Christmas Party Boat Cruises on Sydney Harbour
Give your team a Christmas party they will actually talk about. A Christmas party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour puts your work or social celebration on the water, with the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the waterfront suburbs glowing around you. The harbour is the venue, so there is no drab function room, no fighting for a booking at a packed restaurant, and no venue hire on top of the food and drinks.
Get a Christmas Party Quote → Call 1300 883 023
Why a harbour cruise
Why a Harbour Cruise Beats the Usual Work Christmas Party
Your team does drinks at a bar most months of the year. A cruise feels like a reward, not just another after-work event. It is genuinely different, and that matters when you are trying to thank people at the end of a long year.
A cruise also solves the problems that dog the usual office party. There is a natural start and finish time, so nobody is left wondering when the night winds up. People mix instead of clustering in the same groups, and colleagues who never normally cross paths end up chatting on the back deck. And because the boat is your private space for the charter, the venue comes included rather than as a room-hire fee on top of a minimum spend. For larger teams and client events, our corporate boat charter options carry the same approach across the year.
Natural Start & Finish
There is a natural start and finish time, so nobody is left wondering when the night winds up.
Everyone Mixes
People mix instead of clustering in the same groups, and colleagues who never normally cross paths end up chatting on the back deck.
The Venue’s Included
Because the boat is your private space for the charter, the venue comes included rather than as a room-hire fee on top of a minimum spend.
Choosing your boat
Choosing Your Boat by Group Size
The right vessel comes down to your headcount, your budget and the style of celebration you want. Our fleet runs from intimate catamarans through to large function boats, and our event managers will shortlist the best fit once they know your numbers.
Choosing your boat
Choosing Your Boat by Group Size
The right vessel comes down to your headcount, your budget and the style of celebration you want. Our fleet runs from intimate catamarans through to large function boats, and our event managers will shortlist the best fit once they know your numbers.
For smaller teams, BYO catamarans keep it relaxed and good value. Cabaret suits up to twenty guests, Xtsea up to thirty, and Escapade up to forty-three, each with an onboard BBQ and BYO food and drinks. For mid-size groups, catered function boats like Karisma and Magic handle up to sixty, while Sydney Crystal takes up to eighty and Morpheus up to ninety-eight. For a big end-of-year event, Karisma 2 carries up to one hundred and fifty, Jerry Bailey up to one hundred and eighty-five, and Aussie Magic up to two hundred, with luxury function boats available for celebrations of more than three hundred guests.
Small (BYO)
Cabaret suits up to twenty guests, Xtsea up to thirty, and Escapade up to forty-three, each with an onboard BBQ and BYO food and drinks.
from $71pp
View BYO catamarans
Mid (Catered)
Karisma and Magic handle up to sixty, Sydney Crystal takes up to eighty and Morpheus up to ninety-eight.
from $133pp
View mid-size boats
Large
Karisma 2 carries up to one hundred and fifty, Jerry Bailey up to one hundred and eighty-five, and Aussie Magic up to two hundred.
from $133pp
View large boats
Luxury / Mega
Luxury function boats available for celebrations of more than three hundred guests.
A quick tip for a summer party: catamarans sit on two hulls, so they stay flatter and more stable, and their wide decks give you both sun and shade across a warm December afternoon.
