Sydney · SYDNEY HARBOUR CRUISES

The 15 Best Sydney Harbour Cruises

59 tours  ·  from $23

Most of these leave from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour and most of them pass under the Bridge, so the decision comes down to length, whether food is included and how many people are on board. The 15 below are sorted out on exactly that.

Sydney: Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise - Starting at Eastern Pontoon in Circular Quay
Cruises & Boat Tours, Morning, Sydney City Highlights Sightseeing Tours, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sydney: Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

1.Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

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

Cruise Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay on a 90-minute morning or afternoon trip. Your skipper points out the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, and lesser-seen waterfront sights. Guides such as Ron and Bruce are known for lively commentary, while tea, coffee, water, fruit, and biscuits are included.

“Very nice cruise! Nice tour guide!! We learned a lot of interesting things about Sydney! And the views were amazing!!”

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Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour - Choosing the right table and window option
Cruises & Boat Tours, Darling Harbour Cruises, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, Sydney Dinner & Lunch Cruises, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Sunset & Twilight Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

2.Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

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

Board Captain Cook Cruises at King Street Wharf for a roughly 1-hour-45-minute dinner cruise past Sydney’s icons. Choose a 3-course à la carte meal or upgrade to 4 courses, with a confirmed window seat available for an extra fee. Live music runs on weekends.

“It was a great way to see Sydney Harbour from the water. The timing is too early for a 'Sunset' dinner in Summertime but it was still a great experience dining with good food on a ship. Wait staff were attentive and helpful. We had a window seat, but you could go out on deck to look if you wanted.”

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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist - Getting ready for a wet 30 minutes
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews

30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

3.30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

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

Meet at Circular Quay for a 30-minute Thunder Jet ride with spins, fishtails, wave riding, and power stops at speeds up to 75 km/h. You’ll pass the Opera House, Luna Park, Rose Bay, and Taronga Zoo. Drivers such as John and Tom add plenty of personality. Expect to get wet.

“Fun. As described...helpful and well organised. We booked for the shorter one but they combined us with a longer one at no extra charge. Great service”

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Sydney: Guided Daytime Summit Climb of Sydney Harbour Bridge - The upper arch, taken at a steady pace
Guided, Sydney Harbour Bridge Tours, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sydney: Guided Daytime Summit Climb of Sydney Harbour Bridge

4.Guided Daytime Summit Climb of Sydney Harbour Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 817 reviews · 3 hours · from $257

Follow a Climb Leader up Sydney Harbour Bridge’s upper arch in a small group of up to 14 people. The three-hour experience includes safety preparation, history, panoramic summit views, wet-weather gear, a cap, and a printed group photo.

“We did the Sumit climb with Simon as the leader. He was super very knowledgable and put everyone at ease. An experience not to be missed.”

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Sydney: Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch - Lunch with the skyline passing by
Buffet Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Sydney Dinner & Lunch Cruises, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sydney: Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch

5.Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch

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

Meet at Circular Quay for a 135-minute Sydney Harbour cruise with a generous 13-choice buffet, tea, coffee, and English commentary. Guides such as Ron and Ellen add history and humor as you pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, and Darling Harbour. The boat runs rain or shine.

“Our guide Rin was amazing, full of fun. She played Mama Wombat to our bus load of baby wombats. Every stop had extraordinary views of the Blue Mountains. Lunch was delicious and plentiful. We got to pet the koalas & kangaroos at Ferndale Wildlife Park and saw the little penguins as well as several other animals. Overall an awesome day!”

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Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour - The four-course dinner and what to expect
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Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

6.Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

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

Board Captain Cook Cruises at King Street Wharf for a two-hour evening sail past Sydney’s Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and lit skyline. Enjoy a four-course dinner with seafood, meat, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, then head upstairs for sweeping harbor views. Window seats are available as an 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 Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay - Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the harbour’s wider frame
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sydney City Highlights Sightseeing Tours, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay

7.Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay

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

Sail from Circular Quay Wharf 6 with English commentary, passing the Opera House, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, Kirribilli House, Luna Park, and Harbour Bridge. The one-hour route offers open-air views, an onboard bar, and helpful guides such as Scott and Martin.

“It great way to see city views and the surrounding areas.”

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Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry - Sydney Harbour - Exploring 2,900 animals across 10 themed areas
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Wildlife & Zoo Tours, Tour Reviews, Zoos

Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry – Sydney Harbour

8.Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry – Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 722 reviews · from $56

Take Captain Cook Cruises from Circular Quay Wharf 6 to Taronga Zoo, with return ferry travel and zoo admission included. Explore 10 animal areas at your own pace, see koalas and kangaroos, attend keeper talks, and enjoy Opera House and Harbour Bridge views from the boat and zoo grounds.

“This was an easy way to see the Zoo and get a round trip ferry ride. Highly recommend this tour option.”

