DARLING HARBOUR, SYDNEY - Phone: +61 2 9280 1110 - [email protected]Welcome aboard Sydney’s most premium and personalised yacht charter experience. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting international guests, planning a romantic escape, or organising a private event, Sydney by Sail offers unforgettable private charters aboard the newest fleet of luxury yachts on Sydney Harbour.
No experience needed. Just step aboard, relax, and let our professional crew take care of the rest.
✅ Private Use of Your Own Luxury Yacht
✅ Skipper Included – No licence or sailing experience required
✅ BYO or Fully Catered Options
✅ Flexible Start Times – 7 Days a Week
✅ Cruise Iconic Locations – Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, secluded bays
✅ Choose Your Yacht by Style, Capacity & Budget
📍 Conveniently located at Darling Harbour, just minutes from Sydney CBD and Barangaroo.
EXCELLENT Based on 197 reviews Posted on Adrian Carter Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Josh & the team have a fantastic selection of yachts & catamarans to suit all occasions. Their wealth of knowledge and expertise is second to none. Every time we head out with them is a fantastic new experience.
Can’t recommend highly enough! 5 star Posted on Mrs P Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. How to beat the January blues? Get out on the water! We left the snow and ice in the UK to visit family in Sydney and really wanted to explore the beautiful harbour. We heard the best way to see it is from the water and felt like luxuriating on ‘our own’ yacht for an afternoon so off we trotted to Sydney By Sail in Darling Harbour.
The whole set up is really friendly and professional. From easy booking with the office crew, who accommodated all our party’s needs, to getting on board with our knowledgeable and experienced skipper Ollie, we had the best time. We were asked what we wanted to see and do so had a sail around some of the iconic landmarks, sailing under the harbour bridge and past the opera house, under full sail, is breathtaking. Skipper Ollie was a lot of fun and a great tour guide, we learned loads about the different parts of the harbour. Those of us who wanted to could have a go on the helm and help with tacking, and we felt in safe hands the whole time.
We wanted to moor up for a lunch stop and a swim and Ollie knew the best little bays to park in. The boats are spacious and well equipped for rustling up your BYO feast. Didn’t want to leave!
We’ll definitely be back next time we visit family. Thanks Sydney by Sail’s Josh and Ollie - hands down the best experience we’ve had this trip! Posted on Keith Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked a 3 hour sail on the harbour. Captain James was great, explaining the sights of Sydney as well as some basic seamanship for us desert dwellers. Fantastic experience. Posted on ajp112233 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great day sailing with this company. Love the welcoming and easy going nature from Josh through to all his team. Hugely experienced team (they had there recently complete Sydney Hobart boat on the dock) and they make it an unforgettable experience. Sailing under the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House can need get old. Thankyou everyone at SBS. Posted on Jacquelyn Cox Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Edit: Hi Josh, we emailed you via your website contact page but have not heard back from you or the company. Thank you!
We booked the Daily Sailing Trip from 1pm–4pm in November expecting a unique harbor sail. We understand that this booking was on a sailboat and not marketed as a "tourism, informational" harbor sail. Our expectations were pretty simple: a nice sail around the harbor with occasional commentary on where we are going. Online it says we will sail past the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Fort Denison, Clarke & Shark Island. I am certain we didn't hit the last 2 sites but we might have - our Captain never mentioned any of the sites to us.
Overall, the experience was fine, but several aspects didn’t align with how this tour is marketed:
First and foremost, we docked back at 3:30pm instead of the scheduled 4pm. We also departed late while we waited for a couple who was running late. I believe we left at around 1:20pm.
Additionally, our Daily Sail was combined with a Crew Sail without warning. While this is understandable operationally, the boat ended up feeling extremely overcrowded. On top of that, the day was very windy, which meant none of the passengers could explore the boat so we all had to sit on top of each other. With a full boat & the Crew Sail passengers learning to sail, we were squished together, stepping around each other on pretty rocky waters. This setup likely would have been totally fine if we had signed up for a Crew Sail, but we didn’t. I wish we were given the opportunity to reschedule so we were not on squished on what was actually a Crew Sail.
