yacht delivery rates australia

SAILING TEAM

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TRUSTED  YACHT  RELOCATION

International & local, we deliver. yachts, skippers, mentorship , luxury yachts our specialty, it's really, our life's work..

Not only do we put our lives at risk with every passage, we also put our hearts and souls into making every relocation the very best it can possibly be – and we don’t stop until we get there, safely. 

HIGH SEAS. HIGH VALUES.  Our success is not only due to the quality of our work; it's down to attitude, our unique approach and the way we treat our clients, our crew and your yacht

BOAT DELIVERIES

Need a  yacht or motor vessel  delivered? We are Australian east coast delivery specialists. Our qualified crew will ensure the safe and timely delivery of your boat. We promise a professional, friendly and prompt delivery of your yacht or motor boat. Owners are welcome to join the delivery. Set price quotes.

Safe & Secure

Boat delivery by a qualified skipper at a set price anywhere in Australia and some international ports. We do not push your boat, but sail her with care to ensure a safe and timely arrival.

Planning & Communication

After an initial agreement is made a formal contract will be entered into. Prior to embarkation a trip plan will provided to the owner. Before setting out an inspection (usually a video call) needs to be completed to ensure the vessel is safe and meets our safety equipment requirements.

Set Price Quote

Our rate for yacht delivery starts at $5.50 per nautical mile, (including GST) plus travel and provisioning for up to 3 crew total. Power boat delivery start at $3.30 per nautical mile with costs for 2 crew total. Exact cost depends on the age, size and speed of your vessel.

Boat Delivery Enquiry Form

We would be delighted to assist you. To get started, please complete this form and we will be in touch – usually within 24 hours. You will receive a confirmation email.

Australian Yacht Deliveries

Your East Coast yacht delivery experts

Learn About Us

The professional  vessel delivery team

Australian Yacht Deliveries has been offering first-class vessel deliveries, training and pre purchase inspections since 2001.

We offer delivery of private and commercial vessels 12 to 80 metres in length.  We specialise in east coast deliveries.

At its core is the team of Gary Hughes and Katherine Sellers. We are joined by a team of professional and amateur crew as required. Australian Yacht Deliveries will deliver your vessel on time, on budget and in the condition you expect. We are also happy for owners to join the delivery trip and offer onboard training. Because we are certified commercial mariners, your insurance company will extend cover for the delivery.

Our Services

Our fees are based on travel expenses ($1500 to $3500) for 2 or more people and a per nautical mile fee of ($4.00 to $9.00) dependent on vessel type, size and speed. For example, on a recent delivery of a 13 metre sailing yacht from Bowen to Gold Coast, a trip of 600nm, we took 5 days and it cost the owner $5500 with fees, airfares and all expenses excluding fuel which was only an additional $170. 

We offer a repair rate from $550 per day if your vessel needs work to be safe.

We also offer professional maritime services and training from $550 per day plus travel.

Vessel deliveries

Vessel training

Marine surveying

Yacht Delivery In Queensland

Yacht Delivery Solutions.

Yacht Delivery Solutions specialises in the delivery of sail and power boats from 40 to 120ft throughout Australia, The Pacific and Asia. Yacht Delivery Solutions provides an experienced and qualified yacht delivery skipper and crew to deliver your yacht promptly and safely.

You’ll have a yacht delivery captain on board your yacht with over 20 years and 150,000nm of marine experience covering every aspect of boat handling, maintenance and repair so you have peace of mind while we get the job done. We can be anywhere in QLD or NSW in hours.

Yacht Delivery Solutions

Covering Oceania And The Pacific

Yacht Delivery Skipper.

Handing over your yacht isn’t just a logistical dance; it’s a leap of trust. At Yacht Delivery Solutions, we respect that. Our mission isn’t just about a flawless delivery record; it’s about partnering with you every step of the way. Every voyage has its unique whisper, and we’re your seasoned guides, navigating each nuance with meticulous planning and constant communication.

After your yacht’s safe arrival, we’ll share all the photos and videos we captured along the way, giving you a glimpse of your vessel’s journey across the seas. We’ll also provide you with a detailed report outlining any issues we encountered during the delivery, along with our recommendations for any preventative maintenance that might be beneficial. This way, you’ll have everything you need to ensure your future voyages are smooth sailing from the start.

Because at Yacht Delivery Solutions, peace of mind isn’t a destination; it’s the journey. We keep you connected and informed, so you’re aware of our progress. Rest assured, your vessel rests in capable hands.

Excellence Matters

Your Vessel , Our Mission.

Yacht Delivery Solutions: Trusted Journeys at the Best Value.

We prioritize safety and your peace of mind with every delivery. Our experienced skippers and crew meticulously plan and navigate, employing conservative sailing practices to ensure your yacht arrives promptly and securely .

Stay connected throughout the journey. We provide frequent satellite updates on position, speed, and course, along with daily email updates with insights and observations.

We specialize in delivering motor and sailing vessels anywhere in Australia and New Zealand, tackling any weather with expertise and confidence.

Choose Yacht Delivery Solutions for reliable, stress-free journeys at the best value.

Never miss a beat of your yachts voyage, even from land. We equip our delivery vessels with cutting edge tech like Starlink, Garmin inReach, and Iridium GO , keeping you closely connected every stop of the way.

Experience the journey firsthand with:

• Hourly position updates: Follow your yacht’s progress in real-time on a live chart,visualising its path from departure to arrival
• Captivating daily blog: Get a window into life at sea with crew insights, captivating photos and engaging stories, delivered fresh each day
• Up to the minute weather forecast: Starlink fuels our routing decisions, navigating your yacht with the best weather window and ensuring minimal wear and tear.

With our onboard tech and experienced crew, your yacht is in safe hands and your peace of mind secured.

• Skippers Ticket Albany
• Half Day Yacht Tours
• Learn to Sail
• Charter the Yacht

Yacht Delivery

• Marina Services

Call Mark on  0428 429 911

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Southern Ocean Sailing headed up by Mark McRae is the premier Yacht delivery business in Australia.

Past voyages and deliveries have taken us to all corners of the globe including sailing through the icebergs of Antarctica and rounding Cabo de' Hornos (Cape Horn). Our team of three highly qualified and most importantly experienced Skippers are on board and ready to assist. Generally we provide crew at no cost to clients.

We specialise in voyages across the Great Australian Bight and around Cape Leeuwin however wherever you would like your yacht delivered we are here to assist.

Our agreement form can be accessed on this page so you are welcome to view, download if you wish and submit to us.

Southern Ocean Sailing's strict policy is we do not proceed with the commencement of deliveries until the agreement is completed in its entirety and the deposit cleared into our account .

Advice on voyages is available including weather routing however this is charged at an hourly rate of $165.00. Funds need to be cleared into our account should you require such.

In case of an urgent need to contact us:

+61428429911 Aus Mob

+61414277675 Satellite. Restricted to SMS.

Yacht Delivery Enquiry

Send an enquiry.

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Sit back and relax

Reliable and trusted luxury yacht management services so you can rest assured your asset is in the best hands

CALL US ON 0409 220 229

YACHT DELIVERY

Experienced and qualified

Imagine getting your luxury yacht delivery organised by experienced mariners with international superyacht delivery and international racing experience. luxury marine is a yacht delivery company in australia that has simple to understand yacht delivery contracts with competitive delivery rates. safely delivering your luxury yacht from one location to another involves a significant amount of preparation, as well as legal and safety considerations. the luxury marine team brings worldwide marine experience combined with extensive marine qualifications including master 4, med 2 & integrated rating (merchant shipping) qualifications. your luxury yacht is in the best of care when getting moved by our team to another state or country..

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Our team begins by familiarising ourselves with your vessel, conducting safety assessments and ensuring the boat is fitted with the required equipment. Then we plan the passage.

