no alt text

Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 24 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Mark Chipperfield

Sydney’s harbour is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world, so getting out and exploring on the water – be it by yacht, motorboat, jetboat or even sea kayak – is a must-do.

A range of boating options is available, from short sightseeing pleasure cruises, to days spent moored up (and swimming) off hidden sandy coves, to romantic sleepovers on board.

If you don’t fancy the cost or are not enamoured of boats, at least take the Manly ferry from Circular Quay and back for a similar, if less intimate, harbour experience. For a mere few dollars, it’s outstanding value.

Sail in a tall ship

For a more cultured (if touristy) twist, try a 2-hour sailing cruise aboard a vintage tall ship. It’s not as intimate, as you’ll be sharing the experience, but you’ll learn about Sydney’s maritime history and can help hoist the sails.

Spend the night on the water

EastSail offer an (expensive) opportunity to spend a romantic night on the harbour. The Overnight Indulgence package includes a private evening sail, a safe anchorage, dinner and breakfast. Your skipper will leave you overnight, return in the morning and sail back you to the marina. Choose from a yacht or motor cruiser.

Price from: £40
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Getting there & doing it

There are a number of pleasure cruise operators based at Darling Harbour, but these tend to be the touristy options (which are still fine). A better option though is to head to EastSail, based at the marina in the picturesque Rushcutters Bay, a 10-minute cab ride from the city or the Woollahra Sailing Club at the equally pretty Rose Bay, a further 5 minutes along the coast. If you want to try sailing, both offer a 2-hour ‘taster’ sailing lesson.

When to do it

Charter and sailing lessons are available all year round by private arrangement.

There’s never a bad time to be on the water, though July to October is best if you plan on swimming, otherwise the water is too cold.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Scenic Adventure Cruise

Sydney

Scenic Adventure Cruise
Experience the Incredible Scenery of the Nepean Gorge While Enjoying a Delicious and Hearty Lunch. Relax and unwind on the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler as you meander through the spectacular Nepean Gorge. There’s nothing quite like the stunning ascending rock formations carved out by the Nepean River. The combination of the unique scenery and the majestic Nepean Belle provides excellent photo opportunities you can treasure for years to come. Includes lunch consisting of succulent seasoned roast chicken & freshly sliced leg ham served on a shared platter, garnished with honey roasted vine tomatoes. Also accompanied by accompanied by creamy sautéed potato, sundried tomato salad, Greek salad, and al dente penne in a creamy pesto sauce. Plus dessert, either pavlova with vanilla bean cream topped with berry compote or chocolate mud cake drizzled with white chocolate and raspberry coulis.

Price: A69

Min age: 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [36 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Beginner's Kayak Tour in Sydney - Gorgeous Aussie Beaches and Bays

Sydney

Beginner's Kayak Tour in Sydney - Gorgeous Aussie Beaches and Bays
This mini kayak experience is the best choice for those trying kayaking for the first time or if you are a bit nervous out on the water and  provides an opportunity to get yourself started in the popular sport of kayaking. You’ll learn some basic paddling technique and then follow this up with a short kayaking adventure (about 1.5 hours paddling at a leisurely pace) with a guide to assist you along the way. Runs daily! Highlights include exploring this stunning Sydney destination of uncrowded stretches of sandy beaches, pristine bays and Royal National Park from the best vantage point around - a kayak!

Price: A80

Min age: 10

Rating 5 / 5 [38 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride: Thunder Twist

Sydney

30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride: Thunder Twist
Experience what jet boating is all about on Australia's most exciting Jet Boat! Get ready to hold on tight as the 'Thunder' opens up with amazing stunts and wild spins through Sydney Harbour.

Price: A85

Min age: 6

Rating 4.93 / 5 [532 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride: 30 Minutes

Sydney

Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride: 30 Minutes
Feel your adrenalin rush on a 30-minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride. As the jet boat powers across Sydney Harbour, see the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge from a different perspective, and experience the thrill of on-water maneuvers like 270-degree spins . This is Australia's most popular jet boating adventure, blasting off from Circular Quay every hour, every day.