The captain was clearly a capable instructor for the two people learning to sail, but for the rest of us, there was very little narration or information about where we were sailing or what we were seeing along the harbor. I did enjoy the chance to steer the boat but that would have been part of the Daily Sail regardless.
Most of the information we overhead from the Captain speaking to the 2 crew passengers was about where he sailed previously, his sail club locations, and some info on the boats around us.
Ultimately, for $510 marketed as a Daily Harbor Sail, the experience was a pretty big letdown. Not a bad time overall, but it didn’t deliver what was advertised, especially for those not wanting a full sailing lesson focused around 2 passengers rather than the 8 other passengers who signed up for the Daily Sail.
I was able to capture some nice photos but not worth the $510. I could have gotten the same photos from the Manly Ferry for a few bucks. Posted on Cameron Jeffries Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As someone who lives in Sydney, the daily sail was such a good way to see my city in a different way and a perfect way to spend the afternoon. Passing by some iconic sites whilst getting involved with sailing the ship was really fun.
Our Skipper, James, was great; very informative and accomodating.
I’ve seen that Sydney By Sail offer lots of other experiences which also look great. In particular, I’m keen to join their intro to sailing course soon. Posted on Simon Moore Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We did the Daily Sail on a beautiful summer day.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the very friendly Ollie in the reception where the crisp air conditioning was very welcome. We were offered sodas for our sail ahead, which was a nice touch.
For our tour, we had Captain James (Sparrow?). We were on Tumbalong - a lovely 41-foot sailing yacht. We cruised through the harbour, past the iconic Sydney landmarks, until we reached the heads.
Captain James was a great host and helmsman. He drew our attention to all of the best spots within our vantage.
All of us on the boat (4x) were able to steer the ship as much or as little as we liked. Captain James explained the fundamentals of sailing, and we could get involved in trimming the sails.
The Sydney harbour sail made for excellent selfies and photos. We of course had to bust out the captain’s hat!
Captain James left us in full control of the experience. We elected to sail at a fairly leisurely pace, taking the time to soak in the beautiful views, compared to the ferries which would be racing past. We could get quite close to the shorelines before tacking and continuing on our way.
The boat itself was clean, well-equipped, and kept our BYO beers cold all afternoon. The galley had facilities for us to prepare some food we had brought with us.
We set sail at 1pm sharp and docked back just on 4pm.
All in all, this was a great experience. I would recommend this for many kinds of occasion. On our daily sail was a recently married couple, but I can see how this would make for a great work team event or frankly even showing up solo if you want to get some time behind the helm.
Bravo! Posted on Carla Woolley Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Enjoyed an overnight charter with Sydney by Sail! Captain James was fantastic and took us for a sail around Sydney Harbour. The boat was perfect and had everything we needed. We were very lucky with the weather and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise.
Highly highly recommend as an activity with your partner or a group of friends! Posted on MC Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a lovely stay with Sydney by Sail (B&B experience). The afternoon sail around the harbour was absolutely beautiful. The boat was surprisingly spacious and felt like our own little private retreat on the harbour for the evening. Waking up on the water was absolutely unforgettable. A truly unique and relaxing B&B experience. We'll definitely be back! Posted on Enya Berg Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ein super Erlebniss! Ich verbrachte 3 wunderschöne Studen auf dem Segelbot im Hafen von Sydney. Ich fühlte mich die ganze Zeit sicher und hatte sogar die Gelegenheit selber mitanzupacken und das Boot zu steuern :). Verified by Trustindex Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
When selecting a charter duration, it’s helpful to understand your options. A 2-hour charter offers a quick overview of Sydney Harbour, ideal for a brief outing to explore the core areas of the Harbour.
A 3-hour charter is the minimum recommended duration, providing a bit more time to enjoy the sights, enabling you to get a feel for sailing – but it may still feel a bit rushed.
For a more satisfying experience, a 4-hour charter allows for the hands on and sightseeing sailing experience to be followed by a short stop in a sheltered anchorage, where you can relax and enjoy refreshments and even a quick swim.
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Sydney Harbour, a 6-8 hour charter is the best choice, offering ample time to see all the iconic landmarks and indulge in gourmet catering while you unwind on the water.
