Australia · BOAT TOURS IN SYDNEY

Sydney Harbour Cruises: 15 Sailings From Circular Quay and Darling Harbour

55 tours  ·  from $23

The harbour is the reason the city looks like that, and a ferry ticket is the cheapest way onto it. These 15 run from a ninety-minute sightseeing loop to a dinner cruise and a sunrise paddle, priced and timed from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour.

Sydney: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Cruise - Darling Harbour, museums, and central Sydney stops
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Sydney: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Cruise

1.Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,697 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $51Our pick

See Sydney from an open-top double-decker bus on two routes with 23 stops, including Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Centennial Parklands, and Bondi Beach. Choose a 24- or 48-hour pass, then add Captain Cook’s harbour cruise or the panoramic night tour. Commentary is available in eight languages, with English-speaking drivers and staff at the stops.

“We utilized the Sydney Big Bus Tour as we do in most major cities, and it served its purpose perfectly. Our strategy involved staying at a hotel right on the route for easy access. We took the initial full loop to survey the city, which gave us a great overview, and then used the bus stops to jump off and explore our favorite spots on foot. The audio recording was informative and well-produced, making the sightseeing both easy and educational. Great service for navigating Sydney!”

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Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise - Spacious decks make a real difference
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Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

2.Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,790 reviews · 2h 45m · from $63

Meet at Circular Quay and board a spacious catamaran for 2 hours and 45 minutes along Sydney’s coast. An English-speaking guide shares whale facts while you scan for humpbacks from open decks or indoor seating. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, toilets, and a licensed bar are onboard. Bring warm layers and motion-sickness tablets.

“Great fun, knowledgeable guides and we saw lots of whales and dolphins. Would 100% do it again!”

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Sydney: Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise - The Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the harbour
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Sydney: Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

3.Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

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

Cruise Sydney Harbour for 90 minutes from Circular Quay, passing the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, and other waterfront sights. Your skipper provides live English commentary, while tea, coffee, water, fruit, and biscuits are available onboard. Choose a morning or afternoon sailing for an easy introduction to Sydney.

“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 - The views from Sydney Harbour
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Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

4.Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

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

Sail from Darling Harbour aboard Captain Cook Cruises’ Sydney 2000, or Captain Cook 3 in winter, for a three-course à la carte dinner and views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Upgrade to four courses or reserve a confirmed window seat. The 5:00 pm departure suits families and couples, but check sunset time carefully.

“This experience ends well before sunset. Lovely ship, good food, great service, great views, but our cruise ended an hour before sunset.”

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Sydney: Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu - Choosing between three, four, and six courses
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Sydney: Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu

5.Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 925 reviews · 105 minutes - 3 hours · from $88

Board Captain Cook Cruises’ MV Sydney 2000 from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour for a 105-minute to three-hour dinner on Sydney Harbour. Choose three, four, or six courses, with optional Penfolds wine pairings on the Gold dinner. Expect Opera House and Harbour Bridge views, smart casual dress, and live music on Saturday and Sunday nights.

“Food was great, table was good. A further 30mins would have been great”

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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast - Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Fort Denison
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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

6.Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 878 reviews · from $74

Begin at King Street Wharf with breakfast or a BBQ lunch, then cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Manly, and Watsons Bay before heading through Sydney Heads. A naturalist guide, sometimes including Devlin or David, explains whale behavior. The four-hour trip runs May to November, with a free return cruise if no whales are found.

“Fascinating and fantastic to see whales up close, and Personal. Don’t forget to bring your seasick medicine, in fact, take it before you leave for the tour. Other than that lunch was amazing, not your cheese sandwich, and water type of lunch, really good food. All in all, I can’t say enough good things about the tour.”

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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist - Meeting Thunder Jet at Circular Quay
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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

7.30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

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

Meet Thunder Jet at Jetty 1, Circular Quay, for a 30-minute ride with spins, fishtails, slides, wave riding, and power-brake stops. Your captain, sometimes John or Tom, handles the tricks while you pass the Opera House, Luna Park, Rose Bay, and Taronga Zoo. Ponchos, life jackets, and land lockers are included, but bring dry clothes.

“I live in Sydney and have gone by this a thousand times, but never tried it until a friend asked about it. Thank goodness they did. It was so much fun!! And more of a tour + extreme boat ride which I liked.”

