Frequently Asked
Questions

Highlights Tour (2 hours, from A$149): All the iconic landmarks — Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Kirribilli, Cremorne Point and Sydney's most spectacular bays. 19 stops total. Perfect introduction to the harbour.

Grand Tour (3 hours, from A$199): Everything in the Highlights Tour plus Lane Cove, Cockatoo Island, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, the Australian Maritime Museum and more. 30 stops total.

Two people per boat — one driver and one passenger. This is what makes the experience so intimate and personal. You and your partner, friend or family member have your own boat, your own adventure, and photos that are yours alone.

Groups can book multiple boats. See the Groups & Gifts section below for details.

Yes — and we encourage it. Swapping drivers halfway through is very popular and adds to the fun.

Tours usually run Thursday to Sunday, with morning and afternoon sessions. In the peak season we run every day. Available times are shown live in the booking calendar — check availability for your preferred date and choose the time that suits you. Seasonal hours may vary.

Both. You cruise at speed between locations and slow right down for stops so your guide can point out key landmarks, share the history and take photos. You're not racing through — there's time to take it all in at each location.

Your guide provides commentary at selected stops. For the Highlights Tour there are 19 stops; for the Grand Tour, 30.

The boats are capable to reach up to 22 knots (about 40 km/h) on open stretches of water. Without a boating licence the speed is limited to 10 knots in line with NSW regulations. Speed varies depending on conditions, traffic on the harbour and location — you'll slow down near wharves, other vessels and at key stops. The thrill of speed across open harbour water is a highlight guests consistently mention.

Yes. Your guide takes photos throughout the tour — at key landmarks and action shots on the water. These are shared with you after the tour. It's one of the most-praised aspects of the experience: you get professional-quality photos from angles you couldn't take yourself.

Bring your own phone or camera too — the views from the boat are unlike anything you'll get on shore.

Passengers must be at least 8 years old. Drivers must be 16 or older. One person in the boat needs to be 18. Under-18s must have a parent or guardian present on the boat. There is no upper age limit. If you're bringing younger family members, please contact us before booking and we'll advise on suitability based on your group's specific situation.

Book directly on this website using the live booking calendar — select your tour, date and time, pay securely online and receive instant confirmation. The whole process takes under 60 seconds.

You can also call us on 0468 328 000 or email info@exploresydneyharbour.com.au and we'll book you in manually.

We recommend booking well in advance for popular dates (weekends, school holidays, summer) as tours fill up quickly.

Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour start time — we begin the safety briefing promptly. If you are more than 5 minutes late, we may have to leave without you as other guests are waiting. Late arrivals are non-refundable.

If you're running late, call us immediately on 0468 328 000 and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Yes — contact us at least 48 hours before your tour and we'll move you to another available date at no extra charge. Rescheduling within 48 hours is subject to availability and may incur a fee. (For a full refund, cancel more than 7 days before — see our cancellation policy above.)

Both prices include: expert guide, life jackets, full safety briefing, and photos taken during the tour. Each boat seats two people, and both can take turns driving. No booking fee — nothing extra to pay on the day.

We operate in most weather conditions. Light rain, overcast skies and mild wind don't stop us — the harbour is actually beautiful in different conditions. We will only cancel if there is a genuine safety concern (strong winds, rough seas, severe weather warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology).

If we cancel: You receive a full refund or can rebook at no charge — your choice. We will contact you as early as possible, usually the evening before or the morning of your tour.

Yes. Sydney's winters are mild — temperatures rarely drop below 12°C and the harbour is calm. Winter mornings on the harbour are actually spectacular: clearer skies, fewer boats and stunning light. Wear an extra layer and you'll be perfectly comfortable.

You may get light spray, especially when the boats accelerate or hit a wave. On calm days, most guests stay completely dry. On choppier days, expect spray on your arms and face — most people find it refreshing.

We recommend wearing clothes you're happy to get slightly damp, bringing a light jacket, and a waterproof case for your phone if you plan to film. Make sure your hat is tight — or it might fly off at speed.

Our licensed guides make the final call based on their assessment of conditions on the day, Bureau of Meteorology forecasts and Maritime NSW guidance. Guest safety always comes first — we would rather disappoint someone with a reschedule than take an unnecessary risk on the water.

Recommended:

Light snacks and water bottles are fine. We ask that you do not bring alcohol on board — it affects your ability to safely operate the boat and is not permitted under our operating licence. Please also ensure all rubbish is secured and doesn't end up in the harbour.

The boats are low-slung and require stepping in and out from a boat ramp. People with minor mobility concerns are usually fine with a helping hand from the guide. If you have significant mobility limitations, please call us before booking to discuss your specific situation — we want to make sure the experience is comfortable and safe for you.

Absolutely — and highly recommended. A GoPro makes for incredible footage. Your guide will also take photos of you throughout the tour. If bringing a regular camera, use a waterproof case or secure it properly as you may get spray.

Yes. Groups can book multiple boats and all run together as a convoy with your guide. Each boat holds 2 people (1 driver, 1 passenger), so a group of 6 would need 3 boats.

For larger group enquiries or corporate events, contact us directly on 0468 328 000 or info@exploresydneyharbour.com.au and we'll organise everything for you.

Yes. Gift vouchers are available for both the Highlights Tour and Grand Tour. They make exceptional birthday, anniversary, Christmas or welcome-to-Sydney gifts. Vouchers are valid for 3 years and can be redeemed for any available tour date.

Purchase a gift voucher here →

It's one of the most memorable corporate experiences available in Sydney. A convoy of speedboats on the harbour — driving under the Bridge, comparing who got the best photo at the Opera House — creates exactly the kind of shared experience that brings teams together. Contact us for group rates and scheduling options.

Our founder Dirk is a native German speaker and can guide tours in German. Alex can speak Spanish. For safety reasons, the person driving needs to be able to understand and communicate in English. We welcome guests from around the world. Please contact us in advance if you have specific language needs and we'll do our best to assist.