Top Sydney On the Water

Get up close and personal with Sydney’s iconic harbor on this sea kayak adventure led by a professional photographer. Setting out from Blackwattle Bay, pose for photos in midwater, framed by Sydney Harbour Bridge, then land on rarely visited Goat Island (Memel) and discover its fascinating history as you look for wildlife. Your tour includes all necessary gear, from lifejacket and paddling gloves to water shoes, hat, and even sunscreen.

Experience a close encounter with humpback whales without having to leave the city on this thrilling 2-hour speedboat tour from Sydney. Hop on-board the city’s fastest commercial ship and blast off across Sydney Harbour, past iconic landmarks like Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Leave the city behind and speed out into the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll have chance to spot majestic whales swimming and playing in their natural environment.

Enjoy a whale-watching cruise that begins with a breakfast or barbecue lunch onboard the boat while in the calm waters of Sydney Harbour.  After breakfast or lunch, your boat glides past Sydney Head into the Pacific Ocean in search of the humpback and southern right whales that migrate along this coast from May to November. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as you learn about them from your naturalist guide, who provides fascinating commentary about Australian marine life during your tour.

Cruise the ocean waters off of Sydney to look for humpback and southern right whales as they migrate between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef from May to November. Your whale-watching experience starts out of 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, sea birds and other marine animals make an appearance during the nearly 2.5-hour whale-watching tour.

Join your choice of a morning or afternoon excursion to Manly to snorkel in the clear calm waters of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Just a short hop from Sydney, see some of Australia's diverse marine life on this guided snorkeling tour. Your expert guide leads your small group of beginning and experienced snorkelers into the water from the beach. With group numbers limited to 10 participants, enjoy customized attention from your guide. Also, take a short guided walk on the headlands for fantastic views of the Northern Beaches.

Uncover the secrets of Sydney’s heritage as you explore The Rocks on this guided walking tour of the historic precinct. Offering amazing views over the Sydney Harbour and the Campbells Cove Wharves, your guide will lead you along shady laneways and cobbled courtyards where you’ll discover some of Sydney’s earliest buildings, including Cadman’s Cottage, built in 1816 and the Garrison Church, which dates back to the 1840s.

Enjoy the unique eco-friendly experience of whale watching under sail (weather permitting). After a short transit to the entrance of Port Jackson your small group tour heads into the Tasman Sea to search for Humpback and other species of whales during their annual migration passed Sydney

Join a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by double-decker bus to discover the highlights of Sydney and Bondi Beach. Enjoy unobstructed views and recorded onboard commentary as you travel along two routes to top destinations like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach. Go in-depth at any given place by simply hopping off the bus to explore. You can experience Sydney and Bondi's most noteworthy attractions at your own pace with your choice of ticket, valid for either 24 or 48 hours.

Experience Sydney Harbour in a unique way: during a 30-minute wild ride on 'Thunder', a jet boat capable of slides, twists, wave riding, and fishtails. Enjoy some sightseeing between tricks with views of Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Opera House, Rose Bay and other famous Harbour landmarks.

Enjoy the comforts of a 4-hour luxury whale-watching cruise from Campbell's Cove in Sydney. Head across Sydney Harbour and past the Sydney Heads into the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean to look for humpback and southern right whales on their migration through the Southern Hemisphere. Your naturalist guide shares informative commentary about the whales throughout your tour. Enjoy an included barbecue lunch buffet served on board and accompanied by unlimited drinks. You’ll travel with a small group limited to 10 people, which provides a more personalized experience.

Enjoy an afternoon sail on Sydney Harbour aboard a historic tall ship. Learn about Sydney’s maritime roots and your ship’s sailing history during a cruise that provides close views of iconic sights including Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and Fort Denison. Get great photo ops and soak up the spectacular scenery. You can even lend the crew a hand by steering the ship and hoisting the sails.

Spend some time like a classic Aussie on a historical pub tour of The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood. Join a fun-loving and informative guide, and visit some of the quarter’s oldest drinking holes to experience authentic Aussie pub life. Enjoy five drinks and dinner; discover pubs' behind-the-scenes secrets; and uncover the The Rocks' history, discovering how its drink spots have shaped local culture. Includes souvenir gift, photos, and discount vouchers for local shops and restaurants.

Cycling around Sydney is the perfect way to sightsee in this gorgeous harborside city. Join your expert guide for a fun and fascinating look at up to 30 top sights, including the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, along with many others. As you pedal around the city, learn about the history, culture and favorite local spots on your choice of four cycling routes. Choose from various tour durations depending on your schedule.

