Top Australia & the Pacific On the Water - page 3

Manta rays, stingrays, and black-tip reef sharks are just some of the creatures found around the gorgeous lagoons of Bora Bora. On this full-day lagoon cruise, enjoy many snorkeling opportunities plus a delicious barbecue lunch on a private island. Enjoy French Polynesian hospitality and entertainment. This ultimate day in paradise with a guide includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off, to simplify the experience.

Sydney's busy roads can make sightseeing tricky. Skip city traffic and combine a ferry ride with admission to Taronga Zoo. Depart from Circular Quay and sail across Sydney Harbour, taking in panoramic views of the skyline along the way. At the zoo, spot koalas and kangaroos, along with wildlife from around the world. Your package includes round-trip ferry transfers, so getting back to the city center couldn't be easier.

If you want to enjoy a tropical island beach paradise from Cairns but don’t have a lot of time, this half or full-day trip to Green Island is ideal. Be transported by fast catamaran from Cairns to save time. Choose between a glass-bottomed boat tour or the use of snorkeling equipment. Get access to the island’s pool or take a self-guided walk of the island if you want to be more active.

See Sydney Harbour the way it's meant to be seen: From the water. This lunch cruise passes by such world-famous sites as the Sydney Opera House as well as such hidden gems as secluded beaches and sandstone cliffs. On board, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch plus dessert with tea and coffee.

Avoid the risk of driving to Milford Sound yourself and being distracted by the views. This group tour from Queenstown makes it easy—and safe—to visit the must-see natural attraction for a day. After a handy hotel pickup, embark on a dramatic journey through mountains, gorges, and the incredible Homer Tunnel. Make scenic stops along the way. Cruise Milford Sound in a catamaran, looking out for wildlife along the way.

Get access to an incredible encounter with marine life on this ultimate snorkel with sharks encounter in Fiji. It's a hassle-free day with a full itinerary organized for you—you are picked up from your hotel and taken by boat to Kuata Island. This tour is suitable for all skill levels, including first-time snorkelers, and you get a full safety briefing. After an amazing shark encounter, lunch is included too.

Learning to surf on your own means guessing at technique and trying to access equipment—difficult to arrange on vacation. Book a small-group lesson at Bondi Beach with a local instructor to cover surf and safety basics, warm-up, paddling, catching waves, and standing up. All the gear is included, so you can turn up and get straight in the water.

Board the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship or the modern Spirit of Queenstown for an evening cruise on Lake Wakatipu. Sail to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a buffet dinner featuring local meats, salads, vegetables, and desserts, then watch farm demonstrations or relax in the bar. The cruise returns to the same central Queenstown location. The TSS Earnslaw undergoes winter maintenance, when the Spirit of Queenstown is available instead.

Rarotonga offers many opportunities to swim in the sea among the fish and other sea life. But if you want to improve your chances of swimming with turtles, a sea scooter safari is the way to go. With a sea scooter you can whizz through the water much faster than with leg power alone. Be amazed at the colors and variety of the sea life you’ll encounter in the sheltered waters of Rarotonga.

Take in a bounty of Melbourne’s highlights along the scenic Yarra River on this narrated sightseeing cruise. Spend a delightful hour aboard a riverboat as you glide under the Princes Bridge and past beautiful river gardens, Herring Island, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and other top cultural attractions.

Enjoy mountain and lake views from a different angle when you cruise from Queenstown aboard the vintage “TSS Earnslaw” steamship or the modern “Spirit of Queenstown” catamaran across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak High Country Farm. Refuel with a gourmet barbecue lunch featuring Central Otago specialties, salads, desserts, and local cheeses at the Colonel’s Homestead. Learn about local rural life during sheep-shearing and sheepdog demonstrations at the farm.

Enjoy an America’s Cup sailing experience aboard an authentic racing yacht on Auckland's scenic Waitemata Harbour. Feel the exhilaration of yachting as you take the helm and participate with the professional crew, or just sit back and soak up the harbor views. No sailing experience is necessary and this is a fun activity for keen sailors and complete beginners alike. Wet-weather jackets and sunscreen keep you comfortable.

