Must-try water activities in Sydney

Kayaking 

For a serene exploration of Sydney Harbour, consider renting a kayak and setting off at your own pace, or opt for a guided kayaking tour.  Watch the city come to life in the soft morning light with Sydney Kayak Experience in Kirribilli. Led by experienced, friendly guides, this boutique kayak tour company prioritises personal experiences and enjoyable expeditions on the harbour. With a range of options, from sunrise paddles, tranquil sunset excursions to evening sessions so you can see the city lights sparkle, the tours strike an ideal balance between adventure and relaxation.

Kayaking, Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour Kayaks depart from the Spit Bridge in Mosman and offer guided excursions around Middle Harbour, past dramatic cliffs and wow-factor waterfront architecture. Your guide will share the harbour’s military history, point out shipwrecks and provide insight into notable characters of the past. For those eager to view Sydney’s iconic landmarks from a new perspective, join an OzPaddle Sydney tour to take in the Sydney Opera House and  Sydney Harbour Bridge from water level.

The Nepean River in Western Sydney is also an idyllic location for paddling. Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are available for hire from Horizon Line. Guided tours are also available on the river, which flows into the Hawkesbury River near Yarramundi.  

Kayaking, Nepean River

Whitewater rafting  

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, head to Penrith Whitewater Stadium, where whitewater rafting delivers all the thrills. Jump into the exhilarating rollercoaster of a rushing watercourse, originally built for the Olympic Games in 2000. Today, it remains the only human-made river of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, with 14,000 litres per second of raging whitewater guiding you through a course filled with obstacles.   

Penrith Whitewater Stadium, Penrith

Wakeboarding

Another great spot to dive into the water is Cables Wake Park, for another action-packed day out in Penrith. The water park boasts excellent facilities for cable skiing, wakeboarding and knee-boarding across two expansive cable lakes. The on-site Aqua Park is the perfect place for the young (and the young at heart) to cool off when the weather warms up, with inflatable slides, trampolines, obstacles and more on offer.

Air tricks with Jetpack Adventures, Penrith

Jetpacking

At Jetpack Adventures in Penrith, hundreds of litres of water are blasted through specially designed thrust nozzles, propelling you as high as 10 metres above the water. For an extra thrill, try fly-boarding: strapped to a water-jet-powered board, you can hover above the water and swoop down to dive beneath the surface.

Jetpack Adventures Sydney, Penrith

Stand-up paddleboarding 

If you're keen to try stand-up paddleboarding in Sydney, there are several schools along the city's spectacular coastline that will equip you with the basics. FromManly Kayak Centre and Let’s Go SUP in La Perouse, and Cronulla SUP in the south, you’ll find plenty of options. It’s easy to pick up, and once you feel confident, you’ll be able to explore the water and bays on your own.  

Cabbage Tree Bay, Manly

Stand-up paddleboards are available for hire at various locations across Sydney. In the east, try Rose Bay Aquatic Hire and Point Piper Kayaks; in the north visit Balmoral Paddle Surf and Paddlecraft in Pittwater; in the south, Bundeena Kayaks and the Audley Boatshed in the Royal National Park; and in the west, Horizon Line near the Nepean River. For something a little different, why not try yoga on a paddleboard? Flow mOcean in Manly offers ocean-based yoga sessions that take your practice to the water. 

Stand-up paddleboarding, Bundeena

Snorkelling 

The crystal-clear water of Sydney’s coastline makes it a next-level location for snorkelling enthusiasts. In the north, Dive Centre Manly and Ecotreasures offer curated snorkelling tours of the vibrant underwater worlds near Palm Beach, Chowder Bay and Shelly Beach. To the south, Clovelly, Gordons Bay, Bare Island and Wattamolla all offer some of the city’s most spectacular snorkelling locations.  

Read more: The best snorkelling spots in Sydney

Ecotreasures, Manly

Diving  

From the rich biodiversity of Shelly Beach to eerie shipwrecks scattered off the Northern Beaches coastline, Sydney has an abundance of underwater realms waiting to be explored. Dive Centre Manly offers dive courses and guided expeditions, while Sydney Underwater Scooter Tours provides a guided tour of Gordons Bay. From Chowder Bay to Bare Island, and north to Long Reef and Palm Beach, there is no shortage of sensational dive sites brimming with marine life.  

Read more: The best scuba diving spots in Sydney

Coral reefs, Kurnell

Surfing 

Sydney’s iconic coastline offers so many surf breaks, including National Surfing Reserves at Bondi, Cronulla, Maroubra, Manly and North Narrabeen. Whether you’re looking to learn to surf or your skills, there are a range of expert surf schools to choose from, including Lets Go Surfing Bondi Surf School, Manly Surf School and Chix Surf School in Freshwater. 

