Private 2-Hour Sydney Harbour Morning Cruise inc Beach Stop
- Duration
- 2 h 30 min
- Group
- Private, your group only
- Guide
- English
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Our take
This is the private option on our harbour cruises page, priced per group rather than per person. Up to 10 people get a sports cruiser and a local skipper for the morning: it leaves the Campbells Cove pontoon at 10am, takes in the city landmarks and the waterfront suburbs with live commentary, then pulls into a quiet cove or national park beach where you can swim for about 15 minutes. You are back by 12pm. It rates around 4.9.
You can bring your own food and drinks; sparkling water, juice and Bluetooth music are supplied, and there is a toilet on board. Bring swimmers and a towel if you want the swim stop, and wear soft-soled, non-marking shoes with no heels. There is no office or staff member at the pontoon: wait by the wharf near the Park Hyatt and the boat docks shortly before departure. The boat is not wheelchair accessible. For a family or group of friends who would fill it, the per-head cost comes closer to a seat on a shared boat.
Good for
- Families and groups of up to 10 who want the boat to themselves
- A swim in a quiet harbour cove
Think twice if
- Couples on a budget. The price is for the whole boat
- Wheelchair users
Written by SydneySide Tours from the listing, traveller reviews and the videos behind our comparison pages. Checked October 2026. How we review tours.
From the operator
Your group boards at Campbells Cove in The Rocks. There are no other passengers, no shared departure, just your group, a VIP Sports Cruiser and a knowledgeable local skipper for two hours on Sydney Harbour.
The route covers the famous city landmarks, the opulent waterfront suburbs and Sydney Harbour National Park. Then the boat pulls into a sheltered cove or beach inside the national park, here you can choose to swim, disembark or simply enjoy the calm serenity.
Sparkling water, fresh juice and Bluetooth music on board. BYO facilities available. Toilet on the vessel. Up to 10 guests per booking.
From the listing by Sydney Harbour Boat Tours on Viator.
The tour, stop by stop
- Departure point. Arrive 10 minutes before your 10:00am departure. The Park Hyatt Hotel is the nearest landmark. No representative at the pontoon, the boat docks shortly before departure.
- Sydney Harbour City Landmarks: Your skipper takes you past the famous foreshore landmarks with live commentary on Sydney's history and maritime character.
- Close-up photo opportunities from the water.
- Australia's Richest Waterfront Suburbs: Private estates, waterfront homes and private wharves line the shore. Your skipper covers the history of the suburbs and the scale of Sydney's harbour real estate.
- Your skipper points out native flora and any marine life along the route as the cruise moves towards the national park. The protected coastal parkland framing the eastern harbour. The harbour widens and the bush comes down to the waterline.
- Swimming Stop: Secluded Harbour Cove or Beach The boat pulls into a sheltered cove or national park beach. Your group swims and hangs out. No crowds. This is a standard stop on every tour. Bring a swimsuit and towel. About 15 min.
- Optional return location for lunch (At own expense)
- Returns to the departure pontoon by 12:00pm.
What's included
- Sparkling water
- Bottled water
- Fresh juice
- BYO facilities (guests may bring their own food and beverages on board)
- Knowledgeable local skipper/guide with live commentary throughout
- Bluetooth music
- Swim stop at a secluded harbour cove or national park beach (standard on all tours; optional)
Not included
- Gratuities
Meeting point
Departure point: Campbells Cove Pontoon, The Rocks. Arrive 10 minutes before your 10:00am departure. The Park Hyatt Hotel is the nearest landmark. No representative at the pontoon, the boat docks shortly before departure.
Checking in
Your boat:
Don't expect a big tour boat with hundreds of people. You're booked on Spectre, a small, comfortable open-deck boat that seats just 10 guests. It’s 11 metres with rain protection and shading, and it's the perfect vessel to see Sydney Harbour's classic sights and hidden bays and beaches.
What to bring:
Camera, hat & sunglasses. Jumper or jacket (it can get chilly on the water). Casual shoes or sandals (no heels)
if you'd like to get more information or see images and video of the tour, go to https://sydneyharbourboattours.com/tour/sydney-icons-bays-and-beaches-cruise/
Where it ends
Departure point: Campbells Cove Pontoon, The Rocks. Arrive 10 minutes before your 10:00am departure. The Park Hyatt Hotel is the nearest landmark. No representative at the pontoon, the boat docks shortly before departure.
Your Viator voucher confirms the exact spot and time.
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Arrive at Campbells Cove Pontoon at least 10 minutes before your departure time.
- No representative or office at the pontoon. Wait by the wharf and the boat docks shortly before departure.
- Bring a swimsuit and towel if you would like to swim. A swimming stop at a secluded harbour cove or beach is included as standard on every tour.
- Bring sun protection: sunglasses, hat and suncream.
- Bring a warm top or jacket. It can be cooler on the harbour than on land, even in the morning.
- Wear soft-soled, non-marking shoes. No heels permitted on board.
- You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages. BYO facilities are available on board.
- Sparkling water, fresh juice and bottled water are provided.
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- Most travellers can participate.
- An optional drop-off at Sydney Fish Market or Barangaroo may be available. Confirm at time of booking.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How refunds and weather cancellations work is on our booking help page.
How it compares
We compare this tour with the other options on our harbour cruises page, with what each one includes and where it leaves from. How we choose tours.
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