The 11 Best Australia Catamaran Cruises

1.Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

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

Set out from Cairns with Passions of Paradise on a nine-hour catamaran trip to two outer reef sites. Snorkel with turtles, parrotfish, giant clams, and colorful coral, or add an introductory or certified scuba session. The crew provides gear, flotation belts, guided tours, a chef-prepared lunch, and marine life talks.

“The staff on passions of paradise were so friendly and supportive in helping me build my confidence with snorkelling and then scuba diving for the first time. They also ensured safety was a priority by providing thorough guidance and instructions for each activity and the experience has been a highlight of my trip so far! 🤍”

Check availability →Read our review →

2.Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,564 reviews · from $192 per person Top rated

Cruise from Cairns aboard a 25-meter catamaran to two outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Snorkel with guides such as Simon, Parker, Harry, or Andi, or try scuba with instruction. Expect reef talks, marine life, tea, snacks, and a hot buffet lunch, with up to 90 people onboard.

“The Passion Crew were accommodating, courteous and lots of fun to be around. Harry was very patient with me as inexperienced snorkler”

Check availability →Read our review →

3.Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 547 reviews · from $99 per person

Set sail from Marlin Marina at 6:00 pm aboard the Spirit of Cairns for a calm-water evening cruise through Cairns waterfront and Trinity Inlet. Enjoy a complimentary drink, a hot and cold buffet with seafood and local produce, sunset and city-light views, and onboard entertainment. The cruise lasts about 2.5 hours, with the full experience taking roughly 3 hours.

“Total relaxation, the harbour was beautiful. The food. the drink the hospitality, awesome! We had a great time”

Check availability →Read our review →

4.Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 402 reviews · 2h 30m · from $63 per person

Cruise from Darling Harbour aboard Fantasea Avalon, a fast, purpose-built catamaran with indoor and outdoor viewing areas. You reach the open ocean in about 30 minutes, then search for humpback whales with an English-speaking crew. Tea, coffee, and water are included, and an onboard photographer captures key moments for purchase.

“Great we saw few humpback whales , one of them was jumping.”

Check availability →Read our review →

5.Port Douglas: Sunset Sailing Cruise on Luxury Catamaran

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

Meet at Sailaway Port Douglas at 4:30pm for a 90-minute sunset sail from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. You’ll glide along the Coral Sea with views toward the Daintree coast, enjoy one beer, wine, champagne, or soft drink, and snack on hot and cold canapés. The crew may include skipper Guy and deckhands George and Martie, though staff can vary.

“absolutely beautiful - must do! also a quick and easy way to go out on the sea without having to book a whole day reef teip”

Check availability →Read our review →

6.Sydney Harbour: Sunset Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 261 reviews · 1 hour · from $41 per person Best value

Board the catamaran Kirralee at Man O'War Steps for a relaxed one-hour loop around Sydney Harbour. You will pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Darling Harbour, with indoor and outdoor seating, a grazing platter, and one soft drink or water. The English-speaking crew may include Phil, Emily, Yolanda, or other friendly team members.

“10/10 experience. Lovely cruise experience, everything was smooth, the crew made sure we had a great time and a smooth sail. They were helpful and patient with everybody taking photos and the snacks were a great finishing touch to an overall brilliant cruise. Highly recommended”

Check availability →Read our review →

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

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

Spend nine hours aboard Sailaway’s luxury catamaran from Port Douglas, sailing to Mackay Cay on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Expect a two-hour crossing, marine interpretation, two reef visits, guided snorkeling with crew such as Zara, a glass-bottom boat ride, coral cay time, and a tropical buffet lunch. This is a snorkel-only trip with no scuba diving.

“The day was very relaxed and staff team knowledgeable. The reef was amazing.”

Check availability →Read our review →

8.Adelaide: Glenelg Twilight Catamaran Cruise with Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 155 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44 per person

Meet the Temptation Sailing crew at Glenelg’s Marina Pier for a 90-minute twilight cruise along Adelaide’s coast. Enjoy one included drink, sunset views across the gulf, and possible dolphin sightings. The crew, including Will, Zack, Quinn, and Jerry on different sailings, keeps the mood relaxed. Bring warm layers, as the open water can turn cool.

“Really great crew and a lovely way to see out the day with the sun going down ! Highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our review →

9.Premium Catamaran Vivid Cruise with Welcome Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 104 reviews · 1h 30m · from $63 per person

Board the 55-foot Whitehaven at Darling Harbour for a 90-minute Vivid Sydney cruise capped at 70 passengers. You’ll receive a welcome drink, see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge lit up, and move between indoor and outdoor decks. Hot canapes and drinks are available to buy, with English-speaking crew onboard.

“What a great way to enjoy not only 2 of our most famous icons but then to also have large parts of the VividSydney display from the water it was amazing, highly recommend to anyone.”

Check availability →Read our review →

10.Vivid 90-Minute Sydney Harbour Catamaran Cruise with BYO Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $42 per person

Cruise Sydney Harbour for 90 minutes aboard Kirralee, a 35-foot catamaran carrying up to 26 people. With a skipper, host, antipasto, one cold non-alcoholic drink, and no BYO corkage fee, you’ll pass the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, gardens, Barangaroo, and Darling Harbour during Vivid Sydney.

“Really great tour and they don’t cram you in like sardines like I’ve seen some of the other larger boats do. Highly recommend dressing with extra layers as it can get really cold out on the water during the time vivid is on. The boat was incredibly clean, staff were really friendly and the platter and soft drinks provided were generous. We took a bottle of wine but with the weather being so cold we decided to keep our hands in our pockets. Perhaps the earlier session would have been a little bit warmer.”

Check availability →Read our review →

11.BYOB Sunset Sail in Style Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 35 reviews · 2 hours · from $77 per person

Join a skipper and host aboard SV Wings III, a 60-foot catamaran leaving Coral Sea Marina for a relaxed two-hour sunset sail. You’ll receive a tropical welcome drink, antipasto, dessert canapés, tea, and coffee. Bring your own chilled drinks, then enjoy open decks, three toilets, air conditioning, and three-zone music.

Check availability →Read our review →