Known as the Pocket Rocket, Sooty Tern is the smallest in our fleet but delivers big on performance. Commissioned in 2019, she comfortably fits 6 guests (max 9) and is perfect for couples, families, or small groups. Her open cockpit offers 360° views, and she’s fast, easy to sail, and full of charm. Cruise in style aboard this agile, luxury yacht – book now and make memories that last.
Our much-loved Hunter 36 is the most experienced yacht in the fleet, now with a fresh makeover to match her reliable spirit. She’s ideal for learn-to-sail experiences and can host up to 12 guests onboard. Enjoy shade under her spacious bimini, and relax below deck with the comfort of her classic American design. Book this elegant luxury yacht today – your next harbour adventure awaits!
Sail Sydney Harbour in style aboard Tumbalong, a spacious yacht for up to 12 guests. With three cabins, a fully equipped galley (stove, oven, fridge), one head with two showers, a stereo system, and an open cockpit and swim platform, she offers everything needed for a memorable day on the water. She’s ideal for celebrations, cruising, or team events. Competitive under sail and luxurious at anchor, Tumbalong delivers the ultimate charter experience.
Amarance, an Elan Impression 40.1, offers a sophisticated blend of comfort and effortless sailing, with the elegance of a a few years under her belt of seasoned reliability. Crafted in 2021, she gracefully glides through Sydney Harbour, comfortably hosting up to 11 guests. Enjoy bright, spacious interiors, an airy deck saloon, modern L-shaped galley, three twin cabins, and luxurious amenities like a hot/cold cockpit shower, Bluetooth stereo & sun/rain bimini. Perfect for intimate gatherings or relaxed cruising, Amarance combines exceptional performance with understated luxury.
Temeraire II, our Elan Impression 40.1, combines sophisticated design with effortless handling. Commissioned in 2023, she sails Sydney Harbour with refined comfort – accommodating up to 11 guests. Enjoy bright, spacious interiors, an airy deck saloon, modern L-shaped galley, three twin cabins, and luxurious amenities like a hot/cold cockpit shower, Bluetooth stereo & sun/rain bimini. Whether you’re on a relaxed cruise or steering in style, Temeraire II delivers top-tier performance, comfort and romance.
Since her arrival in 2020, BALU has become a true head-turner on Sydney Harbour. At 45 feet, she offers impressive space and stability, making her ideal for larger groups seeking both comfort and style. With 3 generous cabins, 2 heads (toilets), and a wide split cockpit table perfect for entertaining, BALU combines practical design with effortless elegance. Spacious, reliable, and always striking under sail, BALU delivers an unforgettable charter experience for any occasion.
Joining our fleet in late 2024, the Elan E6 is arguably the finest sailing yacht for charter in Sydney – if if not all of Australia. Designed as a perfect fusion of high-performance racing DNA and luxury cruising comfort, she proves you really can have it all. Blisteringly quick (hold onto your hat fast), yet remarkably stable and easy to handle, the E6 is as thrilling as she is refined. Styled by Pininfarina, the world-famous Ferrari design house, her interiors are as sleek and sophisticated as her striking hull. Sail past the rest in true head-turning fashion – on the E6, you won’t just be on the Harbour, you’ll be the yacht everyone else is watching.
Meet Frivolity, our brand-new Cervetti 44 – where elegant Italian design meets spacious adventure. Comfortably accommodating up to 25 guests, she features four cabins, four heads with showers, a fully equipped galley, a large fridge, and an expansive flybridge complete with a bimini for sun lovers. Sliding decks create a seamless flow from indoor to outdoor, while twin engines and a fully battened sail plan ensure smooth sailing and stability. Perfect for family celebrations, corporate events, or relaxed escapes – Frivolity turns every cruise into a stylish Sydney Harbour journey.
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Festival Pontoon
National Maritime Museum
2 Murray Street,
Darling Harbour NSW 2000
Festival Pontoon
National Maritime Museum
2 Murray Street,
Darling Harbour NSW 2000
Telephone: +61 2 9280 1110
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