As part of the sixth annual Ocean Lovers Festival, a premier lineup of world-record holders, leading scientists, and elite athletes will gather on Sydney Harbour for the “Women Making Waves” cruise on Friday, 6 March 2026. This exclusive International Women’s Day event, departing from Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour, offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the women shaping the future of our blue planet through science, sport, and storytelling.
The 90-minute morning experience, delivered in collaboration with Fantasea Cruising, the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Surfrider Foundation Australia, and Surfers for Climate, will inspire and excite audiences to get behind these pioneering changemakers.
Guests will enjoy morning tea and a celebratory toast while engaging in two intimate panel conversations focused on ocean restoration, climate action, and the intersection of sport and advocacy, while cruising around incredible projects happening now to restore Sydney Harbour.
The event features a truly exceptional group of speakers who have turned “ripples into waves” throughout their careers. The panel is hosted by Jessi Miley-Dyer, a former World Junior Champion surfer and former Commissioner of the World Surf League and board member of Surfrider Foundation Australia, who has been a lifelong advocate for equality in women’s sport.
Highlights of the incredible guest speakers include:
World-Record Adventurers: Lisa Blair OAM, the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around Antarctica, and Wendy ‘Wendo’ Tuck, the first woman to ever win an around-the-world yacht race. Both passionate advocates for ocean health.
Trailblazing Scientists: Multi-award-winning ecologists Prof. Melanie Bishop, Prof. Adriana Vergés, and Assoc. Prof. Mariana Mayer-Pinto, who are leading critical restoration projects like the Living Seawalls and Operation Crayweed to repair Sydney’s marine ecosystems.
Next-Generation Advocates: Marine scientist and Netflix star Aliah Banchik, a global specialist in shark and ray conservation, and professional longboard surfer Tully White, who uses her platform with Surfers for Climate to drive positive climate action.
“Women Making Waves is about more than celebration,” says Ocean Lovers Festival founder and cruise host Anita Kolni. “It’s a reminder that caring for our ocean is our collective responsibility, powered by bold ideas and decisive community action”.
The cruise is a flagship event of the month-long Ocean Lovers Festival, which returns in 2026 with the theme “Dive into Discovery & Wonder”. Founded in Bondi in 2019, the festival has grown into Australia’s largest celebration of ocean culture and solutions, reaching thousands across Sydney with a program designed to inspire hope and practical action for the ocean.
Event Details:
What: Women Making Waves International Women’s Day Harbour Cruise
When: Friday, 6 March 2026, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Where: Departing Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour
Tickets: Adult $45 inclusive | children $5 | under 4 are free.
Inclusions: Guided cruise, two panel discussions, morning tea, and a celebratory toast from ocean champion wine partner The Hidden Sea.
Hosted by Fantasea Cruising through the sustainable water transport partner NRMA Marine.
For more information, visit www.oceanloversfestival.com
