General Booking Procedure
We welcome your enquiry; Sydney Harbour Escapes has many different boats to choose from. Our job is to assist with your enquiry, select vessels that suit your requirements and needs and to organise a perfect celebration for you.
We check date availability for each vessel selected for your charter and email you a free quote with all the costs included. This way you can truly compare costs, style of vessel and catering and beverage options available for each vessel.
To secure your booking, we take a 50% deposit of the total amount or the cost of the vessel hire, unless specified otherwise on your chosen boat's page.
Payment can be made by EFT, Visa, MasterCard or cash. The rest of the payment will be due 14 days prior to the charter along with final numbers and food and beverage requirements. The next step is for you to sit back, relax and look forward to a wonderful charter on Sydney Harbour.
Prices
All prices provided are in $AUS and include 10% GST. Prices are subject to change without notice. Surcharge for weekends and public holidays may apply.
Seasonal rates may apply, please refer to individual boat charter sheets. Minimum 4 hour boat charter unless specified otherwise on individual boat pages.
Unsafe Weather
As with all charter companies, we cannot guarantee a blue sky. If the weather is dangerous for boating, at the discretion of Sydney Harbour Escapes management as well as the captain on the day, we will postpone and reschedule the charter. Rescheduled charters must be used within 6 months of the original booking date.
Payment will still apply for catering or optional staff arrangements in the event of postponement. If you choose not to reschedule, the charter will then be considered as a cancellation, and fees will apply – please see Cancellation information below.
Sydney Harbour is known as one of the safest harbours in the world and is well protected from strong ocean currents and ocean winds.
Bookings and Payments
To secure your charter, we require a 50% deposit or the vessel hire amount along with your signed contract. We may also require a progress payment, this will depend on your charter and will be on a case by case basis. The final amount is required 14 days prior to your charter along with final numbers, food and beverage requirements. Please note that if you don't pay for your booking in full, the charter cannot go ahead. A vessel will not be made available for you until you have booked and paid for the charter.
Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard and Electronic Funds Transfer, Cash or Eftpos. We do not accept cheques.
All tickets purchased through Sydney Harbour Escapes are non-refundable.
We Accept
Non-refundable card surcharges may apply.
Cancellation
If the charterer cancels the charter within 30 days of the date of the charter, the deposit will be forfeited.
If the charter is cancelled inside 7 days and full payment has been made the whole charter fee which may include catering, alcohol and wait staff will be forfeited.
If notice of cancellation is 31 days or greater the deposit will be refunded less a 50% booking and administration fee.
All payments for all November - December and public holiday bookings are non-refundable.
Bond
A bond, in the form of a credit card authorization, must be provided and processed before the commencement of the charter, which will be released within seven days of the charter - unless any damages have occurred or you extend your charter. The amount of the bond will be $2000 unless otherwise stated.
Vessel
In the event of a mechanical problem to the booked vessel, Sydney Harbour Escapes reserves the right to change the vessel to another of similar type and capacity in order for the charter to be completed.
Pick Up/ Drop Off Locations
Please note that Wharf Booking fees may apply to some locations. Some vessels may not be able to pick up from certain wharves because of reasons such as size or wharf condition. We are more than happy to suggest the most suitable pick up and drop off locations suitable for your group.
View maps of Sydney Harbour Wharf locations
Catering
Most boats have their own individual catering supplier with a variety of different menus available to choose from including canapé, buffet and formal dining options. Some charter vessels on our fleet allow BYO food, others do not. Exceptions may apply, e.g.. religious requirements.
Vessels that allow you to BYO food must provided substantial food, the vessel will not leave the wharf without food, unless organised prior that no food is required. Alternatively we can suggest our recommended caterers.
Please ask a Sydney Harbour Escapes team member for more information regarding the Sydney Harbour cruise boat of your choice. Chef and wait staff hire are available upon request.
Information last updated 31/09/2017