Fraser Island Boat Charters

Welcome to Fraser Island Boat Charters. Cruise the waters of Hervey Bay and K’gari (Fraser Island) in comfort on a sailing catamaran with your choice of bareboat (self-drive) and skippered charters. The Fraser Coast region has incredible sailing conditions thanks to ideal weather and a diverse range of anchorages with lots to explore.

Bareboat simply refers to hiring a boat without a skipper on board, meaning you can truly explore Fraser Island and all its hidden gems on a self-drive sailing holiday, with no set itinerary. Don’t be afraid if you have no experience or qualifications, you’ll be provided with a briefing from a fully qualified commercial skipper to make sure you know the ins and outs of the vessel before you set sail. The skipper will even drive the vessel out of the marina for you, then you’ll be free to spend a holiday on the water in style!
 
There’s also a range of Skippered Charters on offer including half day and overnight options with catered inclusions. You’ll have private use of a luxury sailing yacht, a flexible itinerary and regular stops for swimming and exploring. Let the skipper do the hard work while you sit back, relax and soak up the incredible Fraser coastline. Overnight and multi-day charters are suitable for 1- 6 people (don’t forget to leave a bed for the skipper!). Full and half day charters can take a maximum of 32 people with catered or BYO food and drink options offered. Perfect for birthdays, a romantic couple experience or a fun day out with mates.
 
Enjoy the relaxation that comes with an extended amount of time out in the calm waters of the bay in the Great Sandy Strait. An intimate and exclusive opportunity to explore in style - at your own pace.
 
SAILING AREA
Fraser Island Boat Charters operates throughout the Great Sandy Strait - stretching as far north as Rooney Point off Fraser Island and south to Inskip Point. World recognised by UNESCO, the area is located between Fraser Island and the mainland at Hervey Bay. The diverse ecosystem is teeming with marine life including dolphins, turtles and the famous humpback whales during their migration.

THE FLEET 
Sailing catamarans are perfect for exploring this amazing region - you have the option of sailing along with the wind or using the motor to take you where you want to go.
Navigation equipment includes head and main sails, GPS plotter, auto pilot, wind instruments, speed and depth meters while in the Saloon you'll find a 12V outlet and 240V invertor.
There's also a swim ladder, electric anchor plus a motorised tender to easily get you ashore.
Indigo, K’gari Breeze and Coralita all come with Free Wi-Fi (available to 90% of sailing area).

Indigo 
6 - 8 guests | 3 cabins | 1 hot shower | 1 toilet
The 10 metre Seawind 1000 is the perfect entry level catamaran - its size makes it easy to manage allowing for a simple and enjoyable boat charter experience.
Indigo can take eight people however six people are recommended. 
Cabin 1:  double bed + single bed. Cabin 2: double bed. Cabin 3: single bed.
All cabins are fan cooled and the saloon table will fold into an extra double bed. 
Galley: 75L fridge, 30L freezer, 120L Esky, stovetop, gas barbecue on back deck, small oven, hot / cold water, ice maker with chilled water, Nespresso coffee machine (BYO pods)
Specs: Length - 10m, Water capacity - 400L, Fuel capacity - 120L, Beam - 5.9m, Draft - 1m
Entertainment: television, music radio, AUX cord fitted, board games

K'gari Breeze
8 guests | 4 cabins | 2 hot showers | 2 toilets
This Seawind 1200 luxury sailing catamaran is the perfect way to explore the Fraser Coast in style with enough room for everyone and all the gear you could possibly need.
Cabins 1 - 4:  double bed. All cabins are fan cooled and the saloon table will fold into an extra double bed. 
Galley: 220L fridge / freezer, 120L Esky, stovetop, gas barbecue on back deck, small oven, hot / cold water, ice maker with chilled water, Nespresso coffee machine (BYO pods)
Specs: Length - 12m, Water capacity - 600L, Fuel capacity - 360L, Beam - 6.95m, Draft - 1.2m
Entertainment: television, music radio, AUX cord fitted, board games
 
