15 Coastal Sailing Tours in Australia to Get on the Water

1.Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 451 reviews · from $63Our pick

Meet at Campbells Cove in The Rocks for a twilight dinner cruise aboard a restored tall ship, sometimes the 104-year-old Southern Swan. Enjoy dinner, live commentary from hosts such as Howard or Ruth, and views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, and more. Mast climbing costs extra.

“Sitting out on the deck of a three mastered tool ship nibbling canapés and sipping bubbles. There is no better way to experience Sydney Harbour and it’s very best.!”

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2.Tall Ship Afternoon Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 412 reviews · 1h 30m · from $48

Spend 90 minutes aboard an 1850s-style wooden tall ship with an English-speaking crew. Help raise the sails, try the helm, hear Sydney stories from guides such as Ruth and Jim, and pass the Opera House, Fort Denison, and Harbour Bridge. Snacks and drinks are available onboard, but mast climbing costs extra.

“We really enjoyed the cruise. The kids had great fun helping with the sails and looking round the ship.”

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3.Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 342 reviews · 2 hours · from $77

Join the Southern Swan or Soren Larsen at Campbell’s Cove for a two-hour twilight sail past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, and Luna Park. You can help set the sails, steer the ship, or relax with dinner. The English-speaking crew share harbour and ship stories, with drinks and mast climbing sold separately.

“fab trip, great hosts , good food and great that guests could contribute to trip”

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4.Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Afternoon Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 293 reviews · from $49

Board at Campbells Cove in The Rocks for a 90-minute tall ship cruise past Sydney’s top harbour sights. Crew members such as Jim, Ruth, Howard, and Captain James share maritime stories, help you raise the sails, and keep the trip lively. Snacks are included, while drinks and a mast climb cost extra.

“Staff was personable and insightful. Crew encouraged people to help when raising the sails. Felt comfortable and relaxed. Very pleasant time!”

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5.Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 272 reviews · 1h 30m · from $65

Cruise Sydney Harbour aboard the Soren Larsen or Southern Swan during Vivid Sydney. You’ll see the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, and other illuminated waterfront sites from the water, with dinner, wine, or fruit juice included. Guides such as Howard add ship history, while the open deck gives you room to move and take photographs.

“Great night maybe a little more clearer commentary as space is limited. Thanks”

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6.Hervey Bay Champagne Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 270 reviews · from $64Top rated

Spend 90 minutes aboard Blue Dolphin Marine Tours’ catamaran as the sun drops over Hervey Bay. The crew, including Peter, Jodie, Cassie, and Pete, serves unlimited drinks and finger food while pointing out local sights. Dolphins and fruit bats are possible bonuses, but the real treat is an easy evening on calm water with views toward K’gari.

“The staff were wonderful, food was fresh and the bubbly just topped off the experience. We had the perfect sunset and staff helped us take a group photo with the sunset behind. If you have time this is a must do in pretty Hervey Bay.”

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7.Luxury Sailing Cruise on Sydney Harbour with Lunch

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

Meet Captain David at Darling Harbour for a five-hour cruise aboard the 40-foot yacht Emma Mei. Expect Sydney landmarks, local stories, a gourmet lunch with beer and wine, and free time to swim, snorkel, stroll, or relax at Store Beach. Groups are limited to eight.

“The cruise was amazing from start to finish. Beautiful boat, wonderful information and conversation, fantastic lunch--can't think of one thing I didn't like about it other than when it ended. We were in Australia for 2 weeks and did lots of things, but this is one of the highlights I tell my friends and family about when they want to know about our trip.”

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8.Hervey Bay Champagne Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 164 reviews · 1h 30m · from $63

Spend 90 minutes aboard Blue Dolphin Marine Tours’ modern sailing vessel, cruising Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait as the sun drops behind Fraser Island. Peter and the crew handle the sailing, while sparkling wine, beer, wine, soft drinks, and finger food keep the evening easy. Expect low passenger numbers, calm water, and possible dolphin or turtle sightings.

