Experiences guaranteed to float your boat.
Experiences guaranteed to float your boat.
Are you a sunset cruise kinda gal or guy? Maybe you want to live your best life aboard a yacht (well at least for a few hours), or fancy dancing up a storm on a boat with renowned DJ’s? Or, perhaps you want to seas the moment and charter a private vessel for that upcoming special event (charter boat, what charter boat?), One thing is clear, whatever floats your boat, the Gold Coast al-waves delivers the ferry best when it comes to anything water-related #amen.
Here are 9 of the Gold Coast’s best boat cruises to try schooner rather than later.
The YOT Club
If you like big boats (and you cannot lie) and filling your gram with stylised shots aboard a super yacht with the glitterati, this one’s for you. Licensed for up to 400 guests cruising the beautiful GC and Brissie waters, enjoy private and ticketed events aboard this runaway (or sail away) success story. Just add cocktails, dancing…and boat-tox. This one will not disappoint.
Where: Gold Coast Departure Point at Mariners Cove, 60 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Gold Coast Gondolas
Nothing says romance like a luxurious private gondola and if you want to save the plane fare to Venice, Gold Coast Gondolas is the next best thing. Enjoy stunning views by day or shimmering lights by night and if your love is partial to a good feed, book a breakfast, lunch or dinner package. Oh and selling point alert – it’s BYO. Yeah buoy!
Where: Mariner’s Cove Marina, 60-70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Run Amuk Cruises
With an intimate group of 12 people per trip, this 43ft racing yacht offers a variety of half and full-day cruises. We’re talking sunset cruises, resilience workshops, sail with the whales packages and of course, private functions. Whether you want to sit back and relax or get your hands on the helm, fear naut – you can.
Where: Runaway Bay Marina, C Arm, 247 Bayview Street, Hollywell
Surfers Paradise River Cruises
Offering amazing value morning cruises, lunch cruises, afternoon cruises, sunset and private party cruises, enjoy the magnificent views as you float past abodes of the rich and famous. Take advantage of the fully stocked bar, and complimentary morning tea, and get reacquainted with the Nerang river, canals and of course, the Broadwater. Knot too shabby at all!
Where: 63 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Spirit of Gold Coast
Spirit of Gold Coast don’t just do ‘reely’ cool whale watching tours, they also have a Floating Bar cruise and we need no further ‘anchoragement’. Spirit’s super catamaran will take you on a 2-hour trip to see South Stradbroke Island, Wavebreak Island, Ephraim Island, Hope Island (yep, all the Islands), complete with multi-million-dollar homes and superyachts. Simply a ‘mast’ see.
Where: Mariners Cove Marina, Main Beach
Gold Coast Party Cruise
If you’re a local, you’ve heard it go by! The four-level Gold Coast Party Cruise boat caters for up to 300 party goers every Saturday night. There’s upper and lower deck rooftop dancefloors, two DJ’s, a lounge area, a nightclub-style d-floor, plasma displays, epic lighting, and live bands on the top deck. Famous for their New Year’s Eve shindig, book it now for your next private event. It’s a shore thing!
Where: Surfers Paradise Departure.
Coasting Around
If you’d like to be your own skipper but don’t have a boat license – no probs! Coasting Around BBQ boat hire offer high-quality fibreglass boats (not inflatables!) for you to explore the Gold Coast Waterways with up to ten family and friends. BYO food and drinks and trust us, you’ll have a ‘hull’ of a time!
Where: Mariner’s Cove, 60-70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Quack’r Duck
Ok so no GC boat cruise list is complete without our beloved Quack’r Duck. Not just for tourists, this is the ultimate kid-friendly GC transport (school holidays entertainment alert!). Travel alongside Surfers Paradise’s idyllic beaches and attractions, then get ready for the big splash into the Broadwater! Talk about a ferry-tale day they’ll remember for years to come.
Where: 7 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Kokomo Cruises
Take in the best of the GC’s sparkly twilight hours on a sunset cruise perfect for the whole fam bam. After soaking up the luxe feels of our finest waterfront homes and superyachts, stop in at Wave Break Island for a picnic with professionally catered food. Plank you very much! Side note; they also offer whale-watching cruises and private charters.
Where: 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Words by Bianca Trathen.