Reviews of six of the best Sydney Harbour lunch and dinner cruises, compared by value for money, duration, inclusions, route, and operator.
The incredible Sydney Harbour is one of Australia’s biggest tourist drawcards. One of the best ways to take in all the popular sights and natural beauty of the Harbour is by taking a cruise.
While a Sydney Harbour cruise may not be for everyone, it certainly is a fun and exciting way to fully appreciate our Harbour’s beauty.
We have tried and tested some of the best Sydney Harbour cruises and have shortlisted six that we think will deliver the most memorable sightseeing and dining experiences.
- Best lunch cruise:
Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise with Lunch - Best dinner cruise:
Harbour Cruise with 3-Course Dinner - Best alternative cruise:
Tall Ship Afternoon Harbour Cruise
Top 6 Sydney Cruises:
The following cruises have been selected based on the tour operator’s reputation, value for money, duration, inclusions, customer reviews, and overall quality and experience.
We’ve picked a variety of different cruises, some with lunch or dinner included, others purely focused on sightseeing.
Before you make a booking, consider the following:
- Do you prefer daytime or nighttime?
- Would you like to have a meal on your cruise?
- How long do you wish the cruise to go for?
- Do you want to see just the major highlights or also a few hidden gems?
- Would you like the cruise to also include music or a show?
1. Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise with Lunch
This professional yet casual lunch cruise experience is a 2-hour Harbour adventure that includes a delicious buffet lunch on board with coffee and tea.
You will be cruising on a first-class vessel with plenty of outdoor space on the decks from where you can take in the beautiful 360-degree Harbour and city views.
Departure is from Circular Quay, sailing past all of Sydney’s well-known landmarks and some of the Harbour’s hidden gems. A live commentator will teach you more about Sydney’s history and about each of the sights you’ll get to see.
We love this cruise as it offers the perfect combination of food and sightseeing, while being on a comfortable and spacious vessel, with friendly staff as a welcome bonus.
| Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise with Lunch | |
|---|---|
| Operator: | Sydney Princess Cruises |
| Time of day: | Afternoon |
| Duration: | 2 hours |
| Inclusions: | Lunch |
2. Harbour Cruise with 3-Course Dinner
This dinner cruise offered by Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney is a wonderful three-hour Harbour adventure that includes a premium dining experience.
It departs Darling Harbour just as the sun begins to set and travels past all the major Harbour and city highlights, including Luna Park and Taronga Zoo.
The spacious vessel has various decks with plenty of room to move around for the best 360-degree views of the surrounding scenery.
What we loved most about this cruise was the quality of the food. The dinner experience consists of three courses using fresh and regionally sourced ingredients.
| Harbour Cruise with 3-Course Dinner | |
|---|---|
| Operator: | Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney |
| Time of day: | Evening |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Inclusions: | Dinner |
3. Captain Cook A La Carte Lunch Cruise
This relaxing afternoon lunch cruise hosted by Captain Cook Cruises is suitable for those looking for an uplifting Harbour experience while enjoying a two or three-course lunch meal. It’s a three-hour afternoon cruise, perfect for a lazy and relaxing Sunday.
The boat features several dining areas with large windows and a viewing deck for the best views of the city and the Harbour. It also features a comfortable bar lounge where you can enjoy a selection of drinks. And if you want to have guaranteed window seating, you can include that in your booking.
Captain Cook has been offering cruises in Sydney Harbour for many years, and that experience, combined with professionalism, really shines through when on the boat.
| Captain Cook A La Carte Lunch Cruise | |
|---|---|
| Operator: | Captain Cook Cruises |
| Time of day: | Afternoon |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Inclusions: | Lunch |
4. Clearview Glass Boat 3-Hour Dinner Cruise
This premium dinner cruise aboard the Clearview is a three-hour Harbour adventure that combines fine dining with some of the best views Sydney has to offer, all from the comfort of a unique glass-wrapped vessel.
Departing from King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour, the cruise takes in all of the Harbour’s most iconic sights, including the glowing Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the modern Barangaroo skyline, and the twinkling lights of Luna Park. The onboard dining experience is a sophisticated four-course affair, with a signature menu that draws on local wineries for its drinks list.
What we love most about this cruise is the seamless combination of delicious food, unobstructed 360-degree views through the glass-enclosed decks, and warm, attentive service that makes you feel special. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to show off Sydney at its finest, this cruise delivers.
| Clearview Glass Boat 3-Hour Dinner Cruise | |
|---|---|
| Operator: | Clearview Cruises |
| Time of day: | Evening |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Inclusions: | Dinner |
5. Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet
Concluding this list of best Sydney Harbour cruises is a casual dinner cruise experience offered by Sydney Princess Cruises, where guests can enjoy a buffet dinner with a varied selection of cold and hot dishes.
The well-sized vessel will sail past Sydney’s most beautiful and historic landmarks with plenty of outdoor and indoor space to move around and take in the views. Departure is from Circular Quay.
What we like about this night cruise is that it’s very affordable compared to some other offerings, while still enjoying a quality experience, taking in the best Sydney Harbour views. Overall, this cruise offers excellent value for money, suitable for couples, families, and solo travellers.
| Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet | |
|---|---|
| Operator: | Sydney Princess Cruises |
| Time of day: | Evening |
| Duration: | 2 hours |
| Inclusions: | Dinner |
6. Tall Ship Afternoon Harbour Cruise
If you’re looking for a unique Harbour cruise experience where you may even be able to help steer the vessel, this tall ship afternoon Harbour cruise might be a great choice.
You will indeed be sailing on an authentic 1850s-style timber tall ship for 90 minutes, cruising past all the major highlights of Sydney Harbour.
The best part is that you have the opportunity to help with the sails, steering, heaving on a rope, or otherwise just sit back and relax.
This interactive cruise is a fantastic experience where you will not only get to take in the best views of the Harbour, but you will also learn a thing or two about Sydney’s rich history.
| Tall Ship Afternoon Harbour Cruise | |
|---|---|
| Operator: | Sydney Harbour Tall Ships |
| Time of day: | Afternoon |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Inclusions: | Opportunity to help with sailing the boat |
Harbour Cruise vs Sydney Ferry
A more affordable way of exploring the beauty of Sydney Harbour is by using the public ferries and doing one or more of the many scenic Sydney Harbour ferry trips.
The most popular ferry ride is the half-hour Manly ferry trip between Circular Quay and Manly Cove, which crosses the Harbour on the eastern side of the Harbour Bridge. It’s a truly wonderful experience, for tourists as well as for locals.
Travelling by ferry is, of course, much cheaper than booking a cruise, and you can use your Opal Card or bank card to hop on as many ferries as you wish.
On the weekends (and Fridays), you even get to enjoy an affordable daily travel cap, which can turn ferry hopping on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday into a fun day out on Sydney Harbour.
Benefits of Doing a Cruise
However, there are some advantages of going on a Harbour Cruise compared to using a ferry. Especially for tourists, a good quality cruise can quickly become one of the highlights of their holiday.
Here are some benefits of booking a Sydney cruise:
- A cruise travels at a slower pace, so you have more time to enjoy the scenery and take good photos.
- A cruise takes in all the popular Sydney sights and tourist attractions in one trip.
- You can choose to have a nice meal or a cold drink while on the boat.
- You have the option to go on a big vessel, a smaller boat, or even a classic tall ship.
- There are often extras included and options to choose from, such as live music and a bar.
- Depending on the vessel, there is typically a lot of space to wander around and enjoy the scenery from different angles.
Not all of the above benefits apply to all Sydney cruises, but most do. Choosing the perfect cruise will ultimately depend on your expectations and budget.
