14 Australia Yacht Cruises to Book This Year

1.Hobart: Luxury Yacht Scenic Sailing Tour with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 3 hours · from $120 a seat Our pick

Spend three hours aboard Helsal IV, a 62-foot Sydney to Hobart race veteran, sailing the Derwent River with a professional skipper and crew. You can take the helm, help with the winches, or relax with coffee, scones, cheese, and Tasmanian views. Captains including Mark, David, Jimmy, and Baz provide local stories and sailing guidance.

“My husband and I had an amazing day on the water. The Helsal IV crew, Bas, Johno and Jimmy made us feel so welcome and we’re all clearly very accomplished sailors. There were folks on board who had never set foot on a yacht before but the crew made sure they were eased in gently and felt safe at all times. The views of Hobart from the water are spectacular and Jimmy’s home made scones just topped it all off. If you’re into water activities, I can highly recommend this experience 😊”

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2.Whitsundays: 2-Day, 2-Night Maxi Yacht Sailing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 57 reviews · 2 days · from $494 a seat

Join Prosail Whitsundays for two nights aboard an ex-racing maxi yacht with a social group of up to 25 passengers. Snorkel up to three reef sites, hike to Hill Inlet Lookout, spend three hours at Whitehaven Beach, and eat fresh meals prepared by crew such as Captain Dan, Zara, Diego, Claire, and Dylan.

“Tom, Dylan, and Nick were lovely. Had a great time snorkeling and hiking on Whitehaven!”

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

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

Start at Circular Quay for a two-hour small-group yacht cruise with coffee, tea, juice, water, and light refreshments. Your English-speaking captain and host point out the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Fort Denison, bays, coves, and Bondi Beach. Guides including Maggie, Graham, Jake, and Captain Charlie have been praised for lively local stories.

“Best value for money. Personalised, educational, cultural and a bit of gossip thrown in. Best trip and way beyond expectations.”

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

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

Join a maximum of four people for a 2.5-hour sailing lesson and harbour cruise from Manly. Your English-speaking skipper, such as Will or Gregan, explains the basics, then lets you help set the sails and steer when conditions allow. Expect waterfront homes, beaches, and views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, subject to weather.

“excellent tour, we went on a very windy day and our guide was excellent guiding us through the details of sailing into a strong windy day”

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

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

Spend 2.5 hours on an exclusive Beneteau yacht from Palm Beach Wharf, with a skipper at the helm and a platter served onboard. Cruise Pittwater, stop for a swim at Portuguese Beach or The Basin, and take in Barrenjoey Lighthouse, national park shores, seaplanes, and ferry-only homes.

“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 $84 a seat Best value

From Manly, you join a maximum of four people aboard a small yacht for a 90-minute Sydney Harbour sailing lesson and cruise. Your English-speaking captain explains the boat, helps you set the sails, and may let you steer. Onur and Izzy have both been praised for patient, friendly instruction.

“We had an awesome sailing trip with our skipper Onur, who made sure that we made a hands on experience, while giving a real sailing flavor and even provided a route that gave us spectacular views of the city. Highly recommend!”

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

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

Meet at Manly Ferry Terminal for a private three-hour sail aboard Southwinds, a classic 1950s double-masted yacht. Your skipper, possibly including Finn, Xavier, Hannah, or Olivia, can teach you the basics, let you take the helm, or shape the route around Sydney Harbour. Bring your own picnic or drinks.

“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 a seat

Spend about five hours with a private driver-guide, starting with hotel pickup and Sydney’s historic Rocks precinct. Walk near Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for Opera House and Harbour Bridge views, enjoy an a la carte lunch overlooking Rushcutters Bay, then visit Bondi Beach, Watsons Bay, Paddington, and more. Guides such as Michael, Grant, and Suzy have led this tour.

“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 2hr Yacht Hire Whitsundays

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · whole boat $2,654, up to 15

Take a private two-hour sunset sail from Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach, aboard a catamaran for your group. Enjoy Whitsunday views, an antipasto platter, BYO drinks with ice and refrigeration, three-zone Spotify, coffee or tea, and a welcome gift bag. The boat returns to the starting point.

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10.Townsville Boat Cruise & Yacht Club Lunch Package Sailing Charter

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $135 a seat

Join skipper James and deckhand Dave for a two-hour Townsville sail with views of Magnetic Island, Castle Hill, and Cleveland Bay. Your $135.56 package includes lunch, two drinks, and a stop at Gelatissimo. The boat carries no more than six people, making this a quiet, personal outing rather than a crowded harbor cruise.

“A very intimate and friendly trip, both James and Dave were knowledgeable about the local waterways. Their cheeky and humorous interaction added to the experience.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · whole boat $1,794, up to 4

Spend four private hours aboard a 12-meter Beneteau 40.7 with an informative skipper, steering and sail-trimming lessons, and views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, and waterfront homes. You can request a swim stop, use the yacht’s cabins and galley, and board or finish at Rose Bay, Rushcutters Bay, or Darling Harbour.

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

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

Join an English-speaking crew for a two-hour sunset cruise from Rowntree’s Wharf in Barangaroo. You’ll hear about the restored yacht, pass the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, help sail the boat, and may take the helm. The boat carries no more than 16 people, with a limited bar serving champagne, wine, and beer.

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13.3-Hour Private Skippered Sailing Yacht Charter in Palm Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · whole boat $538, up to 6

Set out from Palm Beach Wharf with skipper Michael or Linda for a private three-hour sail on Pittwater. Help hoist the sails, swim at water-access beaches, spot wallabies and goannas at Coasters Retreat, or cruise toward Broken Bay. Towels, sunscreen, snorkeling gear, a bathroom, and Bluetooth music are included. BYO food and drinks, or request catering for an extra fee.

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14.Overnight Private Yacht Stay at Palm Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $203 a seat

Meet skipper Michael at Palm Beach Wharf for a private overnight stay aboard a Beneteau Oceanis yacht on Pittwater. Your group of up to four adults gets a double bed, towels, snorkel gear, a rowing dinghy, kitchen, shower, and sunset views toward Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Lunch, dinner, breakfast, and champagne cost extra.

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