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Top Sydney Harbour cruises 2023

Find your perfect day out on the water with our Sydney Harbour cruise guide.

Sydney is a vibrant, bustling city bursting with amazing sights, events and activities.

Whether you're keen to sightsee during the day or have dinner on the water, a cruise across Sydney Harbour is an experience like no other that will show the city in a whole new light.

Our top picks:

Best Sydney Harbour dinner cruise

Best Sydney Harbour dinner cruise from RedBalloon

Sunset Harbour Cruise with Captain Cook Cruises

  • Cost: $99
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Available on: Daily, departing at 5pm
  • Why we love it: For under $100 you can catch the sun setting over the water as you clink glasses over a three-course dinner with sparkling and still wines and beer. Mark your spot on the upper deck later on to stargaze and see the city twinkle in night lights.
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Best Sydney Harbour lunch cruise

Best Sydney Harbour lunch cruise from RedBalloon

Full Day Sailing on an Authentic Restored Tall Ship with Sydney Heritage Fleet

  • Cost: $155
  • Duration: 6.5 hours
  • Available on: Friday or Saturday
  • Why we love it: An experience you won't soon forget, this cruise sees you spend the entire day sailing the harbour seas on a historic ship. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included, as are the views of Sydney's greatest coastal landmarks.
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Best Sydney Harbour cruise for kids

Best Sydney Harbour cruise for kids from RedBalloon

Sydney Harbour Cruise with Taronga Zoo Entry with Captain Cook Cruises

  • Cost: From $35 (child) and $59 (adult)
  • Duration: 15–45 minutes
  • Available on: Daily every 15 minutes from Darling Harbour or every 30 minutes from Circular Quay. First departure is 9.15am.
  • Why we love it: This has all the makings of a fun day out on a budget with the cost including a Taronga Zoo entry and Sky Safari cable car ride as well as ferry transfers from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour. Cruises depart every 15–30 minutes so you can come and go as you please.
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Best Sydney Harbour charter cruise

Best Sydney Harbour charter cruise from AnyBoat

Sydney Harbour Charter Cruise

  • Cost: From $315 per hour
  • Duration: Depends on the individual cruise
  • Available on: Daily
  • Why we love it: Cruise through Sydney Harbour on a chartered boat perfect for any occasions. Choose from catamaran, luxury yacht or a cruiser that will match your celebration.
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Best Sydney Harbour Hop On Hop Off Pass

Best Sydney Harbour Hop On Hop Off Pass from My Fast Ferry

1-day Hop On Hop Off Sydney Harbour cruise pass

  • Cost: $35
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Available on: Monday to Sunday with various departure times and location.
  • Why we love it: Hop on and hop off and visit all the popular harbours locations in Sydney: Manly, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, Watsons Bay, Taronga Zoo, Quarantine Station, Circular Quay, Pyrmont Bay and Milsons Point.
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Sydney Harbour cruises compared

Cruise nameDepartsAvailable onDurationSuitable for (ages)Extras/inclusionsPriceBook
Sydney Harbour Charter CruiseSydney HarbourDailyVaries per cruiseAll agesVaries per cruiseFrom $315 per hourAnyBoat
Sydney Harbour Evening CruiseDarling Harbour or Circular QuayThursday to Sunday75 minutes5 and up1 standard drink$25RedBalloon
Harbour Cruises On MintakaSydney HarbourDaily4 hoursAll agesCatering availableFrom $315 per hourAnyBoat
Sydney Harbour Highlights CruiseCircular QuayDaily1 hour 30 minutesAll agesCommentary on board$39Viator
Sydney Harbour SecretsSydney Heritage Fleet's Heritage Docks and WorkshopSaturday and Sunday3 hoursAll agesTea and coffee$48Viator
Tall Ship Afternoon DiscoveryIves Steps WharfDaily excluding Tuesday1 hour 30 minutesAll agesOpportunity to join the crew and help set sails$49RedBalloon
Sydney Harbour Cruise with Taronga Zoo EntryCircular Quay Wharf or Darling Harbour PierDaily15–45 minutesAll agesTaronga Zoo entry pass, Sky Safari cable car$35 – child

$59 – adult

RedBalloon
High Tea Cruise on Sydney HarbourCircular QuayTuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday1 hour 15 minutes4 years and upSweet and savoury high tea selection, a glass of sparkling wine, tea and coffee$65RedBalloon
Convicts, Castles Sydney Harbour TourIves Steps WharfThursday and Friday3 hoursAll agesGoat Island convict walking tour, lunch on board, refreshments$79RedBalloon
Jazz Lunch CruiseKing St WharfSaturday and Sunday3 hoursAll agesLive jazz performances, seafood and carvery buffet lunch, desserts and fresh fruit platters, tea and coffee$65 – child

$85 – adult

RedBalloon
Tall Ship Twilight Dinner CruiseSydney HarbourDaily excluding Tuesday1 hour 30 minutesAll agesDinner$89Adrenaline
Sunset Harbour CruiseKing St WharfDaily1 hour 30 minutesAll ages3-course dinner, sparkling and still wines and beer$99RedBalloon
Small-Group Sydney Harbour Boat Tour with Unique Beach Landings and Local GuideConvention WharfDaily excluding Sunday3 hoursAll agesBottled water, free Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, cakes and biscuits$129Viator
Full Day Sailing on an Authentic Restored Tall ShipPyrmontFriday and Saturday6 hours 30 minutes12 and upMorning tea, lunch, afternoon tea$155RedBalloon

Sydney Harbour cruise deals


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