Lights up, it’s time for your own private Vivid Sydney 2021 cruise

By Adam Bub | Posted 28 May, 2021

Vivid Sydney 2021 couldn’t come any sooner.

Hang on…when is Vivid Sydney 2021? Isn’t it usually June? After being cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere is finally returning from August 6-28, 2021.

Extraordinary light and music shows, projections and installations will light up Sydney’s skyscrapers and iconic landmarks once again, turning Sydney Harbour into a technicolour playground of art and wonder. *HOORAY*

The most immersive way to experience Vivid is on the water. Among this year's stunning spectacles are the Lighting of the Sails on the Sydney Opera House and Our Connected City, a light show pulsing from the Sydney Harbour Bridge through to The Rocks, Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House forecourt, cutting into the night sky with 150 searchlight beams, and from individual spots along the harbour to reflect on the water.

So it's a smart idea to book your Vivid Sydney 2021 cruises early. If you're after a more personalised experience, or have a birthday, corporate event or any special occasion, private boat hire is the way to do it.

With more flexibility around food and drinks (BYO, BBQ boats and catering packages all available), your own captain and crew to take you where you like, and an array of options from motorboats to luxury yachts, Floatspace boat hire in Sydney Harbour lets you do Vivid, your way.

It's also off-season for boating so you’re more likely to be able to find a boat that would normally be booked out during summer for a great rate. Let's review the best options:

Vibrant value: Vivid boat hire for small groups

For a cost-effective way to enjoy Vivid without compromising on comfort, you can’t go past versatile catamarans like Kirralee and Nevaeh (both from $375 per hour, up to 25 guests).

When you do the calculations, that’s $15 an hour per person for exactly 25 guests – so if you’re taking a four-hour cruise, that’s an easy $60 per head. Add in BYO food and drinks or use the on-board BBQ – and you’ve got yourself a DIY Vivid cruise on a nice budget.

If you want a boat with an upper deck for your selfies with the Harbour Bridge, as well as a cosy indoor saloon if it’s chilly out, Enigma X is a fantastic choice (from $450 per hour, up to 20 guests).

Also check out:

Escapade

Pirate Pete

Pegasus

Cheers! Vivid Sydney boat cruises for parties and events

For groups of 30 or more, you might want to choose a boat with extra indoor and outdoor space to accommodate big birthdays, corporate functions or bucks and hens parties (before the spring wedding season).

Modern vessels like Cloud 9 (from $500 an hour, up to 35 guests) and Fleetwing II (from $550 an hour, up to 46 guests) fit this brief perfectly with their laidback lounge spaces and sprawling decks for those many rounds of ‘cheers’.

For sit-down Vivid cruises catering to larger groups, Jerry Baily is exceptional value (from $650 an hour for up to 193 guests – it works out to $3.36 per head per hour if you have exactly 193 people!). Coast (from $900 an hour, up to 135 guests) is another favourite for Vivid season. With both of these bookings, food and drinks packages are available on top – enquire upon booking.

Also check out:

Ariston

MV Sydney

Le Bleu Sydney

Go the whole way: A Vivid cruise in full private luxury

Dreamed of living the superyacht life? Make it a reality on one of Floatspace’s Luxe range of superyachts to see Vivid in the most luxurious way possible.

Prometheus (from $1100 an hour, up to 36 guests) is one of the sleekest, most in-demand luxury yachts you’ll find on our shores. Sip a cocktail on one of the chic cream lounges on the rear timber deck, or enjoy a buffet in the spacious saloon – all in the glow of the Harbour Lights displays. As with all Floatspace boat hires, catering packages are available at an additional cost.

For another iconic Sydney Harbour luxury boat, Sydney Seabird (from $1200 an hour, up to 40 guests) is like a floating exclusive airport lounge – no wonder it’s popular with corporate events, weddings, birthday parties and other special occasions.

Also check out:

Allure

John Oxley

Element

Are you feeling excited yet for Vivid Sydney 2021? Check out the full Vivid Sydney program and book your own private cruise with Floatspace today.