Price: A89

Min age: 5

Rating 4.91 / 5 [312 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise

Sydney

Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise
Step aboard the beautiful Southern Swan or the magnificent Soren Larsen and set sail on this twilight dinner cruise like the early settlers all those years ago. There is no better way to end the day than this sublime Sydney Harbour dinner cruise.

Price: A89

Min age: 0

Rating 4.20 / 5 [269 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise

Sydney

Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
Cruise Sydney Harbour and watch Sydney light up on an early-dinner sunset cruise aboard MV Sydney 2000, the most prestigious cruising restaurant on Sydney's waterways. Whether you're enjoying an early pre-theatre dinner or wanting to complete your Sydney sightseeing in style, you'll enjoy the MV Sydney 2000's relaxed atmosphere, first-class service, fabulous food and superb views of Sydney Harbour.

Price: A109

Min age: 0

Rating 4.09 / 5 [600 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Kayak to Goat Island in Sydney Harbour with Local

Sydney

Kayak to Goat Island in Sydney Harbour with Local
Come enjoy a morning sea kayak adventure on Sydney's beautiful harbour. No engine noise or fumes, just the sound of your paddle in the water and the sea birds squawking above! We'll experience the built environs and get up close and personal with many of the harbour's natural wonders and marine inhabitants. We'll paddle to the center of the harbour where we'll get some photos of you framed by the Harbour Bridge (I'm a professional photographer in my other job so expect good pics - no charge of course!) We'll then land and explore Goat Island (Memel in the local Aboriginal Language) before paddling back via Darling Harbour. Goat Island is closed to the public and landing is by special permit only. Your permit is included as part of the tour. After we're finished your welcome to have a hot shower before treating yourself to a great lunch at the famous Sydney Fish Markets a short walk away.

Price: A128

Min age: 14

Rating 5 / 5 [112 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat

Sydney

Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat
Board a speed boat for one of the most exciting and most personal whale-watching experiences in Sydney. You will blast out of Sydney Harbour and offshore into the Tasman Sea on your search for these magnificent creatures. Once located you will have plenty of photo opportunities as you travel alongside the migrating pod. Aboard the the fastest commercial vessel in Sydney, you'll get to the whales quicker than ever before. The completely open design of the vessel, along with its low position in the water, offers the only unparalleled, unobstructed and up close whale-watching experience.

Price: A129

Min age: 14

Rating 4.96 / 5 [277 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise

Sydney

Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise
Book a table for a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise aboard the our flagship vessel MV Sydney 2000. The choice is yours whether you embark at Circular Quay or King Street Wharf on your 2-hour Sydney dinner cruise. Take your seat as you float past the floodlit Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, while a team of international chefs prepare a four-course dinner, including canapés, for you to enjoy.

Price: A139

Min age: 0

Rating 4.15 / 5 [633 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney Harbour - All inclusive Lunch Cruise

Sydney

Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney Harbour - All inclusive Lunch Cruise
Step on board and begin your Sydney Harbour adventure. Our modern 78ft vessel is designed to feel luxurious and super comfortable, so you’ll feel right at home. Enjoy 360-degree views of the iconic attractions as we sail past. We think lunch should be a long, lavish affair, so we serve generous al la carte meals inspired by locally sourced, regionally inspired delights. Think local seafood from the Hawkesbury, lamb from lush pastures in the Riverina and beef sourced from the upper Hunter Valley. We pair these with a selection of beers, wines, soft drinks and tea or coffee. Our wines have been hand selected by our sommelier from some of the finest wine regions in New South Wales – so wine lovers are in for a real treat! After lunch we head back past Taronga Zoo and Luna Park before arriving back into Darling Harbour at 2.40pm.

