New Year’s Eve Kayak Tours on Sydney Harbour
About our NYE tours
Celebrate New Year's
like never before
ATTENTION: PLEASE CONTACT US VIA PHONE OR VIA OUR WHATSAPP WIDGET TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN THIS TOUR.
The final day of the year is one of the most spectacular times to be on Sydney Harbour, and our New Year’s Eve Kayak Tours are designed to make the experience unforgettable. Whether you join us for a calm and reflective sunrise paddle (either on NYE morning or New Year’s Day) or the main event at 9pm, each tour offers breath-taking views, professional guidance and a premium small-group experience on the water.
Guests meet at Rushcutters Bay and launch into Sydney Harbour for a guided paddle unlike anything else offered on NYE. Our 9pm Fireworks Tour leads the evening, giving you a rare and safe vantage point to watch the family fireworks from the water. For those who prefer a peaceful start to the day, our NYE Sunrise Paddle captures the first light of one of the biggest days of the year.
The New Year’s Eve 9pm Fireworks Kayak Tour
This limited-edition evening tour is the highlight of the SKT calendar. After a friendly check-in and safety briefing, guests paddle out as the city builds toward its biggest night of the year. Our guides lead you to a safe and controlled vantage point on the harbour, where you can watch the 9pm family fireworks show from the water with Sydney’s landmarks illuminated around you.
Each kayak is fitted with blue LED safety lights, creating a glowing group on the water that looks incredible and ensures maximum visibility. The experience is exciting but calm, designed for all skill levels, with our guides maintaining full safety oversight throughout.
The pace is relaxed, the energy on the harbour is electric, and the views are unbeatable. Every guest receives complimentary photos capturing the fireworks and your time on the water.
What to Expect On the Water
The 9pm Fireworks Tour runs only on 31 December and operates with a tightly limited group size for safety and visibility. Guests can expect a steady pace, a clear safety briefing, guidance throughout the paddle and a curated position for watching the fireworks. After the display finishes, the group returns to Rushcutters Bay under the glow of the city lights and your kayak’s LED safety lighting.
New Year’s Eve Sunrise Kayak Tour
For those who prefer a quieter and more reflective way to mark the final day of the year, both our NYE Sunrise Kayak Tour and New Year’s Day Sunrise Tour begins shortly before dawn. Guests meet at Rushcutters Bay and paddle out onto a calm harbour as the first light spreads across the water. The atmosphere is peaceful, grounding and a beautiful way to start New Year’s Eve.
The tour follows our classic sunrise format. After a check-in and short briefing, guests paddle toward the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as the sun rises. The pace is relaxed and suitable for all experience levels, with our guides offering support, commentary and help capturing great photos. Each tour includes premium gear, complimentary photos and a small group environment that keeps the experience personal.
Whether you join us for the sunrise paddle, the evening fireworks or both, celebrating New Year’s Eve from the water is a memorable way to close out the year and enjoy Sydney at its best.
ATTENTION: PLEASE CONTACT US VIA PHONE OR VIA OUR WHATSAPP WIDGET TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN THIS TOUR
All of our guided kayaking Tours launch from Rushcutters Bay, the perfect starting point for exploring Sydney Harbour.
Stunning harbour Views
Watch the sun rise or the fireworks over Sydney Harbour as you paddle.
Expert Guided Experience
Enjoy a safe and informative tour led by our knowledgeable and friendly guides.
Unforgettable NYE Moments
Capture the moment with free, high-quality photos of your adventure.
OTHER TOURS TO EXPLORE
More Kayaking Adventures
We have a variety of tours that we offer. Please see our Guided Kayaking Tours page for all tour related information. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
New Year's Eve Tours FAQ
The sunrise tour begins shortly before dawn, typically around 5am, so guests can watch the first light of the day from the water. Start times may vary slightly based on sunrise on 31 December.
The fireworks tour launches about an hour before the 9pm display, giving guests time to paddle to a safe vantage point and settle in before the show begins.
We offer two special tours on 31 December only: the NYE Sunrise Kayak Tour in the morning and the NYE 9pm Fireworks Kayak Tour in the evening. Spots are limited for both.
Tours will be cancelled if conditions are unsafe, such as extreme winds or thunderstorms, though we do continue to operate in light rain. Safety is our top priority. If a cancellation is required, our team will contact you by email and/or text at least one hour before your tour. Please check both your inbox, including your spam folder, and your phone before heading out. You can find full details in our cancellation policy on the Tours page.
Tours will be cancelled in the event of extreme winds or thunderstorms however we do operate in light rain. The harbour is beautiful in all weather.
Safety will always come first. If we need to cancel due to unsafe conditions, our customer service team will notify you by email and/or text at least one hour before your tour. Please check both your inbox (and spam folder) and your phone before heading out. Check out our cancellation policy in more detail on our Tours page.
Yes. Our guides take photos during both the Sunrise and 9pm Fireworks Tours and provide them at no extra charge so you can remember your New Year’s Eve experience on Sydney Harbour.