The boat

Frankie — our BBQ pontoon


A BBQ boat is a different kind of day out. You are not trying to get anywhere — you find a sheltered bay, drop the anchor, get the BBQ going and stay put. The flat deck means people can move around, and nobody has to sit still for three hours.

Frankie BBQ pontoon boat for hire on Sydney Harbour, no licence required
No licence neededBBQ on board

BBQ pontoon

Frankie

A 7-metre BBQ pontoon with a flat, stable deck, shade over three-quarters of it, an esky and a BBQ with the gas supplied. No licence needed.

  • GuestsUp to 10
  • LicenceNot required
  • BBQGas supplied
  • 3 hoursFrom $495
  • Day TripperFrom $695
  • DepartsDouble Bay

Weekday rates shown — weekends, the 19 December – 26 January peak and public holidays are higher. Fuel and BBQ gas are included. A refundable $250 security hold applies. Frankie was refitted for summer 2026.

On board

A look around the BBQ boat


Guests on the shaded deck of our BBQ boat on Sydney Harbour
Friends relaxing on the lounge seats of the BBQ pontoon late in the afternoon
Group chatting on the bench seats of the BBQ pontoon
The BBQ pontoon at anchor in a quiet bay with the stern shade out

Why a pontoon

Built for staying put


Most boats are designed to move. A pontoon is designed to sit. The hull is two aluminium tubes rather than a V, so it barely rolls at anchor — which matters enormously if you are cooking, eating, or have people who are not natural sailors on board.

The deck is flat and open end to end, with bench seating along the side and shade over about three-quarters of it. There is an esky on board and the BBQ runs on gas we supply, so all you bring is the food.

Frankie takes ten, needs no licence, and tops out at a gentle pace — which is rather the point.

Where to go

Best spots for a BBQ on the water


From Double Bay you are minutes from some of the most sheltered anchorages on the harbour. Rose Bay is flat on most days and close enough that you are eating within twenty minutes of leaving the dock. Shark Island and Watsons Bay are an easy run further out.

If the wind gets up, the bays around Middle Harbour — Chowder Bay, Taylors Bay — stay calm on almost any day. We mark the good ones on your map at the briefing.

Good to know

Common questions


Do I need a licence to hire a BBQ boat?

No. Frankie needs no boat licence, no test and no experience. We run a full briefing before you go and you drive her yourself.

Is the BBQ gas included?

Yes. The BBQ is on board and we supply the gas. You bring the food.

How many people fit on the BBQ boat?

Up to 10 guests.

Is there a toilet on board?

There’s no toilet on board, but there are plenty of places to hop off. Frankie can stop at approved beaches and wharves around the harbour, and we give you a digital map on the day with all the places you can go.

Can we bring our own food and drinks?

Yes, and there is no BYO fee. There is an esky on board.

How much does a BBQ boat cost in Sydney?

A 3-hour hire is $495 and a Day Tripper is $695 (6 hours in summer, 5 in winter) on weekdays. Weekends and the 19 December to 26 January peak are charged at the peak rate; public holidays add a surcharge, shown at checkout.

Where does the BBQ boat leave from?

Double Bay.

Is a pontoon boat stable?

Very. The twin aluminium hulls mean it barely rolls at anchor, which is what makes it good for cooking and eating on the water.

Where can we stop on a BBQ boat day?

Anchor up in a sheltered bay for the BBQ, then swim straight off the boat. For getting ashore there are approved wharves and pontoons around the harbour, and we give you a digital map on the day showing exactly where you can tie up.

Can we swim from the boat?

Yes. Pick a calm bay, drop the anchor and swim from the deck. We point out the best swimming spots at the briefing.

What should we bring?

Your food and drinks, ice for the esky, sunscreen, hats and towels. The BBQ, the gas and the esky are on board. There is no BYO fee.

Can we book for just two hours?

Yes, as a last-minute hire. Two-hour hires from $330 are released within 48 hours of the day when there is a gap in the calendar. Check today’s times on the booking page.

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