Where to Go Private: the 8 Best Luxury Yacht Cruises in Australia

1.From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,567 reviews · 9 hours · from $190Our pick

Join Passions of Paradise for a full reef day from Cairns. You’ll sail by catamaran to two outer reef sites, snorkel with crew support, enjoy a chef-prepared buffet, and hear marine-life talks from guides such as Lily and David. Scuba, prescription masks, wetsuits, and flotation belts are available.

“It was amazing!! So glad we did this excursion, the team on the boat was fantastic! We had a guide come with us on a ring and he showed us the giant clams opening/closing, different fish and gave us facts we wouldn’t have got snorkelling on our own! We saw all sorts, highly recommend!”

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2.Port Douglas: Sunset Sailing Cruise on Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 342 reviews · 1h 30m · from $66

Check in at Sailaway Boathouse at 4:30pm for a 90-minute catamaran cruise from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. You will sail along the Coral Sea and Daintree coastline with hot and cold canapes, music, attentive crew, and one complimentary beer, wine, champagne, or soft drink.

“Wonderful experience, staff were amazing. Will recommend to others”

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3.From Port Douglas: Outer Reef Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 182 reviews · 9 hours · from $240

Sail from Port Douglas aboard Sailaway’s spacious catamaran to Mackay Cay, about two hours offshore. Snorkel with a marine biologist, spot turtles and giant clams, visit the coral cay by glass-bottom boat, and enjoy lunch, morning tea, and afternoon tea. English-speaking guides, including Zara on some trips, lead the reef sessions.

“This was our third trip to the reef in a few weeks, it was the best by some distance. Lovely catamaran and staff, food really decent bearing in mind it's a buffet on a boat and not too many people so much less chaotic. The weather was really not very good sadly so this definitely was a real dampener on the experience but clearly not the guides fault and they still got us onto the small sandy island via the glass bottom boat in less than ideal conditions. I can only imagine how even more lovely this would have been in calm sunny conditions but regardless of that, everything was…”

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4.Luxury Sailing Cruise on Sydney Harbour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · from $251Top rated

Join Captain David and a maximum of seven other passengers aboard the 40-foot yacht Emma Mei. Sail past Sydney icons, hear local stories, enjoy a seafood-rich lunch with Australian beer or wine, and stop at Store Beach for swimming, snorkeling, or a quiet walk.

“One of the very best tours we have done. The perfect way to see Sydney Harbour. David and his daughter Emily were super organised and friendly hosts on the Emma Mei. Commentary was interesting and relatable. The lunch was fantastic. Wonderful.”

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5.Sydney: Premium Catamaran Vivid Cruise with Welcome Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 104 reviews · 1h 30m · from $63Best value

Cruise Sydney Harbour aboard the 55-foot Whitehaven during Vivid Sydney. You get a welcome drink, indoor and outdoor seating, and 90 minutes of views toward the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and light displays. The boat holds up to 70 passengers, with drinks and hot snacks sold onboard.

“Loved this! Beautiful views of the harbour bridge and opera house. I didn't expect fireworks but they were gorgeous, an absolute highlight of the evening. The drinks were tasty and the staff and captain were lovely. Highly recommended. I'll be doing it again next year, wish I'd done it sooner.”

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6.Port Douglas: Low Isles Afternoon Cruise on Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 96 reviews · 5h 30m · from $240

Board Sailaway’s luxury catamaran in Port Douglas at 12:30pm for a relaxed cruise to Low Isles. You’ll snorkel with a marine guide, tour the reef by glass-bottom boat, walk the heritage island, enjoy tea, scones, canapés, and drinks, then sail home past the Daintree mountains at sunset.

“The trip was awesome. The staff were brilliant. Very informative and interesting. Highly recommended”

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7.Port Douglas: Reef & Low Isles Cruise on Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 96 reviews · 8 hours · from $240

Sailaway’s luxury catamaran carries you 15 kilometers from Port Douglas to Low Isles, with 4.5 hours in the lagoon. Expect a marine naturalist-led snorkel, glass-bottom boat trip, heritage walk, buffet lunch, and attentive crew such as Guy, George, Kira, Zara, and Chris.

“The friendly crew Jake, Jeremy and Cooper were sensational in running the show it was a fantastic day out and would highly recommend to anyone coming up to Port Douglas”

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8.Hobart: Luxury Yacht Scenic Sailing Tour with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Spend three hours aboard Helsal IV, a 62-foot Sydney to Hobart Race veteran, sailing the Derwent River with skipper and crew. Take the helm, work the winches, or relax with scones, cheese, tea, coffee, and views of Hobart and Mount Wellington. Tasmanian wine and beer are available to buy.

“Great sail with Baz and Jimmy. Best part of our holiday. Baz took us over to see Gretel ll, who I sailed on many years ago. Baz is an excellent and knowledgeable sailor. Will do it again when next I’m in Hobart.”

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