Sydney · SYDNEY HARBOUR CRUISES

Sydney Harbour Cruises: The 15 Best Days on the Water

156 tours  ·  from $23 a head

Every one of these leaves from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, and they differ on what matters: how close they run to the Bridge, whether lunch is real food, and how long you spend on deck. The 15 below are priced and timed so you can choose in minutes.

Sydney: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Cruise - Add the harbour by boat, not just by bus
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Sydney: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Cruise

1.Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,697 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $51Our pick

Big Bus Sydney links the city’s landmarks and Bondi Beach on two open-top routes with 23 stops. Choose a 24- or 48-hour pass, then add a Captain Cook harbour cruise or a non-stop night tour. Expect recorded commentary in eight languages, frequent daytime departures and the freedom to get off and explore.

“Easy to collect tickets and find bus stops. Interesting and informative tour. A little expensive for what it is but I guess that is to be expected in the middle of Sydney!”

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Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise - What whale watching feels like from the deck
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Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

2.Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,790 reviews · 2h 45m · from $63

Sail from Circular Quay on a 165-minute whale-watching cruise along Sydney’s coast. An English-speaking guide shares facts about whale behavior as you scan the water from open decks or indoor seating. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, toilets, and a licensed bar are onboard. Whale sightings are guaranteed, with a complimentary return trip if none appear.

“Loved the rocking and rolling of the boat. The crew did everything they could to find whales and we were very lucky to see a Mum and her calf swimming in the ocean. It was amazing watching them in their natural habitat. The crew were great. I highly recommend booking this excursion with Sydney Whale watching.”

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Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise - Wentworth Falls or Leura Cascades: an easy bush walk
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Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise

3.Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,585 reviews · from $68

Spend about 10 hours travelling from Sydney to the Blue Mountains in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide, with pickup at scheduled points and a group capped at 28. The day includes Kings Tableland, a short bush walk, Leura, the Three Sisters and a Parramatta River ferry ride. Sydney Zoo and Scenic World admission cost extra. Guides Bruce and Les have led tours.

“Les(OZtrail) was great and gave detailed info of different places, history and some biology lessons. It was fun but weather was a spoil sport as we couldnt see much of blue mountain. Cascade was great. Plan your trip when it doesnt rain to avoid dissappointment.”

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Sydney: Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise - The first 80 minutes: landmarks, stories, and photo stops
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Sydney: Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

4.Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,520 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Cruise Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay for 90 minutes, with live English commentary and views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Royal Botanical Gardens. Choose a morning or afternoon departure. Tea, coffee, water, fruit, and cookies are included, and guides on different trips have included Ron, Bruce, and Dave.

“this was such a fun and informative activity. Our guide Ron was very informative and enjoyable.”

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Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour - Sunset is a possibility, not a guarantee
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Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

5.Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,122 reviews · from $89

Board Captain Cook Cruises’ air-conditioned vessel at King Street Wharf for an approximately 1-hour-45-minute dinner cruise. Choose a three-course à la carte meal or upgrade to four courses, and pay extra for a guaranteed window seat. You’ll pass the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, with live music on weekends. Drinks cost extra.

“Really nice dinner, staff friendly, and a nice way to enjoy the Harbour. Music, was so beautiful and we had a good time”

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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise - Watching for dolphins in the marine park
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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

6.Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 926 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28

Join Moonshadow - TQC Cruises for a 90-minute trip around Port Stephens Marine Park. Watch for bottlenose dolphins, take in Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, and hear live commentary from the captain. The boom net offers a splashy change of pace. Depart from d’Albora Marina in Nelson Bay.

“Wonderful morning out in the Port Stephens Bay; saw a small pod of dolphins. Would've liked to see more but I understand wildlife cannot be controlled.. Guide was knowledgeable and humorous. Staff friendly and professional.. Highlight was a yummy slushy and a jump in the boom net at the end of the trip”

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Sydney: Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu - Sunset, twilight or city lights
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Sydney: Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu

7.Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 925 reviews · 105 minutes - 3 hours · from $88

Sail Sydney Harbour aboard Captain Cook Cruises’ MV Sydney 2000, pairing views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge with a 3, 4 or 6-course dinner. Choose a sunset, starlight or premium Penfolds option; the cruise lasts from 105 minutes to three hours. Live music is included on Saturday and Sunday nights, while drinks cost extra.

“Great meal. The boat was huge and sensational. Overall it was an excellent night and would recommend it”

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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast - Beyond Sydney Heads, the ocean sets the pace
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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

8.Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 878 reviews · from $74

Spend about four hours aboard a Sydney Princess Cruises vessel, starting with breakfast or a barbecue buffet lunch as you pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other waterfront sights. Then head beyond Sydney Heads to look for migrating humpback and southern right whales. A naturalist guide provides live commentary, and if no whales are found, you can return for another cruise.

