Yes. The Waitematā Harbour is sheltered from ocean swell, has reliable breezes for much of the year and many yacht clubs, and opens into the island-filled Hauraki Gulf. You do need to learn to deal with tidal streams, gusts and busy commercial traffic.
Auckland is often called the City of Sails, and it has a large sailing community.
- Sheltered water: the Waitematā Harbour is enclosed by land, with Rangitoto Island and the islands of the inner Hauraki Gulf beyond it. The sea is usually much flatter than on an open coast.
- Wind: there is usually enough breeze to sail, and in settled summer weather a sea breeze often fills in during the day.
- Places to go: a short sail takes you across to Devonport or along the bays, and beyond the harbour the Gulf has dozens of anchorages within a day's sail.
- Clubs and racing: there are many yacht clubs around the harbour, with dinghy and keelboat racing, including evening races in summer that are a common way for newcomers to get on a boat.
Ways people learn there, in general terms:
- yacht club learn-to-sail programmes, for children and adults, usually starting in small dinghies;
- keelboat courses run by clubs and sailing schools;
- crewing in club races, where skippers are often looking for crew;
- shore-based courses in navigation, the collision regulations, weather and VHF radio, which are widely available in New Zealand.
The harbour also has things a beginner must learn to handle:
- tidal streams, which run strongly through the narrow part of the harbour between the city and Devonport;
- gusts coming off the land, especially in westerly and south-westerly winds;
- ferries and ships, which are frequent, fast and need a wide berth;
- changeable weather, which can bring a front through with a sudden rise in wind.
Start in light to moderate winds with an experienced sailor, wear a lifejacket, check the marine forecast before every trip, and learn the main shipping channels before you go out on your own.
More in the book: Chapter 1, The sailing boat