There's no excuse for missing the boat this weekend

There's lots to do on the water this weekend. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

You can take advantage of Auckland's harbours even if you don't own a boat.

Ferries will take you to suburban terminals as far apart as Devonport and Half Moon Bay. Fullers offer harbour cruises, and scheduled services to Waiheke, Great Barrier and Rangitoto Islands. Phone (09) 367-9111. You can get to Kawau Island on the Kawau Express or by water taxi, phone (09) 422-8881.

SailNZ offers two-hour trips on the 1995 America's Cup yachts, or a three-hour match-racing experience for the adventurous.

Phone (09) 359-5987 or 0800 SAIL NZ.

Pride of Auckland has sailing and dining experiences, from breakfast or coffee cruises to the full-blown day sail. Phone (09) 373-4557.

The tall ship Soren Larsen is available for individual or group bookings, charters and holidays. Phone 0800 SOREN LARSEN.

Look in the Yellow Pages for charter boat companies. Options include fishing trips, bare-boat charters (you take the boat away yourself without a professional skipper on board), luxury cruises and everything in between.

Phone or drop into yacht clubs around the city for any opportunities to crew on boats. Try the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (09) 360-6800 or the Ponsonby Cruising Club (09) 376-0245.