Boat Rental in Gold Coast

If the Pacific Ocean isn't enough to make you want to rent a boat and explore the beautiful beaches and islands nearby, then the famous Broadwater will. The city has nine times more waterways than Venice, and owning a boat in this city is pretty much a common thing. Locals hit the waters on a daily basis and boating, sailing, and enjoying the great outdoors are pretty much a routine weekend activity for most of the people who live and set foot in this city. It is only fitting that you should rent a boat in Gold Coast to truly immerse yourself in the region's culture, natural scenery, and lifestyle.

Speedboats are a great way to get around the waterways in Gold Coast. They're small, easy to maneuver, fast, and cheaper than renting an actual boat or yacht. A 20-foot speed boat can cost around USD400 for 6 people for a full day private rental in Gold Coast. However, suppose you're a solo traveler or a couple who would rather join a group. In that case, there are speed boat tours on the Broadwater that costs about $80 per person, depending on the destination and activities. Speedboat transfers are also a great way to travel from one suburb to another. Besides half-day or full day boat rentals, you can enjoy a two-way speedboat transfer in the Gold Coast for about $250, which covers two hours.

Catamarans are perfect for the Gold Coast, either cruising at sunset, on a dinner cruise or a few hours of water sports activities. A 32-foot sailing catamaran can cost around $300 per hour for 6 adults on board, while a power catamaran can cost around $450 per hour.

With almost 300km of navigable waterways within the city, you'll never run out of things to do onboard a boat rental in Gold Coast. Activities range from hopping from one riverside location to another, either tasting cuisine of award-winning restaurants or doing some souvenir shopping, or hitting the waters for some diving or simply cruising on the waterways. If you'd like to do some deep-sea fishing, head out the Gold Coast Seaway and out into the Coral Sea for some mackerels and marlins. Bring your catch with you and head over to South Stradbroke Island, where BBQ pits are provided for the public in designated picnic and swimming areas. Enjoy the afternoon swimming, snorkeling, or hitting the trails on the island, hop back on board for a sunset cruise on the Broadwater before docking back into the marina.

The Coral Sea is blessed with so many beautiful islands that you'll find it difficult to create a weekend itinerary onboard your private boat in Gold Coast. But for the most popular destinations and spots, here is a sample itinerary:

Day 1: Broadwater and Wave Break Island

Of course, you need to explore the Broadwater to truly enjoy Gold Coast by boat. Immerse in some water sport activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, jet-skiing, and even jetpack flyboarding. You can also visit the riverside cafes and restaurants, as well as a few suburbs such as Hope Island. In the afternoon, head to Wave Break Island for some snorkeling and diving. Anchor here for the night before making your way to the next destination in the morning.

Day 2: South Stradbroke Island

The Gold Coast's most popular weekend destination, South Straddie is home to beautiful beaches, walking trails, sand dunes, and a great place to fish and witness wildlife and birdlife. Not surprising, it is always included in any boat rental.

Day 3: Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera Creek

On your third day, go into the open water in the Coral Sea and cruise your way down to Burleigh Heads, visit its national park for an hour or two, and finish the day at Tallebudgera Creek, found south of Burleigh Heads. This creek is a popular swimming and camping area for locals and perfect for fishing, kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding.

Gold Coast boasts of year-round access for its popular dive spots, found within the Broadwater, and out in the Coral Sea. The most popular is the Gold Coast Seaway. There are 5 dive spots in the Seaway, which is where the Broadwater meets the Pacific Ocean. These waters are the most reliable spots in the Gold Coast to spot a wide range of fish, such as the white-spotted guitarfish, pinks whip rays, Queensland gropers, and large schools of Bigeye Trevally.

Another famous destination when you rent a boat for diving in Gold Coast is Wreck of the Scottish Prince. This wreck sank in 1887 and lies on the sand 800 meters from the Southport Spit beach. It is now home to soft corals and sponges, and a haven for crayfish, leopard sharks, and Shovelnose rays. Finally, there is a Narrowneck Artificial Reef that is found about 100 meters from the shore of Narrowneck beach. It is made from geotextile containers and has become home to soft corals, ascidians, crayfish, wobbegong sharks, nurse sharks, nudibranchs, shrimp, and octopuses.

Whether you're planning to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, bachelor party, or work party, Gold Coast has plenty of choices for party boat rentals. You can entertain or party the night away on a dinner cruise or day cruise along the waterways, with food and booze served all day long by a professional crew. You can choose between a live DJ, a live band, or an excellent sound system to bring music to the boat party, where the deck serves as a dancefloor, and the scenic views offer stunning backdrops.

Gold Coast is a beautiful city in Queensland, Australia, that offers plenty of opportunities for boat rental excursions. With the Broadwater and the Coral Sea right in its doorsteps, a boat rental is truly one of the best ways to encapsulate the magnificence of this city and region truly.