Sydney to Hobart Boxing Day Water Taxi
Get amongst the action on Boxing Day with a private Sydney Harbour water taxi for the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Watch the fleet get underway and follow the yachts east through Sydney Harbour towards Sydney Heads.
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Our Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart package gives you approximately 90 minutes aboard your own private water taxi during one of Sydney Harbour’s biggest annual events.
The package is $990 for 1–4 passengers. Additional passengers are $50 per person.
Experience the Sydney to Hobart start from the harbour
The 2026 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts on Sydney Harbour at 1:00 pm AEDT on Boxing Day, 26 December 2026.
Our Boxing Day guests depart at approximately 12:30 pm, giving the skipper time to move into the eastern harbour and find a suitable viewing area before the fleet gets underway.
Once the race starts, we travel east through Sydney Harbour as the yachts make their way towards Sydney Heads.
- Private 90-minute Boxing Day experience
- Approximately 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
- Watch the 1:00 pm race start
- Follow the fleet through Sydney Harbour
- Travel towards Sydney Heads
- Remain inside Sydney Harbour
From the race start towards Sydney Heads
Sydney Harbour becomes exceptionally busy on Boxing Day. The exact route and viewing position depend on vessel traffic, race controls, exclusion zones and skipper instructions on the day.
Board Your Water Taxi
Meet your skipper at your confirmed Sydney Harbour pickup location and get settled aboard before the start.
Head Into The Action
We travel towards the eastern harbour and find a suitable position around the race-start area.
Race Start
Watch the fleet get underway as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race begins its journey south towards Tasmania.
Follow The Fleet East
After the start, we travel east through Sydney Harbour as the yachts head towards the harbour entrance.
Harbour Viewing
See the fleet approaching Sydney Heads before the yachts continue offshore into the Tasman Sea.
Finish The Cruise
The Boxing Day package concludes at approximately 2:00 pm after around 90 minutes on Sydney Harbour.
A busy day on Sydney Harbour
Exact viewing positions cannot be guaranteed. The skipper chooses a safe and lawful position based on race-day restrictions and harbour traffic.
Official race exclusion zones and harbour controls may restrict where spectator vessels can operate.
The route and movement of the vessel may change according to weather, sea conditions, traffic and skipper discretion.
This Boxing Day package is a private booking for your group rather than a shared public sightseeing service.
We can travel towards Sydney Heads while remaining within Sydney Harbour.
Our water taxis do not continue offshore with the racing fleet after the yachts leave Sydney Harbour.
Choose where your Boxing Day journey begins
Suitable Sydney Harbour pickup locations may be available for the Boxing Day package, including eastern harbour locations. Browse our Sydney Harbour water taxi locations or view the map below.
Food, drinks, music and a huge Sydney Harbour atmosphere
Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour is about more than simply watching the yachts cross the start line.
Bring your favourite food and drinks, enjoy music aboard and spend approximately 90 minutes with your own group amongst the Boxing Day activity.
Our boats remain inside Sydney Harbour and do not follow the race fleet offshore after the yachts pass Sydney Heads.
More ways to travel and celebrate on the harbour
Explore Sydney Harbour water taxi transport for special events, parties, celebrations and major harbour dates.
Sydney Harbour ToursExplore private sightseeing cruises for seeing Sydney Harbour outside major special-event days.
New Year’s Eve Sydney HarbourSee our shared and private water taxi options for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Sydney to Hobart Boxing Day water taxi
How much is the Sydney to Hobart Boxing Day water taxi?
The Boxing Day package is $990 for 1–4 passengers. Additional passengers are $50 per person.
What time is the Boxing Day cruise?
The package runs from approximately 12:30 pm until 2:00 pm on Boxing Day.
What time does the 2026 Sydney to Hobart race start?
The 2026 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is scheduled to start at 1:00 pm AEDT on 26 December 2026.
Where do we watch the race?
We travel into the eastern harbour for the start and, subject to race-day restrictions and vessel traffic, follow the fleet east through Sydney Harbour towards Sydney Heads.
Do you follow the yachts offshore?
No. The Boxing Day cruise remains inside Sydney Harbour. We travel towards Sydney Heads but do not continue offshore with the racing fleet.
Can we bring our own drinks?
Yes. BYO drinks are welcome aboard. Passengers must drink responsibly and follow all skipper and crew instructions.
Can we bring food aboard?
Yes. You are welcome to bring food and snacks aboard for your Boxing Day cruise.
Can we play music aboard?
Yes. Music can be played aboard at a reasonable volume while your group enjoys the Boxing Day cruise.
Can you guarantee our exact viewing position?
No. Boxing Day involves heavy vessel traffic, exclusion zones and official harbour controls. The skipper chooses a safe and lawful viewing position based on conditions and directions in place on the day.
Can you collect us from the eastern suburbs?
Suitable eastern harbour and other Sydney Harbour pickup locations may be available, subject to your confirmed booking arrangements.
Should we book early?
Yes. Boxing Day is one of the busiest special-event days on Sydney Harbour and water taxi availability is limited.
Book your Sydney to Hobart harbour experience
$990 for 1–4 passengers, then $50 for each additional passenger. Bring your food and drinks and enjoy one of Sydney Harbour’s biggest Boxing Day events aboard your own private water taxi.
More ways to make the harbour part of it
Explore a related occasion or service and tell us how you would like your private harbour journey to fit the day.