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$750 / hour
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Side-by-side
Christmas Boat Comparison — All Sizes, All Prices
| Best For | Vessel | Max Guests | From / pp | BYO or Catered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small team celebrations | Cabaret | 20 | $71 | BYO |
| Casual team days | Xtsea | 30 | $71 | BYO |
| Larger BYO groups | Escapade | 43 | $71 | BYO |
| Mid-size catered functions | Karisma | 60 | $133 | Catered |
| Mid-size catered functions | Magic | 60 | $133 | Catered |
| Bigger catered events | Sydney Crystal | 80 | $133 | Catered |
| Bigger catered events | Morpheus | 98 | $133 | Catered |
| Big end-of-year events | Karisma 2 | 150 | $133 | Catered |
| Big end-of-year events | Jerry Bailey | 185 | $133 | Catered |
| Big end-of-year events | Aussie Magic | 200 | $133 | Catered |
| 300+ guest celebrations | Luxury Function Boats | 300+ | POA | Catered |
How you eat & drink
BYO or Fully Catered, With Proper Christmas Menus
You choose how you eat and drink. On our BYO catamarans, you bring your own food and drinks and use the onboard BBQ, which keeps costs down for casual team celebrations. On our catered function boats, our event managers arrange everything, from roaming cocktail canapés for a mingling crowd, to casual buffets, to full sit-down menus for a formal event. Seafood is high on the agenda for Christmas, and every menu has generous seafood options. You can browse the catering menus and we will tailor a package to your group.
Most catered vessels offer standard and premium beverage packages, with quality beers, wines and sparkling, and spirits upgrades available on most boats. Catering and final guest numbers need to be confirmed 14 days before your cruise.
BYO Catamarans
- Bring your own food and drinks, use the onboard BBQ
- Keeps costs down for casual team celebrations
- Escapade, Cabaret and Xtsea
Catered Function Boats
- Roaming cocktail canapés for a mingling crowd
- Casual buffets, or full sit-down menus for a formal event
- Generous seafood options on every Christmas menu
- Standard and premium beverage packages, spirits upgrades on most boats
Timing your cruise
Choosing Your Cruise Time
This is the decision most people skip, and it is the one that shapes both the cost and the feel of your party. Every Christmas cruise runs for four hours, and you choose the start time that suits your group, on the hour or the half hour. Daytime cruises typically board from late morning to early afternoon (for example 11am to 3pm, 12pm to 4pm or 1pm to 5pm), while evening cruises board in the late afternoon or evening (for example 5pm to 9pm, 6pm to 10pm or 7pm to 11pm). Here is how to pick.
A daytime cruise is the value option. Weekday and daytime slots are easier to secure and generally cost less than a peak evening, and a long Sydney summer day means you still get hours of sunshine and sparkling water. It suits daytime teams who want everyone home by evening, and it is the smart choice if your date is flexible.
An early-evening cruise is the sweet spot for most groups. You board in the late afternoon, ride the golden hour as the heat of the day eases, and watch the city lights come on over dinner or canapés. It is the most atmospheric time without the full premium of a Saturday night.
A later evening cruise is the classic formal option, with the city lit up and a sit-down feel. December Friday and Saturday evenings are the most in demand and the first to sell out, so they carry peak pricing and need the earliest booking.
The Practical Takeaway
If you want the best rate and the easiest availability, look at a November date, a weekday, or a daytime start. If you have your heart set on a December Friday or Saturday evening, book as far ahead as you can, because those go first.
Transparent pricing
What It Costs
Christmas cruises are priced per person on a four-hour charter. BYO catamarans start from $71 per person, which covers the charter, wharf fees, use of the BBQ, and eating and drinkware on board. Fully catered packages, which bundle a Christmas menu and a beverage package, start from around $133 per person and rise with the vessel and the menu you choose. Some larger function boats have a minimum number of guests or a minimum spend, and a few add a small wharf-access fee. Because the per-person rate depends on your group size, your menu and your slot, the quickest way to plan is to send us your details for a tailored quote.
Departure locations
Where You’ll Board
We pick your group up from harbour wharves across the city, including King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour, so you can board close to where everyone is coming from. You can see the full list on our Sydney wharf guide, and our team will recommend the most convenient pickup for your vessel and your guests.
Set the mood
Entertainment, Decorations & Speeches
We can arrange Christmas decorations, music and other festive touches to set the mood. Several vessels have a jukebox or karaoke, and our AV production partners can supply a PA system if you want to make speeches, hand out awards or run a Kris Kringle. Tell your event manager what you have planned and we will match you with a boat set up for it.
