couple of years ago and watched Oracle win.
Rhonda Albom says
Of course, I had to rub it in. How fun to attend the races. I will be doing that in four years.
Sandee says
Now you’re talking. Water, marines and boats. My kind of day. I’ve not been here, but if I was anywhere near I would visit. Walk the docks if I could. I love all things boats.
Have a fabulous day., Rhonda. 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Yes, this is a place you would enjoy. If you ever visit New Zealand, we will around the marina together.
stevebethere says
LOL @ Pauleo’s comment.
What lovely photos especially the second from last one nice views 🙂
Have a sailtastic week Rhonda 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Agreed. And Thanks.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Congratulations to the NZ team – brilliant win … and I know your love of these sorts of boats and racing … so great news … love the photos – cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom says
I do love yacht racing, and cheering for a team that wins just makes it that much more fun.
Paul F. Pietrangelo says
Congratulations for the victory and 7 – 1, wow! I wonder if President Trump will say any negative thing about New Zealand’s victory? He’ll problem say it’s just fake news. Ha,ha,ha.
There were so many beautiful ships in the harbour. I don’t want one but I would like someone just take me out for a ride on one of them. Have a great day Rhonda. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks, and if there were an award for best comment ever, it would be yours.