Sydney: Best Things to Do On/In the Waters In 2023

With a splendid natural harbour, vast stretches of breathtaking coastline, and plenty of creeks, rivers, bays, and hidden coves, Sydney is an aquatic playground. Apart from the other countless things to appreciate in Sydney, one thing that stands out the most is its range of adventures. With a close proximity to the waters, you get the right mix of urban jungle and the rejuvenating sea breeze! Undoubtedly, it’s the best of both worlds and you can make the most of it with these fun and adventurous water-related activities!

Ride the waves!

One man, one wave. Ah, the golden rule of surfing! Aussies probably learn to tame the waves and ride it, before they even start to walk (might be an understatement). Surfing is one of Sydney’s and Australia’s favourite pastimes. While catching the waves looks smooth as a button from the shores, it is not a piece of cake. That's why almost all the popular beaches in and around Sydney offer surfing lessons for people of all ages and expertise! You’ll be floating, standing up on a board, and riding the waves in absolutely no time!

Explore the harbour on a yacht or cruise

Sailing, cruising, or yachting is another quintessential way to make the most of Sydney’s glistening waters and year-round perfect weather. Lunch cruises on Sydney Harbour is a unique option if you’re out to explore the ‘Emerald City’ from the waters, while enjoying the nation’s finest cuisines. Don’t worry, even if you’re alone the harbour has the iconic white sails and the mighty bridge to keep you in good company!

You can also hire a yacht and sail around the harbour, find a good spot to drop anchor, and spend the rest of your day living the celebrity life under the sun! Sounds like a plan right?! Better yet, there’s also an option to catch a ferry ride to the many islands that detail the harbour like Cockatoo Island. From Sydney Harbour lunch cruises and yacht hires to ferry rides, cherry-pick your option and watch the city from a whole new angle!

Joyride above the water!

Probably, the most high-adrenaline activity on this list! If you live for such heart-pumping water adventures and are looking to unleash the inner daredevil in you, then look no further than flyboarding or jetpack ride! Who, when we were children, never wanted to soar over the waters in style! Forget childhood, some of us still do! And this is the way to go about it if you’re in Sydney!

Feel the adrenaline rush as you blast off from the waters and propel up to 45 feet in the air! With the help of highly-skilled professionals, you will stand on a board, which is connected to a jet-powered water hose, fly high into the air, dive back into the water and perform spectacular aerial tricks! All the equipment and safety gears are provided by the company!

3, 2, 1, dive!

This list would not be complete without diving or snorkelling. Getting right into the water, and exploring the diverse aquatic and marine life is what Sydney is all about! Although you have plenty of options, you might want to start off at Manly, its guided snorkelling tour of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, and later move onto the many off-the-beaten experiences. With groups as little as 10 over less, you’ll gain undivided attention from your guide.

Perfect for first-timers, this underwater experience will let you meet the many native inhabitants of the reserve, including cuttlefish, wrasse, blue groper and plenty more! An absolute must if you’re into underwater life like me! And after drying off, you can perhaps unwind with a short stroll on the headlands for some panoramic shots of the Northern Beaches!

Travel as far as you can, we can take the knowledge from all of the things we see