Sail on a luxe 60ft air-conditioned sailing catamaran! Custom designed for ultimate comfort & relaxation. Bask in the sun on the top sundeck, unwind in the shaded seating area below, or soak in the Jacuzzi while taking in the tropical beauty of the Whitsundays Islands. Admire the crystal-clear tropical waters. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef encountering vibrant marine life- if you're lucky, a gentle green sea turtle! Explore the underwater world snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, or try a clear bottom kayak, revealing the coral wonders below. You can simply just enjoy your day onboard with a swim and experience yacht life for the day- the choice is simply yours. Freshly prepared morning tea grazing platters & tropical buffet lunch of fresh meats, salad & salmon. Bring your own drinks onboard of soft drinks, juice & any alcohol. With large refrigeration for you to keep them cold. On water for 6 hours-Lower guest numbers at 29 maximum. Kids welcome 5+

Relax on a private island in Fiji—and leave all the logistics and planning to someone else—with this hassle-free day pass to Malamala Beach Club. Depart from Port Denarau, with ferry transit included. Upon arrival, spend a full day doing whatever you prefer: Use provided snorkels or paddleboards, indulge in chef-made snacks with a selection of cocktails (own expense), or relax in the infinity pool.

Explore Lake Wakatipu by boat on a 1.5-hour cruise from Queenstown. As you travel to the end of the lake, you can see stunning lakeside homes, a variety of bird life, Kawarau Dam, and the magnificent scenery that surrounds Queenstown. Get unobstructed views from the sundeck or stay warm in the heated cabin, and have the option to purchase drinks from the onboard bar.

Seeing the Great Barrier Reef usually means snorkeling or diving, which rules it out for anyone who'd rather stay dry. Ride a glass-bottom boat over the reefs near Airlie Beach instead, watching the coral, reef fish, and turtles through the hull. Commentary covers the marine ecosystem as you go.

See some of Perth’s top sights from the water on a leisurely Swan River cruise. As you depart the city center, admire Perth riverfront attractions like the Bell Tower and Kings Park, and glide past pretty suburbs to reach Fremantle, located where the river meets the Indian Ocean. Choose a departure time when booking.

Cruise Lake Wakatipu on a vintage Edwardian steamship with tickets for a cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown. Watch the stokers feed the TSS Earnslaw’s coal fires and enjoy views of the mountains and the lake. This scenic cruise departs from a central location in Queenstown, with multiple sailings throughout the day.

Discover the Whitsunday Islands on a sailing day trip from Airlie Beach. Relax and admire the views from the decks of the spacious catamaran, Camira. Swim in the turquoise water, hike to the Hill Inlet Lookout, and spend time on beautiful Whitehaven Beach. Lunch, snacks, and refreshments are included throughout the day, and both snorkeling gear and stinger suits (protection against jellyfish) are available to use.

Escape the crowds on land and admire Sydney’s top landmarks—including Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House—on an evening dinner cruise that includes a 3-course meal with food and wine sourced from New South Wales. Sailing at sunset means that you can admire Sydney Harbour when it's at its most photogenic, while a top deck provides you with panoramic views of the scenery.

Discover the vibrant underwater world of the outer Great Barrier Reef with a Quicksilver snorkeling cruise from Port Douglas. Board a luxurious catamaran to Agincourt Reef, where you can tailor your day with activities like snorkeling, fish feeding, semi-submersible tours, or the unique Ocean Walker helmet dive. Complete the adventure with a tasty buffet lunch and options to take your exploration deeper with scuba dives for beginners or certified divers alike.

Explore Fiordland National Park's Doubtful Sound on this full-day cruise from Manapouri. Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Manapouri, then a short coach journey over Wilmot Pass, with stunning views. Cruise the 25-mile (40-kilometer) stretch of Doubtful Sound, looking out for fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins while listening to your naturalist guide’s commentary. A highlight is when the engines are cut so you can appreciate the silence.

Explore Moorea's lagoon in the traditional way—aboard a Polynesian outrigger canoe—during this full-day excursion. With a small group of 12 travelers or fewer, get plenty of room onboard and attention from the guides. Take in the scenery, go swimming and snorkeling, and arrive at a tiny islet for a cooking lesson (the local dish poisson cru) and a barbecue lunch.

Carved in the 1970s by a master Māori carver, the Mine Bay rock carvings are a striking Taupō attraction. They’re also impossible to access on foot. Hop aboard a replica steamboat and sail out to the carvings. Learn all about the history and the myths behind the carvings from your crew, and enjoy pristine views of Lake Taupō and beyond, including the nearby volcanoes Tongariro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe.