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Vivid Sydney Private Cruises

24 May – 14 June 2025

Experience the magic of Vivid Sydney from a unique perspective on a private boat cruise. Cruise past illuminated landmarks and immerse yourself in the vibrant festival atmosphere.

View suitable vessels to privately hire below. We also have ticketed options available.

From $350.00 per hour

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Showing 95 of 203 Boats
Location: Sydney

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Champagne Lady

A Spacious Catamaran For All Occasions

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $325.00/hr

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Delphinus

Small Catamaran For Big Parties

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $325.00/hr

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Seabbatical

Luxurious Catamaran For Smaller Groups

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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Phoenix

Great Catamaran Option For The Smaller Group

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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Blue Sky

Popular Catamaran for Smaller Groups

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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Seascape

Small Yet Spacious Catamaran For All Occasions

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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Adagio

Lovely Catamaran For Smaller Groups

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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Perfect Day

A Small Sized Catamaran for a great day out

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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Platypus 2

Popular Open Plan Style Catamaran

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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Whats Kraken

Small Catamaran For Parties & Gatherings

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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One Ocean

A Charming Catamaran For Social Gatherings

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

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Woorabinda

Experience Sydney Harbour in Comfort and Style

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $350.00/hr

Vivid Sydney Boat Hire

Vivid Sydney transforms the city into a breathtaking spectacle of light, music, and ideas, marking it as the Southern Hemisphere's largest festival of its kind. This annual event turns Sydney into an outdoor gallery, featuring vibrant neon displays, captivating sculptures, live entertainment, and thought-provoking installations, with the illuminated Sydney Opera House sails often stealing the show.

Escape the Crowds: Experience Vivid from the Water

While the land-based installations offer a fantastic experience, viewing this stunning transformation from the water provides an unparalleled perspective. Imagine gliding past the iconic Opera House, under the majestic Harbour Bridge, and by the dazzling displays of Luna Park, Barangaroo Reserve, and Darling Harbour, all at your own pace on a private boat cruise, far from the bustling crowds.

Your Vivid Experience: Private and Ticketed Boat Cruises

While a private boat cruise offers an exclusive way to experience Vivid Sydney, we also provide ticketed options for individuals and smaller groups who prefer not to hire an entire vessel. These curated Vivid cruises offer a fantastic opportunity to witness the illuminated landmarks and vibrant displays from the water, often including catering and commentary, ensuring everyone can enjoy the magic of Vivid Sydney from a unique vantage point.

Vivid Sydney ticketed cruises

If you're looking for ticketed cruises rather than private hire we have some great packages available

Why Book Your Vivid Sydney Boat Hire With Us

Options for all

Boats for All Group Sizes

Enjoying the best of Vivid Sydney from the water isn't limited to large groups needing to charter a grand vessel. Our Vivid Sydney boat hire fleet boasts a wide array of boats in various sizes, ensuring the perfect fit for your group, no matter how big or small. Whether you're a cozy gathering of just a few friends or a larger party, we have options that comfortably accommodate your numbers, often starting from as few as 6 passengers. This means everyone can experience the spectacular Vivid Sydney cruise and the dazzling light displays from the unique perspective of the harbour.

Vivid Sydney boat hire for private and ticketed cruises
Interior of Eclipse boat equipped for corporate events

Transparent and Competitive

The Best Rates

At Ucruise Sydney, the price we quote for your Vivid Sydney boat hire is the final price you'll pay – we guarantee no hidden charges or booking fees. Our private hire options start from an accessible $1,500, offering a fantastic experience for groups of various sizes. Additionally, for individuals or smaller groups, our Vivid Sydney cruise tickets are available from just $49 per person, providing an affordable way to witness the spectacular light displays from the water. We are confident that our rates offer exceptional value for experiencing Vivid Sydney on the Harbour.

Here to help

Unparalleled Customer Service

From your initial inquiry through to the end of your cruise, we are committed to providing dependable service for your Vivid Sydney cruise or Vivid Sydney boat hire. Our team ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience, allowing you to focus on the breathtaking sights of Vivid Sydney. Whether you choose a private charter or join a ticketed cruise, we are dedicated to making your waterfront viewing memorable and stress-free.

Boat with licensed bar setup for catering on Sydney Harbour
Popular Boats for Vivid Festival
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Champagne Sailing

Modern Open Plan Style Catamaran

BYO Food & Drink Available

BBQ Onboard

From: $600.00/hr

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Coast

Huge Catamaran For Large Group Events

Fully Catered Available

Great Events Vessel

From: $1,150.00/hr

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Sydney Pearl

Large Capacity Function Vessel

BYO Food & Drink Available

Large Capacity, Low Budget

From: $650.00/hr

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Fleetwing II

A Motorboat For Parties & Gatherings

BYO Food & Drink Available

Fully Catered Available

From: $650.00/hr

GET THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE FOR VIVID SYDNEY

Whether it's private hire or a ticketed cruise, we've got you covered!

