Australia · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

Australian Boat Trips: 15 From Harbour Loops to Overnight Sails

464 tours  ·  from $14

Half of this country only makes sense from the water. The 15 below run from a ninety-minute harbour cruise to a two-night sail through the Whitsundays, each priced and clear about how much swimming time you really get.

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns - The long crossing to the outer reef
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Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

1.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,714 reviews · from $190Our pick

Board Evolution in Cairns for a full day at two outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Snorkel with crew support, add an introductory or certified scuba session, or book a 10-minute helicopter flight. Marine biologists such as Indy and Phil may help explain the reef, while lunch, wetsuits, gear, afternoon snacks, and a glass of wine are included.

“Waves were pretty bad, but the entertainment and snorkeling were great. If big waves and strong wind skip and rebook. Great experience.”

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From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran - First reef stop: two hours in the water
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From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

2.Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,567 reviews · 9 hours · from $190

Take a nine-hour catamaran from Cairns to two outer Great Barrier Reef sites selected for the day’s conditions. Snorkel with turtles, fish, giant clams, and colorful coral, or try scuba with a certified instructor. Marine guides such as Lily, David, and Le’a add sharp local insight, while lunch, tea, gear, and wetsuits are included.

“Attention to detail and safety! Excellent adventure. Parker was awesome!”

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Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise - Hill Inlet Lookout earns the short climb
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Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

3.Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,953 reviews · from $164Top rated

Spend about eight hours aboard Red Cat Adventures’ high-speed catamaran from Airlie Beach. You’ll snorkel at two reef sites, visit Whitehaven Beach, walk to Hill Inlet Lookout, and eat a buffet lunch on board. Crews such as Hannah, Jet, Frankie, and Carlos have been praised for clear safety help and lively commentary.

“Great day, well organised with professional friendly guides Carlos and the captain. We were so interested to hear about the importance of reef safe suncream in protecting the reef for everyone’s continued use enjoyment - it would be good iRead more”

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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

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

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

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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Airlie Beach: Whitehaven Full-Day Eco-Cruise with Buffet - The catamaran ride sets the pace
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Airlie Beach: Whitehaven Full-Day Eco-Cruise with Buffet

5.Whitehaven Full-Day Eco-Cruise with Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,644 reviews · 8 hours · from $162

Spend eight hours aboard Red Cat Adventures’ fast, stable catamaran, visiting two Hook Island snorkel sites and Whitehaven Beach. You’ll walk with a guide to Hill Inlet Lookout, eat a generous buffet, and get brownies and fruit. Crews including Tristan, Beau, Jordy, Jade, and Randall are known for friendly help, reef knowledge, and good music.

“I had the best time during the tour! Frankie & Jett were great and funny guides (and also great to look at). The day was amazing, the whitehaven beach was incredible and the food was so good, especially the brownies in the morning :) Would definitely recommend”

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Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran - What the catamaran feels like during the nine-hour outing
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Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

6.Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,564 reviews · from $192

Spend about nine hours aboard a 25-metre catamaran visiting two Outer Reef sites from Cairns. Snorkel with guides such as Simon, Harry, or Parker, try introductory scuba from age 12, enjoy buffet lunch and reef talks, and expect a capable but sometimes busy boat.

“No complaints. Phoebe was very good and helpful in rough seas. Food was good. Safety review good. All crew friendly.”

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Litchfield National Park and Jumping Crocodile Cruise - The 6:00 AM start and drive north
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Litchfield National Park and Jumping Crocodile Cruise

7.Litchfield National Park and Jumping Crocodile Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,119 reviews · from $172

Spend about 11 hours with Litchfield Escapes visiting Adelaide River crocodiles, Litchfield’s termite mounds, Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, and Buley Rockhole. Hotel-area pickup, lunch, snacks, water, and a small group of up to 24 are included. Guides such as Dylan, Daz, Will, and Damo bring local stories and humor to a full, active day.

