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Sail

Afternoon Discovery Cruise

Sydney Harbour from a real tall ship, haul a sail or take the helm.

Ninety minutes under sail aboard Southern Swan or Soren Larsen, out of Campbell's Cove past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. Pull a line, steer the ship, or just hold the deck down.

⭑ 4.5 382 Google reviews 📍 Sydney ⏱ 1 Hour, 30 Minutes 👥 Up to 72 🔥 Active

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4.5 from 382 Google reviews

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Overview

There's the ferry version of Sydney Harbour, and then there's this: timber decks, canvas overhead, and the Opera House sliding past from the deck of a genuine tall ship. You sail on Southern Swan or Soren Larsen, two traditional tall ships, with the crew telling the ships' own stories and the harbour's as you go. Ninety minutes is enough to see the postcard and feel the deck move under sail.

Check in 15 minutes before departure at Campbell's Cove in The Rocks, between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Once you are off the wharf you pass the Opera House, round Fort Denison and sail beneath the Harbour Bridge, and when conditions allow the crew set sail and call for volunteers: haul a line, help raise the canvas or take a turn at the helm with a crew member beside you. Light snacks are served on board, and there is an optional drinks package of bubbly, wine, beer, soft drinks, juices and water.

The Mast Climb Challenge is the add-on worth planning for: clipped into a full-body harness with a fall-arrest system, you climb the rigging for the best view on the harbour. Add it when you book rather than deciding on deck, and skip the drinks until after the climb, as climbers do not drink alcohol beforehand. The cruise is weather dependent and the operator decides on the day. Wear flat shoes and bring a layer; it is cooler on the water than in the city. Children from age four are welcome.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Sail on Southern Swan or Soren Larsen

  2. 2

    Opera House, Fort Denison and Harbour Bridge from the water

  3. 3

    Haul a line or take the helm

  4. 4

    Crew stories of the ships and the harbour

  5. 5

    Light snacks served on board

  6. 6

    Optional mast climb in a full-body harness

  7. 7

    Departs Campbell's Cove, The Rocks

Itinerary at a glance

1 15 minutes before · Check in at Campbell's Cove

Check in 15 minutes before departure at Campbell's Cove in The Rocks, on the harbour between the Bridge and the Opera House.

1 Cast off · Out past the Opera House

The ship leaves the cove and heads out past the Opera House with the crew's commentary on the vessel and the harbour.

1 On the water · Fort Denison, the Bridge and sails up

Round Fort Denison and under the Harbour Bridge. When conditions permit the crew set sail and volunteers haul lines or steer.

1 Optional · Mast Climb Challenge

Climbers are fitted with a full-body harness and fall-arrest system and go up the rigging for the harbour view. No alcohol before the climb.

1 90 minutes · Back to Campbell's Cove

The ship returns to the wharf at The Rocks after 90 minutes.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • 90-minute Sydney Harbour cruise on a traditional tall ship
  • Light snacks served on board
  • Live crew commentary
  • Optional participation in sailing: setting sails and steering, conditions permitting

✕ Not included

  • ✕Mast Climb Challenge (optional add-on; pre-book or add on board)
  • ✕Mast climb video (optional add-on)
  • ✕Drinks package: bubbly, wines, beers, soft drinks, juices and water (optional add-on)

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I check in and how early?
    At Campbell's Cove in The Rocks, 15 minutes before departure. The cove sits on the harbour between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, a short walk from Circular Quay.

  • Which ship will I be on?
    The cruise runs on Southern Swan or Soren Larsen, both traditional tall ships. The vessel is assigned by the operator for each departure.

  • Do I have to help sail?
    No. Setting sails and steering are open to anyone who wants to join in, conditions permitting, with crew alongside. You can also sit back and watch the harbour go by.

  • What is the Mast Climb Challenge?
    An optional add-on where you climb the rigging in a full-body harness with a fall-arrest system for a view over the harbour. It is priced lower if selected when you book than if added during the cruise, and participants do not drink alcohol before a climb. A video of your climb is a further optional extra.

  • Is food or drink included?
    Light snacks are served on board. A drinks package covering bubbly, wines, beers, soft drinks, juices and water is an optional add-on.

  • What happens in bad weather?
    The cruise is weather dependent and the operator decides on the day. Sailing under canvas depends on wind conditions; the ship still cruises the harbour under power when sails cannot be set.

  • Can children come?
    Yes. The operator sells child tickets from age four to 14 and adult tickets from 15.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Daily scheduled cruise tickets are non-refundable, but can be transferred to another person for the same sail date and time. Bookings cannot be changed within 7 days of the original sail date, and a rebooking fee applies. The ship sails in wet weather and there are no refunds for rain. If the Master decides conditions are unsafe and cancels, a gift certificate valid for one year is given instead of a refund. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

The operator's track record

4.5 on Google · 382 reviews

Review excerpts below are from Tripadvisor.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Great experience to do in Sydney. The crew was amazing and the views you get in the tour are pretty nice. We even sailed a little bit without engine, which was even better."
W

Wenceslao C.

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"We really enjoyed our afternoon cruise around Sydney Harbour . It was a great experience and something very unique."
C

Catriona L

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Such a unique experience on the Sydney Harbor! We had an enjoyable afternoon out in the harbor on this unique 1800s ship."
M

MsVic

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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