Vivid Sydney Private Cruises

What are the viewing highlights during the Vivid Sydney boat experience?

The particular highlights you'll see on your Vivid Sydney cruise depend on the night you book your boat hire for. There are a few mainstays throughout the festival, such as the iconic "Lighting of the Sails" show, where the Opera House is bathed in shifting light and images (this year's piece is "Echo", by Julia Gutman), or the "Global Rainbow" which will beam out from the Sydney Tower Eye and be visible for up to 40km. From your boat you'll also be able to see all the light shows that are on around the Harbour and CBD, and on the 8th, 9th and 15th of June, there will be a stunning drone show over Circular Quay and The Rocks called "Love is in the Air".

What should I wear for the Vivid Sydney boat hire experience?

As with all our private boat hires, we recommend dressing comfortably and according to the weather. This generally means some comfy and stable shoes (no heels!) and dressing in layers. Vivid Sydney is a nighttime event in winter, and while that doesn't necessarily mean bad weather, the chances of cold breezes or drizzle do increase, so checking the weather forecast before you board is a must!

How long is an ideal duration to book a Vivid Sydney cruise for?

Most private boat hires for Vivid Sydney aim to book for 4 hours. This hits the sweetspot between making the most of the show and not getting tired of the water. Most of the Vivid Sydney shows are on between 6pm and 11pm, so 4 hours gives you an almost complete start-to-finish experience and also you get the chance to try out different vantage points.

What sets Ucruise Sydney's Vivid Sydney boat hire apart from other experiences?

We simply offer the best boats at the best prices, and when you couple that with our unbeatable customer service, there aren't many reasons we can think of as to why you'd choose another boat hire agent. Whatever you need for your Vivid Sydney experience, our friendly sales team will do their level best to make it happen for you!

Can I arrange special entertainment or activities on the hired boat during Vivid Sydney?

You certainly can! Why not turn your Vivid experience into a real party with an on-board DJ? Or lay on some top-notch catering for your guests? The only real limits to on-board entertainment are space and passenger numbers, so if you can imagine it, our team can probably help you organise it! Just let us know what you have in mind and we'll be happy to help.

What camera would you recommend for a Vivid private boat hire?

Usually for Vivid, a good smartphone is plenty good enough for catching those 'Grammable moments and taking panoramas of the Harbour lights. That said, some photography aficionados and pros will want to make the most of the cruise to take more professional shots or videos. In that case, all we'd recommend really is to bear in mind the particular challenges of boat-based photography like the subtle swaying of the vessel and the lack of lighting. Most of our vessels (especially the larger ones) are stable enough, but extra stabilisation equipment wouldn't go amiss if you want to play it safe.

What are the best time slots for booking a Vivid Sydney boat hire to witness the most stunning light displays?

As mentioned, the main Vivid shows run from 6pm to 11pm, so ideally that's your window for being out on the water. Some groups might want to combine a spectacular sunset with their Vivid experience, which in May means you'll want to be out on the water by about 4:30pm.

What are the different routes covered during the Vivid Sydney boat hire experience?

As the majority of Vivid's shows and performances take place around the CBD and Circular Quay, you'll spend most of the time taking in the sights from different vantage points in and around that area. Of course, if you'd like your skipper to move further off or closer up, all you need to do is ask!

What are the best boats for a Vivid Sydney experience?

Depending on your group size, of course, you'll want to look for a boat with excellent all-around visibility, some comfortable seating areas, stability, maneuverability, shelter from potential breezes or drizzle, or a combination of all of the above! For smaller groups of between 6 and 12, we'd recommend The Floating Lounge, a pontoon boat that's super stable and comfy and has the unique advantage of cruising right up to beaches and docks due to its low clearance. For groups of between 15 and 30, try Elysium II, a stunning Seawind 1160 with ample space and seating inside and out as well as a spacious deck, trampolines at the front and a main saloon that can be completely closed away from the elements. For larger groups of 50 upwards, Morpheus (100 guests max.) and Eclipse (240 guests max.) are excellent options with incredible deck space and truly excellent catering menus.