Family Bonus Available

From $28.00 per adult

Normally $33.00. Save $5.00.

Buy Gift Vouchers

We’re celebrating 55 incredible years on Sydney Harbour, and you could WIN BIG just by cruising with us in 2025!

*Specials available on selected dates only and subject to limited availability. T&C's apply.

  • 2 Classic Cruises to choose from - rocket or relaxed sightseeing
  • Rocket Sightseeing - fully flexible departures throughout the day
  • Harbour Experience - 4 departures daily from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
  • Family Bonus specials

The Best Way to See Sydney

Discover the most beautiful in the world - its iconic landmarks of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the natural beauty of its beaches, parks and bays, and the playgrounds of the rich and famous. Captain Cook Cruises has been at the forefront of Sydney Harbour sightseeing for over five decades. Our sightseeing cruises are world-famous, with a wealth of awards and over a million guest from all over the world.

Choose from the Harbour Experience aboard our premier sightseeing fleet OR Rocket Sightseeing aboard our red rocket catamarans. Visit our Premium Sightseeing experiences for superior comfort and style.

  • Two girlfriends cheering and enjoying the view of the Sydney Opera House sightseeing ferry non-ccc dnsw
  • CC3 Captain Cook 3 and S2 Sydney 2000 boats aligned in front of Opera House during the day
  • Premium sightseeing senior couple enjoying champagne and tea Harbour Experience, BB
  • Group of girls chatting on open deck with city in the background sightseeing casual dining lunch daytime
  • Hop On Hop Off ferry Rocket 2 decks Annabelle Rankin boat cruising past Harbour Bridge sightseeing

Harbour Experience $55

  • Leisurely cruise of Main Harbour aboard Sydney’s premier sightseeing vessels
  • Flexible boarding - up to 4 departures from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
  • Light snacks and drinks available

Rocket Sightseeing $28 - $33

  • Take the express ride on a red rocket catamaran through Main Harbour and all the way to Manly and back
  • Fully flexible ticket valid on any departure throughout the day
  • Approx. 65-80 minute round trip onboard the official Sydney Harbour Explorer stopping briefly at Taronga Zoo, Shark Island, Watsons Bay, Manly, Circular Quay/Opera House and Darling Harbour

All options feature

  • Discover fascinating stories that bring history and culture of the Harbour city alive
  • Indoor and outdoor open seating
  • Smartphone Commentary and printed Map & Highlights
  • Family Bonus - one child free with every paying adult - see prices for details
  • Free Wifi

Download the commentary onto your Smartphone before you arrive

Take control of your sightseeing experience with digital commentary available directly on your smartphone or or printed maps. Click here for details

Timetables

The vessel picks up from Darling Harbour, then Circular Quay before making a round-trip circuit of the Harbour.

DepartDarling Harbour King St Wharf 1Circular Quay Wharf 6
Wed-SunDepart 12:00pm (1.5h), 1:30pm (2.5h)
Disembark 1:30pm, 4:00pm		Depart 12:30pm (1.5h), 2:00pm (1.5h)
Disembark 2:00pm, 3:30pm

Please note a special timetable operates on our Rocket Ferries on New Year's Eve (31Dec25) and New Years Day (01Jan26) - Download here


Departing Circular Quay Wharf 6 finishing at Circular Quay
Sat-Sun & Public Holidays 9:15am, 10:32am, 11:55am, 2:35pm, 3:50pm, 5:05pm

Mon-Fri excluding Public Holidays: 9:05am 11:00am, 12:20pm, 1:15pm, 1:50pm, 3:50pm

Departing Darling Harbour King St Wharf finishing at Darling Harbour
Sat-Sun & Public Holidays 12:50pm (Wharf 3 cruising as far as Taronga Zoo), 1:50pm (Wharf 1 cruising as far as Watsons Bay) 

Mon-Fri excluding Public Holidays: n/a


Departing Darling Harbour King St Wharf finishing at Circular Quay
Sat-Sun & Public Holidays 9:00am (Wharf 3 cruising as far as Manly), 10:45am (Wharf 3 cruising as far as Taronga Zoo), 12:50pm (Wharf 3 cruising as far as Taronga Zoo), 1:50pm (Wharf 1 cruising as far as Watsons Bay) and 2:20pm (Wharf 1 cruising as far as Manly)

Mon-Fri excluding Public Holidays: n/a




This vessel stops briefly at a number of destinations along the way. Guests may decide to disembark at any point, however once you disembark the vessel, your ticket is considered complete. Should you wish to re-join the vessel an additional return ferry fare will apply.

Guests may also choose to use their Rocket Sightseeing ticket on our mid-week commuter rocket ferries for a round trip between Circular Quay and Watsons Bay if they so prefer. See our timetable section for details

Duration approx 1hr 5min to 1hr 20min.

