Boat Charter in Melbourne – Top Private Boat Rentals

With exceptional cuisine, a mix of terrific cultures, and a thriving cosmopolitan city, Melbourne has its fair share of beautiful beaches and nearby islands. With the Yarra River as the lifeblood of the city, a private boat rental is a must if you want to enjoy and explore the waterfront as well as the nearby islands that are a must to visit. Aside from sightseeing, surfing, and cruising, there are many opportunities for water sport activities, as well as scuba diving in the waters of Port Phillip Bay. If you're ready to explore Melbourne beyond the cafes, galleries, and iconic spots, then a boat rental in Melbourne is definitely the best way for you to experience the beauty of this city.

Speed boat rentals are aplenty in Melbourne because they are a great way to get to the different waterfront spots found along the Yarra River. Speedboat rentals are fast, efficient, and convenient, while also featuring beautiful scenery as you cruise through the waterways. A private full-day speedboat rental in Melbourne can cost around USD 700 for a speedboat that can accommodate 8 people while it can cost around $360 for a half-day private rental.

For join-un tours on the Yarra River, a speedboat tour for 2 hours can cost around $50 per person while a sunset cruise can cost around $100 per person. Private water transfers on board a speedboat are also popular in Melbourne. Whether you are headed to the Docklands, the Crown Casino, or the Southbank, a water taxi can cost around $200 for a private two-way transfer.

The Yarra River is the perfect place for renting a boat or catamaran as cruising down this waterway is perfect to witness the beautiful scenery of Melbourne's skyline and its iconic historic buildings during the daytime. A sailing catamaran in Melbourne can cost around $850 for 3 hours rental, while a skippered power catamaran can cost around $1,800 for a full day's rental.

With so many nearby islands and attractions in and around Melbourne, a full-day boat rental cruising and hopping from one island to another is a great excursion not to be missed. The only island on the Yarra River, you can start your day visiting Herring Island. This human-made island is a 3.2-hectare island, only 3km from the city center, and a great place to have a picnic by the shore. It features a beautiful Sculpture Park with installations from famous artists, as well as interesting birds to spot. After lunch, make your way to Phillip Island and visit Woolamai Beach and the countless attractions on this popular Melbourne destination. At the end of the day, watch the penguin parade as penguins come back on shore after a day of feeding in the waters.

For a truly immersive Melbourne boat rental experience, enjoy an entire weekend hopping from one island to the next around Port Phillip Bay. You can start your weekend itinerary at Phillip Island, where you can enjoy a full-day of adventure. Here is a sample itinerary for a weekend liveaboard on about rental in Melbourne:

Day 1: Phillip Island

Where do you even begin? There's so much to do and see on this island. Take a stroll to Woolamai Beach which is famous with surfers and features a gorgeous lookout. You can then head to the Wildlife Park, where species of native and rare creatures are to be found. You can then head to Brighton Beach and take picturesque selfies along the famous bathing boxes, then head over to a smaller island off the coast of Phillip Island, which is the Churchill Island Heritage Park. This park was the first-ever site of Victoria's first farm, and some of the original cottages and homestead still exist. A working farm is also in operation on the island, where you can see farm animals grazing on the land.

Day 2: French Island

French Island is Victoria's largest coastal island but only about 100 people live here, making it virtually untouched. About 70% of the island is a national park, and it's a great place to spot birds, the endangered long-nosed potoroo, koalas that roam freely, and over 100 types of bush orchids. Head back to Phillip Island and witness the penguin parade at the end of the day.

Day 3: Yarra River Cruise

And of course, your Melbourne boat rental itinerary is never complete without a cruise and tour along the Yarra River, where you can disembark along the famous tourist spots and attractions before making your way back to the wharf or marina.

With the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay on its doorsteps, as well as the Southern Ocean in the open waters, Melbourne is blessed with boat rental for diving options. You will find dive spots with something for every level of diver. The Rye Pier dive spot in the Mornington Peninsula is ideal for beginner divers. It is an easy dive during the day but its beauty comes out at night, where blue-ringed octopuses and calamari squid are seen. Nearby, you can explore the EX-HMAS Canberra, an artificial reef created from the shipwreck of a former warship. It is considered to be one of the greatest wreck dives in Australia, and suitable for the more advanced diver.

The Lonsdale Arches is another great dive spot in Melbourne, featuring unique rock formations and featuring easy swim-throughs. You can spot crayfish, cuttlefish, Port Jackson Sharks, and Draughtboars in this dive spot. Devils Dropoff is found in Port Phillip Bay and popular among locals. Featuring 12 to 30-meter drops, it features great swim-throughs, overhangs, and ledges. You can spot a large variety of soft corals, small fans, and plenty of species of fish such as the Southern Blue Devil Fish. Overall, renting a boat for diving in Melbourne can be very fulfilling.

A special occasion calls for a special venue. And what better way to celebrate a birthday, hen, or bucks parties than on a private and exclusive party boat rental in Melbourne? You can choose from a sunset party boat, a half-day party boat, or an evening party boat for work parties, birthdays, and other special events. Experienced staff and crew of these party boats take care of everything from the live entertainment to the food and drinks, to the decor and everything you need to have an unforgettable party on your very own private boat cruising along the Yarra River.

Melbourne is known for being the cultural capital of Australia, and there's so much to do and see here that you'll spend more than just a day or two in this gorgeous city. But its natural scenery is best explored on a private boat rental. Whether you choose to cruise within the Yarra River or out in the Bay, cruising down its waterways and the open ocean is definitely an experience you won't forget on your Melbourne holiday.