“Fantastic sunset cruise, the food and drinks kept coming. Staff friendly, beautiful evening on a nice yacht. Highly recommend!”

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9.Gold Coast 2 hour Sunset Sailing Cruise with Drinks&Tasting Plate

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · from $121

Join Sun Sailing Gold Coast at 5 pm for a relaxed two-hour cruise on a 38-foot yacht. Catherine, Grant, and their crew host a small group of up to 10 people, serving drinks and a tasting plate as you sail past Marina Mirage, the Spit, SeaWorld, and nearby islands. Keep watch for dolphins and sea turtles.

“The experience is amazing. Staff are so nice and helpful. They provide drinks and snacks. And the staff offered to take photos for us too.”

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10.Nelson Bay: Dolphin Watch Cruise and Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 74 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35Best value

Join Imagine Cruises at d’Albora Marina for a 90-minute dolphin watch aboard a 52-foot sailing catamaran. You’ll have 360-degree views, a dry bow-net, a wet boom-net, and a friendly English-speaking crew. Dolphins are guaranteed, with a free return trip if none are seen. Tea and coffee are included, while snacks and drinks are available at the bar.

“I enjoyed every bit of this cruise! The tour guide was explaining everything and giving us more information about that specific islands and beaches we saw. I will definitely do it again! I did this with my family and they absolutely loved it”

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11.Tall Ship Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 69 reviews · 2 hours · from $77

Spend two hours aboard a traditional timber tall ship with an English-speaking crew. You’ll pass Sydney’s top harbour sights, help hoist the sails, and enjoy a freshly prepared three-course lunch. Crew members such as Howard, Ruth, and skipper Marti add local stories and a friendly nautical touch. Drinks and the optional mast climb cost extra.

“A fantastic event with a knowledgeable and very friendly crew. Ruth was great guide and a fountain of knowledge. Our lunch was really tasty and the warm chocolate brownie was amazing - my compliments to the chef! And to sail back up to the opera house was just idyllic! Thanks to you all.”

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12.Gold Coast Sailing Cruise with sparkling wine & nibbles platter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $85

Join Captain Michael and his crew at noon for a two-hour sail from Main Beach. With no more than 10 people aboard, you’ll pass Marina Mirage, Palazzo Versace, Wave Break Island, and Surfers Paradise while enjoying two glasses of sparkling wine or soft drinks and a snack platter. An optional two-course seafood lunch is also available.

“A very pleasant cruise up the river, saw some great scenery. Nibbles were great, we really enjoyed them. Micheal and his crew were friendly and provided a great service.”

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13.Half Day Sailing and Snorkeling Tour from Coral Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · from $132

From Coral Bay, you sail to two Ningaloo Reef snorkel sites, with up to an hour at each. Your captain and deckhand handle the trip, gear, lunch, and return transfer. Expect fish, coral, turtles, shaded seating, a custom Boomnet, and a small group of no more than 28 people.

“Small group, nice team and big fun ! Saw beautiful corals, sharks, turtles, dolphins and oc manta ray… I recommend !”

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14.Gold Coast Breakfast Sailing Cruise with Croissants & Sparkling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $121

Join Sun Sailing Gold Coast at 10:00 am for a two-hour morning cruise from Muriel Henchman North Boat Ramp. Grant and the crew serve croissants, fruit, coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice, and sparkling wine as you sail the Broadwater on a 38-foot yacht. Groups are limited to 10, with a chance of seeing dolphins or sea turtles.

“We had such a nice time with Grant and Marina. They served a wonderful breakfast of croissants and fruit. Grant was very knowledgeable about the surrounding area, and Marina was very friendly! We would highly recommend this tour!”

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15.Afternoon Moreton Bay Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $85

Spend about 4.5 hours aboard Aristocat from Raby Bay, Cleveland, with crew members Darren, Lyn, or Julian. Sail toward Moreton Bay islands, help steer and trim the sails, swim, paddleboard, walk a sandy beach, and enjoy antipasto, fruit, tea, or coffee. BYO drinks are welcome.

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