Jump on the Hop On Hop Off Harbour Explorer for a single loop of Sydney Harbour on a rocket sightseeing tour the whole family will love. See all the famous landmarks as you travel between the city, Taronga Zoo and Manly, stopping briefly before continuing on your journey. Approximately 80 minutes round trip.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 AM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 16+)
$23
Child (ages 4–15)
$18
Infant (ages 0–3)
Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Circular Quay
Cruise departs: Circular Quay Wharf 6
Itinerary
Sydney Harbour
Pass by
Depart Circular Quay cruising by famous icons including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and past palatial waterfront mansions along the exclusive eastern suburbs.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Pass by
Cruise past the iconic bridge connecting the City with North Sydney
Sydney Opera House
Pass by
Cruise past the famous OPera House as you depart Circular Quay
Manly Beach
Pass by
Cruise from the city right out to Sydney's famous Manly Beach and back
Darling Harbour
Pass by
Start or finish your day at Darling Harbour, surrounded by restaurants, nightclubs and hotels at King Street Wharf, Barangaroo and Cockle Bay.
What's included
Included
The sights of stunning Sydney Harbour by day
Approx. 80min cruise circuit of Sydney Harbour
Guided audio commentary directly through your smartphone
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
3.7
97 reviews
5
34
4
29
3
12
2
15
1
7
How it compares in Sydney
Starting price $23 is 68% below the typical $70 for tours of similar length in Sydney
Excurgo comparison of 981 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Experience take?
Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Experience lasts about 1h 20min. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Experience cost?
Prices start at $23 per person for this Sydney experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Experience run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM.
How much does Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Experience cost for children?
Children aged 4–15 pay from $18, adults from $23. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Experience for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
What languages is Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Experience offered in?
The experience is available in HI, DE, KO, CMN, JA, EN, IT, FR.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 150 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Experience worth it?
Travellers rate it 3.7 out of 5 across 97 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Captain Cook Cruises.
Reviews(97)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
T
thelockes2018
May 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
An unforgettable evening!
We were fortunate enough to book onto a Captain Cook cruise for New Year’s Eve in 2025. Unlike some of the other boats we saw, ours wasn’t crowded and there was a good mix of ages enjoying the trip. Although expensive this was a once in a lifetime experience for us and the buffet, friendly crew, unlimited drinks and two firework displays made for an unforgettable evening.
Operator response
Hi,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear you had such an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience with us and enjoyed the atmosphere, service, and celebrations on board.
It’s great to know the evening lived up to such a special occasion and created lasting memories for you.
We take great pride in delivering exceptional service and are pleased to know that we have upheld our standards. Your feedback is truly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back on board again soon.
Best regards,
Captain Cook Cruises
D
Diane_H
February 25, 2026 · via Viator
No Commentary on the Boat
Be aware that when you book this tour you will need to download an App and bring headphones if you want to hear an overview on the places you are seeing and stopping at in the harbour. The description of this tour doesn't say this so we didn't bring any headphones. We had assumed there would a commentary either by the captain or the assistant but there isn't.
M
Michele_D
October 26, 2025 · via Viator
Terrible do not lose your money on this tour
It's no better than taking a ferry. We thought someone would take care of us but no you had to upload an app and the ferry almost didn't go to points of interest. It was like a hop on hop off boat but our ticket didn't allow us to disembark at all four stops. Do not lose your money on this tour.
M
Maddy_M
October 10, 2025 · via Viator
Was a great experience,...
Was a great experience, we had fun and would definitely do it again. Super convenient if you need to go to a specific stop
K
Kylie_V
October 6, 2025 · via Viator
We really enjoyed our...
We really enjoyed our trip 😀 😊 ☺️ 😄 we will recommend to our friends and family and will do again when in Sydney next
3
316julios
April 27, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
In my opinion, it is not worth paying for this excursion
Very disappointing this company, you get on the boat, after 10 minutes stop somewhere else to pick up more people, take a mini tour and return
Not worth it, nothing to highlight from this experience, old boats, dirty cristiñas and feeling of being conned
If you want to navigate the bay, better look for some other option and be explained the route
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
We would like to clarify that the cruise you booked is a dining cruise, specifically designed to provide a great dining experience accompanied by the stunning scenic views of Sydney Harbour.
Our cruises follow a planned route with two designated departure points, which is clearly stated on our website to ensure transparency prior to booking.
Thank you once again for your feedback, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for an even better experience.
Kind regards,
The Captain Cook Cruises Team
S
S2147LBsamb
January 16, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Very poor service
In Sydney for a few days- were told not to get on our allocated boat for no reason. Had to wait over an hour for the next one- weren’t given an apology or any compensation for the waste of time. Terrible service and communication.
Operator response
Hi S2147LBsamb,
Thank you for your feedback. We sincerely regret that your experience did not meet your expectations, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. We strive to provide excellent service, and it's disheartening to hear that we fell short during your visit.
We truly value your feedback, and it will help us improve our service moving forward. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you aboard again and provide a better experience.
Best regards,
Captain Cook Cruises
H
Hornsbyhero
January 5, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Sydney to Hobart fun
The Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart cruise on the fast catamaran was a lot of fun. Our boat had a good view of the start line and then we followed the leaders out the Heads and along the coast for a bit. We then passed the rest of the fleet on our return. It was so exciting we hardly had time to eat our snacks or drink our coffee. (p.s. don't go on this one if you are prone to sea sickness.)
Operator response
Hi Hornsbyhero,
Thank you for sharing your experience of the Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart cruise! We're thrilled to hear that you had an exciting time on board and enjoyed following the race leaders from the start line out through the Heads. It's truly a spectacular event, and we're glad you could be part of it!
It sounds like the excitement of the day kept you fully engaged — a great sign of a memorable adventure. And yes, we agree that this particular cruise is best suited for those comfortable with being out on open waters.
We look forward to welcoming you back on board for more incredible experiences!
Best regards,
Captain Cook Cruises
B
beesummer
December 2, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Good way to see Sydney for cheap
A fun way to see Sydney. We did the cheapest option and it was a cool way to see the sights. Great views. It went to different areas and we saw some beaches. Happy we did it.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed exploring Sydney with us! It’s great to know that the tour provided you with wonderful views and the opportunity to see some beautiful beaches. We appreciate your feedback and are happy to have been a part of your Sydney adventure. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience soon.
Best regards,
Captain Cook Cruises
K
kimhF9343OQ
May 13, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Needs some commentary to know what you're looking at
Although it was a lovely ride around the harbor, a little commentary on the major sights would be helpful. They give you a map, so you have to figure out where you are, then look at the map to pinpoint what you're looking at.
Probably wouldn't recommend unless you just want a quick ride around the harbor.
Operator response
Dear Kim,
Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback! We do offer commentary which is available to download via smartphone, look on our website for more information and guidance on how to do this for next time!
We are delighted that you enjoyed the overall experience of the cruise, and hope to see onboard again soon!
Regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team.
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