Keeping you informed at every stage of the journey is important and with our crew at the help taking care of all the logistical details you can rest assures that your luxury asset is in good hands.

VESSEL FAMILIARISATION

In the initial stage of the yacht delivery process, our team will travel to the location of your vessel (if outside of Sydney) and begin familiarising ourselves with its operation. ​ During this stage, we will be assessing the engines, electronics, and generally getting to know your vessel before we commence safety inspections

SAFETY INSPECTIONS

Conducting a safety inspection allows us to identify any key areas that need to be addressed in order to meet mandatory safety requirements before commencing the delivery journey.

In this stage, our team will check that we have the appropriate charts and navigation equipment as well as working VHF and AUS (if applicable). Safety procedures will also be established for the event of an emergency whilst onboard.

After familiarisation and safety inspections have been conducted, we begin passage planning. This process involves evaluating weather forecasts and patterns to determine the optimal time to depart, engaging the required number of crew for the days at sea, creating a budget and provisioning for fuel.

Our qualified team also ensure customs and border force requirements are addressed, relevant agencies are notified of intended movements and safety spots are mapped out in case of emergency. With your approval, we then commence the journey.

Over the years we have delivered luxury yachts around Australia and European locations that have included deliveries from Monaco to St Tropez, Athens to Monaco, Gibraltar to Florida and more. We can easily deliver your boat in Australia from Sydney to Queensland or Sydney to Melbourne or even from Australia to New Zealand 

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM TODAY TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Vessel delivery the right way.

Prestige Yacht Delivery Welcomes You.

Prestige Yacht Delivery offer you a seamless vessel delivery service for your piece of mind and convenience. Leave the heavy lifting to us and allow our experienced crew to safely guide your vessel anywhere you choose. No need to stress about the journey—we’ve got it all covered! If the unexpected happens, fear not! Our skilled team is ready to handle any repairs with precision and care to get your vessel operational in no time.

Prestige Yacht Delivery is owner operated and utilizing only handpicked, highly qualified and accomplished mariners. Contact us for a chat about your upcoming relocation and well send you an obligation free quote. Put your mind at ease and enquire now!

Boat Transport (known as Mark Anderson’s Boat Transport) is a reputable, Sydney-based specialist boat transport company. The company is run by Tom Anderson, who took over the business after the retirement of his father, Mark Anderson, in 2018.

Boats are our passion and that pride of work shows in every job we complete.

Every year we transport over 300 boats across Australia – Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia – using custom-built equipment to accommodate different types and sizes of vessels.

We are well known in the boating community for our efficient, safe and reliable service.  Our job is to make transportation of your boat as easy and as hassle-free as possible. That is why for over 50 years boat owners across Australia trust us to take care of their boat transportation needs .

Our latest work

We are keeping busy delivering some of the beautiful boats for our customers across the country. Below is a quick snapshot of what we have been up to lately.

boat_transport

years in boat transport business

boats transported every year

thousand kilometres travelled every year

Why choose us

Mark Anderson’s Boat Transport is known for its quality and ability to deliver. It is an in-depth knowledge, many decades of experience, reliability and highly customised approach to every job that makes Mark Anderson’s Boat Transport a number one choice for its clients.

Unmatched experience.

We are not new to the industry. Over the 58 years in business we have transported thousands of boats ranging from small skiffs and personal watercraft to large commercial vessels and yachts.  Our customers get the best of that experience, avoiding potential pitfalls and issues they may experience if using services of less experienced operators.

Trusted and reliable operator.

Our success is build on trust by our clients and reliable service we provide. That is why our customers return to us time and time again, knowing that the job will get done safely, efficiently and on time. Among others, our regular clients include McConaghy Boats, Auzura Yachts, Palm Beach Motor Boats and Beneteau.

Keeping it simple and hassle-free.

We keep things simple and efficient. We will take hassle and worry out of your day by taking care of every aspect of your boat transportation.

Competitively priced.

Whilst our pricing is competitive, it reflects the quality and standard of the service we offer. That means our clients get the best value for their money every time.

What our customers say

But don’t take our word for it, see what some of our clients had to say about us.

Boat Transport has never let us down

Mark Anderson’s Boat transport is the exclusive transporter of all our new boats, safely delivering hundreds of new yachts and power boats for our company for over 20 years. We simply wouldn’t choose anyone else with our precious cargo.  The service is friendly, professional, on time, hassle free and they are always a joy to deal with. It’s remarkable that with so many boats, over so many years, Boat Transport has never let us down.

Director, Flagstaff Marine Vicsail Sydney Beneteau NSW and QLD, Australia

Safe operators, always punctual and well prepared for any task

Woolwich Dock has been using Boat Transport Pty Ltd since we began business in 2005 and have  found them to be most professional in all our dealings. They are safe operators, always punctual and well prepared for any task. Their custom made, equipment is first class and well maintained. Woolwich Dock have no hesitation in recommending Boat Transport Pty Ltd for any project.

David Kellett AM

General Manager, Woolwich Dock Pty Ltd

Nothing short of exceptional

My business has been dealing with Mark (previously), and now Tom at Mark Anderson’s Boat Transport for over 10 years, and found their service nothing short of exceptional. The response time and quoting is prompt, the delivery on time as promised and undoubtedly have the most competitive rates in the industry. Tom delivers an exceptional service and is a pleasure to deal with, who will carry on the business successfully. I can’t speak highly enough of them!!

Director, Short Marine Pty Ltd / Ryan Short Marine Services Pty Ltd

What’s next

Step 1: contact us, step 2: receive a quote.

We will provide you with all-inclusive, obligation free quote based on your requirements and will answer any additional questions you may have.

Step 3: Get it moving

If you are happy with the quote, we will arrange the day and time for your boat to be transported. If required, we can guide through all the steps so that you feel comfortable and at ease with the process.

 GET A QUOTE

Please complete the below form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Or simply give us a call on 0458 788 844

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Vessel Transportation By Sea

We Deliver Yachts Powerboats Sailboats Small Ships Commercial Pilotboats Superyachts Tugs

Power | sail up to 80 metres commercial | recreational australia | pacific | worldwide, need proof, we have plenty of runs on the board. monohull, catamaran, trimaran, cruiser, racer, fishing, sailing, power and pilot. ^ denotes experience via deliver my yachts.

Meet the Salts

Our masters hold commercial deck and engineering qualifications, have years of experience and 000’s of sea miles. plus they’re good blokes. salt of the earth..

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We’ve done a few laps around the block. chart courtesy of  navionics.com.

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Our standards are high, but crewing with salty is rewarding. we continually seek good people to join our team: masters, engineers, crew and sea-mile builders..

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6 Reasons to Choose Salty

With salty, your vessel is in safe hands. and we have the runs on the board to prove it..

• 50+ successful deliveries completed
• Commercially qualified Masters
• Advanced satellite tracking
• 10+ years industry experience
• Nil incidents
• Australia’s largest crewing network

We Love What We Do

Gallivanting around australia, the pacific and the world, creating salty stories… where can we deliver your yacht.

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Good stuff, generally. we’re a likeable bunch..

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Let’s get your vessel delivered today, our greater team, crew that we rely on..

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Australia and the pacific is our stomping ground. when we get itchy feet, we deliver yachts worldwide..

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Boat delivery services

Boat delivery and crewing around australia and the world.

• Delivery of private and commercial boats, power and sail, mono and multihull .
• We work with the owner and existing crew, or supply captains and crew as needed.
• Competitive rates.

. . . Delivered in a timely manner with the safety of your vessel and crew being the priority.

Get the most out of your vessel

By inviting a captain along for a voyage, you can save a lot of time and money buy learning how to get the most out of your vessel with safe and efficient methods. You can also build on the skills and confidence required for off shore voyages.

Working full time? Get your yacht delivered.