Coralita
12 guests | 6 cabins | 2 hot showers | 2 toilets
This Leopard 44, 2016 model catamaran is the largest yacht in the fleet providing the ultimate in comfort and space. 
Cabins 1 - 4: double bed + air conditioning. Cabins 5 - 6: single bed + fan cooling.
Galley: 220L fridge / freezer, 120L Esky, stovetop, gas barbecue on back deck, small oven, hot / cold water, ice machine, Nespresso coffee machine (BYO pods)
Specs: Length - 13.4m, Water capacity - 500L, Fuel capacity - 350L, Beam - 7.3m, Draft - 1.3m
Entertainment: music radio with Bluetooth, AUX cord fitted, board games, reading books
 
Dream On
5 guests | 3 cabins | 1 shower | 1 toilet
The 10 metre Seawind 1000 is the perfect entry level catamaran - its size makes it easy to manage allowing for a simple and enjoyable boat charter experience.
Cabins 1 - 2: double bed. Cabin 3: single bed.
All cabins are fan cooled and the saloon table will fold into an extra double bed. 
Galley: 70L fridge, 30L freezer, 120L Esky, stovetop, gas barbecue on back deck, small oven, hot / cold water
Specs: Length - 10m, Water capacity - 400L, Fuel capacity - 120L, Beam - 5.9m, Draft - 1m
Entertainment: music radio, AUX cord fitted


SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
5 Night Itinerary - South
Day 1:  Departing Great Sandy Straits Marina to Big Woody Island [2 hours]
Day 2:  Big Woody Island to Kingfisher Bay [1.5 hours]
Day 3:  Kingfisher Bay to Ungowa [2 hours]
Day 4:  Ungowa to Gary’s Anchorage [2 hours]
Day 5:  Gary’s Anchorage to Kingfisher Bay [3.5 hours]
Day 6:  Kingfisher Bay returning to Great Sandy Straits Marina
 
5 Night Itinerary - North
Day 1:  Departing Great Sandy Straits Marina to Moon Point via Pelican Bank [1.5 hours]
Day 2:  Moon Point to Arch Cliffs [2 hours]
Day 3:  Arch Cliffs to Wathumba Creek [2 hours]
Day 4:  Wathumba Creek  [overnight]
Day 5:  Wathumba Creek to Arch Cliffs [2 hours]
Day 6:  Arch Cliffs returning to Great Sandy Straits Marina
 
7 Night Itinerary - North & South
Day 1:  Departing Great Sandy Straits Marina to Moon Point via Pelican Bank [1.5 hours]
Day 2:  Moon Point to Arch Cliffs [2 hours]
Day 3:  Arch Cliffs to Big Woody Island [2.5 hours]
Day 4:  Big Woody Island to Kingfisher Bay [1.5 hours]
Day 5:  Kingfisher Bay [overnight]
Day 6:  Kingfisher Bay to Ungowa [1.5 hours]
Day 7:  Ungowa to Moon Point [3 hours]
Day 8:  Moon Point returning to Great Sandy Straits Marina


Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Q:  Do I need any boating qualifications or experience?
No, not at all. Booking a bareboat experience could be a little bit daunting but don’t be worried if you aren’t experienced, you’ll receive a 2 to 3 hour full briefing from a commercially qualified skipper prior to your departure.
 
Q:  How many people can we take onboard?
This all depends on the size of the yacht you are hiring. The entry level Indigo can sleep 6 to 8 people, and the largest vessel Coralita can sleep 10 to 12 people.
 
Q:  Are children allowed on board bareboat hire?
They most certainly are. There’s no better way to get the kids away from those screens and out into nature than being on the water.
 
Q:  Where can we go?
If you are bareboating, you can go north as far as Rooney’s Point on Fraser Island and go south through the Straits as far as Inskip Point.
 
Q:  Is there parking available?
Yes. There is public car parking at the marina. You can also organise secure parking with the marina staff for $10 per night (price subject to change without notice).
 