Closed: 25-Dec-25 (Christmas Day, 26-Dec-25 (Boxing Day), 26-Jan-26 (Australia Day)

Special Timetables Operate: 31-Dec-25 (New Years Eve), 01-Jan-26 (New Year's Day)

Prices & Other Info

Prices

Prices to 31-Mar-2026Rocket SightseeingHarbour Experience
Adult Retail
Adult Online Special from
Child 4-15yrs
Family Bonus (2ad, 2ch)		$33
$28
$23
$66		$55
n/a
$29
$110
Prices from 01-Apr-2026Rocket SightseeingHarbour Experience
Adult Retail
Child 4-15yrs
Family Bonus (2ad, 2ch)		$34
$23
$68		$57
$29
$114

Family Bonus

Simply book online and enter promo code FAMILY at the check-out page. One child 4-15 years cruises for free with every full paying adult. Not valid with Book Online specials. Full details

Retail rates are valid to 31-Mar-2027. All prices are per person. Special subject to change.

Save on City Parking

Wilson Parking

Captain Cook Cruises' guests receive special rates at selected parking stations when you pre-book your car park online with Wilson Parking.

Remember to check with local authorities for special event road closures.

Sightseeing Experiences - FAQs

What’s the difference between the Sightseeing Cruises?

  • Premium Sightseeing
    • The Premium Harbour Experience includes one house beverage on arrival, and an Australian Cheese & Charcuterie Board to share between two
    • The Coktail Harbour Bar includes one welcome cocktail, one house beverage, and an Australian Cheese & Charcuterie Board to share between two
    • Both options include 360-degree views and a modern bar menu and beverage selection available for purchase
  • Classic Sightseeing
    • The Harbour Experience offers a leisurely Main Harbour cruise onboard premier sightseeing vessels with light snacks and drinks available for purchase
    • Rocket Sightseeing includes an express ride through Main Harbour to Manly and back with brief stops along the way
    • Both options feature indoor and outdoor open seating, smartphone commentary and free Wifi

Other Information

  • Dress Code: Smart Casual

  • Children: All guests under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult

  • Wheelchair Access:

    • Accessible: Sydney 2000 (Ocean Deck), Captain Cook 3 (Main Deck), The Jackson (Main Deck)

    • Not suitable: Starship Sydney and Starship Aqua

    • Please check our Accessibility page for full details and wharf access considerations.

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol: Our staff follow RSA guidelines at all times

  • Credit Card Verification: At check-in, you will be required to present the credit card used for your online booking

  • Terms & Conditions: Visit our Terms & Conditions page for full booking and cancellation policies

  • For more information, visit individual cruise pages, or our Frequently Asked Questions page

  • Our Fleet: Learn more about our vessels on the Fleet Overview page

  • Still Looking? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page

Harbour Experience - Route Map

Rocket Sightseeing - Route Map

Other products you might like

  • PREMIUM EXPERIENCE
    Girlfriends having cocktails drinks on the open deck

    Premium Sightseeing

    See Sydney in style- The world’s most beautiful Harbour, deserves the very best cruise to experience it.

    Our new range of premium sightseeing experiences are like nothing you have experienced before on Sydney Harbour. Amazing views, choice of premium reserved lounge seating and a delectable choice of tasting plate and beverage options available day and night.

    From $65.00 per adult

    Normally $75.00. Save $10.00.

  • WILDLIFE
    Se whale breach large

    Whale Watching

    AS SEEN ON CHANNEL 7 NEWS

    Sydney is the envy of Australia with a whale watching season that lasts over five months of the year. Over 20,000 Humpback whales make the 3,500km journey from sub-Antarctic waters to the Great Barrier Reef every year.

    From $95.00 per adult

  • GREAT VALUE
    Cocktail Harbour Bar lunch drinks onboard daytime cruises, cheers

    Cocktail Harbour Bar

    Take in the stunning colours of Sydney Harbour at days end, whilst enjoying your choice of cocktail, an Australian Cheese & Charcuterie Board to share between two and house beverage, all from the comfort of your premium reserved lounge seating on Ocean Deck.

    From $75.00 Per adult

    Normally $79.00. Save $4.00.

  • GREAT VALUE
    Deck Sightseeing Group 175984 56 R

    Hop On Hop Off Sydney Harbour Explorer

    SUPER SPECIAL
    Upgrade to the 2-Day Pass for only $1 more!

    When in Sydney travel like the locals do, on the harbour highway with the official Sydney Harbour Explorer. Up to 6 destinations, one easy to follow ferry timetable, expert local assistance and the flexibility to hop-on and hop-off as you like.

    From $44.00 Per adult

Related blog posts

View all
Bondi Beach 5675 ST

Five of the Best Hidden Harbour Beaches

Sydney Harbour is a true natural amphitheatre, a naturalist's paradise and home to an abundance of wildlife that thrive in one of Australia’s most photographed National Parks. But did you know that it also has its fair share of sandy beaches that are perfect for swimming?

HOHO Rocket Ferry Family Child KZ9 8646

The Best Sydney Harbour Ferry Passes

In many major cities, open-top tourist buses are a popular, affordable, and flexible way to explore the top attractions. But in Sydney, with its iconic landmarks right on the Harbour's edge, why not swap the bus for a ferry and travel on the Harbour highway!

Bookings

Send an enquiry

If your enquiry is regarding availability and/or pricing, click the 'Book now' button and live availability and pricing will be displayed.

Please note, if your preferred date is disabled on the calendar, it is unavailable.

Please be as specific as you can. The more information you add, the easier it is for us to help you.

Marketing Opt In

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

We use cookies on this website so we can provide you with a better browsing experience and show you more relevant content and promotions. By continuing, you consent to our use of cookies. For more details, please check our Privacy Policy.