Your time is valuable. Let us delivery your yacht for you. Rest assured that it will be relocated and ready for you to have fun in the sun very soon.

3 steps for a safe and timely delivery of your boat

• Make an agreement on terms of service. Please contact us for a competitive quote..
• Skipper and/or crew will travel to your vessel. A  safety inspection is conducted. The skipper and crew familiarise themselves with the vessel’s systems.
• During the  yacht delivery, the captain and crew will monitor the vessel’s systems and perform maintenance as required for safe operation . We provide regular communication about the vessel’s location with screen shots of our position.

About our experienced team of skippers and crew .

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Yacht shipping versus yacht delivery under sail – which method really costs more and why?

• Will Bruton
• June 11, 2017

Depending on the size of your yacht and the distance between ports, the difference in price between yacht delivery and yacht shipping may be smaller than you think.

A transocean passage can be a cruising delight, but it can also represent a logistical challenge. Owners who are constrained by time through work and family commitments, or who need to have their boat in a certain place at a set time, be it for a regatta or a charter, may not be able to sail their own yacht to its next destination.

Over the past ten years the business of moving yachts has seen significant developments. Several delivery companies now offer the services of qualified crew, 24-hour engineering support and satellite tracking as standard. In parallel, global yacht shipping has expanded vastly, resulting in faster deliveries and more destinations covered.

What is the difference in price between yacht delivery by sail and yacht shipping? We requested a quote to move a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44DS with a value of £250,000 from Antigua to Palma following the 2017 ARC. By ship: we were quoted £12,900 , including insurance and cradle rental. However, the shipment offered was later than the departure date we initially requested. By sail: quoted £8,500, not including fuel (estimated at £1,400), marina fees (est. £250), and return flights for three crew to UK (est. £1,800) giving a total of £11,950 .

Jeremy Wyatt, director of World Cruising Club, sees many yachts moved by both methods following events like the ARC.

“In general there are two types of cruisers, the ‘traditional’ liveaboards who will cruise the Caribbean then sail home to Europe or the US. More recently, though, we have seen more time-poor sailors, usually because they have not retired or are not able to spend extended periods sailing,” he comments.

“These are the owners who would be expected to ship back home. The convenience to them is not needing to spend six weeks preparing and sailing a boat back via the Azores and [that convenience] outweighs the cost of shipping.

“There is also the argument that shipping saves wear and tear, which is a hidden cost of sailing it back. Some boats, particularly catamarans, are also not really suited to the North Atlantic route back to Europe.”

ARC Europe: Crossing the Atlantic west to east is a very different experience

Trusted hands

Engaging a delivery company involves putting a valuable asset in the hands of a skipper and crew you have probably never met. So how do you decide if they are up to the job?

Simon Weeks is a freelance delivery skipper, based in Hamble, UK, who sails worldwide. “As a minimum, I would always ask for a skipper’s CV, verifiable references, and some contact well in advance of the trip,” he recommends.

Pete Green, owner of Halcyon Yacht Delivery, has developed clear criteria for both skippers and crew. “We run with a minimum of three crew on short and medium trips and four crew on transocean deliveries,” he comments.

“Our minimum skipper qualification is RYA Yachtmaster Ocean with lots of previous experience. In terms of crew, on medium to long trips we insist that one of the two crew must be a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and, on shorter trips, a Yachtmaster Coastal. The third crew member must have RYA Day Skipper or equivalent experience.

“Anyone going on a Halcyon delivery has to supply two referees who are followed up, plus either a face to face or telephone interview during which a short theory exam is undertaken to assess the extent of the crew’s knowledge.”

It is perhaps not surprising that, in a market where margins have been squeezed in recent years, not all yacht deliveries go to plan. “There are certainly some cowboys out there,” comments Weeks. “We pick up numerous deliveries every year from owners that have been let down.”

“There was one yacht we delivered from Spain to the UK that had been left by another skipper who decided he didn’t want to finish the trip. We were given a list of defects that the previous skipper had identified.”

“We were prepared for some maintenance before setting off but were surprised to discover that the yacht was absolutely fine. It turned out the list had been created so that the skipper could justify going home early.”

How yacht delivery companies operate has also been publicly called into question on several occasions. Many operations rely on unpaid volunteer crew keen to build their experience, a practice that not everyone in the industry supports.

There have also been reports of skippers pressured to sail into unsuitable conditions. In 2012, Farnborough-based Reliance Yacht Management was successfully sued for negligence after the deaths of a delivery skipper and two crew.

The wear and tear inflicted on a yacht on a delivery passage is a major consideration. With brand new yachts, the job becomes particularly involved, explains Green.

“It’s always a challenge to deliver a brand new yacht thousands of miles in perfect condition. We spend time bubble-wrapping every inch of the interior to protect it. Also, we don’t use certain items, including the oven, and we put foil on the top of the hob to make sure it is protected.”

“On the exterior, we check all fixtures and fittings before setting off to make sure blocks are secure, winches have been tightened to the deck sufficiently, and sails have been bent on correctly. Lifejackets and harnesses stay on deck to avoid scratching the interior.”

At the other end of the scale, some yachts being delivered haven’t been sailed in years. “It can be a tricky issue,” comments Green.

“Nearly all delivery companies and skippers specify minimum levels of equipment as part of the contract, but boat condition can be more problematic. Contact will be made with the owner beforehand to establish the yacht’s age and whether there has been a recent survey, but this only gives half the picture. My checklist includes all the seacocks, the rig, engine and much more.”

Shipping routes

Shipping yachts has become an increasingly popular option for many owners in recent years. It’s an appealing prospect, largely due to the inherent predictability of an operation that relies on big ships that can handle all but the worst weather with ease.

Credit: William Bruton

Shipping companies increasingly charter purpose-built vessels that speed up the operation further.

“It’s possible to ship with the mast left up, the shore power connected and crane the boat straight into the water at the other end,” explains Josh Flavell, a former delivery skipper who now works for Peters & May.

The list of destinations covered has also grown. “Whilst routes used to be dictated by the traditional yachting seasons and its major events, such as the ARC, today we are delivering to some of the world’s remote cruising grounds as well. Alaska and Tahiti are two of the more far-flung places we sailed last year,” reports Sander Shuurman from Sevenstar Yacht Transport.

The Oyster Yachts team in Palma manages many yacht handovers to and from shipping companies on behalf of owners. “It’s a very popular option,” explains Mark Durham, Oyster Palma’s operations manager.

“Although the shipping fees appear higher than the professional delivery companies, higher wear and tear heading east across the Atlantic means many are choosing what is a much more predictable option.

“There are some downsides. One is [to do with] the vagaries of loading dates. It can lead to multiple rescheduling, both of the loading and offloading team’s plans, and of course the planned program after arrival.

“Although the passage time will almost always be shorter than the own-hull sailing time, the additional costs incurred at each end due to delays can add substantially to the basic charges, so they should always be budgeted for as well.”

Whilst yachts won’t incur sail or motor maintenance issues, Hamish Burgess-Simpson, project manager from Oyster, warns that shipped yachts can arrive “truly filthy”, depending on their loaded position on deck.

“The dirt washes off the topsides with a bit of effort, but it can be permanently ingrained in the canvas work,” he adds. This dirt, generated largely by the ship’s stacks, can be mostly avoided by ensuring your yacht is placed forward of the exhaust system, but it’s still advisable to stow all canvas.

The price of moving a boat, whether by ship or delivery crew, can be hard to estimate. “In recent years the bottom line for owners has become increasingly price driven, so we try to provide quotes that include all of the major expenses, including cradle hire and insurance whilst the boat is in our hands,” says Josh Flavell from Peters & May.

“Our costs vary quite significantly. If we are utilising a scheduled ‘liner’ service, then the cost can be higher as the ship sails whether it is full or not.