“A fantastic tour led by an incredible guide! Dylan communicated clearly before the tour and was outstanding throughout the day. His knowledge of the crocodiles, wildlife, and the broader history and nature of the national park and Darwin areRead more”

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River Cruise - From the marina to the Port Douglas waterfront
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River Cruise

8.River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,980 reviews · from $37

Join Lady Douglas at 44 Wharf Street for a 90-minute cruise through Dickson Inlet, Port Douglas Marina, and the coast. Richard, Jay, Jake, or another local crew member provides commentary on wildlife and town history. You receive a drink and snack box, with possible sightings of wild crocodiles, birds, crabs, and mudskippers.

“Lovely cruise with Lady Douglas, great service and lovely commentary, captain and Jake were lovely. Highly recommend”

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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise - Upolu Cay for shallow coral and easy viewing
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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

9.Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,895 reviews · from $181

Board the 65-foot Ocean Freedom catamaran at Cairns for a full day at Upolu Cay and Wonder Wall. You can snorkel, join marine naturalist tours, take a glass-bottom boat ride, or add certified or introductory scuba. Expect breakfast snacks, a seafood buffet, afternoon treats, and close crew support in a group capped at 75.

“Fantastic tour with a small family company. Pastries and coffee and tea on arrival. Great instructions for snorkelling at the snorkelling sights - saw so much including sting rays and turtles. Really enjoyed the drift snorkel with our guide explaining what we could see. Tasty lunch with fruit platters, cheese and biscuits and cake on the journey home. Great day!”

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Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise - Starting at Southgate behind the Langham Hotel
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Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise

10.2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,804 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

See Melbourne from the Yarra River on a two-hour cruise with English GPS-triggered commentary. Travel upstream and downstream past Docklands, Southbank, the MCG, Olympic Park, Herring Island and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Choose indoor seating or the open rear deck, with tea and coffee included.

“Value for Money, You Should take Down Stream and Up Stream as well”

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

11.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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Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise - Leaving from the Daintree River near the ferry
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Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise

12.Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,663 reviews · from $25Best value

Cruise the Daintree River near the ferry on a quiet solar-assisted boat carrying up to 24 people. Guides such as Mark and Dave point out crocodiles by name, along with birds, frogs, snakes, crabs, and fish. Tea and coffee are included, and the one-hour trip returns to its starting point.

“It is a very unique experience . Guide was very knowledgeable in spotting crocodiles including each names , age”

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Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise - Sydney Zoo gives the morning a family-friendly start
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Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise

13.Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,585 reviews · from $68

Spend about 10 hours exploring Sydney Zoo, Kings Tableland, Wentworth Falls or Leura Cascades, Leura, Katoomba, Scenic World, and the Three Sisters. Guides such as Bruce and Les lead the small coach groups, with a Sydney ferry ride to Circular Quay at day’s end. Zoo and Scenic World tickets cost extra.

“Go with Les if you can. Top notch druver. Real safe. But what made the trip was his encyclopaedi knowledge of Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Absolutely outstanding tour guide.”

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From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise - Leaving Cairns from Marlin Wharf
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From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise

14.Full-Day Green Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,584 reviews · 8 hours · from $77

Take a modern catamaran from Cairns to Green Island National Park for a full day of beaches, reef snorkeling, and coral viewing. You can add a buffet lunch, semi-submarine ride, glass-bottom boat, or guided snorkel session. Crew members such as Zack, Kate, and Andrea have been praised for warm, helpful service.

“Was good, but while booking the included activities were not clear and we had some misunderstandings. As it states snorkeling and glass bottom boat cruise is included, however upon arrival it was a separate activity and should be paid for separately. Other than that, Green Island is worth seeing.”

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Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan - Hells Gates and the wide waters of Macquarie Harbour
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Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan

15.Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,577 reviews · from $111

Set out from Strahan at 8:00 am aboard Spirit of the Wild for a six-hour cruise through Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River. You’ll pass Hells Gates, cruise quietly under electric power, visit Sarah Island with a guide, and enjoy a chef-prepared buffet lunch. Main Deck and Premier Upper Deck seating are available.

“I enjoyed the entire trip because I love nature. From the time The Spirit Of The Wild left the port to Gordon River to Sarah Island and back. The history of the places that the cruise took me is very interesting.”

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