Sydney Harbour is one of the prettiest and busiest waterways in the world – it’s always full of all kinds of boats and yachts. But if you’re a boat owner, finding a good place to berth your boat can be tricky. This article explores Sydney marinas situated along the harbour, providing insights into the amenities and locations. Whether you’ve got a rib, a yacht, or a motor boat, this guide will help you figure out the best spot to berth your boat on Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Harbour Marinas
Gladesville Bridge Marina
First up is this lovely marina situated right in the heart of the stunning harbour, just 10 minutes from the city centre. They’ve got berths ranging from 7.6 to 23 metres, all with access to water and power, plus handy berth kits available. Gladesville is known as one of Sydney’s top full-service marinas, with 50 big berths and staff on-site 7 days a week. For added security, the whole place is monitored by cameras and patrolled at night. They currently have a limited number of permanent berths available to rent in 4 different sizes – just get in touch with them directly to secure a spot.
Birkenhead Point Marina
Tucked away in the peaceful “no-wash” zone of Iron Cove Bay over in Drummoyne, it’s just a quick 10 minute trip from the city by road or water. What I really love about Gladesville is the variety of berthing options they have. With over 200 spots for boats up to 45 metres, there’s something to suit every need. Permanent Berths are available for all vessels ranging up to 45 metres in length, including new berths for Superyachts. The casual berths are available from a single day up to 3 months, and their 3-hour “shopping” berths make it easy to dock up and explore. If you boat around Sydney Harbour, I can’t recommend Gladesville Bridge Marina enough.
Phoebe Street Marina
Over in Balmain, there’s a little marina down on Phoebe Street that I think is worth a look if you’re after a peaceful spot to dock your boat. It’s got 20 wet berths set up on a classic wooden wharf – perfect for boats up to 12 metres long and 4.5 metres wide. Being situated in a north-facing bay, it stays nice and sheltered from those strong southerly winds we get. The team there are really helpful too, they’ll even lend you a hand getting your lines and fenders sorted when you first arrive.
Balmain Marina
This Marina down in Balmain is just perfect if you want to be close to all the action. It’s only a short stroll from the buzzing cafe and restaurant district, and you can be in the CBD in just 10 minutes by car. They’ve got a great range of berths from 10 to 18 metres, so there’s something to suit every boat. And the best part is you get direct access to the inner harbour anytime, with their walk-on, walk-off set up. The dockmasters are super friendly and helpful too, they’re there 7 days a week to lend a hand with your arrivals and departures. Plus, all the berths come fully kitted out with power, water, pump-out facilities, and waste disposal – so you’ve got everything you need right at your fingertips.
Kirribilli Marina
Over in Kirribilli, there’s this neat little spot on Bradley Ave that’s worth checking out if you’re after a convenient marina. They’ve got 15 berths catering for boats from 6 to 20 metres, so it’s a good fit whether you’ve got a small runabout or a decent-sized cruiser. The location is just unbeatable – you’re right near all the iconic harbour landmarks, so it makes getting out on the water super easy. And the facilities are really well looked after too, with toilets, showers, power and water all available, plus 24/7 security. The only real conditions are that your boat needs to be registered and insured, and you’ve got to sort out your own mooring lines and fenders. But other than that, it’s a hassle-free place to keep your pride and joy.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
Down at Darling Point, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has got this awesome setup that makes boat ownership a real breeze. As a member, you get access to their deep water berthing facilities – we’re talking a floating marina with spots for 213 boats, plus hardstand space for up to 20 Etchells and J24s, and a handy crane for launching. It’s just so convenient having all that support on hand. And even if you’re not a full member, you can still book in for some casual berthing when there’s space available. The whole place is really well set up to make life easier for boaters.
Cockle Bay Wharf
This spot at Darling Harbour is very popular, especially on public holidays when the crowds really start to pick up. I’d recommend booking your berth online in advance though, just to make sure you can secure a spot. That way you can rock up and know your boat’s got a home, without having to worry about finding space.
Roseville Bridge Marina
This secret little gem can be found in the northern suburbs of Sydney, right in the heart of Middle Harbour. It’s a very sheltered spot if you’re looking to berth your boat where you’ll be protected from those strong summer winds. There’s a great little restaurant right on the waterfront and being surrounded by national parklands, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped the city, even though you’re only a stones through from the heart of Chatswood CBD.
d’Albora Marinas Cabarita Point
This next marina is kind of a hidden gem, centrally located with easy access to both the Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour. They offer 130 wet berths for boats up to 45m with dockmaster assistance – 7 days a week and 24-hour security and swipe card access.
d’Albora Marinas The Spit
The Spit Marina is the last marina on our list, perfectly positioned in Middle Harbour on Sydney’s leafy North Shore. It’s centrally located, with easy access to the city’s stunning icons. They’ve got 193 wet berths for boats up to 40 metres, plus 60 swing moorings in Quakers Hat and Pearl Bay. And you’ve got Dockmaster assistance 7 days a week, along with 24-hour security and swipe card access.
These marinas are just a few of the many options available on Sydney Harbour. Feel free to explore the Google Map locations of the other marinas listed at the top to find the best berthing spot for you. And if you’re in the market to buy or rent a berth in the Sydney area, be sure to check out the “Sydney Marina Berths” resource for a list of options and “The Ultimate Guide to Buying Sydney Marina Berths” for some tips. Need help docking your boat? Check out “How to Berth a Boat?” for some great tips!
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