A cruise looks very different depending on where you book one. In Sydney it usually means a plated dinner and Harbour Bridge views, in Fiordland it means waterfalls pouring off cliffs into a fiord, and on the Great Barrier Reef it means a pontoon or a sailing catamaran built for snorkelling. Here is a cross section of what is actually on offer, from a 2 hour harbour lunch to 2 nights sleeping on the water.
Sydney Harbour dining cruises
The Sydney Harbour 3 Course Fine Dining Dinner Cruise departs Darling Harbour for 2.5 hours, with a gourmet 3 course menu and 360 degree views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city skyline lit up at night. The Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise with Lunch covers the same landmarks by day from Circular Quay, with a buffet lunch and live commentary across 2 hours and 15 minutes.
New Zealand fiord cruises
The Milford Sound Overnight Cruise aboard the Fiordland Jewel sails 2 cruises of the fiord, afternoon and morning, with a 3 course dinner, cooked breakfast, kayaking and a top deck hot tub included across a 17 hour experience with no more than 20 passengers on board.
Great Barrier Reef cruises
The Whitsundays Outer Reef Day Tour cruises to the Reefworld pontoon at Hardy Reef, with a semi submersible tour, an underwater observatory and 4 hours of snorkelling. The Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour on Camira sails to Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet lookout, all inclusive with a barbecue lunch and drinks on board.
Further north, the Port Douglas Outer Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Cruise reaches Agincourt Reef aboard a wave piercing catamaran, docking at a spacious activity platform for the day. The Port Douglas to Low Isles Full Day Sailing Cruise heads to a calmer coral cay instead, with a marine biologist presentation and a guided beach walk included over 6 hours.
Multi day sailing adventures
For a longer stay on the water, the Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Broomstick is a 2 day, 2 night trip aboard a maxi yacht, with guided snorkelling, island hikes, meals and onboard accommodation included.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Sydney Harbour cruise and a reef cruise?
Sydney Harbour cruises focus on dining and sightseeing past landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, while Great Barrier Reef cruises focus on snorkelling, diving and time on the water itself.
How long is a Milford Sound cruise?
Day cruises typically run around 2 hours, while the Milford Sound Overnight Cruise runs 17 hours, including 2 separate cruises of the fiord.
Do Great Barrier Reef cruises include snorkelling equipment?
Yes. Every reef cruise listed here includes snorkel gear as standard, with diving available as an add-on on several of them.
Is there a multi day cruise option?
Yes. The Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure runs 2 days and 2 nights with onboard accommodation, and the Milford Sound Overnight Cruise sleeps guests on the fiord for a night.
Which cruise suits a special occasion?
The Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise and the Milford Sound Overnight Cruise both suit anniversaries or milestone trips, with fine dining and small guest numbers.
Local tip: book dining cruises in Sydney and multi day cruises in Milford Sound or the Whitsundays well ahead, passenger numbers are capped on most of these and the better dates sell out first.
Compare the cruises above across Sydney, New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef, and choose the one that matches how you want to spend your time on the water.