Read more: Where to find your nearest surf break 

Surfer, Bondi Beach in Sydney East - Credit: James Horan - Destination NSW

Sailing 

Climb aboard for an unforgettable day of harbour sailing and cruise past the city's most famous icons beneath a billowing sail. For a more personal adventure, hire a skipper and a yacht from EastSail in Drummoyne, and enjoy a leisurely exploration of one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbours before dropping anchor in a secluded bay for lunch. For those eager to learn how to sail, Sydney by Sail offers IYT-accredited training, catering to everyone from beginners to aspiring skippers. If you’re seeking the ultimate in luxury, take a cruise with Champagne Sailing or Sydney Luxury Cruise. 

Read more: A guide to boating on Sydney Harbour

Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney

Jet boating

While Sydney Harbour is typically known for bobbing sailboats and the familiar chug of the iconic Manly Ferry, some boats reach exhilarating speeds of 75km/h. Enter, Thunder Jet Boat, which offers a high-octane experience that takes you out to the extremes of Sydney Heads. Brace yourself for the rush as you face the ocean swells at full throttle, all while rocking out to an Aussie music soundtrack. Oz Jet Boating and Harbour Jet offer similar rides, whisking you under the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House, making a splash with 270-degree turns.   .   

Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Harbour

Jet skiing  

Experience the excitement of riding a jet ski, without the need for a licence, as you explore the stunning Hawkesbury River on Sydney’s northern periphery. With Jet Ski Safaris NSW you whizz past lush islands and under towering sandstone cliffs, cruise under railway and freeway bridges, glide along isolated mangrove sections of the meandering waterway, and learn about the history of this majestic river. It’s an unmissable adventure that you won’t soon forget. 

Hawkesbury River, Wisemans Ferry

Whale watching 

From May to November each year, more than 40,000 humpback and southern right whales embark on their awe-inspiring migration from Antarctica to the warmer waters of the Pacific Ocean, passing along Sydney’s stunning coastline. There are excellent vantage points where you can see these giants of the deep at play.

Beginning in mid-May, humpback whales start their northern migration, passing Sydney on the way. The best time for sightings are towards the end of June and the beginning of July. During this time, be prepared to witness dramatic breaches. October and November, mothers and calves can be spotted making their way back south, usually swimming a little slower and staying closer to the shoreline.

Whale watching, Sydney Harbour

Whales have even been known to venture into the waters of Sydney Harbour itself. For prime viewing, Cape Solander in Kamay Botany Bay National Park has a covered viewing platform and information boards. There's also accessible access and disabled parking right by the platform. The scenic cliff-top walking trails, such as the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk and The Federation Cliff Walk from Dover Heights to Watsons Bay, also offer fantastic opportunities for whale watching.  

For a more intimate experience, hop aboard a whale-watching cruise. During the season, daily departures from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Manly offer the chance to get up close to these majestic creatures. Book a cruise with Whale Watching Sydney,  Oz Whale Watching,  Ocean Extreme or Captain Cook Cruises, which can take you to some of the best vantage points on their small, fast vessels. 

Read more: A guide to whale watching in Sydney

On tour with Whale Watching Sydney, Sydney Harbour

Ocean pools 

Make a splash in one of Sydney’s beautiful ocean pools. Dotted along the coastline and harbour’s edge, these stunning pools offer are a spectacular place to swim, and many have welcomed bathers for more than a century. Among the most iconic ocean pools in Australia is Bondi Icebergs, established in 1929. Named after its winter swimming club, the striking white lap pool continues to be a symbol of Sydney’s enviable outdoor lifestyle. However, Bondi is just the beginning. Whether you’re in the northern or southern parts of the city, Sydney boasts dozens of picturesque pools, waiting to be discovered.

Read more: The most incredible ocean pools in Sydney

Bondi Icebergs, Bondi Beach

Beaches 

From tranquil bays in Sydney Harbour to some of Australia’s best surf breaks, Sydney’s beaches are world-famous for good reason. Iconic Bondi and Manly attract thousands of international visitors, while well-kept secret beaches are hidden gems for those seeking a peaceful retreat. There are family-friendly beaches for those with little ones in tow; and lovely secluded beaches in the Royal National Park – Australia’s oldest national park – boasting pristine coastline just a stone’s throw from the city.

Manly Beach, Manly