Get the best view of the New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney by booking a spot on a New Year’s Eve cruise.
Viewing the world-famous light show from the water is the ultimate way to spend New Year's Eve. You don't have to battle the crowds at the free vantage points, or give up the luxury of food and drink (which isn't sold at most of them and BYO is a no-no).
Most cruises tend to last about five to seven hours, serve food and drink, and give revellers the chance to see both the 9pm family fireworks and the main event at the stroke of midnight.
While there's plenty of cruises available, we've highlighted some of the best ones available and mention what's included in your ticket. We've also done some digging and found some sailings on sale. So check them all out below.
New Years Eve cruises in Sydney:
While the big day is still months away, here's what was available for 2018/2019 if you'd like to get an idea of what types of cruise options are out there. We'll update this table as more become available.
| Cruise Name | Departs from: | What's included? | Length | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Eve cruise on Nevaeh | TBC |
|
7 hours | $500 | Book now |
| New Year's Eve cruise on Aussie Magic | TBC |
|
6 hours | $550 | Book now |
| Sydney Harbour Ferry cruise | Towns Place Wharf |
|
6.5 hours | $590 | Book now |
| Sydney Harbour Tall ship cruise | Walsh Bay Wharf 2 |
|
6 hours | $590 | Book now |
| Sydney Harbour cruise on Wangi Queen ferry | Walsh Bay Wharf 2 |
|
6 hours | $590 | Book now |
| New Year's Eve cruise on Bundeena | TBC |
|
6.45 hours | $595 | Book now |
| New Year's Eve cruise on Galene | TBC |
|
6 hours | $600 | Book now |
| New Year's Eve cruise on Harbour Spirit | 37 Bank St Pyrmont |
|
5.5 hours | $695 | Book now |
| Sydney Harbour cruise on Tall ship | Walsh Bay Wharf 2 |
|
6 hours | $949 | Book now |
| Calypso New Year's Eve cruise 2018 | Circular Quay |
|
5 hours | $950 | Book now |
Looking to save on the cruises above? See our New Year's Eve cruise deals for these sites
Stay ahead of the game. Keep an eye on daily deal sites that may offer last-minute tickets!
What's so good about a New Years Eve cruise in Sydney?
- You avoid the crowds. Cruises will limit the number of tickets sold, so you won't have to battle swarms of people just to get a good view.
- You’ll have a spot held for you. The best places to watch the fireworks fill up fast, which often means arriving as early as the morning of New Year's Eve. If you buy a cruise ticket in advance, simply stroll up at the designated time and you're off.
- You’ll get the gold-class treatment. It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without a glass of bubbly in your hand, and New Year’s Eve harbour cruises tend to come with a bar and offer some food.
- Food and drink are usually included: If you go to a free vantage point, you'll most likely need to bring your own food and most don't allow you to buy drinks and BYO isn't allowed.
Who offers cruises on Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve?
Image: sydneynewyearseve.com
Anyboat
Choose from dozens of sailings on New Year's Eve, including small catamarans catering to just a dozen people to big party boats with hundreds or people celebrating together.
- 29 available options were for New Year's Eve sailings in 2018
- Choose from sailings that include food, drinks, or are BYO
- Prices started at $400
Viator
With a range of New Year's Eve events to choose from, including restaurant packages and cruises, Viator sells something for everyone on New Year's Eve.
- 3 options were available for New Year's Eve sailings in 2018
- All cruises included food and drink
- Prices started at $590
City Discovery
With a range of New Year's Eve events to choose from, including restaurant packages and cruises, Viator sells something for everyone on New Year's Eve.
- 2 options were available for New Year's Eve sailings in 2018/2019
- Choose from cruises on historic Sydney ferries and tall-ship style boats
- Prices started at $590
Other Sydney New Year's Eve cruises
Captain Cook Cruises:
One of the biggest names in the biz, Captain Cook has six boats running throughout the evening to capture the light spectacular at 7:30pm, 9pm, and midnight. They have seafood buffet dinner and cocktail packages available. And if you book early, you’ll save even more.