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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure - A 90-minute circuit around the harbour
Cruises & Boat Tours, Morning, Sydney City Highlights Sightseeing Tours, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure

9.Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure

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

Board at Sydney’s Eastern Pontoon near Circular Quay for a 90-minute harbour cruise with live commentary from guides such as Ron. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Luna Park, sandstone cliffs, beaches, and smaller bays. Morning, afternoon, and sunset departures fit different schedules.

“The cruise offered amazing views of Sydney. The staff was all friendly and accommodating and Ron was an excellent tour guide - he was both very informative and engaging.”

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Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Flight - What the 20-minute itinerary really gives you
Helicopter Tours, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Helicopter Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Flight

10.Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 649 reviews · from $179

Fly from Sydney Airport over Maroubra, Coogee, Bondi, the sandstone cliffs, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and Botany Bay. Shared flights carry up to six people, with pilots such as Harry and Sam providing live commentary. Hotel pickup is available from two central-city hotels.

“It was a great experience, i want to really appreciate all the staff and crew member including pilot as well.”

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Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise Including Lunch - Crossing beneath the Harbour Bridge
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Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise Including Lunch

11.Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise Including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 511 reviews · from $53

Board Sydney Princess Cruises at Eastern Pontoon for a 2-hour-15-minute harbour cruise with buffet lunch, dessert, tea, and coffee. Expect views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, sandstone cliffs, and secluded beaches, plus live commentary from hosts such as Ron or Bruce.

“Great cruise with amazing views of Sydney Harbour. The lunch was delicious and the staff were lovely. Very relaxing and well worth it. Would definitely recommend!”

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Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise - Twilight views of Sydney’s best-known landmarks
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Sydney Dinner & Lunch Cruises, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Sunset & Twilight Cruises, Sydney Tall Ship Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise

12.Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 451 reviews · from $63

Meet at Campbells Cove in The Rocks for a twilight cruise aboard a restored tall ship. Enjoy dinner, live stories about Sydney and the vessel, and views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, and more. Mast climbing costs extra.

“Great experience, crew were friendly and accommodating, great hearing about the history of the ship and area, food was great , everyone had a good time”

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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride - The jet-boat action: spins, slides, and sudden stops
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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride

13.30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 416 reviews · from $51

Join Oz Jet Boating at Circular Quay for a 30-minute blast across Sydney Harbour. Your captain mixes landmark views with 270-degree spins, power slides, and speeds up to 75 km/h. Ponchos and lockers are provided, but plan on getting soaked and bring dry clothes.

“You will get wet so take a change of clothes. The ride is safe and very exciting. The staff are very attentive.”

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Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Afternoon Cruise - Meeting at Campbell’s Cove Jetty in The Rocks
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tall Ship Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Afternoon Cruise

14.Tall Ship Afternoon Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 412 reviews · 1h 30m · from $48

Spend 90 minutes aboard an 1850s-style wooden tall ship with an English-speaking crew. Help with ropes, sails, or the helm, or relax as guides such as Ruth and Jim explain Sydney Harbour, Fort Denison, the Opera House, and Harbour Bridge.

“Thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon harbor cruise. Jim was entertaining and knowledgeable, the ship was wonderful, and I would highly recommend this activity to anyone visiting Sydney.”

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Journey Beyond All-Inclusive Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise - Boarding at King Street Wharf 8
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Journey Beyond All-Inclusive Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise

15.Journey Beyond All-Inclusive Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 395 reviews · from $154

Sail from King Street Wharf for about two and a half to three hours, pairing a three-course New South Wales-sourced dinner with harbour views, wine, and included drinks. You can step onto the top, fore, and aft decks for photos of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, city lights, and sunset.

“Great evening seeing the amazing sites around the harbour only thing was the lack of steak on the menu”

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New in Sydney Harbour Cruises

★ 4.7Sydney Harbour Hands-On 2.5 Hour Yacht CruiseFrom $11930 reviews
★ 4.9Sydney Harbour Hands-On Taster Yacht CruiseFrom $8413 reviews
★ 5.0Exclusive Sydney Harbour Cruise on a Classic YachtFrom $1273 reviews
★ 5.030-minute Private Sydney Harbour Helicopter Tour for 2From $35321 reviews
★ 5.0Self Drive Boat Hire Sydney Harbour (No license required)32 reviews
★ 5.0Vivid 90-Minute Sydney Harbour Catamaran Cruise with BYO DrinksFrom $4256 reviews
★ 4.5Taronga Zoo Entry & Sydney Harbour 2-Day Hop On Hop Off CruiseFrom $6166 reviews
★ 4.8Tall Ship Lunch CruiseFrom $7769 reviews
★ 4.4Sydney Harbour to Bondi: Small Group Half–Day ExperienceFrom $10869 reviews
★ 4.930 Minute Shared Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter TourFrom $25467 reviews
★ 4.5High Tea Cruise on Sydney HarbourFrom $7591 reviews
★ 5.0Private Luxury Sydney Harbour CruiseFrom $55977 reviews
★ 4.6Relaxing High Tea Cruise on Sydney HarbourFrom $7483 reviews
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