“However, where we are using a chartered service ship, [which accounts for] about 70 per cent of our shipping, we can often offer a much lower price.”

Despite an ever-increasing choice of routes, some destinations will always require a delivery crew, or a combination of shipping and delivery. “We recently delivered a yacht to her owner’s private island in the Western Isles,” says Pete Green of Halcyon Yacht Delivery.

Photo Wayne Larris Photography/Peters&May

Hidden costs of yacht delivery and yacht shipping

Both shipping and sailing a yacht can potentially incur hidden costs:

• Cradle hire: yachts being shipped are secured to the deck in cradles. Whilst you may own one, it may not be suitable for shipping. If it is, there will also be an additional cost of shipping the cradle itself or storing it ashore.
• Insurance: many shipping companies include insurance from when the yacht goes into the ship’s crane to when it comes out, but not all – check with your insurer in advance.
• Berthing: ships are delayed sometimes, particularly due to loading and unloading.
• Satellite communications: one owner we spoke to reported a satellite phone bill in excess of £15,000 following a transatlantic delivery. The data connection had been left open by accident by the delivery skipper. If allowing use of your own satellite communication equipment, agree terms in advance in writing.
• Wear and tear: on long passages, particularly heading into prevailing weather systems, some wear and tear on equipment should be expected. Consider timing of cosmetic work to the yacht carefully and ensure running gear works freely before handing over to a delivery company.
• Insurance: again, check your policy. Your insurer may specify requirements for the delivery which may go beyond the skipper’s qualifications. Crew may also need to meet certain requirements.

William Bruton, 27, grew up in Lancashire and learned to sail in 2012. He now works as a freelance skipper all over the world, specialising in Oyster yachts. He is currently based in Japan.

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Hire an Experienced Mariner You Can Trust

Beacon Luxury Yacht Delivery’s mission is to provide owners, agents, and brokers with professional yacht deliveries of exceptional value and quality.  We offer many services that can help with your delivery from start to finish, without stress.  Learn more about us and the services we provide.

ATLANTIC – PACIFIC – CARIBBEAN – GREAT LAKES – ARCTIC

USCG-Licensed Captain

U.S licensed master, less than 200 GRT upon oceans, Ref. #4283281

Licensed Master, Yachts up to 500 Gross Tons Upon Oceans – With vast at-sea experience in the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean, Great Lakes, and Arctic, Captain Jannusch (LCDR, USCG, Ret.) is a highly skilled ship driver and operator.  A proven and tested leader for more than 20 years, with tens of thousands of nautical miles traveled, and a mindset perpetually attuned to preparation and readiness, have confidence that your yacht will be in capable hands.

Our Promise

We take pride in delivering your yacht to the destination of your choice in the safest, most precise, and most efficient manner possible – the care and protection of your vessel as well as the safety of everyone onboard is our primary focus.

Our experienced marine professionals can handle local or long-distance deliveries of yachts throughout the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Caribbean, Great Lakes, and the Arctic.  You can count on us to uphold a rigorous standard of care, attentiveness, and leadership to every yacht, no matter the vessel size or destination.

Full-Service Yacht Delivery

Port-to-port, captain services.

Beacon Luxury Yacht Delivery offers interim Captaining services for yachts up to 500 GT.  This service may help to meet insurance company requirements, or perhaps simply just provide a level of professional yacht management that allows you to enjoy the journey to the fullest.

Boat Delivery Services

Yacht Delivery Services – We provide worry-free yacht delivery solutions for all relocation scenarios including seasonal repositions, new purchases, vacations, boat shows, or boatyard deliveries for maintenance.

Request A Delivery, Today!

Request A Delivery, Today! – Contact our experienced team to discuss the requirements for your yacht delivery and how Beacon Luxury Yacht Delivery can best meet your needs.  Every journey is unique and requires a different set of skills, crew, and plans.  We’re happy to provide you with an estimate consistent with our current rates and terms.

A Licensed & Insured Vendor

Under the leadership of USCG Licensed Master, Captain Doug Jannusch, Beacon Luxury Yacht Delivery’s mission is to provide owners, agents, and brokers with professional yacht deliveries of exceptional value and quality. A reputable and honest service provider, our primary focus is the SAFE and SUCCESSFUL delivery of the vessel and crew while doing our utmost to meet all your needs. Learn more about pre-delivery and post-departure procedures.

Schedule A Yacht Delivery, Today!

We take pride in efficiently delivering your yacht to the destination of your choice in the safest, most precise, and most efficient manner possible – the care and protection of your vessel as well as the safety of everyone onboard is our primary focus. Captain Jannusch is also available for service as interim Captain.  Get started today and schedule your next delivery with Beacon Luxury Yacht Delivery.

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64  Crewed Luxury Yachts for Charter in Australia

Australia Yacht Charter

A constellation of wonder, an Australia yacht charter offers guests a bewitching blend of possibilities: from soaking up the ambiance of ever-twinkling cityscapes like Sydney or Melbourne to reconnecting with nature on a humbling, almost visceral level in the Great Barrier Reef.  Mesmerizing, spellbinding, spectacular — there is simply no end of superlatives to describe the magic of Australia.

Australia Yacht Booking Guide:

Australia Yacht Charters: At a Glance

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The sheer size and vast expanse of coastline that Australia has to offer makes it perfect for a luxury yacht charter vacation. Renowned for its abundance of watersports opportunities, from action-packed jet skiing and water skiing to scuba diving in the vast underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, it is one of the most comprehensive and exciting cruising destinations in the world. 

• A diving and snorkeling paradise From the incomparable Great Barrier Reef which has more than 1,500 types of fish to the aquatic delights of Ningaloo Reef and the countless bays to cherry-pick from.
• A melange of awe-inspiring landscapes Australia provides yacht charter guests with a diverse range of idyllic landscapes: from shifting sands and tropical shallows to city lights and cosmopolitan thrills: the choice is all yours.
• Endless anchorages The Great Barrier Reef alone has a staggering 900 islands — whatever you're looking for from an anchorage, Australia can provide it.
• Famous, top-end superyacht marinas Jaw-dropping panoramas abound at Australia's marinas, from the magnificent Sydney Harbour to the impossibly blue shores of the Whitsundays, the country has some of the most prestigious and sought-after berths in the world.
• Wildlife wonderland Australia has a staggering array of flora and fauna: koalas, kangaroos, humpback whales, penguins, dolphins, and much more.

From Outback wilderness to sweeping sands lapped by cerulean seas, Australia provides topographical drama at its most exquisite. Below are the destinations that have seen Australia cement its status as a top superyacht hub:

Great Barrier Reef Best for : being a veritable Mecca for snorkeling and diving, mind-blowingly beautiful island-hopping, rare species, and rainforest trails.

Whitsunday Islands Best for:  impossibly perfect waters arranged in a turquoise swirl, legendary lizards, turtle spotting, isolated reefs, magical dive expeditions, and beaches so stunning they appear almost make-believe.

Sydney Best for:  laid-back luxury, atmospheric haunts, deluxe superyacht marinas, swanky nightspots, classically big, golden beaches, superb surfing opportunities

The Kimberley Best for:  its soul-stirring vistas, and the world's largest fringing reef home to deep oceanic shoals.

Melbourne Best for:  upscale eateries, high-end boutiques, exquisite wineries, picturesque bays, and an abundance of trails.

