4.5(6.6K ratings)Rated 4.5 out of 5.0 from 6584 ratings.

Sydney Harbour Cruises

For tourists visiting Sydney, taking a Harbour cruise is one of the quintessential Sydney experiences. Before you head to your cruise, allow us to help you find the best cruise as you go through these Harbour Cruise tips, suggestions, offers and more.

Headout's Top Recommendations

Free cancellation

Couple enjoying dinner on a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise

Sightseeing Cruises

Captain Cook 3 or 4-Course Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour

Instant confirmation

4.5

from

AU$115

Passengers on the Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise

Sightseeing Cruises

Captain Cook Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

Instant confirmation

4.5

from

AU$32

Select a Date

Duration

2 hrs - 2 hrs 30 mins

1 hr 20 mins - 2 hrs 30 mins

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

These tickets can't be cancelled. However, they can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

More details

Browse by themes

Sydney Harbour Cruises Guide

Sydney is renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant landscape. If you’re visiting Sydney, a harbour cruise is an excellent way to sit back, relax and discover the city’s skyline from a new perspective. If you’re planning to go for a cruise, read on to know about all your different Sydney Harbour cruise tickets & tour options, essential visitor information, what to see, and more.

Post-COVID-19 Safety Measures on a Sydney Harbour Cruise

Sydney Harbour cruises can now be booked online to help ensure contactless experiences.
All passengers must wear a face mask covering their mouth and nose at all times.
All guests must maintain a social distance of 1.5 meters at all times.
The number of guests on board are limited to avoid crowding.
Frequent and enhanced cleaning of high-contact areas is taking place regularly.
Sanitisers are present at various locations in the cruise ship for guests.

All Your Sydney Harbour Cruise Tickets & Tour Options

There are multiple Sydney Harbour cruise tickets and tour options available. Guests can choose to book sightseeing cruises, lunch cruises, dinner cruises, or jet boat experiences. Each ticket offers different benefits, depending on your preferences. Read on below to know about each cruise type in detail.

Sightseeing Cruise

Lunch Cruise

Dinner Cruise

Jet Boat Tours

Sightseeing cruises are one of the most popular ways to explore Sydney. You will cover all of the important landmarks in the city as you pass by on the Sydney Harbour. On-board commentary is also available and will give you interesting information about the various attractions in the city.

Why go on this cruise?

Spot all the major landmarks in the city from aboard your cruise
Learn about each of the landmarks with the help of on-board commentary

Recommended experiences

Captain Cook Harbour Highlights - 75 mins cruise

Explore Sydney’s famous sights on this 75-minute cruise. With on-board GPS commentary, learn about not just the Sydney Harbour, but also interesting facts about the various landmarks in the city.

Captain Cook Harbour Story Sightseeing Cruise

Revel in a spectacular 2-hour sightseeing cruise that includes personalized commentary for the ultimate tour experience. Moreover, your cruise also includes unlimited self-service coffee, tea, and biscuits during the experience.

If you’re looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon in the city, opt for a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise. Enjoy stunning views of Sydney and the Harbour as you relish a multi-course lunch with some refreshing drinks.

Why go on this cruise?

Delight in a multi-course gourmet meal that includes several Australian delicacies.
Enjoy complimentary refreshments.
Take in million-dollar views of Sydney and its landmarks.

Recommended experiences

Relaxing Lunch Cruise With 3 Course Meal

Hop aboard the luxurious MV Sydney 2000 for a 3-course gourmet lunch. Catch breathtaking views of Sydney and its Harbour, as the city’s skyline provides the perfect ambiance.

High Tea Sightseeing Cruise

Relish high tea aboard a premium vessel on the waters off Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine as you admire stunning views of Sydney.

Sydney at night is a sight to behold and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. Combined with a 6- or 3-course meal, enjoy the dining experience of a lifetime as Sydney serenades you in the background.

Why go for this cruise?

Take a beautiful cruise along Sydney Harbour, and see Sydney’s landmarks as they light up at night.
Enjoy a 3- or 6-course meal along with a selection of fine Australian wines.
Revel in upper deck seating to enjoy the best views of Sydney.

Recommended experiences

Sunset Dinner-90 Mins Cruise

Hop onto a luxurious sightseeing vessel and catch unparalleled views of Sydney’s skyline. Enjoy a delicious 3-course meal along with a selection of beers and wines as part of your experience.

Gold Penfolds Dinner & Drinks Cruise

Hop a luxurious cruise that includes exclusive priority boarding. Enjoy upper deck seating and a six-course meal as you catch sight of Sydney’s most famous landmarks.

A jet boating session along Sydney’s Harbour is an exciting way to experience the city. With state of the art safety equipment, enjoy a thrilling experience that includes wild fishtails, 360-degree spins and power stops.

Why go for this ticket?

Witness Sydney’s skyline aboard a superfast jet boat.
Experience wild fishtails, 360-degree turns and sudden stops.

Recommended experiences

Thunder Jet Twist-30 Minute Experience

Take an adrenaline-packed adventure with the ultimate jet boating experience. Catch sight of iconic landmarks such as Opera House, Fort Denison, Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, and more.

Oz Jet Boating

Experience a thrilling 30-minute ride on a jet boat and see Sydney from a different perspective. Enjoy thrilling spins, stops, and turns aboard the superfast jet boat.

Plan Your Sydney Harbour Cruise

Timings

Getting There

Tips/Facilities

What are the timings for different Sydney Harbour cruises?

