Auckland Anniversary Regatta, 1 February

October 1, 2026

Auckland's Anniversary Day falls on Monday 1 February 2027. The holiday is the Monday nearest 29 January, and this year that's 1 February. As always, the day brings the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, one of the oldest one-day regattas in the world. It has been part of the city's year for more than 180 years.

It isn't a single race. It's a whole harbour of different events, from tugboats to dragon boats, most of which you can watch from the shore for free.

What's on and when

The times below are from the regatta's own guide. Check regatta.org.nz in the days before for the confirmed 2027 times.

Dragon boats, from 9am, Viaduct Harbour. Hundreds of paddlers and a big crowd on the wharves. If you have kids, this is the one to take them to.
Tugboat race and display, 10am. Dozens of tugs start off Westhaven, race to Orakei and back, then put on a display with tug-of-war and water fights.
Classic launches, 11am, on the same Westhaven–Orakei course. Restored wooden launches at full noise.
Classic yachts, 1pm. Auckland has the biggest fleet of vintage yachts still racing anywhere in the world, and this is the day most of them come out.
Waka ama, racing from Resolution Buoy off Orakei Wharf to Westhaven.
Dinghies and foilers race at clubs around the harbour, with foiling classes off Takapuna, plus radio-controlled yachts at Westhaven Marina.

Where to watch from shore

Westhaven breakwater for the tug and launch starts.
Orakei Wharf for the turning mark and the classic yachts.
Downtown public wharves and the Viaduct for dragon boats and the yachts coming up the harbour.
Takapuna Beach for the foilers.

If you're taking your own boat

Plenty of spectators watch from the water. A few things to keep in mind:

Give the courses room. Race officials and harbourmaster patrols will be out. Follow their directions.
The 5-knot rule applies: within 50 m of other boats or people in the water, and within 200 m of the shore or any structure. On a busy holiday harbour, you'll be inside one of those distances most of the day.
Wash. Classic launches and wooden yachts don't need your wake. Slow down well before you pass.
Lifejackets. If your boat is 6 m or under, everyone aboard must now wear one while underway. That's the national law since 9 October 2026, and this will be the regatta's first year under it.

Taking part

If you own a classic launch, a keelboat or a tug, you can enter. Registration for the tug, classic launch, keelboat and passage races is online at regatta.org.nz. Dinghy and centreboard sailors enter through their host club.

And three weeks later

Auckland's sailing summer keeps going. The Ocean Race fleet is due into Auckland on 20–21 February 2027, the race's 11th visit to the city. The Viaduct becomes a free race village until the boats leave on 14 March, with an in-port coastal race on 6 March. If the regatta gets you down to the waterfront, put that in the diary too.

Sources

regatta.org.nz — next regatta Monday 1 February 2027; tug, classic launch, keelboat and passage race entries online; dinghies enter through clubs; after-party at RNZYS
regatta.org.nz — tugs 10am Westhaven to Orakei and back plus display; classic launches 11am; classic yachts 1pm (watch from Orakei Wharf, Westhaven breakwater, downtown wharves); dragon boats Viaduct from 9am; waka ama, foiling at Takapuna, RC yachts at Westhaven
en.wikipedia.org — Monday nearest 29 January; observed across the former Auckland Province
yachtingnz.org.nz — The Ocean Race fleet due in Auckland 20–21 Feb 2027; coastal race 6 Mar; departure 14 Mar; free Ocean Live Park at the Viaduct
maritimenz.govt.nz — NZ 5-knot rule (91.6) for spectator boats

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