Top New South Wales Water Tours

Spotting dolphins from land is exciting, but kayaking alongside them is a truly special experience. From Byron Bay, journey along the waters of Cape Byron Marine Park as your local guide leads you to locations that maximize your chances of seeing bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat—you might even catch a glimpse of whales and sea turtles, too.

Experience the beauty of Sydney Harbour on a 1-hour sightseeing cruise from Circular Quay. Glide past iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Discover historic sites such as Fort Denison and Garden Island Navy Base, and enjoy stunning views of islands like Clark and Shark Island. Sail by Bradley’s Head, Taronga Zoo, Kirribilli House, Luna Park, and more, with live commentary bringing the sights to life. Perfect for visitors and locals alike, this fun and scenic cruise offers a fresh perspective on Sydney’s highlights. Book now for an unforgettable harbour adventure!

Seeing Sydney’s highlights from land often means crowds and limited viewpoints. A harbor cruise offers a more relaxed way to take it all in. Step aboard for a journey across Sydney Harbour, passing iconic landmarks alongside lesser-known sights such as hidden beaches and dramatic sandstone cliffs. As you cruise, enjoy uninterrupted views of the skyline and shoreline while listening to live commentary that brings the harbor’s history to life.

Get up close and personal with the crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches, and amazing sea life in Booderee National Park on this guided Jervis Bay sea kayaking tour from Huskisson. Leaving in the morning, you’ll cruise through the glassy waters along the coastline to Bowen Island and Murrays Beach, before swinging by a secluded beach fringed with lush rainforest and feasting on freshly baked cakes, tropical fruit, and hot drinks.

Watch Sydney wake up from the water on this small-group sunrise kayak tour (max five tandem kayaks, ten guests). Your guide, a former Navy serviceman, launches from sheltered Lavender Bay so conditions are calm and beginner-friendly from the first stroke. Paddle past Luna Park, glide beneath the Harbour Bridge, and take in the Opera House as golden light fills the skyline. Hear insider stories about Garden Island Naval Base, a restricted-access landmark most visitors never learn about. The pace is relaxed, the route avoids ferry lanes, and your guide captures complimentary high-res photos and videos so you can stay in the moment. All gear is provided — kayak, paddle, and fitted lifejacket — plus a quick safety briefing before you set off. Whether you're a couple, a family, a solo adventurer, or friends ticking off a bucket-list experience, this is the most personal way to see Sydney's iconic harbour landmarks at sunrise.

Cruise along the Tweed River to the rainforest on this half-day scenic boat trip with morning tea and lunch. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins as you start your trip upriver, passing by islands and sandbanks. Continue your journey through the Northern Rivers region up to Stotts Island Nature Reserve and enjoy incredible views of birds of prey and pelicans, along with an informative and entertaining commentary from your captain.

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.

See the city of Sydney at sunset on the water while you enjoy a multi-course dinner. Set off on a sunset cruise with incredible views of Sydney Harbour including the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and the sparkling city skyline at night. While on board, enjoy a 3- or 4-course dinner featuring lamb shoulder and live music on weekends for an unforgettable Sydney experience.

You don't have to worry about missing out on seeing dolphins while in Port Stephens with this sailing tour. Board your boat and start spotting the bottlenose dolphins that call this bay home. You can choose to relax in the dry bow-net or take a dip in the wet boom-net. If conditions allow, your guides may even hoist the sails and take you gliding through the water.

Enjoy unobstructed views of Sydney Harbour's landmarks from a 35-foot (10.5-meter) catamaran during this evening cruise. Sail past the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the sky shifts from sunset colors to city lights. Light snacks and soft drinks or water are provided on board, and you are welcome to bring your own alcoholic beverages with no corkage fee. Settle in and enjoy the views without the hassle of battling the crowds on land.

Experience the Brunswick River the way nature intended—with only the noise of paddles gently sweeping the water—on a stand-up paddleboard tour in a small group. After a short introduction to the art of SUP, head out into the wilds with a guide to point out wildlife and capture digital photos, then return for water and homemade snacks.

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.

Swap a guided tour for the flexibility of exploring Sydney your own way. This 2-day hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise pass allows you to set your own pace, see the sights, and visit up to five harborside areas, including Circular Quay, Shark Island, Manly, Watsons Bay, and Taronga Zoo. This value-for-money pass also includes tickets for the Taronga Zoo

Skip crowded harbor tours and enjoy a personalized and luxurious private cruise for up to six passengers—a peaceful way to soak in the sights without having to compete for space on deck. Cruise around Sydney Harbour to see landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and take in the views while sipping a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine.

