Top Sydney On the Water

Escape the city and see Sydney’s marine life up close on a whale-watching cruise from Darling Harbour. Cruise through Sydney Harbour in search of migrating humpback whales, with live onboard commentary and insights into the local marine environment. A small vessel offers a more intimate experience and better viewing opportunities on the water.

Sightseeing around Circular Quay doesn’t have to mean slow ferries and crowded lookouts. This high-speed jet boat ride rockets you across Sydney Harbour for a thrilling spin on classic views. Snap photos of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge before your captain shifts gears into spins, slides, and power maneuvers.

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!

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.

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.

Experience a close encounter with humpback whales—without having to leave the city—on this thrilling speedboat tour from Sydney. Hop on board the city’s fastest commercial ship and set off across Sydney Harbour, past landmarks such as Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Head out into the Tasman Sea, where you have the chance to spot whales swimming and playing in their natural habitat.

Learn the art of surfing with a lesson from a qualified instructor at the world-famous Bondi Beach, a short hop from central Sydney. Get an informative and fun surfing lesson with your instructor, who shows you the basics, including getting up on the board, reading the conditions, and catching waves. Add a great workout and some waterside excitement to your vacation.

Planning the perfect way to ring in the new year can be stressful, so leave the planning to the experts. This New Year's Eve cruise on the waters of Sydney Harbour promises a luxurious experience. Onboard, enjoy fine foods and Bollinger Champagne, top-class wines, and premium beers as you enjoy the harbor's famed fireworks display from a crowd-free vantage point.

Sydney is known for its beaches, but finding the best local snorkeling spots can be challenging without insider knowledge. This guided experience at Clovelly Beach and Little Bay removes the guesswork by helping you set up your gear and follow a carefully planned route designed to maximize your chances of seeing local fish and marine life.

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 NEED TO BOOK 2 PEOPLE PER DOUBLE KAYAK (price shown is per person) Let us take you on a fun, memorable, and iconic Sydney Kayak Experience. Our friendly, trained, and qualified staff, will guide you through the spectacular Sydney Harbour, showing you all the sights there is to see! You'll get to enjoy a safe experience, with maximised fun factor, while we introduce you to kayaking Paddle by the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge or Luna park in the dazzling sunset, sunrise, or by the night city lights! Take in the scene from a different point of view you will never forget. We will make sure you get plenty of photos, and will always feel supported. All age and fitness levels are welcome.

Let us take you on a fun, memorable, and iconic Sydney Kayak Experience. Our friendly, trained, and qualified staff, will guide you through the spectacular Sydney Harbour, showing you all the sights there is to see! You'll get to enjoy a safe experience, with maximised fun factor, while we introduce you to kayaking Paddle by the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge or Luna park in the dazzling sunset, sunrise, or by the night city lights! Take in the scene from a different point of view you will never forget. We will make sure you get plenty of photos, and will always feel supported. All age and fitness levels are welcome.

Take to the waves at one of Sydney’s top surf spots with a surf class at the beautiful Maroubra Beach. In a small-group lesson with a qualified instructor and a maximum of 6 people, learn about water safety, master the basic skills, and enjoy a fun time on the water.

Combine sightseeing with meal plans on this sunset dinner cruise around Sydney Harbour. Relax as soon as you step on board, and take in the city from a unique and romantic perspective. Pass highlights including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Enjoy a 3-course à la carte meal, or upgrade to a 4-course option if you choose. Perfect for celebrating a special occasion, like an anniversary or birthday.

Finding somewhere special to eat on Christmas Day in Sydney can be difficult, especially once restaurants and waterfront venues book out. This harbour lunch cruise brings sightseeing and dining together in one seamless experience. Cruise across Sydney Harbour while enjoying a buffet-style Christmas lunch with roasted meats, fresh salads, seafood, and traditional puddings. Pass landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and enjoy unobstructed photo ops from a vantage point on 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.

Board a speed boat for one of the most exciting and most personal whale-watching experiences in Sydney. You will blast out of Sydney Harbour and offshore into the Tasman Sea on your search for these magnificent creatures. Once located you will have plenty of photo opportunities as you travel alongside the migrating pod. Aboard the the fastest commercial vessel in Sydney, you'll get to the whales quicker than ever before. The completely open design of the vessel, along with its low position in the water, offers the only unparalleled, unobstructed and up close whale-watching experience.

Let us take you on a fun, memorable, and iconic Sydney Kayak Experience. Our friendly, trained, and qualified staff, will guide you through the spectacular Sydney Harbour, showing you all the sights there is to see! You'll get to enjoy a safe experience, with maximised fun factor, while we introduce you to kayaking Paddle by the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge or Luna park in the dazzling sunset, sunrise, or by the night city lights! Take in the scene from a different point of view you will never forget. We will make sure you get plenty of photos, and will always feel supported. All age and fitness levels are welcome.

Many whale-watching tours head straight into open water, but this cruise begins in Sydney Harbour, where you can enjoy breakfast or a barbecue lunch (depending on the option selected). After your meal, sail past sights such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to the Pacific Ocean, in search of migrating humpback and southern right whales. A naturalist guide provides live commentary along the way, and helps you spot marine life.

Make the most of a day in Sydney by combining wildlife encounters and harbour views in one easy itinerary—without organizing separate tickets or transport. Start with a whale-watching cruise featuring live commentary, then visit Taronga Zoo to see native Australian species up close. Finally, relax on a scenic ferry ride back across Sydney Harbour, taking in skyline views along the way.

Combine sightseeing with wildlife spotting on this Sydney cruise that traverses the harbour and goes out to the open sea. Not only will you search for majestic humpback whales, you’ll also see the skyline and iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water. Enjoy the comfort of the spacious catamaran with indoor and outdoor seating and refreshments for purchase.

Jump onboard Ocean Extreme's smallest most personal vessel for a unique boutique whale watching experience. This vessel has a capacity of only 12 passengers making it the smallest whale watching tour available in Sydney. Experience the thrill of whale watching on a small RIB, offering an intimate and exhilarating adventure that larger vessels can't match. Our high-speed boat ensures you reach prime whale-watching areas quickly, maximizing your time with these magnificent creatures. The tour is led by an experienced crew who provide informative commentary on the whales' behaviors and the marine environment. This unique combination of speed, comfort, and expert guidance ensures an unforgettable and immersive whale-watching experience.

Cruise the ocean waters to look for humpback and southern right whales as they migrate between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Your whale-watching experience starts from Sydney Harbour and heads to the open ocean on a custom-built catamaran with large viewing windows and spacious decks that provide excellent sightlines. Often, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine animals make an appearance during the whale-watching tour, which lasts a couple of hours.