Bass and Flinders Cruises:
Four boats dedicated to the 9pm and midnight fireworks, each departing from various locations on the Harbour. Our advice? Choose which view you’d prefer and book into the cruise that suits. Seafood BBQ and cocktail packages available. Though, if those are beyond the budget, there are BYO options, too.
Sydney New Year’s Eve Cruises:
The name says it all. If that wasn’t enough to convince, this company’s Lady Rose ship won the 2014 Harbour of Light Parade ‘Best Designed’ competition. Ring in the New Year on a winnaar.
Fantasea Cruises:
Fantasea’s got both adults and families covered. One of their boats will be dedicated to the 9pm fireworks before returning to get the children home, while three other boats will be on the water all night long to capture both the 9pm and midnight shows. Then, there’ll be a boat just for the midnight fireworks. So many options.
Sydney New Years Eve cruise deals
Add these deals onto your order to save a bit on your New Years Eve cruise booking
More about Sydney New Year's Eve:
New Year’s Eve Sydney accommodation near the fireworks
The enviable hotels rooms to get that perfect view of the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks. Read more…
Hi , I’m traveling from New Zealand to see Sydney fireworks 9pm n midnight . We are total of 5 adults . Please suggests best place / restaurant where we can have a good view of fireworks and good deals
Hi Abdul,
I hope all is well with you today. Thanks for reaching out to us.
As we are a comparison website, I am unable to recommend or suggest a specific option for you as your decision would entirely depend on your needs.
Aside from the page you are viewing, you may go to this page for a list of other options.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Judith
Hi Stephanie,
We are newly coupled on our honeymoon trip. We want to see both the fireworks from the cruise. We are pure vegetarian, and hence might just want a cruise that have good options of vegetarian food or does not include cost of food.
What is the most economic/budgeted cruise available on that night?
Appreciate your information.
Thanks,
Vijy
Hi there!
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
Upon checking the options that we have, the only one that does not include food cost is Anyboat’s cruise aboard Royale. It is also the cheapest on the list. You may check with them directly if they have vegetarian options, but they do permit Bring Your Own foods.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
Thanks Danielle for your quick response !
Need to know which is the best and budgeted cruise with the best view for new year fireworks.
Hi Vijy,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder again.
As we are a comparison website, we’re unable to recommend the best cruise for you. It is best for you to compare each option on the page you are viewing and by going to each website.
Kindly scroll down and check the topic “Best places to book a Sydney New Year’s Eve cruise.” Choose the one that would best suit your needs.
Best regards,
Judith
Hi,
My wife and I are looking for a NYE dinner cruise that also allows infants.
We have a 5 month old daughter and would like to experience NYE as a new family.
Are there any cruises that cater for baby’s, ie space for pram, safety, etc?
Regards
Brad
Hi Brad,
Thanks for your question.
I’ve checked the details of the cruises featured above and I can’t find any restrictions when it comes to bringing children or infants. However, If you are looking for a particular cruise feature to make your experience more comfortable and enjoyable, it is best if you confirm it directly with the provider. Just click the “view details’ on our page and you’ll be redirected to the provider’s website where you can check the full feature of the cruise or contact the provider.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi, I am looking for a Sydney NYE cruise for my family and my in-laws, who will be in from Europe. As it is their first time in Australia, it is important that I pick the right cruise for this, since they will likely not be back for a long time. I am looking for something classy with good food and wine, and with people who are there for an enjoyable party but not 20 somethings drinking alcohol by the bucket. Im budgeting 500-700 per person. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Hi Christine,
Thanks for your question.
For cruises close to your budget, Sydney New Year’s Eve Cruises has a Ballroom New Year’s Eve event. As the minimum age for this is 7, you’re less likely to receive a young, 20-something crowd. FantaSea also has a Platinum NYE Fireworks Dinner Cruise which includes a cold buffet and a limit vessel capacity of 140.
If you’re willing to push your budget further, you might like to look into a Tall Ship Dinner Cruise, which includes a gourmet dinner and is a unique experience on the harbour.
Unfortunately, if you are looking for a cruise on the lower end of your budget, your options are mainly limited to shorter, earlier cruises or BYO food and drink cruises such as those with Bass and Flinders and Fantasea. Depending on how you feel, they might be worth looking into.
