boat cruise sydney harbour – Your guide to incredoible Expereinces
Private boat cruises in Sydney Harbour, also known as yacht charters or boat charters, are an incredible way to spend a day or night with family, friends, or colleagues. Whether you’re celebrating a work milestone or staff Christmas party, a friend’s 40th birthday, or a wedding recovery party with your closest family, boat cruises offer personalised, private celebrations everyone can get excited about. Sydney Harbour is world famous for its spectacular and photographic cityscape and secluded bays and beaches. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time cruiser, guests are constantly amazed by the beauty of Sydney Harbour and everything it has to offer – from the unbelievable Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, the crystal-clear waters of Rose Bay, to the party atmosphere of Athol Bay, Sydney Harbour truly has it all. Boat cruises are versatile and offer the perfect location for all kinds of celebrations and events. Our boats are experienced and host corporate and social events of all kinds, including Christmas parties, birthday cruises, weddings, hen’s parties and bucks parties alike. Join us as we delve into the world of Sydney Harbour boat cruises, where luxury meets beauty.The Beauty of Sydney Harbour
Without question, Sydney Harbour is the most beautiful, picturesque harbour in the world. From its quintessential cityscape featuring the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, to its crystal-clear swimming spots, secluded bays and beaches and more vibrant anchorage locations, Sydney Harbour will surprise and delight you at every turn. Enjoy the harbour highlights tour where you cruise into Darling Harbour, past Barangaroo, around Walsh Bay and under the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take a photo of the Sydney Opera House from the popular Mrs Macquarie’s Chair point, before ducking into Woolloomooloo, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, Rose Bay, over to Watson’s Bay before cruising along the North Shore back towards the city. It’s a beautiful loop, and if you haven’t seen it before, it’s an absolute must! Some of our favourite anchorages on the harbour include- Rose Bay – famous for its huge affluent homes and perfect for swimming with crystal clear waters with stunning city views
- Athol Bay – a vibrant anchorage under Taronga Zoo, perfect for swimming and partying
- Clifton Gardens and Chowder Bay – tucked away in Sydney’s north shore suburb of Mosman, this little bay has a beautiful beach, inviting waters, and is a popular spot for divers with a unique Seahorse colony
- Taylor’s Bay – a secluded little bay with few houses. Anchored here, you feel like you have Sydney all to yourself.
- Chinaman’s Beach – a picturesque and protected beach in Middle Harbour, perfect for swimming and relaxing in calm waters.
- Little Manly Beach – Venture to the northern end of Sydney Harbour and enjoy the inviting waters of Little Manly Beach, Collins Beach and Quarantine Beach.
- Castle Rock Beach – nestled in Middle Harbour, Castle Rock is a popular anchorage amongst locals. Known for its private beach and shallow waters.
- Lane Cove River – Here you explore the suburbs of Sydney, and see the beautiful historic homes of Woolwich, Hunters Hill, Northwood and Longueville. At the right time of year, the gorgeous Jacaranda trees are blooming and these shorelines are littered with beautiful purple flowers.
Luxury Yacht Charter Services
Experience luxury with a private yacht charter cruise on Sydney Harbour. With a personalised charter on board Sydney’s most luxurious boats, you and your guests will have a truly memorable day that surpasses your expectations and will leave you wanting more. We all need a little luxury in our lives, and with the variety of superyacht, luxury charter boats and cruise boats available, you will no doubt find the perfect yacht to suit your unique event or occasion. Luxury doesn’t stop with the vessel either. You’ll be treated to world-class service, catering by some of Sydney’s top private chefs, and beverages from some of Australia’s finest vineyards. The best part is, we’ll organise it all, but if you prefer, there aree also opportunities to BYO. Our experienced team will help you to organise the event of your dreams, with options to add live music, styling, florals, photographers, and any other detail essential to you.
Our Fleet of Yachts
With our impressive fleet of luxury charter boats available, we will help you find the perfect vessel for your upcoming event or occasion.
Our team have more than eight years of experience operating luxury charter yachts on Sydney Harbour and have spent their entire lives enjoying the harbour in every way possible. From sailing as kids on the Parramatta River to birthday celebrations, family days, our very own wedding, whale watching, swimming days, and now – taking our own kids out for all of the above. The harbour is for everyone, and we can always find the perfect vessel for each occasion.
Let us help you find your perfect charter vessel….
Introducing Enigma
Enigma is your go-to for a luxurious, relaxed and memorable day on Sydney Harbour. With three entertaining areas, an accessible flybridge and bow, a sun bed, aqua lily pad, two stand-up paddle boards, a stocked galley and bar, three staterooms and two bathrooms, the 65-foot Enigma is best shared with up to 41 friends, family and colleagues. It ticks all the boxes as you explore the world’s most beautiful harbour – just ask Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Raphael Nadal and the Duke of Cambridge who have all enjoyed a charter on Enigma.
Introducing Felix
Following an extensive refit in 2021, Felix is a stunning 58-foot Salthouse sports cruiser featuring an expansive indoor/outdoor open-plan entertainment area that will rival any boat on the harbour. With a capacity of up to 25 guests, Felix has two cabins and two bathrooms, a fully stocked central galley and bar, a multi-zoned WIFI and Bluetooth-compatible sound system, air conditioning, and a state-of-the-art stability system.