Music
Speeches
Book early
Book Early, Because December Sells Out
Christmas is the busiest stretch of the year on Sydney Harbour. The most popular boats for December Friday and Saturday nights are booked out months ahead: large events are best secured around April or May, and peak December dates around June or July. November dates, weekdays and daytime cruises hold on a little longer and often cost less. The earlier you lock in your date, the more choice you have over vessel, time and menu, so it pays to enquire as soon as your party is approved.
The Eastcoast difference
Why Book Your Christmas Party With Eastcoast Sailing
Two decades on Sydney Harbour means we have planned more Christmas parties than we can count, for small teams, for social groups, and for some of Australia’s biggest brands. Companies including EY, Google, PwC, Bupa, KONE, Rabobank, Northrop and Napier & Blakeley have hosted events with us, and our work has been featured by Tourism Australia, Channel 7 Sunrise and Destination NSW.
One of our event managers looks after you from your first enquiry through to the day, handling the boat, the skipper and crew, the catering and the wharf bookings. All you do is send the invites. Our pricing is upfront, our fleet covers every group size and budget, and we hold a 4.9-star average from 222 Google reviews.
20 Years on Sydney Harbour
More Christmas parties than we can count, for small teams, social groups and some of Australia’s biggest brands.
Featured by Major Media
Tourism Australia, Channel 7 Sunrise and Destination NSW.
Trusted by Big Brands
EY, Google, PwC, Bupa, KONE, Rabobank, Northrop and Napier & Blakeley.
Full-Service Event Managers
From first enquiry through to the day — the boat, skipper, crew, catering and wharf bookings. You just send the invites.
Every Group Size & Budget
Upfront pricing and a fleet that covers every group size and budget.
4.9-Star Average
From 222 Google reviews.
Related
Planning the whole festive season? We also run New Year’s Eve boat hire, Vivid Sydney cruises, Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart cruises, birthday and party boat hire, and a full calendar of Sydney Harbour events.
FAQ
Christmas Party Boat Cruise Sydney — Frequently Asked Questions
Christmas cruises are priced per person on a four-hour charter. BYO catamarans start from $71 per person including wharf fees and use of the onboard BBQ. Fully catered packages, with a Christmas menu and beverage package included, start from around $133 per person and rise with the vessel and menu. Some larger boats have a minimum number of guests or a minimum spend. Send us your details for a tailored quote.
Both. Our BYO catamarans, like Escapade, Cabaret and Xtsea, let you bring your own food and drinks and use the onboard BBQ. Our catered function boats handle everything, from cocktail canapés to buffets and full sit-down menus, with standard and premium beverage packages. Seafood features across all of our Christmas menus.
Everything from an intimate team of around twenty up to large company events. Catamarans suit smaller groups, mid-size function boats handle sixty to one hundred, and our largest vessels cater for more than three hundred guests.
Every cruise runs for four hours and you choose the start time, on the hour or the half hour. Daytime cruises, boarding from late morning to early afternoon, are the best value and easiest to book. An early-evening cruise gives you the golden hour and the city lights coming on. Later evening cruises on December Fridays and Saturdays are the most popular and sell out first.
Every charter includes the four-hour cruise, a qualified skipper and crew, and wharf fees on most vessels. BYO boats include use of the BBQ and onboard eating and drinkware, while catered boats include your chosen menu and beverage package. Decorations, music and a PA for speeches can be added.
As early as possible. Large end-of-year events are best locked in around April or May, and peak December Fridays and Saturdays around June or July, as the most popular boats book out months ahead. November dates, weekdays and daytime cruises are easier to secure and often cheaper, but the whole season fills quickly, so enquire as soon as your party is approved.
We pick up from harbour wharves across the city, including King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour. We will recommend the most convenient pickup point for your group and your vessel.
What guests say
4.9★ from 222 Google Reviews
Ready to Plan Your Christmas Party on the Water?
Send us your date, group size and the kind of celebration you have in mind, and one of our event managers will come back with vessel options and an upfront quote.
Get a Christmas Party Quote 
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