Sydney Harbour Icons, Bays & Beaches Boat Tour
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Sydney Harbour Icons, Bays & Beaches Boat Tour

By Sydney Harbour Boat Tours
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Discover authentic Sydney Harbour during this local boat cruise from Circular Quay. Cruise past landmarks including Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House; check out millionaire waterside mansions. Tours depart in the morning and a local captain and guide bring a personal touch to your tour.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 4-99, max of 10 per group
Duration: 2h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • See the Sydney skyline from a different perspective—the water
  • Learn about the local history from your captain
  • See key landmarks like the Opera House and Sydney beaches
  • A small group means more attention from your captain

  • Bottled water
  • Experiences Local Skipper/Host
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Make your own way to Circular Quay, where you meet your captain and guide aboard your comfortable motorized boat. Start by taking in classic Sydney Harbour sights including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and then venture to the harbourside suburbs to see opulent waterfront mansions of Australian celebrities and multi-millionaires. Further on, look for penguins or seals at a secluded national park beach. Learn from your guide about the stories behind the landmarks, historical sites, and mansions that you pass. Your tour ends back in Circular Quay.

Start:
  • Circular Quay, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
    Be at Harbour Masters Steps - Circular Quay West (in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art) by 12.15pm. Note there is no office or representative at the pontoon. Please wait by the wharf and the boat will dock at about 12.15 for a 12.30pm departure.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 53663P5

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • If you wish to go swimming at the protected Quarantine Station beach there are changing facilities, so bring swimmers and a towel.
    • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
    • Most travellers can participate
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 53663P5

    From
    AU$195.00
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
    Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
      Be at Harbour Masters Steps - Circular Quay West (in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art) by 12.15pm. Note there is no office or representative at the pontoon. Please wait by the wharf and the boat will dock at about 12.15 for a 12.30pm departure.
    • Pass by
      Sydney Opera House
      Sydney Harbour Bridge
      Fort Denison Island
      Garden Island
      Store Beach
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Sydney Harbour Boat Tours
      4.9 of 5 bubbles478
      Australia
      Joined in January 2011
    • janicebK8699RH
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent private cruise of Sydney Harbour
      Beautiful and informative private cruise of Sydney Bay with a delicious lunch, drinks and a swim. Our captain and guide, Zane, was wonderful. Highly recommend this private tour of magnificent Sydney Harbour.
      Written 5 March 2025
    • robinz1220
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A highlight of our Sydney trip!
      What an amazing day!! Keith was a fantastic captain! He took us all around the harbor, discussing interesting facts about everything we saw. Next he drove past beautiful beaches and stopped and allowed us to swim and hang out for a while. We also ordered a few delicious platters of fruit and cheese, and were visited by a floating ice cream truck on the bay! Keith even accommodated us with a special drop off at Manly! Definitely a highlight of our Sydney trip!! Can’t recommend it enough!!
      Written 4 March 2025
    • Gary_and_Imogen
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Perfect way to see Sydney
      Perfect way to see Sydney. Zane was an exellent guide with great knowledge of the harbour and recommendations of other places to visit.
      Written 28 February 2025
    • beckym408
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great adventure
      Great fun! We had perfect weather. Guide very knowledgeable, learned a lot about the start of Sydney and different parts of the harbor. Lots of photo ops. Would recommend to others.
      Written 22 February 2025
    • 986dorisj
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wonderful tour
      We had an amazing time and the tour was worth every penny. We had a delicious lunch, the views were spectacular, and our guide, Zane, was wonderful. Thanks for the memories!
      Written 19 February 2025
    • Andrew R
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The Masters of Sydney Harbor - A Great Way to Spend an Afternoon!
      My family and I took a harbor cruise with Sydney Harbor Boat Tours yesterday. Our cruise left and returned us to the Harbour Masters Steps by the Contemporary Art Museum. Our party of 6 departed at about 12:15 and returned around 4:15. The boat, named the Spectre 2, was perfect with more than ample seating. Captain Keith expertly took us on a tour of the various coves and inlets of Sydney Harbor with a stop for lunch in a quiet area where we were able to swim. The lunch, which was included with our cruise, consisted of an assorted seafood platter and a charcuterie platter, along with various salads and desserts - as good as any restaurant. The boat was stocked with both sift drinks and beer and wine, all also included. Keith was also very knowledgeable regarding the history, etc. of the area and was very attentive and accommodating to one of our party who has some mobility issues. I definitely recommend some type of a harbor tour while in Sydney and wouldn’t book with anyone else. They are a pleasure to deal with. Kudos to Mark, Captain Keith, Peta, and the rest of the team for a first class day all around!!
      Written 5 February 2025
    • 137kiranr
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An unforgettable experience!
      Captain James was excellent! Organising was also very easy with Peta due to the quick communication and replies to accommodate any requests
      Written 2 February 2025
    • willyl681
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Pleasant
      Beautiful views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge. Relaxed atmosphere, and the guide was informative. Shorter stops, but a pleasant way to explore the harbor.
      Written 16 January 2025
    • Passenger51450090833
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Magnificent & Memorable!!!
      We are well traveled, and I will say that this is amongst the best guided tours I’ve taken in 40 years. Unlike many water tours, this was very personal. Small group, smaller boat than usual, and a very engaging, knowledgeable Skipper. Zane was personable, gave context and information about this incredible body of water. We enjoyed a First Class, quality Lunch at one of the Many Yacht Clubs scattered about the harbor. It was a pleasant afternoon of learning, great conversation and a great many laughs. Highly recommended
      Written 2 December 2024
    • Sherpa60899950888
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A Great Start to Exploring Sydney!
      Zane was so informative and a great tour guide. Very personable and knowledgeable. We’d recommend the tour to anyone!!
      Written 21 November 2024
    • H8436XGmargaretm
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great trip
      The captain was terrific, he was very knowledgeable and friendly! Such a fun way to see the harbour, much more intimate than on a big tour boat!
      Written 23 October 2024
    • Mohammad-BME
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wonderful
      One of the kind! One of our best experiences of a tour in Sydney harbour. With warm hospitality of Zain (our captain and tour leader) and in a very calm and friendly group of four passengers. An in depth knowledge of Zain about the old and historical details of Sydney harbour enhanced the value of our trip. Considering a very yummy warm food of choice in a cozy restaurant, I highly recommend this tour for a one-day family vacation
      Written 5 October 2024
    • F1066UVkarens
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fantastic harbour tour with Captain Zane
      Fantastic Harbour tour today, skippered by Zane Kamat. Great scenery, fun lunch at the yacht club, with excellent commentary by and conversation with Zane. Bonus was seeing humpbacks 🐋 breach, lunge and spyhop at the mouth of the harbour. The boat tour was a highlight of my days in Sydney.
      Written 1 October 2024
    • H3500CKkaties
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Book this trip!
      We had such a great time on our tour. It was our first full day experiencing Sydney and we learned so much about the city. Our tour guide, Zane, was amazing. He is very knowledgeable about the city and made the experience exceptional. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone and try to book Zane if possible!
      Written 27 September 2024
    • johnkandel
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The only way to see the real Sydney
      What a wonderful way to appreciate the outstanding beauty & grandeur of the city of Sydney. With the Harbour Boat Tours cruise we were ably chaperoned around the bay by Zane - our expert skipper who also gave a running commentary on all things historic & geographic. Lunch at the CYCA exclusive club was brilliant - a great day out & a tour which epitomises my visit to a great city.
      Written 21 September 2024
    See all 478 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles93 reviews
    Excellent
    89
    Very good
    4
    Average
    0
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    0
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    0

