What are the best Sydney Harbour cruises?

The best Sydney Harbour cruises are the ones that offer something different. That might mean an all-inclusive dinner cruise, a tall ship cruise or a have-a-go sailing trip on a luxury yacht.

Sydney Harbour is one of the most beautiful locations on earth, and taking a Sydney Harbour cruise is on the bucket list for most visitors.

There are, however, scores of Sydney Harbour cruises to choose from. Sifting out the best in Sydney can be something of a daunting task. But some cruises are much better than others.

Cheapest Sydney Harbour cruises

If all you want to do is cross Sydney Harbour on a boat, then take a ferry journey instead of booking a cruise. The classic route is the Circular Quay to Manly ferry, although the Parramatta ferry gives you more time on the water and the Watsons Bay Ferry hits up the southern side of the harbour.

A one way ferry fare to Manly costs $8.04 if paying with the Opal system. By contrast, the cheapest Sydney Harbour cruises cost around $45.

There are also hop-on, hop-off cruises which are essentially aboard private ferries. These can be good value if you’re planning to visit several places around the harbour in one day. But the limited timetable can be convenient. Tickets cost $40 (BOOK HERE).

Best Sydney Harbour cruises with lunch or dinner

If price is the key consideration, you may as well just go for the ferry. However, a Sydney Harbour cruise can be an experience, too.

The best Sydney Harbour cruises tend to have an extra aspect to them that makes them stand out from a generic cruise.

One such aspect will be drinking and dining on board the boat. There are several Sydney Harbour cruises that serve food and wine.

Options include a high tea cruise for $95 (BOOK HERE), a lunch cruise for $70 (BOOK HERE) and a dinner cruise for $109 (BOOK HERE).

If you really want to, ahem, push the boat out, there’s Journey Beyond’s all-inclusive dinner cruise. This evening cruise takes in the sunset, and includes a three course meal plus all alcoholic drinks. It costs $198 (BOOK HERE).

Sydney Harbour tall ship cruises

Sometimes, however, it’s about the vessel rather than the food. It’s a lot more romantic to flit around Sydney Harbour on a tall ship than a modern cruise boat. Lunch cruises aboard a tall ship under sail cost $99 (BOOK HERE).

You can do a cheaper afternoon cruise aboard a tall ship for $69 if you’re not bothered about having lunch on board. (BOOK HERE).

If the thought of sailing appeals, then you can do a three hour cruise on a luxury yacht, where you get to have a go at the basics of sailing under the watchful eye of a trained skipper. These Sydney Harbour yacht cruises cost $189 (BOOK HERE).

Sydney Harbour jet boat rides

Another possible option is going on a Sydney Harbour jet boat ride. However, this should be seen as an additional activity to the cruise or ferry trip. The 30 minute jet boat rides are short, and the sightseeing component is minimal. You go on a Sydney Harbour jet boat ride for high speed thrills and stunts, not commentary and views. Jet boat tours from Circular Quay cost $89 (BOOK HERE).

All prices are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change in future.

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