Spreading from Darling Harbour and Barangaroo, under a lit-up Harbour Bridge, to The Rocks and Circular Quay, many of the festival's displays take on a whole new perspective when viewed from the water.
Whether you're looking for the cheapest option, one that includes a buffet dinner, or the longest sailing possible, we've put together a list of Vivid cruises you can book online.
Vivid Sydney Penfolds Degustation Dinner Cruise for 2 from RedBalloon
Imagine fine-dining with a view. Now imagine that view to be literally on the water. That's the kind of experience to expect when you board this Penfolds cruise. While you delight in a 6-course degustation, completed with Penfolds wine, you can while the night away gazing at the Vivid lights from your premium viewpoint.
Take date-night up a notch as you soak up the sights of the harbour – both above and below water. This glass boat is built with 3-metre high glass windows – practically guaranteeing you the best seat in the house.
Vivid Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise and Premium Drinks Package from RedBalloon
Spend 3 incredible hours on the Harbour sailing all the way from Kings Street Wharf past Sydney's key landmarks AKA the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge and over to Luna Park and Taronga Zoo before drifting back to the city. This cruise includes a 3-course dinner and drinks.
Available on activities in 2023 including hop-on hop-off tours, wine tours, sightseeing cruises, zoo and animal interactions, hot air balloon flights and more. Sample rate is a general entry to the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
Every year, dozens of boats sail the harbour aglow with brightly coloured lights and become part of the Vivid Sydney display.
Sydney Harbour Ferries get in on the action too.
If you're hoping to join a boat tour during Vivid, these are the operators that often join the festivities.
Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Culture Cruise
Magistic Dinner Cruise
Sydney Showboat Dinner Cruise
Showboat Paddlewheel
Oz Jet Boating
Manly Fast Ferry
Sydney Harbour Tall Ships
Sydney Constellation Cruises
Thunder Jet
Sydney Cove Water Taxis
Sydney's First Fleet Ferries
Captain Cook Cruises
Sensational Sydney Cruises
Fantasea Cruising Sydney
Shadow Charters
Good Time
Sydney Event Cruises
What do I need to know about Vivid Sydney and Vivid Sydney cruises?
How long does Vivid Sydney go for?
Vivid Sydney typically runs for 23 days. This year it runs from 26 May to 17 June 2023.
What time does Vivid Sydney start?
The Vivid Sydney light displays will be turned on at 6pm each night during the festival.
Do Vivid Sydney cruises go to Darling Harbour?
Yes. Most of the sightseeing cruises during Vivid depart from Darling Harbour or King Street Wharf. This gives you the chance to wander around the area before and after your cruise. Check with your cruise to see where and when you need to meet the boat to give yourself ample time.
Do Vivid Sydney cruises depart from Circular Quay?
Yes. Fantasea, Manly Fast Ferry and Captain Cook Cruises are a few of the operators who have had Vivid Sydney cruises departing from Circular Quay.
Do you have any tips on how to photograph Vivid Sydney?
If night photography isn't your forte, especially from a moving boat, consider joining a night photography class prior to or during the festival to capture the best images.
Vivid Sydney cruise review
What can you expect from a Vivid Sydney cruise? We sat down with Naseem Hemmati, who sailed on the Starship Vivid Sydney Cruise in 2019 for a quick chat about his experience.
Q: What did you like about your Vivid cruise?
What I loved most about the cruise was the live performance from the band and the dancers. It amplified the atmosphere and was an entertaining way to complete the cruise as guests were encouraged to join in. The food stalls were another aspect I loved – there was always something to eat or do when you weren't enjoying the view.
Q: What didn't you like about it?
The lack of seating is the only aspect of the cruise that I didn't enjoy. However, throughout the night as people moved around, more became available.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone going on a Vivid cruise?
Dress warmly, so that you are able to enjoy the view.
Alex Keshen was the global travel publisher at Finder and has been living, breathing and, of course, writing about all things travel for more than 10 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada and has appeared in Travel Weekly and the Huffington Post.
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