Your Smart Yacht Charter Sydney Guide

There is no doubt Sydney harbour is one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.

It comprises 54 square kms of sheltered tidal water, with so many bays and inlets that it's foreshores measure 245 km!

And thanks to recent measures to reduce pollution - the water is, for the most part, beautifully clear.

Most Sydney yacht charters start from Rushcutters bay (a short bus or taxi ride from Sydney's CBD) or Darling harbour (on the monorail line).

If you are a large group (or prepared to pay extra) you can arrange a pick up from Circular Quay (the main Ferry area).

No Yacht Charter in Sydney is complete without a cruise under the Harbour Bridge past Sydney Opera House.

The Opera House looks absolutely spectacular from the water. It looks different from every angle and the stunning cream colour of the 'sails' makes a fantastic contrast with the deep blue Australian sky and the sparkling water of the harbour.

If you choose a twilight charter you see the Opera House glinting in the evening sun and later lit up at night - a great combination.

As you head downstream away from the Opera House the Harbour opens up and you get some great views of the Sydney skyline.

The South and East shore of Sydney Harbour is lined with very expensive houses. Most skippers have great local knowledge of the area and will let you know who lives where and all about the latest multi-million dollar sale.

If the wind is blowing from the South or East and you want to stop for a sheltered swim and barbeque, Hermit Bay is a good option.

And for great fish and chips you can't beat Doyles at Watson's Bay. It's not cheap but the food is fresh and delicious.

The North Shore of the harbour is very different to the South. Large parts of it are National Park and free from development.

Taylor's Bay and Chowder Bay are a couple of lovely spots for lunch and a quiet swim.

You can also stop in Athol Bay underneath Taronga Zoo and get a great view back towards the Opera House and Bridge.

It's well worth cruising all the way down to the heads of the harbour and looking out to sea. The gap between the heads is quite small you can see why Captain Cook sailed right past Sydney Harbour the first time.

Sometimes you can be really lucky and see humpback whales playing in this area - it's a great spectacle. Here's more information on the best time of year for sydney yacht charters.

There's huge variety of options for yacht charter on Sydney Harbour.

You can choose once of the large boats which offer cruises with commentary and a choice of restaurant meals.

These kind of tours and very informative but not very personalised. You have no say in where the boat goes.

To be honest you'll probably see just as much from the Manly Ferry for a fraction of the cost.

If you can afford it, chartering your own private yacht with a skipper is a much more personal option. You can choose where you want to go and in a smaller boat you feel much more connected with the harbour.

And if you want to take the helm... here's our guide to bareboat Sydney yacht charters.

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