Rent a Boat in Melbourne, voted the most liveable city in the world on numerous occasions and once again it is Australia’s most liveable city and 10th in the world according to the Global Liveability Index 2022.
The centre waterway for Melbourne is the Yarra River which flows into Port Phillip Bay. Renting a boat in Melbourne makes perfect sense considering the vast and picturesque waterways and the 100’s of activities available.
The large coastal area surrounding Port Phillip Bay provides Australia’s most densely populated bay area with approximately 5 million people.
Port Phillip Bay caters for millions of visitors every year whom enjoy the many swimming beaches, fishing locations, seal and dolphin watching, ship wrecks and marine reserves. The best way to enjoy these many activities is by renting or chartering a boat.
The season peak for Snapper in Port Phillip Bay is November when the water temperature fluctuates between 16-18 deg Celsius. Why not rent a boat in Melbourne and take your family or friends to catch this beautiful fish or go out on a fishing charter service where the Master will no doubt be able to take you to the best fishing spots!
There are a few things you need to take in to consideration before you rent a boat in Melbourne:-
- You need to decide on what boating activity you would like to undertake in Melbourne. Do you want to chase Snapper? Whiting? Or do you want to take pleasure cruise around the bay or up the Yarra River? Do you want to do some Dolphin spotting in Port Phillip Bay? Or do an office Xmas party on a boat in Geelong?
- How many friends and family or work colleagues are you taking on your boating experience in Melbourne? There is a large array of boats for you to rent a boat in Melbourne rentals so make sure you choose a boat rental that will be big enough to cater for your group. You should also check the amenities available for each of the boat rentals you are considering including toilets, disabled access and/or toilets.
- Licensing Requirements are an important factor when deciding whether to rent or charter a boat. Most boat rentals in Melbourne will require the skipper to have a recreational boat licence, however, if you decide to book a charter service then it is all taken care for you! All boats in Australia that are offered for boat rentals or charter services are required to be Commercially registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Masters’ of boat charter services are required to have an applicable Certificate Of Competency.
- To ensure you make the best use of your time you should plan your itinerary before you go. You can check out boating trails in Victoria here:- Better Boating Vic Boat Trails Here you will find several Melbourne Boat Trails you can follow. Renting a boat in Melbourne offers a variety of beautiful destinations, including the Yarra River and all parts of Port Phillip Bay. Along the Yarra River you can bask in the sun while cruising the river taking in Melbourne’s iconic landmarks. You can head to Chinaman’s Hut and visit the Fur Seals or head to Portsea and check out the iconic Portsea Hotel!
- Take your Safety Seriously and ensure you are equipped for the experience. If you are on a Charter Service or renting a boat make sure you are made aware of all the safety equipment and where it is located. The Owner or Master should give you a safety briefing at the start of the journey and if it’s a boat rental service then you need to be shown how to operate all the equipment. You need to pay attention to the weather conditions at all times as it can change in an instant.
So rent a boat or take a charter service to explore the breathtaking views, the abundance of fish and embrace the coastal charm Melbourne has to offer.
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