    Susan F
    3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2023 • Friends
    Loved the captain, Elody. Enjoyed the size of the tour, small & personal. Enjoyed going into places larger boats would not be able to go.

    At our one stop…never found the shops we expected to wander. Needed more direction. But those that planned to swim (not me) enjoyed the beach & water.
    Written 12 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Douglas R
    Greater Sydney, Australia3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2022
    6 people, 4 teenagers, and my wife's birthday on the harbour. Warm, however cloudy, maybe wet, and pretty windy day.
    The captain was great, as she was very positive, and took us on a cruise, and then speedy manoeuvres before find a very sheltered bay out of the wind, perfect for swimming, riding paddle boards and lying on the lily pad.

    Had a great day, despite the weather
    Written 22 January 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Georgina P
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2025 • Family
    I booked a small group experience as I wanted something special for visiting family. We were lucky, we had the boat to ourselves so it was even more exclusive than I hoped.
    Zane was an incredible captain, tour guide and photographer - he is so knowledgeable and interesting, there was no obscure question he couldn’t answer. Nothing was too much trouble, he obviously really cared that we had a great time. I would give the morning six stars if I could.
    Written 22 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Vicki O
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2024 • Family
    What a great way to view Sydney! The harbor is fabulous; so many coves to visit and views to enjoy! It’s a great way to get a feel for the different neighborhoods of this sprawling and very beautiful city. Elodie was was so fun and informative. Highly recommend!!
    Written 7 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Camille F
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2020
    Elodie and Zane our skipper were really nice and friendly!
    We had a fabulous time on board, we enjoyed a swim and walked on a beach (where we were completely alone) It definitely worth doing it and i will recommend it to all my friends who go to sydney!

    Bonus : Elodie does really know a lot about the region and the bay . So she gave us some very interesting information about the ocean world, the bay, sydney opera house ... She answered all our questions !
    WE ALL AGREE this was a magical morning !

    Greetings from the swiss Alps!
    Written 23 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Connie
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2020 • Solo
    Had an absolutely great time on the sydney boat harbour tour. I really liked the small group and boat. We were able to get into small coves which a bigger boat cannot do. Everyone was super relaxed and gave us a ton of tidbits about the harbour.

    I would definitely do it again
    Written 26 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Tracy H
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a wonderful 2 1/2 tour with Zane who was helpful and informative. We really saw the harbour sights and went close to Pacific Ocean. We stopped in beautiful mini harbours and learnt about them and their idiosyncrasies. Zane was a great guide.
    Written 16 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Mark M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2023
    Seeing Sydney from the water was a great experience. Lots of boats and seaplane traffic on the water - our guide was expert in navigating the waters and explaining the sights and history. Gave us good ideas of where to explore further.
    Written 19 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Adam P
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2024 • Family
    My wife and I highly recommend Sydney Harbour Boat Tours! Only a few hours after arriving in Australia, we met our captain Zane for a 3 hour boat tour around the Harbour. Although we were exhausted from 20 hours of traveling, our captain Zane was a rockstar. His enthusiasm and knowledge of the Harbour, buildings, cliffs, natural rainforests, and so many other things not only helped keep us awake, but truly provided us with amazing experience where we learned so much. Zane you are awesome and we thank you for a fantastic day. If you’re looking for a great tour of the Sydney Harbour then Sydney Harbour Boat Tours is who you need to call!
    Written 13 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Healcarp
    Nether Stowey, UK3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Elodie was there to great us at the pontoon She was a great guide, knew the bay so well and told us lots of fun facts.

    We were lucky enough to have this as a private tour so extra special for us !!

    Really great way to see Sydney and understand how it developed.

    Thanks Elodie
    Written 13 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Sydney Harbour Icons, Bays & Beaches Boat Tour provided by Sydney Harbour Boat Tours

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