Water Sports in Sydney

With its incredible harbour, kilometres of coastline and numerous creeks, rivers and waterways, Sydney is an aquatic playground. From wakeboarding on the Hawkesbury River to whitewater rafting on an Olympic course, Sydney has an extensive assortment of water sports on offer.

Snorkel and dive in one of Sydney’s marine reserves, home to blue gropers, yellowtail and more than 160 other species of fish. Zoom across the harbour in a jet boat, take a deep-sea fishing charter out into the ocean, or learn how to surf on the iconic Bondi Beach.

Kayaking, canoeing & rafting

To explore the harbour at a slower pace, rent a kayak or take a guided tour. Sydney Harbour Kayaks at Spit Bridge in Mosman offer tours around Middle Harbour, past cliffs and stunning homes. Your guide will regale you with the harbour’s military history, shipwrecks and notable characters. Want to get up close to the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge? Join an Ozpaddle Sydney tour to take in the sights from water level.

On the lower north shore at Milsons Point, Natural Wanders offer the Billy Blue Paddle for beginners, a 5.5km trip from Lavender Bay to Blues Point – an excellent location for a photo opportunity or to simply marvel at the views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

For thrills in Western Sydney, battle Olympic-size rapids at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium. The nearby Nepean River is great for paddling, too. Kayaks and SUPs are available for hire from Horizon Line, or take a guided tour on the river which flows into the Hawkesbury River near Yarramundi. 

Find more kayaking in Sydney

Snorkelling & diving

The clarity of the water along the Sydney coastline makes it perfect for snorkelling and diving. Dive Centre Manly offers snorkelling tours, dive courses and guided dives. Sydney Underwater Scooter Tours has a guided tour of Gordons Bay.

Discover more of Sydney's best snorkelling and diving spots

Surfing

There are surf beaches all along the coast, including National Surfing Reserves at Bondi, Cronulla, Maroubra, Manly and North Narrabeen. If you want to learn to surf or hone your skills, lessons are available at a number of beaches, from Let’s Go Surfing, Manly Surf School and Chix Surf School.

Find your nearest surf break

Sailing

Climb aboard for a day of harbour sailing and cruise past the city's most famous icons beneath a billowing sail. Or hire a skipper and a yacht from EastSail, in Rushcutters Bay, and explore one of the world’s finest natural harbours and drop anchor in a secluded bay for lunch.

You can stay overnight in beautiful Lavender Bay on a sailboat with Sailaway Sydney or learn how to sail with Sydney by Sail, which offers IYT accredited training from beginners through to skippers. For an indulgent experience, take a cruise with Champagne Sailing or Luxury Sydney Harbour Cruises.

All aboard for more sailing and boating in Sydney