Have you ever seen people off the coast of Sydney lazing around in the sun on a luxury yacht, drinking cocktails and looking all fancy and wondering to yourself what they do for a living to be able to afford such a lifestyle? Would it surprise you to learn that most people don’t actually own the boats, but rent them out for a few hours of relaxation?
In this article, we’re going to look at how much it costs to hire a boat and whether you need a boat licence to hire one in NSW. If you’ve always dreamed of living a life of luxury—even if only for an afternoon—then this is the article for you.
How much does it cost to hire a boat in Sydney?
So, how much does it cost to hire a boat in Sydney? You’ll be pleased to learn that it is actually far more affordable than you might imagine. That said, it really does depend on the size and quality of the boat.
The cost to hire a boat in Sydney can start as little as $200 per hour for a smaller boat, and upwards of $3,000 to $4,000 an hour for a world-class luxury superyacht.
Superyacht
The average minimum time that you can rent a boat in Sydney typically starts around four hours. So, for a mid-range boat at say, $1,000 per hour, you’ll be looking at about $4,000 for an afternoon of sailing around the coast of Sydney in style.
If you don’t mind waiting until the off-season, you can rent a boat for less and you’ll find all manner of attractive deals on special boat charters.
And while $1,000 an hour might seem like a lot of money, between a large group of friends for a special occasion, it can work out to less than $100 bucks an hour, each. Not bad for an afternoon on a lavish boat – particularly if you want to get some decent, Insta-worthy shots for your social media.
Do you need a boat licence to hire a boat in NSW?
And what about a boat licence; do you need to have one in order to hire a boat in NSW?
If you want to hire a vessel to operate by yourself, you do need a boat licence (whether for a powerboat or sailing boat that has an engine with a speed of 10 knots or more).
To hire and drive a PWC, you need to be aged 16 and over and have a PWC licence.
That said if you simply want to hire a boat so that you can enjoy the ride and spend the day drinking and sunbathing, you don’t need a licence – instead, you can hire a boat with a captain to accommodate your needs.
What sort of budget do you need to hire a boat for a large party or event?
Whether for a wedding or corporate event, if you want to hire a large vessel to accommodate a big function, you should aim for an event budget of at least $8,000. Again, it all depends on the size and quality of the vessel.
Certain boats such as large pontoons can safely and comfortably host up to 950 people. These vessels are particularly popular for big weddings and corporate parties. You can also choose from party barges, luxury superyachts, and more.
To give you a rough idea, you can hire a party boat for as little as $50 per person. When you consider how fun and exciting a boat party can be off the coast of Sydney, that’s an exceptionally well-priced cost per head!
Boat hire is an awesome employee incentive and there are plenty of different options to choose from, whether you have a smaller team of up to 20 employees or a big corporation that requires a larger catamaran boat.
The good news is that there are many reputable boat hire companies in Sydney Harbour and you won’t have much difficulty finding a reliable company with the perfect vessel to suit your needs and budgetary requirements.
Coast of Sydney
Is it possible to rent boats over a longer period?
Absolutely. You can hire long-term boats for various getaway charters and adventures. These boats are typically superyachts and luxury sailing vessels as they need to be large enough—and designed for—accommodating longer journeys out to sea. In this case, having a skipper is recommended, however, if you have the experience and necessary licensing to sail yourself, there are boat hire companies that can facilitate your needs.
Final thoughts
Let’s have a quick recap of what we’ve learned:
- The cost to hire a boat in Sydney can vary anywhere from $200 to $4,000 AUD per hour (and higher) depending on the size and quality of the vessel.
- If you want to hire a boat to drive yourself, you will need the necessary licensing and be of age.
- You don’t need a boating license to hire a boat with a captain. If you’d prefer to laze about and enjoy the ride you need only bring yourself!
- For big parties, you could be looking at roughly $50 per head.
- There is the option to rent a boat over a longer period for charter getaways.
We hope you’ve found this article inspiring and that you now know a little bit more about luxury boat hire on Sydney Harbour. If you’re looking for the nautical adventure of a lifetime, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a location better suited to it than Sydney and NSW!