Make Boxing Day in Sydney unforgettable with front-row seats to the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Cruises 2026
Boxing Day, Saturday 26 December

Be there when the race begins and experience an iconic Australian Boxing Day tradition from the best vantage point - on the Harbour. Feel the excitement build as the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race fleet gathers, yachts jostle for position and the starting gun sends up to 100 boats racing towards Sydney Heads and on to Hobart. Choose your Boxing Day experience: celebrate in style with lunch aboard flagship Sydney 2000, or get closer to the racing action and follow the fleet towards Bondi. One of the world’s greatest and toughest ocean races - two unforgettable ways to experience it.

  • Aerial shot of Sydney to Hobart yacht race outside the heads on Boxing Day non-ccc dnsw special event sail

    11:30am Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Lunch Cruise

    Saturday, 26 December 2026

    SPECTACULAR DINING

    Enjoy a leisurely lunch and spectacular Sydney Harbour views as excitement builds ahead of the 1.00pm start. Then watch the fleet surge towards Sydney Heads as one of the world's great ocean races gets underway.

    • See the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
    • 3 hours on spectacular Sydney Harbour
    • Choice of three decks, menus and bar packages
    • Live TV coverage

    From $215.00 per adult

    Normally $239.00. Save $24.00.

  • Boxing Day sailing boats racing towards the heads

    11:30am Sydney to Hobart Race towards Bondi

    Saturday, 26 December 2026

    FOLLOW THE MAXIS

    Want to get closer to the racing action? This is the cruise for you. Watch the yachts battle for position before the start, then follow the fleet through Sydney Heads and out towards Bondi as the leading maxis race south. Bring your own drinks and Boxing Day picnic, and experience the atmosphere from our fast twin-deck catamarans.

    • Follow the race outside Sydney Heads towards Bondi
    • 2 ½ hours onboard twin-deck red-rocket catamarans
    • BYO drinks and picnic - no large eskies
    • Indoor and outdoor ferry seating

    From $199.00 per adult

One of the World's Greatest and Toughest Ocean Races

Every Boxing Day, Sydney Harbour becomes the starting line for one of the world's most famous ocean races. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race sends competitors on an epic 628-nautical-mile journey from Sydney to Hobart, attracting elite sailors and some of the fastest racing yachts in the world.

The 2026 race marks the 81st edition, with up to 100 yachts expected to compete. At 1.00pm, the starting gun fires and the Harbour erupts into action. The fleet races towards Sydney Heads before turning south for the long journey to Tasmania. And from the water, you're right in the middle of the Boxing Day atmosphere.

Forget searching for a crowded patch of shoreline. Spend Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour surrounded by the colour, excitement and atmosphere of race day. Watch the fleet assemble, see the sails fill and experience the moment the race to Hobart begins. Whether you're raising a glass over lunch aboard the flagship or chasing the action towards Bondi, this is Sydney on Boxing Day at its best.

The current race record was set by LDV Comanche in 2017 in 1-day, 9-hours, 15-minutes and 24-seconds. The largest fleet was set in 2019 with 157 yachts ranging in size from a 9.2 metre Jarken to supermaxis over 30 metres in length.

Why Choose Captain Cook Cruises for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race?

Experience the excitement of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race with Captain Cook Cruises, one of Sydney Harbour’s most established and trusted cruise operators. With a choice of vessels and experiences, you can celebrate Boxing Day your way - from premium dining aboard flagship Sydney 2000 to following the racing fleet through Sydney Heads and towards Bondi.

Prime race-day viewing
see the fleet gather and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race get underway on Sydney Harbour.
Two ways to experience the race
choose a spectacular lunch cruise or follow the fleet towards Bondi.
A choice of vessels
cruise aboard flagship Sydney 2000 or our fast twin-deck catamarans.
Experienced Sydney Harbour operator
Captain Cook Cruises has been cruising Sydney Harbour for more than five decades.
Made for Boxing Day
dining, drinks and BYO options depending on your chosen Sydney to Hobart cruise.

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