I hope that helps,
Stephanie
What is Any Boat that you have described above? Can you give me a link or info to their site?
Thanks
Hi Gil,
Thanks for your question.
Any Boat is a private cruise offering. You can find more information on Any Boat New Year’s Eve cruises here.
Hope that helps,
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
What the nicest venue or boat trip for a family with a toddler of 7 months. We like to see both fireworks at 9pm and midnight and prefer the less crowded spots. Appreciate your information.
Cheers, James
Hi James,
Thanks for your question.
The Tall Ships cruise mentioned above is a nice short 45-minute cruise that might be worth looking into considering you have a 7-month old.
You may also like to have a look at our New Years Eve Restaurants article, which outlines certain venues hosting parties. As venues can only cater for a certain number of people, they are likely to be less crowded than vantage points in the city.
If you do wish to mark a spot at a public vantage point, check out our guide of them here. While crowded, a lot of them do have max caps as well so if you choose a smaller venue it might be to your benefit.
Hope that helps!
Stephanie
Hi, we have a group of 10 coming from the Gold Coast wanting to do a cruise for the fireworks this NYE. Can u please let me know the diff prices and packages, i see some have buffet and drinks… some have canapes and drinks.. we will not need a full sit down dinner just nibbles or buffet and however many hours of drinks, please let me know what u think is best, age group is 30-40. thanks cass
Hi Cass,
Thanks for your question.
While not all cruise packages are available as yet, some packages that you can book for the evening are as follows:
–6-hour harbour cruise with canapes – $650pp
–5.5 hour New Years Eve Cruise on Wangi Queen Ferry – $550pp
We’ll be updating our cruise deals page as soon as more cruises become available, so if you don’t like either of the above please return soon for our updates.
Best regards,
Stephanie
What are the best options to see the early fireworks with children?
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for your question.
While most of the New Year’s Eve cruises on Sydney Harbour include both the children’s fireworks at 9pm and the big show at midnight, there are options for you if you’re just looking to catch the earlier show.
Sail Australia sells tickets for a 7-9:45pm cruise departing Manly for $175 per person ($475 for a family). As well, in the past Sydney Water Taxis offered viewings of just the 9pm fireworks with special pricing for families. While its website hasn’t been updated for this coming New Year’s Eve, it’s one to watch.
Hope that helps!
Hi,
We want to see the firework from the cruise, but we wish to get a cruise that includes both the fireworks.
however, we are pure vegetarian, and hence might just want a cruise that does not include cost of food.
what is the most economic cruise available on that night?
Thanks,
Ekta
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
As it’s still quite early in the year, most cruise companies haven’t confirmed the details or prices of their sailings.
We’ll be updating this page as soon as we know more information about the sailings, so I’d recommend keeping a close eye on it in the next few months.
Hope that helps!
Alex
I would also like to find non-dinner cruises for the NYE firework show. Unfortunately, most cruises are dinner cruises priced over $500 per person. Have you heard of any non-dinner cruises that will stay out past midnight on NYE?
Hi John,
Thanks for your question.
Some cruises do offer midnight only fireworks cruises, although it is more common to find dinner cruises.
Fantasea Sydney still has a midnight fireworks cruise available for $350.
Captain Cruise likewise has a midnight cruise option for $269 departing from Manly ferry.
I hope that helps,
Stephanie
Hi I am wanting to book a cruise that departs Sydney after the fireworks and goes out to sea for 1-2 weeks. We will be 2 adults and 1 child under 2 years old . We want to spend up to $6000 total. Is there anything available for long cruises?
Hi Shane,
Thanks for your question.
As this article deals with day-only New Year’s Eve cruises, you might like to look at general and longer cruise options.
Some of your options that depart after the fireworks for next year include:
–9 Day New Zealand Trip with Dawn Princess
–11 Day Fiorland and New Zealand South Island Cruise with Emerald Princess
–10 Night South Pacific Cruise From Sydney with Royal Caribbean
–10 Night Australia / New Zealand Cruise From Sydney with Carnival
I hope that helps,
Stephanie