The Hauraki Gulf lies off Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. The gulf, protected from the Pacific Ocean by islands and land masses, is considered a spectacular body of water for racing.

Auckland's East Coast Bays, with the distinctive volcanic cone of Rangitoto Island to the south and Whangaparaoa Peninsula to the north, bound the racecourse in the Hauraki Gulf. Further east, the imposing shapes of the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island protect the course area from the Pacific.

Because the course is so well protected, the America's Cup competitors are seldom exposed to big ocean swells, but the area can generate a steep, punishing chop.

The racing area is an hour's tow from the cup village in the Waitemata Harbour. Three racing circles have been layed out in the Gulf, two of which are used for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the third for practicing by Team New Zealand. The challengers and defender alternate days in choosing their desired circle.

Each circle measures 3.25 nautical miles in diameter, and each has eight points on its circumference that serve as rendezvous points. The circles are situated to take advantage of the varying wind conditions in the gulf.

Two courses have been established for Louis Vuitton Cup competition. Course A is the America's Cup course, a six-leg windward/leeward measuring 18.5 nautical miles. Course B is a shorter version of the same course, its four legs measure 12.5 nautical miles. The longer configuration will be used in the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup finals.