“Glad we got to see the whales pop out the water , long time out in the water. Food was delicious as well.”

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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist - Luna Park and the ride back to the quay
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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

9.30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 841 reviews · from $60Top rated

Meet at Circular Quay for a 30-minute ride on Thunder, a jet boat that can reach 75 km/h and perform spins, slides, fishtails and power stops. You’ll pass the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Rose Bay and Luna Park, with a captain at the helm and ponchos and life jackets provided. Expect a fast ride, harbour views and a good chance of getting wet.

“Absolute blast. Thank you. We were pleasantly greeted, assisted with putting on coats and life jackets. All the staff were friendly and welcoming. They made sure to help everyone on the boat, doing checks and explaining things thoroughly. The driver was full of personality and tbh I laughed and cheered and some might find this strange but it was soooo peaceful for me roaring and spinning and turning in the boat around the harbour. And boy, does that boat have a motor. Thanks guys.”

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Sydney: Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch - The harbour from a moving viewpoint
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Sydney: Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch

10.Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 804 reviews · 2h 15m · from $53

Cruise from Circular Quay for 135 minutes past the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Botanical Gardens and Darling Harbour. An English-speaking guide shares harbour stories while you enjoy a buffet with 13 food options, plus tea and coffee. Ron is one of the guides you may meet; other named hosts include Ellen and Rin. Meet at the Eastern Pontoon on the Opera House side.

“Very wet and windy experience, but overall extremely entertaining with lots of factual information, banter and trivia about the evolution of Sydney from the early settlement times and the creation of the various iconic landmarks.”

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Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour - Dinner, courses, and what the fare covers
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Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

11.Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 774 reviews · from $111

Board a Captain Cook Cruises vessel at King Street Wharf 1 for an approximately two-hour evening cruise, starting at 7pm. Expect a four-course dinner with canapés, views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and an upper deck with 360-degree panoramas. Drinks cost extra, and guaranteed window seats are available as a booking upgrade.

“My friend and I took the 7pm tour around the harbor. The sights were stunning!!! We had a fantastic meal!!”

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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise - A flexible boat for watching
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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

12.2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

Leave Circular Quay aboard the Fantasea Crystal and reach open water in about 20 minutes, leaving most of your two-hour cruise for whale watching. Choose the open sun deck, covered rear deck or air-conditioned cabin. English commentary accompanies the trip, and if no whales are seen, you can return on another cruise for free.

“Saw multiple whales within 20 minutes, got to see different types of breaches, hear them make noises, etc. it was so cool I booked a second tour immediately after to go back out in the water and see more”

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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay - From the Rocks to the Opera House
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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay

13.Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 727 reviews · 1 day · from $23Best value

Cruise from Circular Quay past the Opera House, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, Kirribilli House and the Harbour Bridge. English commentary adds context to the views, while open-air and indoor seating let you choose your spot. Guides have included Martin and Scott, though the crew can vary. The advertised trip takes one hour.

“Great hour spent taking in all the sites around the Opera House & Harbour bridge, great commentary as well.”

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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure - Commentary that gives the views context
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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure

14.Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 704 reviews · from $39

Cruise Sydney Harbour for about 90 minutes, with live commentary and close views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, sandstone cliffs and tucked-away beaches. Morning, afternoon and sunset departures let you fit the trip around your plans. Coffee or tea and an onboard restroom are included. Commentary has been led by Ron, though the guide may vary by departure.

“The cruise ride was amazing. The local guide who was narrating the history behind every place passing by was interesting. I got to know so many things about Sydney Harbour bridge. My kids also enjoyed”

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Sydney: Blue Mountains National Park Tour with River Cruise - Sydney Zoo before the mountain air
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Sydney: Blue Mountains National Park Tour with River Cruise

15.Blue Mountains National Park Tour with River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 701 reviews · 10h 30m · from $70

Spend about 10.5 hours exploring the Blue Mountains with an English-speaking guide, with stops for a bushwalk, waterfall and lookout views, Leura, Three Sisters and Scenic World. Sydney Zoo and Scenic World admissions cost extra. Guides such as Les, Bruce and Wayne lead the trip, which ends with a Parramatta River cruise to Circular Quay.

“I enjoyed the entire trip especially the stop at the zoo and the blue mountains. Bruce was friendly kind and knowledgeable. We got to pet the kangaroos and one managed to sneak past us and went out the front door. It was awesome and one of the best part on my vacation.”

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Sydney, by what you came for

Pick a deck, a cliff edge or a cellar door.

On the water

Harbour CruisesWhale WatchingDinner CruisesKayakingJet Boats

City landmarks

Opera HouseBridge ClimbsThe RocksWalking ToursHistory Walks

Out of town

Blue MountainsHunter ValleyWine TastingsSandboardingDay Trips

The wild side

Wildlife DaysZoo TicketsDolphin CruisesBeach DaysScenic Flights