Q:  Are there any extra costs for fuel or other amenities?
In order to cover facilities such as fuel and gas, there is a charge of $20 per engine hour on Indigo and Dream On and $30 per engine hours on K'gari Breeze and Coralita (prices subject to change without notice).
 
Q:  What can I expect on my bareboat hiring experience?
- Once you’ve confirmed a booking, you’ll be sent a host of information so you can be across everything before you start your charter.
- On the day of your arrival, you’ll be met at the Great Sandy Straits Marina at 2pm (unless another time is arranged).  
- A very detailed briefing (up to 4 hours) will be given to ensure you are fully equipped with the tools and knowledge to sail or motor (up to you) around Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Straits including how to fully run the boat, information on the area and what to look out for.
- Following the briefing and once the skipper knows that everyone is comfortable, the yacht will be driven out of the marina for you.
- Then jump off and sail into the sunset!
- Throughout the duration of the trip, the team will remain in close contact to make sure all is okay.
- At the end of your trip, they will meet you just outside the marina entrance to drive the yacht back into the marina.
 
Q:  Are there hot showers on board?
Yes! There are hot showers available on all the yachts.
 
Q:  Can we leave the yacht and go ashore?
Of course. Motorised tenders come with all bareboat hires to help you explore this amazing region.
 
Q:  Can we get in contact with someone if we are unsure about weather conditions or anchoring?
Absolutely. Once you are out on the water, the Operations Manager Scott will be in regular contact with you and offer you advice on where is best to anchor in the current weather conditions. If you have any issues Fraser Island Boat Charters are just phone call or text message away.
 
Q:  Do I need Travel Insurance?
Its recommended you travel insurance before booking in the unlikely event you need to cancel your booking as your charter fee is non-refundable.
 
Q:  Can we have the boat stocked with food and drink before we get to the Hervey Bay Marina?
Yes, you can. If you’d like that taken care of, we’ll send you some selections and price lists and it will be organised for you at extra cost.
 
Q:  During skippered charters, is the food catered for?
The beauty of skippered trips is that they can be completely tailored to you . Fraser Island Boat Charters are happy to package in fully catered options so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the magical waters.
 
Q:  Is there phone coverage and internet access on board?
It is suggested having at least one Telstra device on board for optimum coverage so that you can communicate with the team. If you don’t have a Telstra phone, please get in contact and we will help organise an alternative solution for you. Indigo, K’gari Breeze and Coralita all come with free Wi-Fi.
 
Q:  Are there any areas you can swim safely in the Great Sandy Strait?
There are lots of awesome swimming and snorkelling spots to make the most of on your bareboating trips including along the coast of Fraser Island near Kingfisher Bay, surrounding Pelican Bank and a number of Fraser Island creeks. Please be aware that during the height of summer there have been minimal cases of Irikanjdi so we suggest taking caution at this time.
 
Q:  Can we see the whales in the winter season?
Yes. During the months of July to November, whales will spend extended time relaxing and playing in our waters and towards the end of the season mothers will teach their calves how to behave. There are no restrictions on where you can travel throughout this time, however there are strict guidelines to follow in the event you encounter whales on your boating journey. These restrictions include distances between the vessel and any marine life and how you interact with these marine mammals.
Click here for more info:  https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/discovering-wildlife/watching-marine-mammals/rules  

Q:  What power is available on board?
There is 240V power on board for most appliances (leave the hair straighteners and dryers at home!) and batteries are charged by solar and a wind generator. We strongly encourage all charterers to be aware of conserving power and energy while on board so that together we can limit our impact on the local environment.
 
Q:  Can we go fishing?
We are happy for you to experience the world class fishing of the Fraser Coast, however you would need to BYO fishing gear.
 
Q:  Can I have a linen change during my charter?
Yes absolutely. A linen change needs to be booked in at least 2 weeks prior to your charter as you will need to come back into the harbour. It is an additional cost of $200 (price subject to change without notice).
 
Q:  What are the nearby shopping centres to stock up at?
There are several shopping centres within driving distance which include Woolworths and Coles as well as corner stores and Dan Murphys for drinks. There are also a large variety of outlets within the Marina including a pharmacy.