Sydney Speedboat Tours: Our Top 12

1.30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 841 reviews · from $60 a head Our pick

Meet at Jetty 1, Circular Quay, for a 30-minute ride on Thunder Twist. Your captain, possibly John or Tom, leads a safety briefing before high-speed spins, slides, fish tails, wave riding, and power stops. Ponchos and lockers are provided, but bring dry clothes and expect to get wet.

“Great exhilarating experience in beautiful Sydney harbor with friends The views are stunning and the guides were professional”

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2.30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 416 reviews · from $51 a head

Meet Oz Jet Boating at Circular Quay for a 30-minute Sydney Harbour thrill ride. Your captain handles 270-degree spins, power slides, and speeds up to 75 km/h while pausing near the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, and Taronga Zoo. Ponchos and lockers are provided, but bring dry clothes.

“A total blast!!! The boat ride was so much fun and was a great way to see the sights. Highly recommend!”

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3.Sydney Harbour: Thunder Thrill Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 372 reviews · 30 min · from $41 a head

Meet at Circular Quay’s Eastern Pontoon for a 30-minute Thunder Thrill jet boat ride toward Sydney Heads. Your English-speaking skipper eases you into the speed before unleashing spins, power-slides, sharp turns, and nose-down splashes. You’ll see the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, islands, and foreshore, but plan to get wet.

“Fantastic. Loved every second of it. Would definitely do it again. Would be great if they had an hour long ride.”

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4.Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 314 reviews · from $92 a head

Set out from Campbell’s Cove Pontoon with Ocean Extreme for a two-hour whale-watching run aboard a fast, 21-seat boat. You’ll pass the Harbour Bridge and Opera House before heading into the Tasman Sea. Guides such as Blake and Sean explain whale behavior and help you watch for breaching, tail slapping, and dolphins.

“We did the 8 am tour which was a great way to start the day. Saw whales breaching! Enjoyed being out on the water and seeing the harbor as well.”

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5.Jet Boat Adventure Ride from Circular Quay

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 173 reviews · 30 min · from $40 a head Best value

Set off from Circular Quay with an English-speaking pilot, waterproof poncho, and life jacket. In 30 minutes, you will pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Rose Bay, Goat Island, and Taronga Zoo while the 700-horsepower boat handles spins, slides, and wave jumps. Expect an exciting ride, and possibly a very wet one.

“Brilliant tour of the harbour! Some great views from the water. Definitely bring a change of clothes though because the ponchos will only stop so much of the water.”

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6.Sydney Speed Boat Adventure Harbour Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · from $96 a head

Take the helm of your own red speedboat from Rose Bay with guide Dirk or a fellow professional guide leading the way. After boating instruction and a life jacket fitting, follow the group past the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Garden Island, Rose Bay, Shark Island, Clark Island, and the maritime museum. The small group is limited to eight people.

“Had an absolutely great time! Great way to get up and personal with some waves in the Sydney harbour. Tour guide was really nice and approachable, made you feel at ease and confident before heading out. Highly recommend this to anyone even if you’re a local.”

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7.30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride: Jet Blast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · from $60 a head

Join HarbourJet, operated by Thunder Jet, at Darling Harbour for a 30-minute private-group ride reaching up to 75 km/hr. Expect 360-degree spins, fishtails, power brakes, music, landmark views, and plenty of salt water. You will pass the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, Watsons Bay, Rose Bay, and the Harbour Bridge.

“We loved seeing all of Sydney Harbor and enjoyed the ride. The saltwater did make it hard to see so maybe offer scuba googles for the people in back. Also bring something to clean your glasses.”

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8.30-Minute Jet Boat Ride from Darling Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 14 reviews · 30 min · from $56 a head

Join Harbour Jet at Cockle Bay Wharf for a 30-minute high-speed ride from Darling Harbour. English-speaking skippers such as Isaac handle spins, power breaks, and big splashes while you see the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Barangaroo, Double Bay, and harbour islands. Ponchos and secure storage are included.

“I loved that amazing experience with my friends. The Jet boat guide is excellent in his job and so kindly. I'll recommend you of course!”

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9.Sydney Harbour: 30 Minute Slow Jet Boat Vivid Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 14 reviews · 30 min · from $41 a head

You’ll spend 30 minutes on an English-led slow jet boat cruise between Ferry Wharf No. 2 and the Opera House. Expect a smooth ride, open 360-degree views of Vivid Sydney, reflections on the water, and close looks at illuminated harbour landmarks. A life jacket is provided, ponchos are optional, and the boat has a 120cm minimum height requirement.

“Would like the boat to have gone a bit faster though not jet boat speed Staff were great and obviously happy in their jobs”

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10.Whale Watching on Speed Boat with canopy from Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $98 a head

Join Paul, Luke, or another Ocean Extreme skipper at Campbell’s Cove Pontoon for a two-hour whale-watching ride from Circular Quay. The low, open speed boat reaches the Tasman Sea quickly, while canopy cover and supplied windproof jackets help with the spray and chill. Look for migrating humpback whales and enjoy Sydney Harbour views on the way out and back.

“Paul and Luke were amazing and funny. It made whale watching the best experience. We learnt so much and seen so many whales. Definitely a bucket list experience. Many friends and family want to experience it too after looking at videos we shared with them. So amazing and would 100% be doing it again for sure”

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11.Sydney Whale Watching on Small RIB

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $98 a head

Join Ocean Extreme for a two-hour whale-watching trip from Campbells Cove with no more than 12 people aboard a small RIB. Captain Cassie and the crew take you past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Sydney Heads before searching for humpback whales. Expect a fast ride, close-up ocean views, and informative commentary.

“Even if we had t seen whales the boat ride was so much fun. The whales were the topping on the cake. They even showed off for us flapping their fin and showing us tails. Cassie was a great boat captain and allowed us to stay as long as possible to enjoy the whale experience.”

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12.45-Minute Sydney Harbour Adventure Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $71 a head

You’ll board HarbourJet at Darling Harbour for a 45-minute high-speed ride toward Sydney Heads. Expect 360-degree spins, fishtails, wave riding, power-brake stops, music, and views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, and Rose Bay. The ride can get very wet.

“Fun time on the water. Prepare to get wet but it was both a tour of the harbor and a thrill ride. I’d do it again”

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