Christmas & New Year Harbour Cruises: 15 to Book Worldwide

1.Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59Our pick

Paddle Santa Barbara Harbor for two hours, spot seals and sea lions, and learn local ecology on a beginner-friendly kayak tour.

“We had an incredible kayak excursion yesterday! Our guides, Artie and Dario R., were fantastic—super personable, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. They made the experience both fun and informative, ensuring we saw some amazing marine animals along the way. From start to finish, they kept everything safe, engaging, and memorable. We couldn’t have asked for better guides. Highly recommend this tour if you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure on the water!”

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2.Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Review of Santa Barbara’s sunset kayak tour, with wildlife, harbor views, practical tips, pricing, kayaking details, and honest drawbacks.

“Unfortunately our impression of this tour is unfavorable. We were under the impression that we were getting 2 kayaks for the price. When we went to meet our guide Anders before our tour started and asked him a couple questions he acted as if we were bothering him. Throughout the tour he wasn’t very helpful, for example my friend needing help with her life jacket adjustments. We thought the areas we kayaked to could have been better. Around the boats and under the dock seemed rather lame. Two thumbs down”

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3.New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Fireworks Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 37 reviews · from $552

Ring in 2025 on a three-hour NYC harbor cruise with dinner, open bar, DJ music, skyline views, and fireworks over the water.

“The decoration and the atmosphere were amazing. Everyone was super friendly, the food was good. The music could have included more new songs, unfortunately only oldies were played, which meant that the dance floor was getting a little emptier. But overall it was a great experience, although it could have gone on a little longer, 3 hours went by way too quickly.”

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4.Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 31 reviews · from $158

Celebrate Christmas Eve aboard Bateaux New York with a plated meal, live music, and sweeping views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

“Exceeded our expectations! Mel was super engaged and our waiter was, too! Grateful to have had the holiday experience - food delicious and playlist was well curated as well! Timed to the tee. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!”

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5.Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Review of Santa Barbara’s private electric harbor cruise, with pricing, boat details, wildlife, food and drink tips, and booking advice.

“Our guide was friendly, fun, and very knowledgeable! The boat was great and super comfy . Would highly recommend.”

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6.Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 29 reviews · from $146

Spend Christmas Day on a New York Harbor cruise with buffet dining, skyline views, live music, and Statue of Liberty photo stops.

“Very pleasant atmosphere, excellent food, very good briefing, and friendly service. The music could have been more appropriate (only music from the 90s was played, while Christmas music would have been more fitting on December 25). There was ample space for taking photos, and the ship's crew was very friendly and attentive.”

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7.Sea Lion Kayak Tour – Santa Barbara Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $70

Paddle Santa Barbara Harbor to see sea lions, birds, boats, and coastal views with a guide, family-friendly pacing, and free cancellation.

“Private tour of the pretty coast with an excellent and friendly guide. Kids loved it as did we! The facility was well run.”

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8.Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 26 reviews · from $199

Review of NYC’s Christmas Eve harbor cruise, with a festive buffet, Statue of Liberty views, live DJ, and practical booking advice.

“We picked the activity to spend Christmas Eve. We're celebrating in the best way Since we got on the cruise, the service was great, and so was the food and the night views. Recommended.”

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9.Destin Harbor Fireworks Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $40

Review the Destin Harbor Fireworks Cruise, with practical details on views, price, timing, group size, guides, and cancellation terms.

“The guys were awesome very very informative, gave us a nice cruise through the bay, and awesome view of the fireworks, will definitely book with them again”

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10.Fireworks Cruise in Destin Harbor aboard the hydrojet

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $38

Review of Destin’s 45-minute hydrojet fireworks cruise, with pricing, timing, family details, music, weather risks, and honest value advice.

“It was not so good since it was cancelled in few hours before event and it was not so good, since it was already planned and promised to the family”

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11.Christmas Day Cruise on Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $121

Spend Christmas Day on Sydney Harbour with a seafood buffet, drinks, festive music, and views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

“Try and get a seat upstairs to get a better view. Our view was obstructed by a couple of palm trees pretending to be Xmas trees. Staff were friendly and helpful. Pity about the weather but at least it was not too choppy. The food was quite Read more”

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12.Christmas Harbour Cruise with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 10 reviews · 1h 15m · from $25Best value

Review of Aarhus Christmas Harbour Cruise, a cozy 75-minute boat tour with festive lights, local stories, snacks, and family-friendly access.

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13.Santa Barbara: 1.5-Hour Harbor Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · 1h 30m · from $65

Paddle Santa Barbara Harbor for 90 minutes, see sea lions, learn local history, and enjoy wide views for $65 per person.

“The group tour started on time, meeting location easy to find, community locker for belongings was watched while we were on the water, cool boats in the harbor, cute sea lions, guides were personable. This activity was our 1st time kayaking and would recommend it’s safe enough for other beginners too!”

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14.Australia Day Dinner and Fireworks Cruise on Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · from $488

Review the Australia Day dinner and fireworks cruise on Sydney Harbour, with buffet dining, illuminated landmarks, live DJ and practical booking advice.

“Very disappointed with Vagabond Cruises. We info them ahead of food allergies for a child and they totally ignored our request in advance for special meal! The supervisor on board was very dismissive and not very nice. So, be cat if you or your children have food allergies!”

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15.Christmas Day Lunch Cruise on Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $105

Celebrate Christmas Day aboard a three-hour Sydney Harbour cruise with seafood, carvery, music, Santa, and famous waterfront views.

“Our 1st trip from UK to Aus - prebooked this lunch in the Summer. We were concerned when looking at recent reviews about the Star that indicated a very poor rating - but needn't have worried as all was brilliant; staff (friendly and helpful), fRead more”

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