Broken Bay Yacht Charter –
Skippered Catamaran Experiences
Broken Bay Yacht Charter offers private skippered yacht charters from Palm Beach and Newport, exploring Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.
Operating aboard a spacious sailing catamaran designed for both small and larger groups, this is one of the few charter options in the region with access beyond sheltered waters.
With generous deck space, excellent stability, and a professional crew, the vessel is well suited to families, corporate groups, and private celebrations, offering a relaxed but refined way to experience the best of the area.
Fleet & Capacity
Comfortable for a couple - Accommodates groups of 56
Two large sailing catamarans, each accommodating up to 28 guests.
Suitable for single-vessel charters of 2–28 guests, or up to 56 guests across both vessels.
These catamarans are excellent for couples but also spacious enough for larger groups.
Prices based on group size and charter length.
Charter Uses
Charter Price Format
Pricing is tiered based on guest numbers:
1–6 guests — $600/hr
7–12 guests — $700/hr
13–28 guests — $750/hr
All charters are aboard either of our Seawind 1160s. These are 38ft catamarans designed for world sailing and chartering.
Signature Day Charter
Full Day- 5.5 hours Experience
A longer private charter with time to cruise beyond Pittwater into Broken Bay, Cowan Creek or the Hawkesbury River system.
-
5.5-hour charter
1–6 guests — $3,300
7–12 guests — $3,850
13–28 guests — $4,125 -
• Private skippered charter on a high-capacity sailing catamaran
• Professional crew
• Spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining areas
• Fridges and eskies with ice
• Plates, cutlery, cups and serving basics
• Bluetooth speaker so you can connect your own playlist
• Floating platforms for swimming
• Dinghy available to take guests ashore where suitable -
A full day charter gives you time to move beyond Pittwater and Broken Bay and explore deeper into Cowan Creek and the Hawkesbury River system.
This is your boat for the day. It is not a fixed sightseeing cruise, and it is not a hardcore sailing day. The charter is private to your group and shaped around what suits you best.
Family groups may want calm water, swimming, beaches and time to relax. Hens groups often want music, drinks, sun and a beautiful anchorage. Corporate groups may prefer something more polished and easy, with space to talk, eat and unwind away from the office.
The captain and crew know how to read the group and shape the day accordingly. Most charters involve a relaxed cruise under motor or sail before anchoring somewhere sheltered, often in the national park waterways around Cowan Creek. From there, the day usually becomes about swimming, eating, music, talking and enjoying the boat.
Afternoon Escape Charter
Half Day- 3-4 hour Experience
A shorter private charter suited to relaxed celebrations, scenic cruising and time at anchor without committing to a full day.
-
3-hour charter
1–6 guests — $1,800
7–12 guests — $2,100
13–28 guests — $2,250 -
• Private skippered charter on a high-capacity sailing catamaran
• Professional crew
• Spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining areas
• Fridges and eskies with ice
• Plates, cutlery, cups and serving basics
• Bluetooth speaker so you can connect your own playlist
• Floating platforms for swimming
• Dinghy available to take guests ashore where suitable -
An afternoon charter is a shorter private cruise, usually starting around 2pm and returning in the late afternoon or around sunset. It is well suited to groups who want time on the water before dinner, a relaxed celebration, or an easy afternoon escape without committing to a full day.
This is still your boat for the afternoon. The route is shaped around your group, the conditions and the time available, rather than following a fixed cruise format.
Family groups may want a calm cruise, a swim and somewhere sheltered to relax. Hens groups often want music, drinks, sun and a beautiful setting. Corporate groups may prefer a polished, low-effort afternoon with space to talk, eat and unwind.
The captain and crew will choose a route that makes the best use of the afternoon, whether that means cruising, anchoring for a swim, enjoying food and drinks on board, or returning as the light drops over the water.
Hens - Bucks & Birthdays
Typically- 4.5 hours
Hens, bucks and birthday parties are our specialty. Our catamarans are absolutely perfect for these sorts of events with high capacity and open space.
-
4.5-hour charter
1–6 guests — $2,700
7–12 guests — $3,150
13–28 guests — $3,375 -
• Private skippered charter on a high-capacity sailing catamaran
• Professional crew
• Spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining areas
• Fridges and eskies with ice
• Plates, cutlery, cups and serving basics
• Bluetooth speaker so you can connect your own playlist
• Floating platforms for swimming
• Dinghy available to take guests ashore where suitable -
An afternoon charter is a shorter private cruise, usually starting around 2pm and returning in the late afternoon or around sunset. It is well suited to groups who want time on the water before dinner, a relaxed celebration, or an easy afternoon escape without committing to a full day.
This is still your boat for the afternoon. The route is shaped around your group, the conditions and the time available, rather than following a fixed cruise format.
Family groups may want a calm cruise, a swim and somewhere sheltered to relax. Hens groups often want music, drinks, sun and a beautiful setting. Corporate groups may prefer a polished, low-effort afternoon with space to talk, eat and unwind.
The captain and crew will choose a route that makes the best use of the afternoon, whether that means cruising, anchoring for a swim, enjoying food and drinks on board, or returning as the light drops over the water.
Offshore Whale Watching
Seasonal
A private offshore whale watching charter from Palm Beach aboard Tabasco, planned around the day’s weather and sea conditions.
-
1–6 guests — $2,400
7–10 guests — $2,800 -
• Private skippered charter with a max offshore capacity of 10 guests.
• Professional crew
• Spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining areas
• Fridges and eskies with ice
• Plates, cutlery, cups and serving basics
• Bluetooth speaker so you can connect your own playlist -
Whale watching charters run during the annual humpback migration, usually from June to November, departing Palm Beach and heading past Barrenjoey into Broken Bay and offshore when conditions allow.