An Australian yacht charter vacation offers a mesmerizing selection of things to see and do. Here is our small selection of some of the most outstanding:

Don't Miss:

• Heart Reef : hop in a helicopter and witness this adorable heart-shaped coral composition from the skies.
• Airlie Beach : this laidback mainland gateway for the Whitsunday's is a perpetual favorite with families and a fully-fledged destination in its own right.
• Sydney Tower : reach the top of the tallest building in Sydney, some 268m above the city for incredible vistas.
• Hunter Valley : one for the oenophiles, go taste-testing in one of Australia's most revered wine districts.
• Yarra Valley : watch sunrise fall on this wonderful pastoral scene over Melbourne in a hot air balloon.
• Bungle Bungles : located within Purnululu National Park, these sublime sandstone formations in The Kimberley are a must-see.
• Matso's Brewery : sip on locally brewed mango beer at this famed brewery in The Kimberley.
• Horizontal Falls : behold the magnificent site of the flat, whitewater rapids that bulge through two lofty mountain ranges.

Offering some of the most diverse and sublime cruising grounds on the planet, Australia yacht charters are perfect for anyone seeking adrenaline-filled vacations off the beaten track. With endless itinerary options available; from diving with hammerhead sharks, scaling rocky precipices along the Kimberley coast and wine tasting in the yarra valley to dining at some of the world’s most exclusive restaurants in Sydney, this fascinating country bewitches the senses at every turn and promises a spectacular yacht vacation for anyone with a passion for adventure.

Tracing its history back almost 60,000 years, Australia boasts an impressive and storied past with cave drawings, pottery and artwork narrating its history through the centuries. The indiginous people enjoyed a peaceful coexistence until British settlers claimed possession in the 18th century and established a penal colony, dispossessing these Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people of their land and marginalising their communities. 

Descendants of the original settlers have now been formally recognised as custodians of this vast continent, and we continue to learn through their deep connection with the land and marvel at the astonishing and diverse landscape that acts as a siren call to anyone lucky enough to explore Australia's vast and glittering shores.  

Today, Australia is renowed for its cosmopolitan culture and vibrant nightlife, world-class diving and elite watersports activities; an alluring combination for luxury yacht charters.

A superyacht charter in Australia is without a doubt the best way to fully immerse yourself in this marine utopia, offering unparalleled access to a dizzying array of splendid stops far from the tourist trail. Unsure whether to pick a crewed motor yacht charter or a sailing yacht charter ? We've laid out the main aspects to consider before making a final decision.

Motor Yacht Charters in Australia

A crewed motor yacht charter  in Australia is the pinnacle of luxury. With five-star amenities and hotel-serviced living coupled with a completely unadulterated level of privacy and the freedom to cruise as you please, it's no wonder a motor yacht has enduring appeal. Uncover reefs, bays, and beaches of incomparable grandeur that are only accessible by boat, and experience your own private paradise.

Sailing Yacht Charters in Australia

Selecting a sailing yacht charter in Australia is the perfect choice for guests looking for a charter experience at a slower, where you will be wooed by its old-world charm. Spend leisurely days basking in the sun or dining al-fresco on your spacious deck and fully embrace being at one with nature, letting the elements guide you.

With so many options available, there’s something to suit every type of budget. For convenience we have listed the average prices for motor yacht and sailing yacht charters in the Australia below;

• For motor yacht rentals in Australia, prices can range from $81,578 to $784,092 per week, plus expenses
• For luxury sailing yacht rentals in Australia, prices can start from $43,000 weekly, plus expenses

Tax for Yacht Charters in Australia

The passage of the Special Recreational Vessels Bill 2019 has been a huge boon to Australia's superyacht sector. The legislation allows foreign-flagged superyachts to charter in Australian waters without fully importing their vessel to the country, increasing the selection of yachts available for crewed charters.

Superyachts can obtain a coastal trading temporary allowance to charter, and guests will need to pay a  10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) according to the charter's value. This will be applied on top of your charter fee, as well as any delivery or redelivery fees that are incurred.

For additional information on VAT and tax concerning your yacht charter in Australia, please consult your chosen  yacht charter broker .

Given Australia's unfathomably vast terrain, temperatures can range from temperate to tropical depending on the region, so the optimal times to visit popular yacht charter destinations can vary slightly.

• June to October is considered the best time to experience the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef , where yacht charterers can benefit from considerably less rainfall, which means improved diving conditions due to better water visibility.
• June to August  are the best months for seeing  The Kimberley's  celebrated waterfalls at full flow.
• When summer comes to the Whitsundays  it buzzes to life with temperatures hovering at 30 degrees, with balmy sea temperatures of between 27-28 degrees. October is the sunniest month with up to 10 hours of sunshine a day. For the glitterati, September is the optimal month to visit the Whitsundays as it's comfortably warm with less humidity, plus fewer tourists are around.
• December to February are the months when Sydney is at its liveliest and it's also widely regarded as the best time to visit: watch the city's harbor turn into a riot of color as fireworks are let off for New Year's Eve.
• November to March  are the key months to experience the pleasant climes of Melbourne .

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The Whitsundays is an invariably popular place to begin a superyacht charter in Australia, comprising a long indented ribbon of 74 islands cradled from the outer ocean by the Great Barrier Reef.  As an underwater menagerie featuring some of the most bewilderingly beautiful lifeforms, and at land level replete with barely-frequented, jungle-clad beaches that boggle the senses with their heavenliness, its allure is evident. Plus, there is a multitude of overnight anchorages at guests' disposal here.

The preferred jumping-off points for the Whitsundays are the  Coral Sea Marina and  Hamilton Island Marina . If discovering the Great Barrier Reef in all its glory first,  Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina is a preferred choice.

Though Australia certainly isn't lacking in impressive spots to start a yacht charter elsewhere: take majestic Sydney  with the world's largest natural harbor. But keep in mind there may be a smaller fleet to select from in other destinations.

sample itineraries

Discerning charterers know that a fabulous mise en scène is what brings a yacht into glorious technicolor, and Australia's throng of epic marinas certainly transforms this fantasy into a reality. Here are the Australian marinas where your experience on land will be just as rip-roaring as it is on the shimmering azul sea.

• Hamilton Island Marina: well-protected marina situated in the picture-perfect surrounds of the Great Barrier Reef, with berths available for superyachts up to 60m.
• Coral Sea Marina: this premier facility is mere minutes from Airlie Beach, a popular starting point for Whitsundays charters. Accommodates up to 520 berths for yachts up to 80m in length.
• Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina : the only place where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet (Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest). Queensland's northernmost marina has a 135 berth capacity for yachts up to 50m.
• Cairns Marlin Marina: situated in the heart of the city and only 10 minutes from Cairns International Airport. Has 261 berths with some reserved for superyachts up to 140m.
• Sydney Superyacht Marina : luxurious on-shores facilities with chic bars and restaurants in the world's most famous harbor, can accommodate yachts up to 75m.
• Melbourne Superyacht Marina : prime position to attend one of the city's many sporting fixtures, located in a sheltered environment and provides superyacht berthing up to 75m.

A heady tapestry of anchorages in a patchwork of implausible blues are woven into Australia's deliciously diverse landscape, ideal for an action-packed or a luxuriously sedate yacht charter alike. From ribbons of chalk-white sand etched with the pawprints of passing kangaroos, to aquamarine waters home to an aquatic world that flourishes in all its vivid coral variety, itinerary options are practically limitless. Below, we've hand-picked some of the best anchorages in Australia:

• Osprey Reef (Great Barrier Reef): utterly remote and sitting atop of a submerged atoll, come for exceptional diving visibility, spotting everything from sea turtles to beaked whales.
• Ribbon Reefs (Great Barrier Reef): select from a garland of glistening reefs to anchor overnight at and snorkel to your heart's content.
• Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef): tranquil oasis renowned for its buttery soft sands and translucent waters, and has a top-end resort with fine dining possibilities.
• Nara Inlet (Whitsundays): well-protected anchorage that spans two miles,  providing guests with unbridled solitude. Ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking.
• Sawmill Beach (Whitsundays):  a heavenly overnight spot situated in Cid Harbour, best for rainforested hiking trails and astounding panoramas.
• Whitehaven Beach(Whitsundays): one of Australia's most famous spots to drop anchor at thanks to its swirling sands.
• Cape Hillsborough (Queensland): cruise further afield and be richly rewarded with kangaroos and wallabies who scour the beach at sunrise.
• Cable Beach (The Kimberley): vast swathes of pristine sand frame fiery orange sunsets that are widely regarded as the best in Australia.
• Montgomery Reef (The Kimberley):  be captivated by the spectacular sight of the reef seemingly rising out of the water, with hundreds of cascading waterfalls forming around it.
• Rose Bay (Sydney):  peaceful stop to anchor at, conveniently located near to the world-renowned golden arc that is Bondi Beach.
• Sugarloaf Bay (Sydney): known for its blissfully secluded surroundings and gives excellent protection from the wind.