Discover Sydney Harbour your way with the flexible hop-on hop-off ferry pass. Cruise between must-see destinations like Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, and Manly—all while enjoying unbeatable views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Luna Park from the water. With frequent departures throughout the day, you can hop on and off as often as you like. Stay longer at the spots you love, skip the ones you don’t, and set your own pace. Spacious indoor and outdoor seating ensures a comfortable ride—rain or shine. Want to dive deeper into the city’s stories? Optional geo-tagged smartphone commentary is available in seven languages, letting you tune in when you’re curious and tune out when you’d rather just enjoy the moment. No live guides, no fixed schedule—just Sydney, on your terms.

Proud winner of the 2025 Tour Operator of the year. Guaranteed small group tour with maximum of 14 people per vehicle. We are the only luxury small group operator in Sydney, with a fleet of Mercedes buses, featuring comfortable leather reclining seats. Enjoy the best value-for-money combo deal that offers the highlights of Sydney by land, and by harbour. The Morning Sydney sightseeing tour by land is operated by AEA Luxury Tours. See the best areas of Sydney such as the historical 'Rocks' , Botanical Gardens with dazzling views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. See the affluent neighbourhoods on the way to our most famous beach, Bondi. You will have time at leisure at Bondi Beach, before travelling back to the city. Board your lunch vessel, and begin a 2 hour cruise on the harbour seeing the highlights by water, along with expert live commentary. The vessel is limited to 80 passengers and is operated by Sydney Princess Cruises.

Explore the Taranga Zoo and gain access to the Sydney Harbour Hopper route with this tour. Enjoy entry to Taranga Zoo and a 24 or 48-hour pass on Fantasea Cruising's Sydney Harbour Hopper route, cruising between Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Taranga Zoo, Watsons Bay, and Manly. Delight in seeing over 4,000 animals at Taranga Zoo, including native Australian wildlife and rare exotic species, all while soaking in views of Sydney Harbour.

Australia’s rivers and lakes are teeming with exciting wildlife, and this morning trip along the Tweed River gives you a unique opportunity to get close to them and see them in their natural habitat. Make friends with the pelicans, go ‘pumping’ for yabbies, catch some big local mud crabs and learn about the local river ecosystem from your guide.

Step aboard HEAVEN, our multi-story power catamaran, and discover the ultimate 90-minute sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour. Witness the stunning transformation of Sydney's iconic landmarks as the sun sets and the city lights up. Come on board and enjoy an intimate 90 minute cruise that showcases the best of Sydney by twilight. With maximum passengers numbers of 40-45, you will enjoy uninterrupted 360° views of the most beautiful harbour and cityscape from both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. This cruise takes place on board Heaven, providing plenty of picturesque views, serenity and photo opportunities amongst the sights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Luna Park, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and other locations. Grazing platters and a complimentary beverage are provided, and there is a licensed bar on board so you can enjoy further drinks as you cruise along the harbour. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a guided tour and a sunset cannot be guaranteed.

- A lovely morning tea to refresh your day, giving you a pleasant break to relax and recharge before continuing your journey. - Meet kangaroos, koalas, and interact with other animals at the wildlife park or zoo (not included in the "Scenic Walk" or "Cable Rides (no zoo tickets)" option) - Ride the world’s steepest railway, soar across the valley on the Scenic Skyway, and descend via the Scenic Cableway (not included in the "Scenic Walk" option) - Marvel at the Three Sisters and the stunning vistas of the Jamison Valley - An additional easy scenic walk featuring waterfalls and viewpoints (if selecting the "Scenic Walk" option) - Leisure time in Leura village: enjoy cafés, boutique shops, and local treats - Optional return by scenic river cruise for a relaxed journey back to Sydney

Relax and admire the sights of Sydney Harbour on a leisurely two-hour cruise. Sit out on the deck or inside in the comfy lounge as you sip cocktails and snack on a charcuterie board with Australian cheeses. Take great photos of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and other landmarks as you sail past. On the weekends listen to live music on board.

Experience the magic of sailing Sydney Harbour—without fighting the crowds on dry land—during a twilight cruise aboard a restored historic tall ship (traditional sailing vessel with rigging). See the city from a new perspective as it lights up for the evening, and sail past must-see landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. While onboard, enjoy an included dinner—saving you from finding a restaurant after the cruise ends.

Witness Sydney’s landmarks lit up at night for the Vivid Sydney Festival on board a small catamaran that traverses the harbour. Enjoy canapes and an alcoholic beverage as you view the iconic skyline and landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge featuring dynamic light displays for the festival. Enjoy the comfort of the spacious catamaran with indoor and outdoor areas.