Been wanting to do this kayak trip in the early morning for some time and we finally booked to go…read morethis morning. It's spectacular and a great way to see the harbour in the early morning and watching the sun come out. Paul and Grace our guides were excellent and friendly and gave us lots of information along the way. Loved watching the sun come out and it's a gentle and relatively easy process with coffee in hand :-) thanks guys it was a memorable experience and something we will repeat with visitors.

Absolutely brilliant. These guys offer a sunrise kayak in the harbour, starting just before sunrise…read morewhen the waters are calmer and there are only a few ferries and other water craft around. This allows for a paddle under the harbour bridge and towards the opera house. Starting point is very central in Lavender Bay (close to Lunar Park and Milsons Point train station). The fee includes a large number of photos and an excellent coffee, which you can sip while floating on Sydney Harbour. Excellent safety briefing and you get your own very stable kayak. Suitable for novices and fun enough for the experienced kayakers. I want to go again... despite the 5:20 am start.

If you take a Sydney Ferry from Circular Quay - cross the harbour to Cremorne Point and then…read moremeander through the bay to the final destination of Mosman Bay Wharf, I'm sure you'll agree that Mosman Bay is easily the prettiest wharf in Sydney. This is transport that you can take to enjoy the journey and a number of times, we've done just that. Pootling about on the harbour around this area is just gorgeous. What better way to see the heart of a major city? There's a café, 'Wharfies' on the wharf run by a gorgeous little Asian couple who make surprisingly good coffee. There are toilets on the wharf too, which is handy if you find yourself overwhelmed by the excitement of the journey there. A bus meets the ferry that can transport you to Mosman High Street or on to Milsons Point. If you want a day out on the water then a ferry is a cheaper alternative to the touristy charters. Head here!

This is a private-member sailing club at Kirribilli north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge…read more If you're fortunate enough to be a member, or a guest of a member, you are certain to enjoy this fine dining experience. The monthly buffet is outstanding - a selection of seafood, salads and a Carvery followed by the most amazing deserts. There's also a more informal restaurant on the lower levels which is heaving on a Friday night after twilight sailing in summer.

The food at this club is simply amazing. You even have the option of grilling your own fish, steak,…read moreor sausages. Whenever there's a special, go with the special. It never disappoint. If you get an invite from a member to come sailing, do it! Remember to wear boat shoes or white soled shoes. Bring some drinks for your gracious host.

This is one of a few boatsheds that enable you to have a boating trip in nature, while you're still…read morein the city! Lane Cove has some gorgeous mansions each with their own boatshed and lush front gardens you can peak at from your hired vessel. Take care though-the river has its sharks and stingers :)

A very safe place to try out Kayaking is at Lane Cove National Park as the river is very calm and…read morestill. It is a hidden gem in the inner west. The water is generally easy to row in and there are only a few people kayaking. The Boatshed is a blessing to the park. It offers Kayaks, Canoes and Paddle boats to explore the water. You can hire in half hour blocks or for the whole day. The kayaks are in very good condition and the compulsory life vests come in a range of sizes. I came back earlier than my scheduled time and was offered a Bike ride for the remaining 15 mins. That gesture offered by the owner has made this a 5 star review. I realised my love for mountain biking again and the road to ride on is not too bad.. Quite a fun day. Oh, the boat shed also sells ice-creams and crisps and non-alcoholic beverages. Not to much variety, but enough to keep you refreshed if you forgot to pack your picnic basket.

At just $25 per hour for a single kayak (paddle board is the same price). This is a great way to…read morenot only get fit, but spend a lovely sunny day exploring Sydney Harbour. At a regular pace, you can make it around Shark Island and back. No, I didn't see any sharks. Phew! If you want to do something romantic, or just chill with a special someone. My suggestion is to stop off and have a relaxing picnic on Shark Island, which has harbour views to die for. But you will need to book and pay landing fees beforehand. Call 13000 PARKS Rent the Kayaks for a few hours and take the views in. It's worth it.

Another must on the Sydney bucket list is a boat tour around Sydney harbour. See the Opera House…read moreand Royal Botanic Gardens from another angle, and sail right under the ominous Harbour Bridge. If the weather is right, this makes for a perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon. My friends organised a sailing adventure for a birthday and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate. We left from Rushcutters Bay and set out on a four-hour charter for $400 an hour, but with a group of 30 it didn't add up to too much each. The 33-foot catamaran was spacious and even included a BBQ, a spot to keep our beers cold and an audio system to plug in the iPod. We sailed around the harbour for a while, then paused for a swim and lunch. We went in January so it was blue skies and biting sun, and we docked that afternoon a shade darker and a lot happier. I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to sign up for a harbour cruise, but now I'm pretty much finding any excuse to organise another... Sydney Mainsail were excellent. The staff were really friendly and accommodating and I'd definitely hire them again.

Just a stunning experience. I was extremely lucky to be given this as a reward from one of my…read moreclients. Went on their twilight sailing experience recently with a great, small group who I occasionally work with. Stunning (despite the cold weather) and the skipper was talented and passionate about sailing. Went on the Colorado boat, and you would be forgiven for thinking that it might be too squishy, yet many of us were content to just sit down (wearing ponchos), eat and chat the night away with glorious Sydney Harbour as the stunning backdrop. Nice. I ended up driving the boat for around half of the trip, and it was a real buzz to drive a sailboat right underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Something I will never forget for a long time. Highly recommended experience if you love Sydney; our stunning harbour and you are a water baby at heart. Rejoice and have heaps of fun!

Do NOT book with Sydney By Sail Hunter and Salona Yachts Australia. Staff are incredibly rude. They…read morewere planning to make us sail in terrible weather. Apparently "no postponements unless it's gale force winds". After 4 phone calls + calling another more reputable sailing company that verified that they'd canceled all of their sails for the day and offered fee-free reschedules - the "owner" offered to reschedule us for a $100 fee. He then called us back 5 minutes ago to say that "he'd changed his mind" and we can reschedule in the next 2 months without a fee.

David Dickinson provides a unique, entertaining, and educational experience sailing in Sydney…read moreHarbour, together with a gourmet lunch that is fabulous. My daughter and I had a wonderful time and recommend it very highly!