Watch the sun go down and the city lights come on, on a relaxed one-hour small-group cruise from beside the Sydney Opera House.
Tour Overview
The Sunset & Sparkle Harbour Cruise is an easy, unhurried way to see Sydney Harbour at its most beautiful. You board the 10.5 metre catamaran Kirralee at Man O’War Steps, right next to the Opera House, and spend an hour on the water as the sky changes colour and the harbour lights up.
With a small group on board, there is room to move between the indoor and outdoor areas and enjoy the views of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the city skyline. A grazing platter and a soft drink or water are included, and you are welcome to bring your own wine or beer with no corkage fee.
It suits couples, families, friends and visitors who want a short, memorable evening on the harbour without committing to a long dinner cruise.
Quick Facts
| Duration | About 1 hour (including boarding) |
| Departs | Man O’War Steps, Circular Quay (next to the Sydney Opera House) |
| Operating days | Sunday to Friday evenings, September to May |
| Departure time | Timed for sunset (see Itinerary for times by month) |
| Vessel | Kirralee, a 10.5 metre catamaran |
| Group size | Small group (around 26 guests maximum) |
| Included | Grazing platter and one soft drink or water |
| Drinks | BYO alcohol welcome, no corkage |
| Suitable for | Couples, families, friends and visitors |
Take a Deep Breath…
Take a deep breath and experience the magic of Australia.
Every journey has the power to surprise us, connect us and leave us with memories that last a lifetime. Whether you are exploring an ancient rainforest, diving the Great Barrier Reef, discovering a quiet country town or watching the sun set over the Outback, we hope your Australian adventure is filled with wonder, kindness and unforgettable moments.
Welcome to Australia. We are honoured to be part of your journey.
Why You’ll Love It
- See the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline as the sun sets.
- Stay for the “sparkle”, when the city lights come on across the water.
- A small group means a relaxed, personal feel.
- Board right beside the Opera House, so it is easy to find.
- A grazing platter is included, so there is something to nibble as you go.
- Bring your own wine or beer with no corkage fee.
- One hour fits easily before dinner in the city.
What You’ll See
Your skipper takes you past some of Sydney’s best-known sights, which may include the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park and the city skyline. The exact route depends on conditions on the night.
This is a relaxed sightseeing cruise rather than a guided tour, and a sunset cannot be guaranteed, because Sydney’s weather has the final say.
Is This the Right Cruise for You?
Choose Sunset & Sparkle if you want a short, affordable, small-group sunset cruise with the option to bring your own drinks. If you would prefer a longer 90-minute cruise on a larger catamaran with a licensed bar, look at the Golden Glow Sunset Harbour Cruise.
Operated by Sea Sydney Harbour. Find out more about the Sunset & Sparkle Harbour Cruise on the Sea Sydney Harbour website.
Highlights
- Sunset views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water
- The city skyline lighting up as dusk turns to night
- Small-group cruise on the 10.5 metre catamaran Kirralee (around 26 guests)
- Indoor and outdoor areas to take in the views
- Grazing platter and a soft drink or water included
- BYO wine or beer with no corkage fee
- Boards at Man O’War Steps, right next to the Opera House
Itinerary
15 to 20 minutes before departure: Meet at Man O’War Steps, Circular Quay, next to the Sydney Opera House. The crew will check you in and help you on board.
Departure: Cast off and cruise out onto Sydney Harbour as the sun begins to set. Find a spot inside or out on deck.
During the cruise: Glide past sights that may include the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park and the city skyline, while you enjoy the grazing platter and a drink.
As night falls: Watch the city lights come on across the water.
About 1 hour after departure: Return to Man O’War Steps.
Departure times are set to catch the sunset and change through the year:
- November, December, January and February: 7:00pm
- March and October: 6:30pm (may vary around daylight saving changes)
- April and September: 5:00pm (may vary around daylight saving changes)
- May: 4:30pm
- No cruises in June, July or August
Cruises run Sunday to Friday evenings. Your booking confirmation will show your exact departure time. The route depends on conditions on the night, and a sunset cannot be guaranteed.
Included
- One-hour harbour cruise on the catamaran Kirralee
- Experienced skipper and friendly crew
- A grazing platter to share
- One soft drink or water per person (availability may vary)
Optional Extras
- Pre-order a bottle of wine or chilled beer when you book, ready on board when you arrive
- BYO alcoholic drinks are welcome, with no corkage fee
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes
- A light jacket, as it can be breezy on the water after sunset
- Your camera or phone
- Photo ID if you are bringing alcohol
- Your own wine or beer if you like
How to get there
Meeting point: Man O’War Steps, Circular Quay, Sydney, right next to the Sydney Opera House.
By train or ferry: Circular Quay station and ferry wharves are a short walk away (around 5 to 10 minutes). Follow the waterfront towards the Opera House.
Arrive: 15 to 20 minutes before your departure time.
Boarding: There is a small step from the wharf onto the boat. The crew are happy to help.
Important Information
- Prices shown include Sea Sydney Harbour’s 3% booking fee.
- Cruises run Sunday to Friday evenings from September to May, and need at least 10 guests to run. If numbers are low, the Sea Sydney Harbour team will contact you about other options.
- Maximum of around 26 guests per cruise.
- Special dietary requirements cannot be catered for, as the food is a shared grazing platter.
- Infants aged 0 to 2 travel free. Child prices apply for ages 3 to 12.
- This is a relaxed sightseeing cruise, not a guided tour. Sunsets depend on the weather and cannot be guaranteed.
- Photo ID may be requested if you bring alcohol.
Cancellation policy
- Reschedules and refunds can be made up to 7 days before your cruise with no fee.
- Less than 7 days before your cruise: 100% cancellation fee, or a 50% fee to reschedule.
- Rescheduling is allowed once, with the new date within 12 months.
Full terms: Sea Sydney Harbour terms and conditions
Reviews
There are no reviews yet