• Keep in mind that stingers (potentially lethal jellyfish like the Box Jellyfish and Irukandji) are found in coastal areas of Queensland. The higher risk season is from October to May in the Whitsundays, so wear protective 'stinger suits' when diving, swimming, or snorkeling.
• Be aware of freshwater and saltwater crocodiles in the Kimberley, which can appear from waterholes. Whilst they are majestic creatures, they are best appreciated from afar!
• Whilst Queensland itself is certainly a fantastic all-year-round destination, it's worth remembering that the Great Barrier Reef only experiences two seasons, wet and dry. The dry season here is from May to October.
• Remember to wear sunscreen: Australia's proximity to the equator means that the country experiences very high UV radiation levels.
• Guests should ensure their passport is valid for up to six months prior to their charter.
• Most guests will need a valid Tourist Visa or an Electronic Travel Authority to enter the country. There is no fee if your stay in Australia is less than three months. Please consult your yacht broker for personalized information pertaining to your trip. 

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a diving haven that lures the global superyacht fleet with almost 3,000 reefs and 900 mostly uninhabited islands. Caressed by warm, gentle waters that sparkle with total clarity, yacht charter guests will be enthralled by the seemingly unending seascape. To elude the crowds, head to the  Ribbon Reefs and its garland of phenomenal diving sites such as The Clam Gardens , the Temple of Doom , and Andy's Postcard. 

For a spot of underwater magic after dusk, head to Snake's Pit . Marvel the impressive night spectacle of coral that blooms in a smattering of multicolored daubs and friendly sea snakes that float amid shoals of fish. No trip to the Great Barrier Reef would be complete without relishing the barefoot luxury of Lizard Island.  24 silk-like beaches are hugged by topaz shallows — and it's the refuge of a few sun-dappled reptiles too.

The mainland also many treasures: don't miss out on the exclusive restaurants and spas of uber-chic coastal town  Port Douglas, which is bordered by the lush vegetation of the  Daintree Rainforest. The melodies of kookaburras and kingfishers circling above will absolutely enchant you.

Read more: Why You Have to Book a Great Barrier Reef Yacht Charter Right Away

Whitsunday Islands

A smorgasbord of mellow, paradisiacal beaches, lavish resorts, and tropical rainforests coupled with gin-clear waters, the Whitsundays makes for a thrilling yacht charter. The eponymous isle  Whitsunday Island i s where you will find the world-famous Whitehaven Beach: 7km of white satin-like silica (98 percent) sand that furls with the turquoise shallows like a just-whipped ice cream sundae. To get the best views of its almost luminescent appearance, hike up to the lookout on Hill Inlet on the northern end of the beach.

For the gourmands and the golfers, cruise towards the resort at Hamilton Island . Choose from an array of splendid fine-dining options with beachfront views of the heavenly Coral Sea , or go to the 18-hole golf course, replete with steep valleys and jaw-dropping ridges.

Justifiably popular spots to whip out the snorkels and flipper fins to include Hook Island , and its stunning Nara Inlet or Butterfly Bay -where a swarm of Ulysses butterflies make their trajectory over the ocean each morning and night.,  Neck Bay or Cid Island, where blossoming coral mingles with manta rays and many more.

Read more: 5 Reasons to Visit the Whitsunday Islands on a Luxury Yacht Charter

Sydney shimmers with a cosmopolitan brilliance. With a staggering number of swanky bars and hip eateries, as well as being a trailblazer in arts and culture, the city entertains yacht-goers with great panache. We haven't even mentioned the internationally-renowned golden stretches of sand ( Bondi Beach , Palm Beach , Coogee Beach, and Manly Beach to name but a few) that are sprinkled along its coast. 

Outstanding New Year's Eve shows is where Sydney truly excels. And what vantage point could be better than from the sundeck of your superyacht, clinking Champagne flutes as the sky transforms into a whirlwind of pyrotechnics at Sydney Harbour Bridge ?   Recover the next day and cruise towards the serene  Sugarloaf Bay , sequestered from the hustle and bustle of city life, and fall into a quiet slumber on the sun pads.

Related: How to Celebrate New Year's Eve aboard a Superyacht in Sydney

The Kimberley

The Kimberley retains a certain mystique that seduces the adventurous yacht charterer year after year, as a region where the Outback invitingly melds with the coast. As an undulating rhythm of lush jade greens, softly glowing auburns and ochres tumble into a whirl of pink sands and mint-colored seas, The Kimberley beguiles the senses. Feel everyday life slowly slip away like the dreamy sunsets that will come to define your charter here following a day spent bronzing on Cable Beach , the coral-hued, mangrove-fringed Roebuck Bay , or cleansing in the lagoons of Mitchell Falls .

Onshore, trace 50,000-year-old Aboriginal art carved into soaring rock faces on a private tour of the semi-arid savannah, before jumping on a tender to delve into  Ningaloo Reef:  an inexhaustible source of diving adventure and the world's largest fringing reef. Admire gliding sea turtles and float alongside pods of dolphins or tame whale sharks - the latter visit the area from March till July.

Read more: The Kimberleys Yacht Charter Itinerary

Silhouetted by the angular forms of illuminated skyscrapers, Melbourne is a glittering metropolis that's an ideal yacht charter destination for those seeking a trip with a hearty buzz. World-renowned annual events such as the Australian Grand Prix , The Melbourne Cup and the Australian Open  all take place here, and it bursts at the seams with trendy eateries, Michelin-starred restaurants, and cool bars. If you are looking for cute critters, make a pitstop at the Phillip Island Nature Parks where you can hug a koala and watch penguins make their nightly waddle across the beach.

If the bright lights start to wane, Melbourne is conveniently located to offshoot locations like the hip coastal city of  Mornington Peninsula , all sprawling vineyards and colorful beach-hut lined sands, as well as  Tasmania, whose wild beauty far surmounts its diminutive size. 

Related: Four of the Best Things to Do on a Melbourne Luxury Yacht Charter

With the Great Barrier Reef alone spanning almost the length of Italy , and tremendously diverse scenery both at sea and land, it isn't hugely common for an Australian yacht charter to continue elsewhere. There is enough to keep people busy for possibly weeks or months! 

However, to find out about possible yacht charter combinations further afield (such as New Zealand ), please contact your yacht charter broker.

For Australia yacht charters, we strongly advise booking well in advance of your trip to ensure you get the perfect vessel for your chosen dates. We recommend doing so three to six months ahead to give your  yacht charter broker  the time to organize a personalized itinerary and provide you with an amazing Australia chartering experience. 

If you leave left too late, the selection of yachts at your disposal will be reduced. Plus, finding dates when everyone in your charter party is available, can become more difficult the longer it's postponed.

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Explore Australia

Guide to Sydney

Guide to Whitsundays

Guide to Great Barrier Reef

Guide to The Kimberley

Guide to Melbourne

Australia yacht charter itineraries.

Our curated yacht charter itineraries ensure you experience the very best of Australia's enchantingly diverse landscapes, wherever you decide to cruise.