The timings for the Sydney Harbour Cruises vary depending on the exact ticket and tour option. Broadly, a lunch cruise would begin around 12:00 PM and a dinner cruise by 07:00 PM. Sightseeing cruises and jet boat tours generally run through the day and exact details vary from cruise to cruise.

What is the best time to go for a Sydney Harbour cruise?

The best time to take a cruise on Sydney Harbour would depend entirely on your travel preference. If you’re looking for clear skies and sunny days, you can go for a cruise between November to March; if you’re looking for pleasant winds and some chilly weather, winter months of June to August is what you can opt for.

How long is a Sydney Harbour cruise?

Sydney Harbour cruises range anywhere from 30 minutes to about 3 hours depending on the exact tour chosen. Generally, lunch and dinner cruises tend to run longer, up to 4-5 hours; sightseeing cruises are between 1-2 hours, while jet boat tours on average are for 30-45 minutes.

Where is the boarding point of a Sydney Harbour cruise?

Boarding points for Sydney Harbour cruises differ based on the type of experience. The common boarding points are Darling Harbour King Street Wharf No.1 and Circular Quay Wharf No. 6.
Google Map Directions to Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.

Can I take the metro/train to Sydney Harbour?

Yes, you can take the train or light rail to reach Sydney Harbour. Take train lines T1 or T9 to reach Sydney Harbour or light rail line L3.

Can I take the bus to Sydney Harbour?

Yes, buses 120, 150X, 311, 392, 622, or X92 go to Sydney Harbour.

What should I wear on a Sydney Harbour cruise?

The expected dress code on Sydney Harbour cruises, especially lunch or dinner cruises, is smart casual. Depending on the weather, you can carry a light jacket or a hat.

Is a Sydney Harbour cruise wheelchair-accessible?

Yes, the Sydney Harbour Cruises are wheelchair accessible. You can inform the tour operator in advance to make the necessary arrangements.

Do Sydney Harbour cruises include a guided tour?

It depends on the cruise you book. Some Sydney Harbour cruises include an on-board guide. A majority of them, however, offer just onboard commentary.

What to See on a Sydney Harbour Cruise?

During your Sydney Harbour Cruise, you will come across some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Here are a few popular ones you can spot while on your cruise in Sydney:

Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most distinct buildings in the world, and is arguably one of the most popular attractions in Sydney. Its architecture is simply astounding and definitely worth a tour. You can catch unobstructed views of the Opera House while on a cruise and capture some memorable photographs. For a wholesome experience, you can additionally book Sydney Opera House tickets or go for a Sydney Opera House show.

Royal Botanical Garden

The Royal Botanical Garden of Sydney is a 74-acre garden that was opened in 1816. It is one of the most historically significant scientific institutions in the world and is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. It is one of the most visited attractions in Sydney, with over 3 million visitors every year.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic landmark in the city and holds the record of being the tallest steel arch bridge in the world. Constructed in 1932, the bridge quickly went on to become an icon in the city, and has been nicknamed ‘The Coathanger’ due to its design. Most cruises begin from the Harbour, allowing you to get a closer look at its captivating structure.

Taronga Zoo

One of the largest zoos in Australia, Taronga Zoo is spread across 69-acres and is divided into eight different geographic zones. It is not only home to over 4000 animals from across 350 species, but the zoo also engages in numerous conservation and waste minimization efforts. On the cruise, you can spot some giraffes and other animals as well! If you’re an animal lover, book Taronga Zoo tickets and immerse yourself in the fantastic wildlife here.

Government House

The Government House is an important building in Sydney and is located adjacent to the Royal Botanical Garden. Constructed in 1847, it currently serves as the home to the Governor. Its Gothic revival style architecture is simply beautiful, lending it a historic feel till today.

Aquatic Animal Sightings

You can catch sight of numerous aquatic creatures during your cruise. This includes Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Australian Seals, and if you’re lucky, even Green Turtles. You can also see a diverse range of sharks and rays, such as Bull Sharks, Angel Sharks, Dusky Whaler Sharks, Great White Sharks, and Fiddler Rays.

Sydney Harbour Cruise FAQs

Are Sydney Harbour cruises available now?

Yes, Sydney Cruises are currently available with numerous precautionary measures in place for your safety.

Can I book a Sydney Harbour cruise online?

Yes, you can book Sydney Harbour cruises online. You can get some exclusive deals and discounts with online bookings and choose your preferred date and time for a visit.

What are the different Sydney Harbour cruise types?

The different types of cruises are lunch cruises, dinner cruises, sightseeing cruises, and jet boat experiences.

What is included in a Sydney Harbour cruise?

Depending on the type of cruise you choose, you can enjoy lunch, dinner, or tea with complimentary drinks.

Are meals available on a Sydney Harbour cruise?

It depends on the type of cruise you select. Lunch and dinner cruises include a 3 or 6-course meal, while others may not provide any meals.

What is the cancelation policy of a Sydney Harbour cruise?

The cancelation policy varies from cruise to cruise. While some may offer a complete refund if canceled within the stipulated time period, others may not provide a refund if canceled.

Does my Sydney Harbour cruise include a guided tour?

Some cruises may offer onboard commentary to give you more insight into the various attractions that you will pass by. It completely depends on which cruise you pick.

What can I see while on a Sydney Harbour cruise?

You can catch sight of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanical Garden, Taronga Zoo, and more. You can also see some aquatic life such as dolphins and sharks during the cruise.

Where is the boarding point for a Sydney Harbour cruise?

Boarding points for Sydney Harbour cruises differ based on the type of experience. The common boarding points are Darling Harbour King Street Wharf No.1 and Circular Quay Wharf No. 6.