Set sail on your next adventure aboard Breeze, a traditional wooden brigantine similar to vessels used for New Zealand coastal and inter-Dominion trades in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
A journey on Breeze is an exciting, energetic on-water experience and passengers are encouraged to actively get involved in sailing the vessel.
We regret to inform you that all Breeze sailings from now until May have been cancelled due to an unexpected engine issue. After extensive work by our vessel maintenance team, it has been decided that the best solution is to replace Breeze’s 30-year-old engine. Unfortunately, this means Breeze will be out of operation during the summer sailing season. We understand this is disappointing, and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
For those who have booked a Breeze sailing on 8 March & 12 April, we will be offering full refunds.
If you have any questions regarding your booking, please contact bookings@maritimemuseum.co.nz.
Breeze can accommodate up to 11 passengers per trip.
Yes. Breeze is a high-energy, active sailing experience and is suitable for passengers aged 12 and older. Children aged 12 and 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Passengers are encouraged to bring a packed lunch and water bottle.
Due to spacial constraints, Breeze is not wheelchair-accessible. However, wheelchairs are welcome aboard our heritage scow Ted Ashby.
Passengers do not need prior sailing experience to sail on Breeze. You will be encouraged to actively participate in setting and trimming the sails, but full instructions will be provided by the crew.
Breeze passengers are encouraged to bring a packed lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, warm layers, flat footwear (close-toed), waterproof jacket and gloves. Space is provided below-deck for storing bags and food. The museum will provide sailing gloves and waterproof coat (if needed), life jackets, extra water, tea, coffee and biscuits.
Visitors should check in at the museum's front desk 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time. We aim to board passengers 15 minutes before departure.
Unfortunately, late arrivals may result in non-boarding of the vessel and payment may not be refunded.
In adverse weather or for other operational reasons, we may need to cancel the sailing. In this event, you will be advised and where possible, your booking will be transferred to another date. If another suitable date is not available, a full refund will be provided.
Most often you will receive notification by email or telephone by 5pm on the previous day. Occasionally, for example, due to changeable weather, we may cancel on the morning of sailing. In this case, you will be notified by email or telephone by 9.15am. Please keep an eye on your phone and/or email before leaving for the museum.
Carousel slide 1 imageBreeze the brigantine
Launched in 1981, designer and builder Ralph Sewell intended to recreate a replica coastal trader built in the traditions of 19th-century shipwright techniques, materials and construction. In time-honoured fashion, she is built of one diagonal and one fore and aft skin of kauri on sawn kauri stringers. The deck is two skins, one of kauri, one of totara. She is copper-fastened and stiffened with carefully selected pohutukawa knees and sawn kauri floors. She is fitted with an auxiliary engine and the main hold is fitted out as a cabin. Measuring 60 feet with a maximum beam of sixteen-foot six and a draft of water of six-foot she is neither a large or small boat.
Her powerful brigantine rig spreads up to 10 sails, seen at her best when she won the 1991 Tall Ships Race. Before coming to the Maritime Museum, Breeze was involved in sail training with the Breeze Sailing Club. In 1985 she sailed to Mururoa to protest French nuclear testing taking the place of Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior which had been sunk by French agents in Auckland.