Cruises on Sydney Harbour

Things to do

Sydney Harbour is spectacular and a cruise is a wonderful way to experience it, whatever your interests, activity levels and budget. Enjoy a tall ship adventure with Sydney Harbour Tall Ships and Sydney Heritage Fleet Cruises during the day or hop aboard a paddlewheeler for a Sydney Showboat Cruise at night.

Sydney Harbour Tall Ships, Circular Quay

History buffs will love the wonderful heritage tours. Tribal Warrior Harbour Cruises will relay the stories of local Aboriginal people and their traditions while sightseeing. You’ll find out about the Indigenous names for Sydney’s landmarks and watch a traditional Aboriginal performance on a harbour island.

Those who also want to explore underwater will love the summer snorkelling cruise with Sydney Princess Cruises. For bigger sea life, join a whale-watching cruise from May to November, which depart from Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and Manly, and cruise through the dramatic harbour entrance at The Heads into the ocean to spot humpbacks.

Whale Watching Sydney - Credit: Bass & Flinders Cruises

One of the most popular ways to experience the annual Vivid Sydney festival is on the water. Cruises often come packaged with drinks and dinner, from three-course fine-dining affairs to more casual canapes and cocktails.

Jump on a ferry

You can take a ferry from Circular Quay to other harbour islands, such as Garden Island for a naval museum and Cockatoo Island for UNESCO World Heritage convict sites. On Fort Denison, enjoy a striking panorama of the harbour and then explore the former military facility on a guided tour.

Ferry departing Milsons Point

Ferries also travel to Manly, one of the best ways to see the iconic harbour, and Parramatta, where you can visit the World Heritage-listed Old Government House and other convict heritage sites. There's also a convenient hop-on, hop-off ferry service to popular attractions such as Luna Park for carnival rides.

Eat & drink

Lunch and dinner cruises are a delicious way to enjoy the harbour in comfort and style. There are breakfast cruises for early birds, afternoon tea options that make the most of the warm afternoon sunshine and evening cruises when the city lights twinkle as golden sunsets fade behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney Harbour Top Deck Long Lunch Cruise - Credit: James Horan, Captain Cook Cruises

Foodies who are after the ultimate luxury dining cruise can't go past the Gold Penfolds Dinner Cruise option from Captain Cook Cruises. This six-course degustation matched with elegant Penfolds wines includes the exquisite St Henri Shiraz.

Gold Penfolds Dinner Cruise - Credit: Captain Cook Cruises