Sailing into this harbour must be a landmark on any cruising itinerary.

Anchorages

A recent change to Maritime Safety laws in late 2016 means that yachts that visit Sydney and plan to anchor are welcome for 28 days and no more. Otherwise, you must get a mooring or a slip. Yachts are monitored by Maritime NSW. Note also that tenders with more than 5HP motors have to be registered.

See this news item for further details.

After passing under the bridge, there is a designated “small craft” anchorage on the northern side, at Balls Head Bay. Whilst facilities are limited, access to the city is cheap and easy from nearby Wollstonecraft railway station. Unfortunately, the anchorage has a reputation for a foul bottom, and is uncomfortably open to southerly winds.

Blackwattle and Rozelle Bays are good places to anchor in Sydney to get access to the Central Business District, Blackwattle Bay being the quietest with the least wash from passing commercial vessels. There are three designated areas for anchoring. The anchorages most closely located to the fish market dinghy dock are the most popular and also the most crowded. The farthest anchorage area, whilst only three tenths of a mile further from the dingy dock, is much quieter and has a very nice park only a few metres away. Both bays have good holding and are protected from all wind directions. The downside is the traffic noise from the bridge and bits of junk on the bottom, plus the mosquitos at sunset.

There are also a number of public moorings available in the harbour (Athol Bay, Sugarloaf Bay, Bantry Bay). These are heavily used during the summer months, especially on weekends, so it’s advisable to arrive early.

See this cruisers report on two amazing anchorages in Sydney.

Marinas

There are a large number of marinas around Sydney Harbour and the ones included here usually have room for visitors.

Last updated:  December 2019

Read Related Comments

If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).

---

Offline Access (Downloads)

Select your download option below

This feature is only available to Premium members. You need to Login or Register to access port and formalities downloads.

---

Special Offers for Noonsite Members

This feature is only available to Basic and Premium members. You need to Login or Register to access special offers.