Founded in 1895, Royal Akarana Yacht Club is one of New Zealand's oldest yacht clubs, and it calls itself the home of blue water sailing, the offshore and passage racing that takes boats out past the Hauraki Gulf. It sails keelboats in racing and cruising divisions, and dinghies in a long list of classes, from Optimists and Flying Fifteens to 420s, 29ers and 49ers. The club runs a sailing academy for children and adults, and says it has produced world champion sailors. The Hyundai Marine Sports Centre opened in September 2019 and holds the sailing, marine education and hospitality facilities, including a waterfront cafe and bar. The 2019 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 world championships were held from the club. The club is at The Landing, Okahu Bay, on Tamaki Drive in Orakei, about ten minutes from downtown Auckland. For a family with a child who wants to learn to sail, or for someone who wants to watch serious racing from the shore, this is a good place to start, and the cafe and bar give a place to sit after the boats are in.