Best Boxing Day harbour cruises in Sydney 2021

Sit back and relax with a harbour cruise on 26 December. Prices start at $55.

Updated Dec 23, 2020. What changed?

Fact checked

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

Boxing Day might be a public holiday, but Sydney doesn't take the day off. Even though the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has been cancelled for 2020, your cruising options aren't entirely over.

If heading out onto the water is your favourite way to spend Boxing Day, check out our top picks for the cruises that are going ahead.

Searching for Boxing Day cruise deals? Click here.

Top picks for other Boxing Day harbour cruises

Keen for a sleep in? Maybe you'd prefer to soak under the Sydney sun instead of being part of the race action? These cruises run on 26 December and take in the beauty of the harbour throughout the day.

Cruise company	What's included?	Price	Book
Boxing Day Dinner Cruise	4-hour sailing Lunch buffet / Dinner buffet Departs at 6pm	$55 per person	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise On Galene	BBQ chicken buffet Unlimited soft drinks	$79 per person	Book now
Twilight Tall Ship Cruise	2-hour sailing Snacks	$109 per person	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise On Proclaim	3-hour sailing from Circular Race commentary	$110 per person	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise Social Sail	4-hour sailing	$120 per person	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise On Morpheus	4-hour sailing All inclusive drinks Departs at 11am	$140 per person	Book now
3 hour Sydney Harbour Sailing Cruise	Food and drinks are not included, BYO allowed 3-hour sailing from Darling Harbour Departs at 1pm	$175 per person	Book now
Private Sydney Harbour Sunset Cruise	Cheese platter and bottle of sparkling wine BYO food and drinks is allowed 2-hour private cruise up to six people	$799 for 2 hours	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise On Royale	BYO food and drinks 2-hour sailing	$2,050 per charter	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise On Mari Nawi	BYO drinks 3-hour sailing	$2,100 per charter	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise On Ghost Sports Yacht	BYO food and drinks 4-hour sailing	$6,400 per charter	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise On Prometheus	BYO food and drinks 4-hour sailing	$9,950 per charter	Book now

Top picks for Boxing Day harbour cruises you can still book that chase the start of the Sydney to Hobart

You won't be able to catch the race this year, but you'll still be able to spend the day on the harbour.

Cruise company	What's included?	Price	Book
Boxing Day Social Sail	Food and drinks are not included, BYO allowed	$120 per person	Book now
Boxing Day Cruise on MV Spirit	3-course seafood lunch	$130 per person	Book now
Sydney Harbour Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race start on Timber Ferry	Buffet lunch 3.5-hour sailing from Campbell's Cove Floating Pontoon, The Rocks Departs at 10:15am	$130 per person	Book now
Boxing Day Tall Ships Cruise	BBQ lunch Drinks 4-hour cruise around Sydney Harbour	$169 per person	Book now
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Soren Larsen	BBQ lunch Drinks 4-hour cruise around Syndey Harbour	$225 per person	Book now

Boxing Day harbour cruise deals

Deal

Get 10% off sitewide

Join the Viator newsletter and get 10% off your first purchase on attractions, food and drink experiences, sightseeing cruise, skydives, bus tours and more. Plus access to members-only sales, travel tips and more.

Get deal

Where to watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The 2020 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is not going ahead. But here are the top spots for viewing when the event returns next year.

Sydney vantage points:

South or North Head. These are the ideal spots to catch the fleets as they set sail from the two starting lines to the north and south of Shark Island. In North Head, find your place at Cremorne Point, Bradley's Head, Clifton Gardens or at the Q Station. In South Head, try for Rushcutter's Bay, Hornby Lighthouse and restaurants along the shorefront of Watson's Bay.
Sydney Harbour National Park. Offering more space for a better view, Sydney Harbour National Park boasts panoramic views of both North and South heads.
Headland Park. This former military lookout drinks up endless views of Sydney Heads, the city skyline and the eastern suburbs.

Hobart vantage points:

Constitution Dock. Sending the fleets off is one thing, welcoming the winners as they stream in is another. In Hobart, Constitution Dock comes to life with the Hobart Race Village. It's a week-long festival with family-friendly activities, food trucks, markets and more.
Battery Point. For that glorious photo finish, be there at the official finishing point on Castray Esplanade in Battery Point.
Wrest Point. Overlooking the Derwent River, Wrest Point hotel is one for the fanatics trying to catch the first fleets as they arrive in the wee hours of the morning from the comfort of their private balconies.

The official Rolex Sydney to Hobart website provides a live tracker to monitor the progress of the fleets in anticipation of the winner. You can also follow the race on the site via a live feed.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race frequently asked questions

When does the Sydney to Hobart start? The fleet officially sets sail at 1pm on Boxing Day from the start lines just off Nielson Park. A 10-minute warning signal is made at 12:50pm and a preparatory signal sounds at 12:55pm. Keep in mind that the 2020 event has been cancelled.
When does Sydney to Hobart finish? The race ends on 1 January, the time of which is dependent on when the first ship crosses the finishing line in Hobart.
Where does the Sydney to Hobart finish? The official finishing line of the Sydney to Hobart is off Castray Esplanade on the River Derwent, right in Battery Point.
When was the first Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race? The first Sydney to Hobart set sail in 1945 after a group of friends decided to sail in competition. The winner took 6 days and 14 hours to complete the journey.
How far is Sydney to Hobart? The course is 628 nautical miles, which is approximately 1,170 kilometres. It sails from Sydney into the Tasman Sea, travelling south down the east coast of Australia, through Bass Strait and down the coast of Tasmania, ending in Hobart.
How long does the Sydney to Hobart Race take? While the first Sydney to Hobart may have taken over six days to complete, these days the Sydney to Hobart race lasts around one and a half days. In 2017, LDV Comanche completed it in 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.

Latest travel headlines

Thank you for your feedback!

Alex Keshen

Alex Keshen is Finder's global travel publisher. Working in the travel content and deals space for more than 10 years, she has appeared in Travel Weekly and the Huffington Post. After graduating from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada with a Bachelor of Journalism and settling into a career in travel publishing, Alex has become a master of maximising her annual leave and finding the best bargains around.

Jetstar Australia Day Sale 2021 Voyagin Coupon Codes September 2021 | Up to 50% off

Ask an Expert

Click here to cancel reply.

Display Name

Your Email (will not be published)

Your Question

Subscribe me to Finder’s free weekly newsletter for budgeting tools, timely news and savings essentials to take control of your finances

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.