Bucks parties on Sydney Harbour are becoming increasingly popular – and it’s easy to see why. Having a private, customised and flexible space to float, relax and enjoy with a beer in hand is a great way to start your pre-wedding celebrations.
At Lifestyle Charters, we specialise in exclusive and private luxury Sydney Harbour Buck’s cruises for smaller groups who enjoy the finer things in life. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about organising the last hurrah, from choosing a vessel to organising the finer details to ensure your Bucks celebration is one for the ages.
The Ultimate Bucks Party Cruise Experience
With private and exclusive spaces, luxury charter boats are a popular way to celebrate your groom-to-be, and with our yachts offering BYO or fully catered charters, you can easily manage your group’s budget and exclusive experience.
Bucks boat cruises in Sydney Harbour are three or four hours of relaxed fun with flowing drinks, a few pizzas or platters, an opportunity to swim, play and of course, share a few stories and a few cheers for the buck.
We also offer experiences throughout the cruise including Clay Bird Shooting, swim toys including SUPs, our pool pontoon and swim chill, wine tastings, cocktail mixologists, poker and live music. Plus, as long as you clear it with us beforehand, topless or lingerie waitresses are welcome on board.
Your Perfect Bucks Itinerary
The perfect buck’s trip on the harbour starts with an hour-long harbour cruise to see the magnificent sights of Sydney (the dads, uncles and interstate friends/family will love this), before anchoring in a private bay or beach for a swim and something to eat.
Once everyone is back on board, the anchor comes up and we cruise towards your final wharf.
From here be sure to have a booking at your next location to take the celebrations to solid ground to keep the party going long into the evening. We’ve listed our favourite venues close to some of our most common drop-off wharf locations, but if you’re looking for something particular, we are happy to make recommendations!
Where do you suggest kicking on after a harbour cruise?
A good party organiser always has a plan for where to go once the cruise is over. Here are some ideas on where to go to keep the good times going and give the Buck a night to remember:
- Cargo Bar, Darling Harbour – very short walk from King Street Wharf
- The Golden Sheaf, Double Bay – accessible from Double Bay Wharf
- The Royal Oak Hotel, Double Bay - accessible from Double Bay Wharf
- CYCA (the new restaurant here looks amazing!) – short walk from Yarranabbe Wharf
- The Squires Landing or Cruise Bar – short walk from Campbell’s Cove or Commissioners Steps
- The rooftop at The Glenmore Hotel – short walk from Campbell’s Cove or Commissioners Steps
- Opera Bar – short walk from Eastern Pontoon
- Maybe Sammy – short walk from Commissioners Steps
- CIRQ – rooftop bar at Crown Casino, accessible from Crown wharf or King Street Wharf
- The Dry Dock, Balmain – accessible via Yeend St Pontoon, Birchgrove
- Sala, a super luxe Italian restaurant in Pyrmont – a short walk from Elizabeth Macarthur Pontoon (end of Harris St)
- Watson’s Bay Hotel – short walk from Watson’s Bay Wharf
Planning your memorable bucks party cruise
If a Buck’s Harbour cruise is looking like your go-to celebration, you’ll need to do some planning. Here are our essential tips and insights to plan a seamless and unforgettable cruise.
Start by speaking to the groom about his non-negotiables
(Once you’ve ticked the box, you can then take or leave whatever he says – but do your best not to upset the bride-to-be!)
You’ll need a guest list early on
If there are parents or in-laws invited, try and incorporate a family-friendly part of the day. The harbour cruise is the perfect way to appease the father-in-law before the late-night debauchery begins.
What's the budget?
Establish a budget early and be upfront with guests about this. Be sure to take all expenses into account – boat fees, drinks, food, transfers, entertainment and incidentals. Let guests know what is included and what they’ll need to cover on the night.
Have a post-cruise party plan
Most Bucks cruises will be in the afternoon, so you can have a night out in the city or surrounds. Make sure you book the next venue, and maybe even the venue after that to keep the good times going.
Cheeky entertainment
If you think the boys would love a bit of saucy entertainment during the day, private boat cruises offer the privacy and flexibility to make this happen. It’s fun and cheeky, however, we ask you to let us know beforehand so we can work out the privacy and logistics considerations. This is definitely one we suggest running past the bride-to-be!
LUXURY BUCKS HARBOUR CRUISE FAQS
Do you have bucks party packages?
As we offer private, customisable charters, we prepare quotes based on what you want and need from your experience with us. Just get in touch with your requirements and we can put together a quote for you.
How long is a Bucks party cruise?
All Bucks Harbour cruises are three or four fours in length, depending on the time of year and availability. Let us know if you have a preference and we can see what we can do.
How much is a Sydney Bucks cruise?
Bucks cruises on Sydney Harbour with Lifestyle Charters start from $3,400 for a three-hour BYO cruise for 20 guests.
Depending on how many guests you have, the duration and inclusions, the cost may vary.
What times are you available for a Bucks cruise?
Felix and Enigma are available for afternoon and evening cruises – from 12 pm or 1 pm or 5 pm or 6 pm. This will depend on availability and the date of your harbour cruise so book sooner rather than later!
What is included in the cruise boat hire on Enigma and Felix?
The boat hire fee includes marine crew and fuel. Depending on your requirements, additional fees apply.
- Waitstaff, BYO fees, catering, beverage packages and wharf fees are additional.
- BYO fees include glassware, plates, utensils, galley and eskies. Ice is not included.
Can you provide the food and drinks?
We sure can.
Our beverage packages start from $15pp/ph and include sparkling, beer, wine and soft drinks. You can add spirits for an additional cost, but ice is included.
Catering starts from $600 for platters or $50pp for a Classic BBQ.
Can we BYO drinks and food?
Yes, on Enigma and Felix, you can BYO drinks for a $20pp BYO fee.
BYO food is free of charge.
Some boats have different BYO conditions which we can talk you through at the time of enquiry so let us know if you’re considering supplying your own drinks.
What about music and entertainment?
You can bring live music or a DJ for that added party vibe. If you don’t have anyone in mind, we are more than happy to recommend one of the artists we work with.
We are happy to accommodate saucy entertainers, but give us a heads-up first so we can plan accordingly.
let us help you throw an unforgettable bucks celebration!
Ready to give your buck the pre-wedding celebration of a lifetime? We have all the details covered, and with our fleet and trusted partners, we can find you the perfect yacht for your celebration. Get in touch with us to secure your spot and start planning the ultimate bucks party experience!