This is a private whale watching experience rather than a crowded public cruise. Your group has the boat to itself, with the captain and crew shaping the day around the weather, sea conditions and where the whales are likely to be moving.
Tabasco is licensed to operate offshore and can take up to 10 guests for whale watching. The charter is the same price as a private boat charter, but with the offshore guest limit capped at 10 people.
The aim is to spend time offshore watching for migrating whales, but the route is always guided by conditions. On suitable days, the charter may combine whale watching outside Broken Bay with calmer cruising through Pittwater, Broken Bay or nearby sheltered waters. If the sea state is not suitable, the charter can be rescheduled.
The experience works well for families, private groups, corporate outings and special occasions. Some groups want the focus entirely on the whales, while others prefer a broader afternoon or day on the water, with offshore whale watching included when conditions line up.
Private whole-boat charters are the main option. Individual ticket places may also be available on selected dates at $380 per person, depending on availability and whether there are other singles, couples or small groups looking to join the same trip.
Charter Questions
-
The three-hour Afternoon Escape is suited to shorter celebrations, sunset cruises and relaxed time on Pittwater.
A 4.5-hour charter gives groups more time to cruise, swim and settle into a protected anchorage. The 5.5-hour Signature Day allows the vessel to travel farther into Broken Bay, Cowan Creek or the Hawkesbury River.
Seasonal offshore whale-watching charters are also available for groups of up to 10 guests.
-
Yes. All charters are planned around the group, conditions and timing on the day, with flexibility to adjust throughout.
-
Both. The catamarans are capable sailing vessels but also operate under engine when needed.
Wind, timing, destination and the style of charter will determine the best approach. Often, a charter includes a combination of sailing, cruising under engine and time at anchor.
-
Yes. Swimming stops are standard when the weather, water and anchorage are suitable.
The vessels also carry floating platforms, and the tender may be available to transfer guests ashore at suitable locations.
-
Pricing is based on the number of guests and the total charter duration:
1–6 guests — $600 per hour
7–12 guests — $700 per hour
13–28 guests — $750 per hourThe price is for private use of the vessel and includes the captain and professional crew.
-
Most private charters have a three-hour minimum.
Three hours works well for an afternoon or sunset cruise, while 4.5 to 5.5 hours provides more time to explore, swim, eat and relax without feeling rushed.
-
Yes. We do not operate a fixed route for private charters.
The captain plans the day around your group, charter duration, weather and sea conditions. You can let us know whether your priorities are sailing, scenery, swimming, food and drinks, national park locations or simply relaxing aboard.
-
Shorter charters generally explore Pittwater and nearby sheltered bays.
Longer charters may continue into Broken Bay, Cowan Creek, the Hawkesbury River or more remote national park anchorages. The destinations available will depend on the charter duration and conditions on the day.
-
Yes. All private charters are BYO food and drinks, including alcohol, with no corkage fee.
The vessels provide fridges, eskies, a galley, plates, cups, cutlery and basic serving equipment. Catering can also be arranged in advance.
-
Guests are normally met at Palm Beach Wharf and transferred by tender to the catamaran.
Clear meeting instructions and contact details are provided before the charter. Alternative pickup locations, including Newport, may be available by arrangement.
-
The charter includes private use of the catamaran, a captain and professional crew.
Each vessel has spacious deck and saloon areas, bathrooms, a galley, refrigeration, eskies, a Bluetooth sound system and room for guests to move comfortably between indoor and outdoor spaces.
-
Each catamaran accommodates up to 28 guests.
For larger events, two vessels may be available for combined groups of up to 56 guests. Offshore whale-watching charters are restricted to a maximum of 10 guests per vessel.
-
Dedicated sunset cruises are promoted during the NSW daylight-saving season, when the longer evenings allow more time on the water.
Afternoon and early-evening private charters can still be arranged outside daylight saving, with timing adjusted to suit sunset and conditions.
-
Offshore whale watching depends on weather and sea conditions.
If it is not safe or comfortable to proceed offshore, the charter may be rescheduled or, by agreement, adjusted to a sheltered-water experience through Pittwater or Broken Bay.
-
Popular summer weekends, school holidays and Christmas-party dates can book well in advance.
It is worth enquiring as soon as you have a preferred date, although shorter-notice bookings may still be available depending on the vessel and crew schedule.
Sunset Cruise: Palm Beach
A private three-hour sunset cruise through Pittwater
Make the most of the longer daylight-saving evenings with a private sunset cruise aboard Tabasco, a spacious Seawind 1160 sailing catamaran.
-
3-hour charter
1–6 guests — $1,800
7–12 guests — $2,100
13–28 guests — $2,250 -
• Private skippered charter on a high-capacity sailing catamaran
• Professional crew
• Spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining areas
• Fridges and eskies with ice
• Plates, cutlery, cups and serving basics
• Bluetooth speaker so you can connect your own playlist
• Floating platforms for swimming
• Dinghy available to take guests ashore where suitable -
An afternoon charter is a shorter private cruise, usually starting around 2pm and returning in the late afternoon or around sunset. It is well suited to groups who want time on the water before dinner, a relaxed celebration, or an easy afternoon escape without committing to a full day.
This is still your boat for the afternoon. The route is shaped around your group, the conditions and the time available, rather than following a fixed cruise format.
Family groups may want a calm cruise, a swim and somewhere sheltered to relax. Hens groups often want music, drinks, sun and a beautiful setting. Corporate groups may prefer a polished, low-effort afternoon with space to talk, eat and unwind.
The captain and crew will choose a route that makes the best use of the afternoon, whether that means cruising, anchoring for a swim, enjoying food and drinks on board, or returning as the light drops over the water.