Vivid Sydney Boat Hire FAQs

What are the viewing highlights during the Vivid Sydney boat experience?

The particular highlights you'll see on your Vivid Sydney cruise depend on the night you book your boat hire for. There are a few mainstays throughout the festival, such as the iconic "Lighting of the Sails" show, where the Opera House is bathed in shifting light and images (this year's piece is "Echo", by Julia Gutman), or the "Global Rainbow" which will beam out from the Sydney Tower Eye and be visible for up to 40km. From your boat you'll also be able to see all the light shows that are on around the Harbour and CBD, and on the 8th, 9th and 15th of June, there will be a stunning drone show over Circular Quay and The Rocks called "Love is in the Air".

What should I wear for the Vivid Sydney boat hire experience?

As with all our private boat hires, we recommend dressing comfortably and according to the weather. This generally means some comfy and stable shoes (no heels!) and dressing in layers. Vivid Sydney is a nighttime event in winter, and while that doesn't necessarily mean bad weather, the chances of cold breezes or drizzle do increase, so checking the weather forecast before you board is a must!

How long is an ideal duration to book a Vivid Sydney cruise for?

Most private boat hires for Vivid Sydney aim to book for 4 hours. This hits the sweetspot between making the most of the show and not getting tired of the water. Most of the Vivid Sydney shows are on between 6pm and 11pm, so 4 hours gives you an almost complete start-to-finish experience and also you get the chance to try out different vantage points.

What sets Ucruise Sydney's Vivid Sydney boat hire apart from other experiences?

We simply offer the best boats at the best prices, and when you couple that with our unbeatable customer service, there aren't many reasons we can think of as to why you'd choose another boat hire agent. Whatever you need for your Vivid Sydney experience, our friendly sales team will do their level best to make it happen for you!

Can I arrange special entertainment or activities on the hired boat during Vivid Sydney?

You certainly can! Why not turn your Vivid experience into a real party with an on-board DJ? Or lay on some top-notch catering for your guests? The only real limits to on-board entertainment are space and passenger numbers, so if you can imagine it, our team can probably help you organise it! Just let us know what you have in mind and we'll be happy to help.

What camera would you recommend for a Vivid private boat hire?

Usually for Vivid, a good smartphone is plenty good enough for catching those 'Grammable moments and taking panoramas of the Harbour lights. That said, some photography aficionados and pros will want to make the most of the cruise to take more professional shots or videos. In that case, all we'd recommend really is to bear in mind the particular challenges of boat-based photography like the subtle swaying of the vessel and the lack of lighting. Most of our vessels (especially the larger ones) are stable enough, but extra stabilisation equipment wouldn't go amiss if you want to play it safe.

What are the best time slots for booking a Vivid Sydney boat hire to witness the most stunning light displays?

As mentioned, the main Vivid shows run from 6pm to 11pm, so ideally that's your window for being out on the water. Some groups might want to combine a spectacular sunset with their Vivid experience, which in May means you'll want to be out on the water by about 4:30pm.

What are the different routes covered during the Vivid Sydney boat hire experience?

As the majority of Vivid's shows and performances take place around the CBD and Circular Quay, you'll spend most of the time taking in the sights from different vantage points in and around that area. Of course, if you'd like your skipper to move further off or closer up, all you need to do is ask!

What are the best boats for a Vivid Sydney experience?

Depending on your group size, of course, you'll want to look for a boat with excellent all-around visibility, some comfortable seating areas, stability, maneuverability, shelter from potential breezes or drizzle, or a combination of all of the above! For smaller groups of between 6 and 12, we'd recommend The Floating Lounge, a pontoon boat that's super stable and comfy and has the unique advantage of cruising right up to beaches and docks due to its low clearance. For groups of between 15 and 30, try Elysium II, a stunning Seawind 1160 with ample space and seating inside and out as well as a spacious deck, trampolines at the front and a main saloon that can be completely closed away from the elements. For larger groups of 50 upwards, Morpheus (100 guests max.) and Eclipse (240 guests max.) are excellent options with incredible deck space and truly excellent catering menus.




Contact Us

CONTACT INFORMATION

Address:
33 Pitt St, Sydney, NSW, 2000

Phone:
+61 (0)422 222 675
9AM - 5PM (MON - FRI) 

Email:
All enquiries: enquiries@ucruisesydney.com.au

Are You Cruising Soon?
If you are cruising on a weekend your best contact is the skipper's (our office will be closed). This will have been emailed to you under the 'It's Almost Time For Your Cruise' email.