Sydney Yachting

Pro

Pricing: From $330 per hourCategory: Boat Party PlannersLocation: Sydney CBD, Eastern Suburbs +2 more

Highlights

Books about 25 privately owned boats, from a 12-guest cruiser to a 700-guest function vessel
Hourly hire from $330 midweek on Cavox II, with a three-hour minimum
Woolwich team that deals with boat owners directly and offers video or in-person inspections

About Sydney Yachting

Sydney Yachting is a charter booking service based in Woolwich. It works directly with the owners of roughly 25 vessels on Sydney Harbour and matches each group to one of them. The range runs from a 36-foot motor cruiser for 12 people to The Jackson, a three-level function boat rated for up to 700 at a cocktail event. Send the team your date, occasion and numbers and it comes back with suggested boats and a quote. For smaller parties, Cavox II is the entry point at $330 an hour midweek or $350 on weekends, with a flybridge, gas barbecue and lilypad, and a choice of BYO or catering. Coco takes 23 guests from $590 an hour in the May to August quieter months, Obsession holds 37 from $600, and Circa Spirit fits 65 from $790 in winter. At the upper end, the 100-foot Shadow carries up to 90 people from $3,000 an hour between November and March, and Cosmos II takes groups of more than 100. The hourly fee pays for the boat and its captain. Bigger vessels require waitstaff at one per 15 or 25 guests, at roughly $300 each for four hours, and most wharf stops cost about $50, while King Street Wharf is $100 and Woolwich wharf has no charge. Bringing your own food and drink usually adds $15 to $20 a head. Many boats add a 20% surcharge on public holidays. It suits birthdays, anniversaries, hens and bucks cruises and work outings where the host wants several boats compared before committing.

Pricing

Boats are hired by the hour and rates change with the vessel, the season and the day of the week. Cavox II (12 guests) is $330 an hour Monday to Thursday and $350 on weekends with a three-hour minimum. Coco (23 guests) runs from $590 to $750 an hour, Obsession (37 guests) is $600 an hour with a four-hour minimum, and Circa Spirit (65 guests) ranges from $790 to $1,100. Shadow, a 100-foot superyacht, is $3,000 an hour for up to 50 guests in summer, rising with numbers. On top of hire, larger boats need waitstaff at about $300 each for four hours, wharf stops cost around $50 (King Street Wharf $100) and BYO attracts a per-guest fee. Many boats add 20% on public holidays.

How We Work

You fill in the enquiry form or call, giving the occasion, approximate date, guest numbers and any boat you like the look of, and the team aims to reply within the hour with recommended boats and a price. Video or in-person inspections can be arranged before you commit. A 50% deposit secures the vessel. You then choose between the boat's menus and BYO, pick a boarding wharf and add any extras such as water toys. The balance and a $2,000 refundable bond are due three days before the cruise, and on the day guests board within the wharf's short boarding window.

Frequently asked questions

What does the hourly rate with Sydney Yachting cover?

The hourly charter fee pays for the vessel and the captain who drives it. Catering, drinks, compulsory waitstaff on larger boats, wharf fees and extras such as water toys are added on top, so the final price is the hourly rate multiplied by the hours plus those items.

Can we bring our own food and drinks on board?

Yes, BYO is allowed on most boats for a fee of around $15 to $20 per guest, and Cavox II charges a flat $100 per charter instead. If you would rather not, each boat has menus, usually either canape-style finger food or a seated buffet or shared meal.

Where can we board the boat?

Boats can collect and return your group at whichever public wharf is free and suits you. Woolwich wharf is popular because parking is easy and there is no wharf fee, while King Street Wharf attracts a $100 fee. Most public wharves only allow about 15 minutes to board, so guests need to be ready on time.

What deposit and bond are required?

A 50% deposit confirms the booking. The rest of the charter fee must clear no later than three days before the cruise, along with a $2,000 refundable bond, which is returned the day after the charter as long as the yacht is undamaged.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

The captain decides whether it is safe to head out. The boats have indoor and covered areas, so a rainy day usually goes ahead, and Sydney Yachting does not refund charters because of rain or a change of mind.

Areas we service

Eastern SuburbsInner WestNorth ShoreSydney CBD & Surrounds

Suitable occasions

Anniversary Party Birthday Party Bucks Party Corporate Event Hens Party Team Building Wedding Reception

Reviews

See all reviews for Sydney Yachting on Google

Fizaa

3 months ago

Booked Sydney Yachting for Vivid with a friend group! It was soo beautiful, captain was so helpful and fun. Amazing experience - would recommend for all group activities

William Gao

3 months ago

Had family visiting from overseas and wanted to show them Sydney Harbour in a memorable way. The yacht was beautiful and the views were incredible. What stood out most was how responsive and knowledgeable the booking tea…

Andrew Lu

3 months ago

This was our first time chartering a boat, so we had a lot of questions. The team was incredibly patient and explained all the options, costs and inclusions clearly. There were no surprises on the day, which I really app…

Lillian L

3 months ago

Booked a yacht for my birthday and the entire experience was seamless from start to finish. We had a group of 18 people and weren't sure which boat would suit us best, but the team took the time to understand exactly wha…

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