How to spend a day on Pittwater
Great Mackerel Beach
Easy escapes that feel a world away
One of the great pleasures of boating on Pittwater is how much you can experience in a single day. With calm, sheltered water and short distances between destinations, it’s easy to enjoy a relaxed day that never feels rushed.
Whether you prefer gentle cruising, swimming stops or a leisurely lunch ashore, Pittwater lends itself perfectly to unhurried day trips that unfold naturally.
A classic Pittwater day
For many visitors, the ideal day trip is about balance — a little movement, a little rest, and plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings.
A typical Pittwater day might include:
A calm morning cruise along the shoreline
A mid-morning swim in a sheltered bay
Lunch onboard or ashore at a waterfront spot
A slow afternoon drifting or exploring nearby coves
The beauty of Pittwater is that you don’t need a fixed itinerary. The waterway encourages you to take your time and follow what feels right on the day.
Half-day vs full-day trips
Pittwater works just as well for shorter outings as it does for full-day adventures.
Half-day trips often focus on:
Cruising between a few nearby bays
Swimming and relaxing onboard
Enjoying the water without covering long distances
Full-day trips allow more freedom to:
Visit multiple bays or destinations
Go ashore for lunch or a walk
Spend extended time swimming and unwinding
Both options offer a genuine sense of escape, even within a limited timeframe.
Great ideas for different groups
Couples
Many couples enjoy slow cruising, quiet bays and relaxed lunches, making Pittwater feel more like a floating retreat than a day out.
Families
Calm water and easy swimming spots make Pittwater especially popular with families. Children often love the sense of adventure that comes with moving from bay to bay.
Friends and small groups
A day spent swimming, chatting and enjoying food onboard often becomes the highlight — with the boat itself becoming the centre of the experience.
Swimming, drifting and doing very little
For some, the best Pittwater day trip involves almost no movement at all. Dropping into a calm bay, swimming straight from the boat, and spending the afternoon floating or reading is a simple pleasure that never seems to lose its appeal. Pittwater’s sheltered conditions make these kinds of days easy to enjoy.
Why Pittwater suits first-time boaters
Day trips on Pittwater are especially well suited to those new to boating.
Short distances between stops
Clear, protected waterways
Plenty of calm places to pause and relax
This makes it easy to build confidence while still feeling like you’re having a genuine boating experience.
Making the most of the day
The best Pittwater day trips tend to share a few things in common:
A flexible plan
Time left unfilled
Willingness to slow down
Rather than trying to see everything, most people find the day is most enjoyable when they choose a few highlights and let the rest unfold naturally.