Customising Your Dream Harbour Boat Cruise
At Lifestyle Charters, we customise every boat cruise and work with yachts to ensure every detail is considered. No two charters are the same, which is just how we like it!
Tailored Itineraries
Here are a couple of our favourite Sydney Harbour cruise itineraries for locals and visitors to get the most out of their boat cruise Sydney Harbour. Cruises vary between 4-6 hours in length which allows for plenty of mingling, sightseeing swimming, dancing, eating and drinking, otherwise known as all the good things.
Sydney Harbour Highlights Itinerary
Board your luxury boat at your preferred city wharf. It won’t be long before your first drink is in hand and you’re on your way.
With a drink in hand, enjoy the highlights tour, cruising east past Darling Harbour and Barangaroo Reserve. Get your camera out as you head past the beautiful heritage Walsh Bay finger wharves and towards Pier One Hotel. Then the stunning Sydney Harbour Bridge and the iconic Sydney Opera House appear.
Continue east past the city, ducking into Woolloomooloo to see Garden Island and the beautiful private yachts outside the Finger Wharf restaurants.
Past Rushcutters Bay, take a look at the gorgeous multimillion-dollar waterside homes of Point Piper and Rose Bay
Anchor in Rose Bay for lunch and a swim with a view. The waters are warm and crystal clear.
After spending a couple of hours enjoying the hospitality of your crew and the saltwater in your hair, it’s all aboard for a final cruise of the north shore before heading back to your drop-off wharf of your choice.
Private yacht party itinerary
Board your luxury harbour cruise boat, cruise past Sydney City and over to Athol Bay for an anchorage with a view and a vibe. You’ll love the energy here with many private and charter boats nearby.
Boat cruise Sydney Harbour – A once in a lifestyle staycation on a luxury yacht.
11am – Board Felix from your preferred Sydney Harbour wharf, and settle into your stay with a Mimosa in hand. The crew will welcome you on board and run you through the day’s itinerary.
12pm – Following an hour’s cruise around the Harbour, Felix will find the perfect anchorage in Athol Bay or Rose Bay (depending on the weather), where guests can enjoy a dip in the water if desired, and a fresh Australian lunch prepared by our crew.
2pm – Time to explore a path less trodden, cruising to some of our favourite more secluded bays and beaches. Here guests can enjoy a swim and some of the water activities available on Felix, including a lounge in the Sun Chill and Stand-Up Paddleboarding.
4pm – If time allows and guests feel like stretching their legs, guests have the option of being dropped off for a light walk around Watson’s Bay visiting the clifftop lookouts at The Gap; or a tour of Cockatoo Island to learn about its rich maritime history; or a private behind the scenes tour of the Sydney Opera House. There are plentiful options around the harbour so please let us know if you’d like any further ideas. Please note for some experiences, pre-bookings will be essential.
5pm – Happy hour! After being picked up, enjoy your favourite cocktail or beverage as you make your way to your final anchorage for the evening. A still, calm location will be chosen by the crew for ultimate relaxation and comfort – likely the Lane Cove River or Sugarloaf Bay in Middle Harbour.
7pm – Sit back and relax as a sunset dinner is prepared and served by the crew. Following dinner, get into your book or enjoy a movie with the on-board TV.
From 5-6am – depending on the time of year and how you like to start your mornings, early birds can rise for a special sunrise.
From 7am – A quiet start to the day with breakfast served by the crew, including tea and coffee. A morning swim or Stand-Up Paddleboard could be on the cards for those active adventurers
10am – A final hour of relaxation as we begin the last harbour cruise.
11am – Guests and crew say goodbye at the preferred drop-off location.
The Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise Itinerary
8am – We pick you up from a wharf of your choice. Let us know where you are located or staying, and we can recommend the most convenient wharf.
From 8am–9am – Enjoy a Sydney Harbour cruise, seeing all the famous Sydney sites including the Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Garden Island, Fort Denison and more. Coffee, hot chocolates and mimosas are served, as well as morning tea or brunch.
From 9am–11am – Venture out to the Sydney Harbour heads (make sure you check out the gorgeous cliffs and rock formations as you leave the Heads) and look out for whales.
11am–12pm – Start returning to closed waters, dropping you safely at your wharf.
The Unmatched Experience of Private Boat Cruises in Sydney
There is no better way to enjoy Sydney Harbour than with a private and exclusive yacht charter. The serenity you get from experiencing a private boat charter is unmatched, and you’ll leave feeling recharged and wondering when your next boat day could be.
Whether it’s a romantic escape, family gathering or corporate work event, a private boat cruise will bring you all closer together and that is hard to replicate elsewhere.
EXPERIENCED CREW AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
Our service is unparalleled because we train and retain the best crew on the harbour. The passion and dedication of our crew can be felt on board and is always appreciated by guests – just take a look at our Google reviews! Now all that’s left is to book your boat cruise – Sydney Harbour is waiting! For availability and a quote, speak to our friendly team and let us help you find the best vessel and create a bespoke itinerary just for you.