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Sydney: Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch - Circular Quay puts the city’s icons within reach
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Sydney: Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch

8.Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch

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

Board at Circular Quay for a 135-minute Sydney Harbour cruise with an English-speaking guide, buffet lunch, tea, and coffee. You will pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, Darling Harbour, and more. Guides such as Ron and Ellen add history, humor, and useful local detail while you enjoy wide water views.

“The lunch cruise was amazing. An entertaining & thorough review of the harbor. Our guide was terrific”

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Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour - Dinner With the Opera House in View
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Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

9.Sydney Harbour Starlight Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour

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

Sail Sydney Harbour for about two hours aboard a Captain Cook Cruises flagship vessel. Enjoy a four-course dinner with seafood, meat, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices while passing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Choose the window upgrade for clearer views, then head upstairs for photos and night air.

“Had such a great time on this dinner cruise! The staff were incredibly friendly and made everyone feel welcome from the moment we stepped on board. The food and drinks were absolutely delicious, and the whole experience was really well put together. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, and for the price, it was amazing value. Definitely a night to remember - I’d highly recommend it!”

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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise - The first 20 minutes: harbour views and boat choice
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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

10.2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

Leave Circular Quay aboard Fantasea Crystal and reach Sydney’s open ocean in about 20 minutes, leaving most of the cruise for whale watching. Use the open sun deck, covered rear deck, or air-conditioned cabin. English guides share facts and stories, while snacks and drinks are sold onboard. Whales are guaranteed, with a free return cruise if none are seen.

“Absolutely loved this. So easy to access from circular quay. Friendly guides and great ship and really excellent value for money. Worth it just to be out on the ocean but also amazing to see whales and dolphins. Took 4 kids aged 9-13 and everyone loved it!”

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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay - Starting at Circular Quay Wharf 6
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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay

11.Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay

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

Board Fantasea Cruising Sydney at Circular Quay Wharf 6 for a one-hour narrated harbour cruise. You will pass the Opera House, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, Kirribilli House, Luna Park, and Harbour Bridge. Guides such as Scott and Martin add lively local detail. Choose an outdoor seat for photos, but check the timetable before you go.

“Well worth the price and great tour of the harbour!”

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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure - Circular Quay and the first harbour views
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Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure

12.Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure

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

Set out from Sydney’s Eastern Pontoon for a 90-minute sightseeing cruise led by live commentary, often provided by guide 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 make this an easy way to see Sydney from the water.

“Great sightseeing experience, Ron was great at providing interesting commentary and history on Sydney, Australia”

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Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney - What you might see during the migration
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Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

13.Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 571 reviews · from $99

Join Whale Tales at King Street Wharf for a 2.5-hour cruise from Darling Harbour through Sydney Harbour and beyond the Heads. Guides such as Rex, Mette, Alex, Mawi, and Isaac share whale facts while the crew searches for migrating humpbacks, dolphins, and other marine life. A whale sighting guarantee offers a free return cruise if none appear.

“Saw one small sleeping whale gently surface 3 times after about an hour and a half of searching. The crew was awesome and the views from the boat were great as well. In summary, if you only have a couple days in Sydney, I wouldn’t recommend this. It’s a long time and you might not see whales or have a similar experience to what I saw. If you’re dead-set on maybe seeing a whale and get a fun boat ride, do it!”

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Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise Including Lunch - Under the Harbour Bridge and around Sydney’s shoreline
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Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise Including Lunch

14.Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise Including Lunch

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

Spend about 2 hours and 15 minutes cruising Sydney Harbour from Sydney Princess Cruises’ Eastern Pontoon. You’ll pass under the Harbour Bridge, photograph the Opera House, spot secluded beaches and sandstone cliffs, and enjoy a buffet lunch with dessert, tea, and coffee. Commentary is provided by hosts such as Ron and Bruce.

“This tour was a fantastic way to see the Sydney Harbor. They give you a great tasty buffet lunch while you cruise through the waterfronts and learn about the stats, history, ecology and neighborhoods surrounding Sydney from Ron. He was a guide that knows EVERYTHING about the beautiful locations. Highly Recommend!”

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Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise - Boarding at Campbells Cove in The Rocks
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Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise

15.Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise

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

Board at Campbells Cove in The Rocks for a twilight dinner cruise aboard a restored tall ship. Hear stories about early Sydney from the onboard host, enjoy dinner, and pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Garden Island, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, and Admiralty House. The mast climb costs extra.

“Awesome very relaxing cruise on a true piece of history. Crew was fantastic, food delicious- intimate atmosphere- A+ why go on a modern boat when you can sail on a 100 year old piece of history”

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