Cyclone Pam has been the only bit of rain on the parade for Auckland's Volvo Ocean Race stopover.

The fleet left the Waitemata Harbour for Brazil this morning via the treacherous Southern Ocean.

Ocean Race Auckland general manager Grant Calder says the start was delayed by three days thanks to the ripple effects of Cyclone Pam.

He says that was the only blip.

"We had fantastic weather and had over 300,000 people through the race village over the 17 days."