Crafted by our superyacht experts, select a charter itinerary according to your destination. From the spellbinding subaquatic world of the Great Barrier Reef to the tranquil topaz shallows of the Whitsundays, to the final-frontier beauty of The Kimberley and the shimmering cityscapes of Sydney and Melbourne: your itinerary options here are practically limitless.

Discover Australia

Paradisiacal diving opportunities, mind-blowing snorkeling spots, mesmerizing coral reefs, deluxe superyacht marinas, fine sandy beaches, rainforest trails and a staggering array of wildlife.

When to Go:

June - September: Great Barrier Reef, The Kimberley, Whitsundays

December - February: Sydney, Melbourne

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Luxury Yachts for Charter in Australia 2024 & 2025

Crewed charter yachts in australia.

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48m   Oceanfast

from $180,000 p/week ♦︎

86m Oceanco

from $561,000 p/w eek ♦︎

85m SilverYachts

from $973,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Sea Eagle 10

81m Royal Huisman

81m   2020/2022

from $590,000 p/w eek ♦︎

La Datcha 12

77m Damen Yachting

from $630,000 p/w eek

73m Feadship

from $800,000 p/w eek

Wayfinder 12

68m Astilleros Armon

from $375,000 p/w eek

57m Royal Huisman

57m   2010/2021

from $250,000 p/w eek

Mischief 12

54m Baglietto

54m   2006/2017

from $265,000 p/w eek

Deja Too 12

52m   2003/2018

from $245,000 p/w eek

48m Oceanfast

48m   2010/2023

from $180,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Immortalis 12

45m Niigata Shipyard

45m   1996/2021

from $120,000 p/w eek

45m Sanlorenzo

from $225,000 p/w eek

43m Royal Denship

43m   2009/2019

from $185,000 p/w eek

Calliope 10

43m Richmond Yachts

43m   2007/2022

from $150,000 p/w eek

De Lisle III 8

42m Gulf Craft

42m   2008/2018

from $165,000 p/w eek

Impulsive 10

40m Mondo Marine

from $94,000 p/w eek ♦︎

The Beast 12

39m Profab Central Engineering Ltd

from $215,000 p/w eek

38m Sanlorenzo

from $148,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Ghost II 12

37m Gulf Craft

from $74,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Nancy-Jean 12

37m Sunseeker

from $125,000 p/w eek

37m   2010/2022

from $89,500 p/w eek

Evolution 8

37m Oceanfast

37m   2005/2023

37m Warren Yachts

37m   2009/2020

from $99,238 p/w eek

Emerald Lady 8

35m Lloyds Ships

35m   1983/2008

from $47,000 p/w eek ♦︎

35m Sunseeker

from $84,000 p/w eek ♦︎

35m   2006/2011

from $126,000 p/w eek

Princess Iluka 10

34m Ray Kemp

34m   1979/2023

Three Rivers 12

35m   2014/2020

34m Alloy Yachts

34m   2007/2023

from $115,000 p/w eek

Pleiades II 12

34m Kingship

34m   2007/2019

Relentless 9

34m   2006/2020

from $75,000 p/w eek

Corroboree 12

33m Lloyds Ships

33m   1988/2018

from $60,000 p/w eek

Mohasuwei 8

33m Cantieri di Pisa

33m   2009/2018

from $67,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Oneworld 12

32m Gulf Craft

from $66,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Bluestone 1 10

31m Gulf Craft

from $72,000 p/w eek ♦︎

30m Azzura Yachts

30m   2016/2023

Little Perle 9

from $54,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Seven Star 8

VivieRae II 10

30m Nordhavn

from $90,000 p/w eek

29m Horizon

29m   2012/2024

from $80,000 p/w eek

Triple 888 Eight 8

29m   2008/2016

28m Jade Yachts

28m   2010/2022

28m Warren Yachts

28m Lloyds Ships

28m   1981/2010

from $56,000 p/w eek

28m Sulis Marine

28m   2009/2021

from $78,000 p/w eek

27m Horizon

from $61,000 p/w eek ♦︎

27m Leopard

from $28,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Pure Adrenalin 12

27m Azzura Yachts

27m   2013/2022

from $51,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Rua Moana 8

27m Pachoud

from $110,000 p/w eek

27m Warren Yachts

from $40,000 p/w eek ♦︎

26m   2004/2021

Bali Hai II 8

25m Norman R. Wright & Sons

25m   1964/2009

24m Sunseeker

from $42,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Atlantic Princess 8

24m   1991/2019

24m Overmarine

24m   2007/2023

from $45,000 p/w eek ♦︎

24m Sunreef Yachts

from $85,000 p/w eek

24m Lazzara

from $62,300 p/w eek

Cattitude 8

23m Alliaura Marine Group

23m   2012/2013

from $45,000 p/w eek

23m Sunreef Yachts

from $57,000 p/w eek

22m Sunreef Yachts

20m   2006/2016

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Australia Yacht Charter Q&A

Browsing the range of Australia charter yachts available is a breeze on our website. Select by your chosen dates, number of guests, yacht type, features, and preferred onboard toys and we'll show you what's on offer.

If you do make a subsequent enquiry, a yacht charter broker will then contact you to provide you with a custom charter proposal.

Alternatively, contact your  yacht charter broker directly, and they will be able to research on your behalf your Australia yacht charter options.

For most Australian yacht charters, you secure the booking through a completed charter agreement, with 50% of the charter fee paid upfront as a deposit. This amount is usually payable once the contract has been signed.

The Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays (74 glittering isles located within this gigantic oceanic playground) are the preferred choices to begin or end an Australian yacht charter. Guests adore the world-renowned diving and snorkeling opportunities here (which are practically boundless), their uber-luxe resorts and stunning array of bays and anchorages.

Foreign-flagged superyachts should obtain a coastal trading temporary allowance to charter in Australia.

Be clear about where exactly you want to charter a yacht in Australia prior to booking, as the best times to visit can differ dramatically according to the region. For example, popular superyacht hotspots like the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday's and the Kimberley's are all best explored between June-September. Meanwhile, for Sydney and Melbourne the best times to visit are between December and February.

Australia is a sought-after yacht charter destination, which for guests means there is a yacht to suit practically every budget.

However, take into consideration the additional costs that aren't included in the base rate for your yacht charter in Australia. This includes the 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) that needs to be paid according to the charter's value, and the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance). The APA is usually set at 30% of the charter fee and paid in advance to cover expenses such as fuel, berthing, food and drinks, as well as any special requests.

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The Dockwalk Guide to Yacht Transport

Louisa Beckett is the former editor of Motor Boating, ShowBoats International, and Southern Boating magazines, and a longtime contributor to Dockwalk. Over her career, she has written about a wide variety of vessels ranging from Sea-Doos to superyachts, and has had many adventures on the water, including riding in a U.S. Coast Guard “rollover” boat in heavy surf off Cape Disappointment, Washington.

Even now, in the third year of the pandemic, we’re seeing headlines about global supply chain disruptions caused by worker shortages and other factors related to COVID-19. In particular, the maritime shipping industry has been affected, with long lines of cargo ships frequently sitting idle as they wait to be unloaded in port.

“It’s a very difficult marketplace at the moment. The freight rates are higher than they’ve been in decades. Congestion in ports is at an all-time high, all these things are affecting our ability to get ships where they need to be on time, and space on ships is at a massive premium,” says Simon Judson, CEO of global logistics firm Peters & May , which organizes passage for yachts on board a wide variety of commercial cargo ships.

