Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta 2021

181st Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta

Celebrate the birthday of the City of Sails as hundreds of vessels take to the water under sail, steam and paddle power in one of the world’s biggest - and most historic - one-day regattas.

The Auckland Anniversary Regatta has been around since 1840, when an impromptu boat race was held by General William Hobson to commemorate the day Auckland was founded.

The Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta is now held every year on Auckland Anniversary Day to celebrate the birthday of the ‘City of Sails’.

Each year a huge fleet of vessels take to the water, making this the single biggest one-day regatta in the world, regularly attracting hundreds of vessels and participants to take part. It’s a glorious spectacle with tall ships, gaff riggers, classic yachts and launches, modern keelers and multihulls, sailing dinghies, radio controlled boats, waka ama, dragonboats and tugboats all racing for victory, prizes and a historic trophy collection.

Enjoy a great day out and see the maritime history of the nation in action, at the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.