Watsons Bay to Manly ferry: Timetable and fares

The privately operated Watsons Bay to Manly ferry can save you backtracking to Circular Quay. One way fares cost from $8.50, but the timetable is limited.

The two most famous ferries in Sydney are arguably the Manly ferry and the Watsons Bay ferry. Both depart from Circular Quay, and both head to popular, scenic spots at the eastern end of Sydney Harbour.

But what if you want to get between Watsons Bay and Manly? Is there a direct Watsons Bay to Manly ferry? Or do you have to make a time-consuming trek back to Circular Quay for a connection.

Who runs the Watsons Bay to Manly ferry?

There’s some good news and bad news on this. There is a Watsons Bay to Manly ferry – but it is a privately-operated service and not part of the Sydney ferries network. The ferry is operated by Captain Cook Cruises, and is part of its wider hop-on, hop-off ferry system that also stops at Taronga Zoo (and, sometimes, Shark Island).

Watsons Bay to Manly ferry timetable

On weekdays, the Captain Cook Cruises Watsons Bay to Manly ferry operates five times a day. According to the timetable, the ferry leaves Watsons Bay at 09.45, 11.30, 12.50, 14.45 and 16.30.

The journey from Watsons Bay to Manly takes about ten minutes. The return ferries from Manly to Watsons Bay are timetabled to leave at 10.00, 11.45, 13.05, 15.00 and 16.40.

On weekends, the Watsons Bay to Manly ferry timetable is slightly different. It departs Watsons Bay at 09.45, 11.05, 12.25, 14.55 and 16.10.

The return ferries from Manly to Watsons Bay leave at 10.00, 11.20, 12.40, 16.25 and 17.35.

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Skip the queues – and get the best prices – with mobile-friendly advance tickets for these top Sydney attractions.

1. Taronga Zoo – the zoo with harbour views (and plenty of cute Aussie animals)
2. Sydney Opera House – official walking tour. See behind the scenes!
3. Wild Life Sydney – Aussie animal favourites in convenient Darling Harbour location. Perfect if on limited time.
4. Sydney Cricket Ground – behind the scenes secrets tour.
5. Sydney Tower Eye – 360 degree views from 250 metres above the city.

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Watsons Bay to Manly ferry fares

One way fares on the Watsons Bay to Manly ferry cost $8.50. You can pay with Opal, or credit and debit cards, but no cash payments are accepted.

A daily ticket for the hop-on, hop-off ferry costs $40. Frankly, you’ll struggle to get good value out of that unless you’re using it as a harbour cruise or making a lot of ferry trips in one day.

Things to do in Manly include visiting the small harbour beaches – Quarantine Beach, Store Beach, Collins Beach and Little Manly Beach.

You can also take a tour at the old Quarantine Station, swim in the Fairy Bower Ocean Pool and walk through the Worm Tunnel from Queenscliff Beach to Freshwater Beach.

Good places to eat and drink in Manly include 4 Pines, Hugo’s Manly, the Ivanhoe Hotel and the Manly Greenhouse.

All times and prices are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change in the future. Visit the Captain Cook Cruises website for more information.

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