Price: A152

Min age: 0

Rating 4.82 / 5 [175 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Half-Day Sydney Middle Harbour Guided Kayaking Eco Tour

Sydney

Half-Day Sydney Middle Harbour Guided Kayaking Eco Tour
Enjoy a fully guided Middle Harbour eco kayaking tour while learning about the natural and social history of the area from your friendly and professional guide. Paddle through differing environments – from waterfront suburban areas to the remote bushland of the Garigal National Park. Soak up the serenity while you enjoy a wholesome morning tea served at one of our favourite secluded spots. The tour starts and finishes at Sydney Harbour Kayaks at the Spit Bridge, Mosman, only 8 km (20 mins) from Sydney's CBD.

Price: A155

Min age: 12

Rating 4.9 / 5 [50 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sydney Harbour Icons, Bays & Beaches Boat Tour

Sydney

Sydney Harbour Icons, Bays & Beaches Boat Tour
A great value tour for visitors and new arrivals to discover everything Sydney Harbour has to offer, aboard a luxurious vessel with live commentary. This classy small group morning tour (10 max) explores Sydney’s authentic ‘living & working harbour’, from iconic city landmarks and opulent waterfront suburbs to secluded national park waterways and beaches, home to Sydney’s resident penguin and seal colonies

Price: A195

Min age: 2

Rating 4.94 / 5 [95 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney Harbour - All inclusive Dinner Cruise

Sydney

Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney Harbour - All inclusive Dinner Cruise
Experience one of the world's most iconic destinations in style. Cruise around the beautiful Sydney Harbour and enjoy a premium dining experience. Seating just 90 people, this is the most stylish and unique way to discover the magic of Sydney Harbour. The three-course dinner menu features seasonal and regionally sourced food and wine from New South Wales.

Price: A198

Min age: 0

Rating 4.60 / 5 [161 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sydney Harbour Luxury Sailing Trip including Lunch

Sydney

Sydney Harbour Luxury Sailing Trip including Lunch
Take in the stunning views of Sydney on a Sydney Harbour on luxury sailing trip. On board your 40-foot luxury sailing yacht, with your experienced skipper at the helm, you'll sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the Sydney Opera House. A delicious lunch is served on board while anchored in one of Sydney Harbour's secluded bays. Your yacht accommodates a maximum of eight passengers, ensuring personalized attention from your captain.

Price: A330

Min age: 0

Rating 4.87 / 5 [88 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sydney Harbour Progressive Long Lunch Cruise

Sydney

Sydney Harbour Progressive Long Lunch Cruise
The most delicious and unique way to experience Sydney Harbour. Come aboard your luxury cruiser where you will be taken to two of Sydney's fabulous harbourside restaurants to dine on sensational fresh local produce. You will see Sydney's world famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge as you cruise along the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour. Cruise into Middle Harbour where you will see some of the most exclusive real estate Sydney has to offer. Three course lunch and all beverages included.

Price: A599

Min age: 0

Rating 4.92 / 5 [14 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Private Sunset Cruise on Sydney Harbour for up to Six Guests

Sydney

Private Sunset Cruise on Sydney Harbour for up to Six Guests
Great for Couples, Families and Small Groups of Friends A bucket list item, our Deluxe Sunset Cruise is a two-hour experience on board our luxurious 28-foot vessel, MV BEL. The Deluxe Sunset Cruise is a rare opportunity to soak up Sydney’s most picturesque views, with a hint of romance. Take in the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and stunning cityscape while sipping on Sparkling Brut. Nibble on fine provedore from a complimentary hamper while watching the sky transform into a spectacle of colour. To help make your evening truly unforgettable our Skipper will happily stop for photographs at vantage points along the way. We invite you to bring additional food and BYO beverages on board should you wish to enjoy dinner aboard the cruise. No voyage is complete without ambiance, so please utilise the iPad on board which plays your choice of music on Spotify!

Price: A799

Min age: 0

Rating 4.5 / 5 [8 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Sydney

New South Wales, Australia

Sydney opera house at night

One of the world’s most dynamic and glamorous cities, with golden beaches, world-class eating and dining and effervescent, friendly people. Home to the eye-popping Opera House and the indescribable Sydney Bridge Climb.