• How COVID Has Affected Crew Hiring

Right from the start, the pandemic dramatically transformed the yacht transportation industry. In early 2020, the number of bookings by the usual clients, including owners and captains wanting to move their yachts to seasonal cruising grounds and sailing yacht owners and captains following the regatta circuit, fell off dramatically. At the same time, bookings increased from yacht owners who were unable to travel to their vessels and wanted to have them shipped home instead. Then, as COVID-related lockdowns and sheltering began to fuel the demand for new and brokerage boats, yacht manufacturers, dealers, and brokers around the world began to use yacht transport companies to ship boats to clients who couldn’t get to the vessels or send crew to pick them up. “I think COVID has changed everybody’s way of doing business,” says General Manager Laura Tempest of DYT , which owns and operates semi-submersible yacht-transport ships.

Port closures and travel restrictions also made it difficult for yacht transport companies to move their loadmasters into position around the world in order to supervise loading and unloading. In addition, “We have had a shortage of loadmasters at times when they came down with COVID,” said Uta Scarlata, who handles transatlantic and Caribbean sales for Sevenstar Yacht Transport , which operates its own fleet of 120 cargo vessels.

“Everything about the logistics of shipping a yacht from A to B is ten times harder,” Judson says, but he adds, “As we moved through the pandemic, we learned a little bit about how to adapt. Today we are using what we’ve learned to be better placed. That means making sure we’ve got the right people in the right places a lot further in advance [and] thinking about relocating our cradling and lifting equipment and everything we need to load the boats a lot further in advance.”

While internal logistics such as these typically are handled by a yacht transportation company behind the scenes without affecting its clients, industry experts agree that this year, yacht captains are going to have to act earlier than usual in order to secure transportation for their yachts.

If you do need to ship a yacht overseas, there are two basic means of transport: on the deck of a commercial ship or inside a semi-submersible vessel.

“It’s kind of going back to old days when if you didn’t book well in advance, you are not going to have a space…. People are done [with sheltering]. They are going to start using their yachts whether it be in the Med or in the Caribbean,” says Tempest. “We are seeing all of our repeat customers coming back, and the ones we met in the last year and a half that we didn’t know before are coming back.”

“Every ship that we’ve put on from the middle of last year has been fully booked probably a month before it comes to port. That was never the case before. We would always have some space a week before,” says Judson, who also predicts that demand for yacht transportation will increase in 2022 as owners return to pre-pandemic levels of cruising and racing. “If there’s a reason to book early, it would be to avoid disappointment in the fact that there may not be space,” he says. “To be safe, you should be thinking at least two months out.”

Cargo Ship vs. Semi-Submersible

There are a variety of reasons why an owner or captain would want to arrange to have a yacht transported from one location to another. It might be to change cruising grounds with the seasons, or to take the yacht to an event. Some yachts are able to make the voyage on their own bottom, but others must be shipped because they may be too small or have an insufficient fuel capacity to make the trip, their owner wants to avoid wear and tear on the vessel, or the yacht is booked for a charter in the new destination and the timing is just too tight.

Booking space on a cargo ship gives you the advantage of being able to transport a yacht pretty much anywhere around the globe where that vessel is scheduled to deliver freight.

If you do need to ship a yacht overseas, there are two basic means of transport: on the deck of a commercial ship or inside a semi-submersible vessel. Which method to pick depends on a variety of considerations, including the location where you want to ship the yacht, the flexibility of your schedule, whether or not you want to use the transit time to get work done on board, and the price.

In the most common scenario, the yacht is lifted by crane onto a commercial ship and secured in a custom-built cradle on its deck, where it shares space with other cargo for the duration of the passage. Since cargo ships typically make multiple stops and can experience delays in loading and unloading cargo, it’s important to have a flexible schedule. “Shipping is not an exact science. You can’t expect to ship on a certain day and unload on a certain day. You have to give yourself flexibility,” Judson says.

On the other hand, booking space on a cargo ship gives you the advantage of being able to transport a yacht pretty much anywhere around the globe where that vessel is scheduled to deliver freight.

The other yacht-transport method, pioneered by Dockwise Yacht Transport (now DYT) in the 1980s, is “float on/float off.” DYT’s semi-submersible ships are partially submerged in the water; the yacht floats into it and is secured in a cradle on the deck by divers. Then, the water is drained from the hold. At the end of the voyage, the process is reversed and the yacht floats out.

“When the world woke up with a bang, the amount of consumer goods to be shipped outweighed the space available to ship them. That will take some time to stabilize,” he says.

DYT offers a limited number of routes designed to match typical yacht-shipping patterns, such as from the Mediterranean to Fort Lauderdale and the Caribbean and back. “What I think sets us apart from anyone else is that we have a set schedule — there is no deviation; there is no change. That is why charter yachts depend on us,” Tempest says.

When clients want to ship their yachts off the beaten path, DYT will refer them to its sister company, Sevenstar Yacht Transport, for bookings on board its cargo ships.

DYT recently launched a third ship, Yacht Servant , which was built in China and is scheduled to start transporting yachts in May. For a short window in 2022, DYT will have three semi-submersible vessels in operation, which should help to meet the rising demand for yacht transportation.

Riding Along

Before the pandemic, captains typically could send one or two crewmembers along with the yacht during either type of transportation, enabling them to use the passage as a mini yard period to get a variety of jobs done on board.

While most cargo ships do not permit riders to sleep in their yachts while in transit, before the pandemic, they often would assign them cabins in the ship and let them eat in the mess hall and recreate with the ship’s crew. However, when COVID-19 hit, most ship operators suspended this courtesy in order to reduce the risk of the disease spreading on board, which could lead to serious delays if the ship was forced to quarantine before unloading in a port.

“When things calm down, we will accept riders again,” Scarlata says. On DYT, “We still allow riders as it’s such a crucial part of the service that we offer,” Tempest says. In fact, the semi-submersible ships provide power to the yachts so that riders can sleep and work on board. At the height of the pandemic, however, the company limited the riders’ interaction with the ship’s crew. “They needed to provision their yacht for the duration of the voyage. They had to stay in the yacht and on the deck of the ship; they could not go into the ship’s superstructure.”

• 5 Things You Need to Know About Health Insurance During the Pandemic

One thing that has not changed in the yacht transportation industry is the need for owners and captains to ensure their vessel is properly insured for the passage. “Some people get caught out on this. They think their hull and machinery insurance will automatically cover them. They need to take out a separate marine cargo insurance policy,” Judson says.

Both Sevenstar and DYT include an all-risk insurance policy in the rate they quote for yacht transport. “Usually, one of the questions we get is, ‘Can we leave it out?’ It’s not optional,” Tempest says. “It covers everyone on board and eliminates the need for multiple underwriters.”

Price Increases

Captains booking transport for their yachts today are finding that insurance rates have gone up. “The whole insurance market has hardened over the last couple of years,” Judson says.

As for shipping, no matter what method you choose, you are bound to see a COVID-related price increase. “DYT rates have increased over the past six months. Many factors have attributed to this but certainly a large portion is a consequence of the global pandemic,” Tempest says.

“In the last ten years, freight rates have been very low…. Now the market has flipped a little bit,” Judson says. While there are a number of reasons behind this, the main one is the reduced amount of cargo space currently available.

As for shipping, no matter what method you choose, you are bound to see a COVID-related price increase. 

In early 2022, Judson reported that his company had seen rates for shipping yachts between the U.S. and the Caribbean go up 15 to 20 percent; transatlantic shipping rates had increased a 60 to 80 percent, and rates to and from the Far East had gone up 200 to as high as 300 percent. “Coming out of Asia, every ship is full to the gunwales and if you want some space, you have to pay through the nose for it,” he says.

“There are not as many people who are prepared to pay the increased freight rates we are seeing at the moment. There are a lot of people who are holding back…,” Judson continues. “Not everyone who ships a yacht is a multi-millionaire. We’ve got lots of clients who are dealers, brokers, and manufacturers who are moving their boats where they need to be to be sold as new boats…. I think the people and companies who are shipping their boats now are the ones who have more of a commercial need.”

This feature originally ran in the April 2022 issue of Dockwalk.

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