Sydney Yacht Charters: the 12 Best Boats to Book

1.Luxury Sailing Cruise on Sydney Harbour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · from $251Our pick

Spend about five hours aboard a 40-foot yacht with Captain David and a maximum of eight people. Sail past Sydney’s icons, hear local stories, stop at Store Beach for swimming or snorkeling, and enjoy a substantial lunch with Australian beer and wine.

“It was absolutely perfect! The captain was very friendly and knowledgeable. The food was great. The best part was we had the entire boat to ourselves and go to drive it!”

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2.Sydney Harbour: 2-Hour Morning Yacht Cruise with Morning Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 42 reviews · 2 hours · from $102

Join a small group at Circular Quay for a two-hour morning yacht cruise with coffee, tea, juice, and light refreshments. Your English-speaking captain and host point out the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, bays, coves, and Bondi Beach while sharing Sydney stories.

“Ah-May-zing day on the bay! Becky n Paul could not have been more gracious hosts n tour guides. My favorite Sauv Blanc n cheese for me whilst my 8 year old daughter had strawberries n cookies n juice. While we could lounge on the bow pads n sun ourselves with the best possible views of the bridge n opera house and also Fort Dennison n shark island views with celebrity house commentary of the beautiful homes on double bay n rose Bay. This is as much of s must do as the bridge climb and seaplane tour while you visit! Would give 10 stars if I could!”

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3.From Manly: Sydney Harbour Hands-On 2.5 Hour Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 30 reviews · 2h 30m · from $119

Sail from Manly with an English-speaking skipper and a maximum of four people aboard. You can help set the sails, learn to steer, and cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, beaches, and waterfront homes. Guides such as Will and Gregan make the sailing basics easy to follow.

“As we had no prior sailing experience, our guide Will walked us through the basics of how sailing works. Gradually, we were able to take part in operating the boat ourselves, which was a lot of fun. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it to anyone with little or no sailing experience.”

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4.Private 90 min Luxury Cruise on Sydney Harbour – up to 6 Guests

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews

Board a private luxury boat at Darling Harbour for a 90-minute cruise past Barangaroo, the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, Kirribilli House, and Luna Park. Your captain provides commentary, with sparkling wine and bottled water included.

“The Harbour on a fine day is hard to top. Beautiful scenery and informative commentary. Recommend to all travellers.”

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5.2 1/2 Hr Private Skippered Yacht Charter and Platter on Pittwater

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $261

You’ll have a private skipper and Beneteau yacht for 2.5 hours on Pittwater, leaving Palm Beach Wharf. Choose a seafood, cold-meat, vegetarian, or cheese and antipasto platter, then swim, stop for lunch, and see Portuguese Beach, The Basin, Barrenjoey Lighthouse, and Careel Bay.

“A unique experience to see the beauty of Sydney’s landscape and waterways. Our skipper was warm, friendly and very knowledgeable about the area. He took us into a hidden cove where we could swim in the gorgeous turquoise waters. TRead more”

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6.From Manly: Sydney Harbour Hands-On Taster Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 1h 30m · from $84Cheapest seat

From Manly, you’ll join an English-speaking captain and up to three other guests for a 90-minute yacht sail. Learn the basics, help set the sails, and take the wheel while passing beaches, mansions, and Sydney’s northern shoreline. Captains including Onur and Izzy are praised for patient instruction.

“Izzy was a terrific teacher. She made sailing lots of fun and simple. A really great introduction.”

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7.Sydney Harbour: Hands-On Sailing Experience on Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $161

Meet at Manly Ferry Terminal for a three-hour private yacht cruise with a professional skipper. Take the helm, learn basic sailing, bring a picnic, and admire the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Watsons Bay, Rose Bay, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park from the water.

“I am not a sailboat person but my husband loved it! Water was a bit rough for me at times but the crew was amazing. Learned some things about sailing and got to enjoy some beautiful scenery.”

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8.Private Essential Sydney Tour Including Lunch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $396

Spend about five hours with a private driver-guide exploring Sydney’s Rocks, Macquarie Street, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Bondi Beach, and eastern suburbs. Your day includes hotel pickup, an à la carte lunch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, and return transport.

“Michael from Australian Luxury Escapes was our guide - the highlights were mainly all the views we had from all over the city of Sydney. Other areas were the bridge walk, views of the opera house, historic knowledge of the city, a nice lunch aRead more”

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9.Private 4-Hour Luxury Yacht Charter on Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

Take a private four-hour sail on a 12-metre Beneteau 40.7 with Salty Sydney Harbour. Your skipper, including Tommy on some departures, can show you how to steer, trim sails, and work the winches while cruising past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Rose Bay, and secluded beaches.

“So amazing! The crew was so attentive. Couldn’t recommend more. Was a beautiful experience. Amazing day out on the water.”

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10.Sydney: Exclusive Sydney Harbour Cruise on a Classic Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $127

Spend two hours aboard a restored classic sailing yacht with an English-speaking guide and a maximum of 16 people. Hear about the yacht’s construction and past, pass the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then help steer as the sails go up.

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11.3-Hour Private Skippered Sailing Yacht Charter in Palm Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Set sail from Palm Beach Wharf with skipper Michael or Linda for three private hours on Pittwater. Help hoist the sails or relax on deck, swim at Portuguese Beach, visit Coasters Retreat, and explore Broken Bay or Scotland Island, weather permitting.

“What an amazing start to 2026! This is an absolute must do. Michael is a brilliant skipper, patient teacher and very entertaining host! He is so flexible to what you would like to do and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful location. Also easily accessible by car or bus.”

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12.Overnight Private Yacht Stay at Palm Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $203

Meet skipper Michael at Palm Beach Wharf for a private overnight stay aboard a Beneteau Oceanis yacht. Swim, row to Snapperman Beach, watch sunset near Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and sleep aboard with your own group of up to four adults.

“This was our second attempt at taking up this Charter, first time we postponed due to weather and so glad we did! The weather was superb, Michael our Skipper was an expert sailor and he and my husband who has also sailed for many yeaRead more”

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