Escape the city on this private tour just for your group with our professional guide in his SUV. Pay a visit to the Sydney Olympic Park, Leura, Katoomba;observe kangaroos and koalas at the Featherdale Wildlife Park; and see landmarks like the Three Sisters, Boars Head Rock and Wentworth Falls. After lunch at a local restaurant (own expense), ride the skyrail at Scenic World (extra cost), then enjoy a scenic cruise down the Parramatta River to Sydney Harbour. This includes hotel pick-up.

Explore the waterways of Sydney’s Middle Harbour by kayak on a self-guided tour where you set your own course. You can paddle to pristine beaches, pass by Garigal National Park, or glimpse the Pacific Ocean through the Heads. Located in Mosman, just 5 miles (8 km) from Sydney, the kayak rental office provides paddling instruction and gear. Use of lockers, showers, and changing rooms is included.

Blast off from Circular Quay on a jet boat ride that provides a super-fun 30-minute adrenaline-fueled ride along with a new perspective on Sydney's most iconic waterside sights. Your expert captain slows down to give you a close up look at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and other landmarks, then before zooming off again. Hang on as your jet boat executes 270-degree spins, power slides and other breathtaking maneuvers at high speed. Tours depart throughout the day, every hour.

Go scuba diving in Sydney on a guided shore dive, where most sites reach a maximum of 60 feet (18 meters) deep. You'll be close to Bare Island, one of Sydney's top diving sites, about five minutes from the dive shop. Suitable for all divers, including open-water divers. Rinsing facilities are available after your dive. Please note, equipment is not included; bring your own or rent at the shop.

Learn how to glide across the water on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park's Basin Campground. Located near Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Basin Campground offers tranquil waters that are perfect for beginners. During one hour with your expert instructor, receive a SUP lesson and guided tour of Pittwater estuary's protected waters. After learning the basics, have an additional 30 minutes to SUP on your own. Learn with a small group limited to eight participants, which ensures individual attention from your instructor.

Kayak the waters of the Pittwater estuary north of Sydney with an instructor-guide and in the safety of a small group on this tour. Board a 2-person kayak and paddle the bays, cliffs, and mangroves of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Scotland Island, and Salvation Creek. Then, break for a walk, picnic, and optional swim before kayaking back. Upgrade to add return transfers from central Sydney. All equipment included.

Take in panoramic views of top Sydney landmarks as you cruise through Sydney Harbour en route to Taronga Zoo. Your package includes round-trip cruise from Circular Quay to the zoo, and a ride on the Sky Safari Gondola, which whisks you uphill from the boat dock to the main entrance of Taronga Zoo. From the gondola, get an early peek at some of the zoo's inhabitants, such as giraffes, big apes, and native animals like kangaroos and koalas.

The world’s most beautiful harbour deserves the very best cruise to experience it. Choose from two spectacular options, the Harbour Experience aboard our premier sightseeing fleet or, enhance your cruise with the Premium Harbour Experience to enjoy a house beverage of your choice and a Cheese & Charcuterie board to share, as you cruise by the majestic Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison and other top sights on this 1.5 hour cruise. Listen to commentary straight from your smartphone, relax into your seat or choose to venture up to the upper open-air deck as you marvel at the beauty of Sydney Harbour.

Experience the magic of sailing Sydney Harbour during a twilight cruise aboard an exquisitely restored historic tall ship. Enjoy seeing the city at sunset and get photo ops of iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge as they light up for the night. Snack on refreshments and dinner dishes and have the choice to include unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. The entertaining crew provides commentary on Australia's maritime history, making for an unforgettable sail on Sydney Harbour.

Learn the art of surfing with a lesson from a qualified instructor at the world-famous Bondi Beach, just a short hop from central Sydney. Get an informative and fun surfing lesson with your expert instructor, who shows you the basics, including getting up on the board, reading the surf and catching waves. If you want advanced instruction, private lessons accommodate all levels of expertise. Add a great workout and some waterside excitement to your vacation with a private or small-group surfing lesson in the heart of Australia’s surf culture.

See Sydney in style on a lunch cruise that takes you sailing through spectacular Sydney Harbour aboard a traditional square-rigged tall ship built from the 1920s. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch as your captain sails past iconic Sydney landmarks such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and Fort Denison. Have the option to include unlimited beer and wine with your lunch.