OUR PICKS · HARBOUR SIGHTSEEING CRUISES IN SYDNEY
Good harbour sightseeing cruises in Sydney fill up weeks ahead and the best cabins go first. Below: the 14 to book early, what each fare includes and how they differ.
Cruise Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay for 90 minutes, with live English commentary from skippers such as Ron or Bruce. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, and other landmarks while enjoying tea, coffee, water, fruit, and biscuits.
“Very informative guide and a really nice way to look round the harbour”
Cruise Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay for 135 minutes with a 13-option buffet, tea, coffee, live English commentary, and views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, and Darling Harbour. Guides such as Ron and Ellen add local stories and humor.
“The guide was really good, he knew his stuff and he was entertaining as well. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The food was yummy and there was a good selection to choose from. The boat was very clean and well maintained. I highly recommend this cruise!”
From Circular Quay Wharf 6, you take a one-hour Fantasea cruise past the Opera House, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, Kirribilli House, and Harbour Bridge. English commentary, open views, an onboard bar, and four daily departures make it an easy first look at Sydney.
“Excellent and informative guide. Learnt so much. The crew were really so mindful and fun. Great value for money and a wonderful experience. Highly recommended A++”
Cruise Sydney Harbour for 90 minutes from the Eastern Pontoon at Circular Quay. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Luna Park, sandstone cliffs, and small bays while a live guide, often Ron, explains Sydney’s story. Tea, coffee, indoor seating, outdoor decks, and a restroom are included.
“Great cruise around the harbor. The guide gave us a lot of great info about Sydney. It was a beautiful cruise and a beautiful day.”
Depart Darling Harbour for a 150-minute sunset cruise with a three-course dinner, regional ingredients, and included wine, beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. You will pass the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park from indoor and outdoor decks. Staff members named Romina, Jack, Ramania, and Beatrice have earned special praise.
“Highlight of our trip away. Food was delicious and we had a beautiful relaxed afternoon on the harbour! Highly recommend it.”
Board near the Sydney Opera House for a one-hour sunset cruise on a 10.5-meter catamaran carrying up to 26 people. Expect 360-degree harbour views, a grazing platter, one soft drink or water, and crew members such as Phil, Adam, Jacob, or Johana helping with photos.
“Fun harbor cruise. Skyline is fun at sunset. Entertaining crew Friendly atmosphere. Comfortable boat.”
Board a 78-foot vessel at Darling Harbour for a relaxed two-hour lunch cruise past the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park. You get a premium two-course meal, wine, beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee, plus room to move across three decks and take in the harbour from above.
“Lovely cruise through the creeks of Sydney with valable commentaries. The food was outstanding ! Surely Will recommende this cruise. Loved it!”
Settle into reserved Ocean Deck lounge seating aboard a Captain Cook Cruises vessel for a 90-minute or 2-hour Sydney Harbour circuit. Share Australian cheese and charcuterie, choose a house drink, and add tapas or cocktails. Cocktail bookings may include live acoustic music on weekends and special events.
“Such a lovely and relaxing cruise. We did this on our first day in Sydney and it was such a perfect end to our day!”
Take the wheel of a red speedboat from Rose Bay and follow guide Dirk around Sydney Harbour. After basic boat training and a life jacket fitting, you’ll see the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Garden Island, Shark Island, Clark Island, Rose Bay, and the maritime museum from the water.
“Had an absolutely great time! Great way to get up and personal with some waves in the Sydney harbour. Tour guide was really nice and approachable, made you feel at ease and confident before heading out. Highly recommend this to anyone even if you’re a local.”
Cruise Sydney Harbour for about an hour from Circular Quay Wharf 6, passing the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, and more. Live commentary adds history and humor, with guides such as Rod bringing the route to life. Choose a clear day for the best photos.
“It was a beautiful day in Sydney. The cruise 🚢 was fabulous and very informative. I loved the entire ride. I was able to take beautiful pictures. Thanks for a wonderful ride! Mabel”
Cruise Sydney Harbour for 90 minutes during Vivid, with a buffet dinner, welcome drink, indoor and outdoor viewing areas, and photo-ready views of the Opera House, Customs House, and National Maritime Museum. Depart from King Street Wharf 6 aboard MV Pearl, MV Jerry Bailey, or MV Harbour Spirit.
“the whole event was amazing, the staff were friendly and super professional, the food was great, something for everyone on the smorgasbord. still cannot believe the low cost, no only did we get a wonderful cruise around the harbour with dinner, we also got to see VIVID. would totally recommend the dinner cruise.”
Cruise Sydney Harbour for 90 minutes aboard a catamaran limited to about 40 passengers. You’ll see Vivid’s illuminated skyline, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and possibly Darling Harbour, with hot canapes and one beer, wine, soft drink, or juice included. Indoor and outdoor seating helps in cool or wet weather.
“While Vivid was cancelled on the night the experience and service was excellent. I will look forward to another time hopefully when the weather is better. Cheers Kevin”
Board HEAVEN at Aquarium Wharf for a 90-minute sunset cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, and Barangaroo. You get a grazing platter, one beer, wine, soft drink, or juice, plus access to a licensed bar. The small group holds 40 to 45 people.
“Absolutely enjoyed the sunset cruise well worth the money and enjoyable. The only way it could be improved was the picking up of the passengers as it wasn’t that clear where we had to get boat but it was all sorted in the end and caused a lot of happy laughter with the other passengers, a good ice breaker”
Join a professional crew at King Street Wharf for a three-hour Sydney Harbour sailing trip limited to 10 people. Pass the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Fort Denison, bays, and Kirribilli House, with the option to raise sails, handle ropes, and learn basic yacht sailing.
“Do not expect 3 hrs of sailing, despite the description. We motored the first 45 and the last 30 minutes. Bring your own food, as none is provided.”
An hour around a harbour, a full day with a swim stop, or a cabin and a sunrise.
