Every boat we hire is priced per boat, not per person — you take the whole thing and bring who you like. Three of our four boats need no licence at all. Below is exactly what each one costs, with nothing hidden.
Our prices
| Boat | Guests | Licence | Short hire | Peak | Full day | Peak | Deposit | Fuel | Departs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Day Boat | 6 | Not required | $400 3 hours | $460 | $550 6.5h summer · 5h winter | $625 | $250 | Included | Mosman |
| Marlow | 8 | Not required | $495 3 hours | $560 | $695 6h summer · 5h winter | $790 | $250 | Included | Double Bay |
| Frankie | 8 | Not required | $650 half day · 4h summer / 3.5h winter | $695 | $950 full day · 8h summer / 7h winter | $995 | $250 | Included | Double Bay |
| The Sports Cruiser | 8 | Required · 25+ | $795 half day · 4h summer / 3.5h winter | $895 | $1,195 full day · 8h summer / 7h winter | $1,295 | $1,250 | Not included | Mosman |
Peak means weekends, every day from 19 December to 26 January, and public holidays. Everything else is the weekday rate. The exact price for your date is shown before you pay, so there is never a surprise at checkout.
What the price includes
On all three no-licence boats, your hire covers the boat, fuel for the day, all safety equipment and life jackets, a full briefing before you go, and a harbour map with the good spots marked. You can bring your own food and drinks with no BYO fee.
The licensed Sports Cruiser includes everything above except fuel, which is payable at the end of the hire based on what you use. It also carries a larger refundable deposit of $1,250.
So what does it actually cost?
The cheapest way onto the water is a three-hour weekday hire on the Day Boat at $400. Split between six people that is around $67 each for the afternoon.
A full summer day on the Day Boat is $550 for 6.5 hours. If you want more room, Marlow is $695 for the Day Tripper (six hours in summer, five in winter) and takes eight. Frankie, the BBQ pontoon, is $950 for a full day (eight hours in summer, seven in winter) with the BBQ gas supplied. The Sports Cruiser is the premium option at $1,195 for a full day, and needs a licensed driver aged 25 or over.
Is self-drive cheaper than a skippered charter?
Considerably. A skippered charter on Sydney Harbour generally starts well above what a full day of self-drive costs, because you are paying for the crew as well as the boat. Driving it yourself removes that cost entirely — and most people find it is the better part of the day anyway.
If you would rather not drive, we can put a skipper on the Sports Cruiser. Just ask when you enquire.
Common questions about cost
How much does it cost to hire a boat in Sydney?
Our self-drive boats start at $400 for three hours and run to $1,195 for a full day on the licensed Sports Cruiser. Three of the four need no licence at all. The exact price for your date is shown before you pay.
What is the cheapest way to hire a boat in Sydney?
A three-hour weekday hire on the Day Boat at $400, split between up to six people. That works out around $67 each.
Are the prices per person or per boat?
Per boat. You hire the whole boat and bring who you like, up to the guest limit.
What makes the price go up?
Weekends, the 19 December to 26 January peak period, and public holidays are charged at the peak rate. Nothing else changes the price.
Is fuel included?
Fuel is included on all three no-licence boats. On the Sports Cruiser it is payable at the end of the hire, based on what you actually use.
Is there a security deposit?
Yes — a refundable $250 hold on the no-licence boats, and $1,250 on the Sports Cruiser. It is released after the boat comes back in good order.
Do I need to pay for a skipper?
Only if you want one on the Sports Cruiser, or if nobody in your group holds a licence. The no-licence boats you drive yourself after a briefing, at no extra cost.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. The price covers the boat, safety equipment and the briefing, plus fuel on the no-licence boats. Peak dates and the refundable deposit are the only other things that affect what you pay.
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