gold coast Family yacht charters
There is something about the appeal of a day on the water that spans generations. When you charter a boat with Sailing in Paradise we aim to provide a special experience the whole family will enjoy. Loved by the grandparents just as much as the kids (and everybody in between) our 3 beautiful sailing catamarans are comfortable, spacious and stable making them suitable for all ages and most abilities. Whether it be for special family birthday, a reunion, family holiday or if you are a Gold Coast local wanting to show off our beautiful part of the world to visiting family members we invite you to enjoy a private yacht charter during the day or at sunset and create some new family memories to treasure for years to come.
Bring the family together!
Our luxury catamarans are so family friendly. The wide and spacious deck areas makes them ideal for everyone to get around and enjoy some fresh ocean air. We like to encourage our guests (big or small) to have fun and participate in hoisting the sails and manning the helm (if they are keen)!
Keep your eyes peeled throughout the cruise as you very well may spot some of the local wildlife on the picturesque Broadwater. Friendly and playful dolphins and soaring sea-eagles are often to be seen while underway. We can arrange rods and bait for you and the kids to have a go at catching a fish if you wish, simply let us know when booking.
For daytime cruises, the whole family will enjoy a stop at Wave Break Island, where our vessel's unique beach landing capabilities come into their own! With a secret ladder on the foredeck it's easy to hop on and off for a swim or some serious sandcastle building! There’s buckets and spades for the little ones to play and plenty of calm water for everyone to jump in for a swim or wade about in the shallows. We also have SUPing and splash mats for the family to enjoy. If you’re feeling energetic and want to bring the family together you can have a game of beach volleyball or cricket right there on the island, we have all the gear on board!
We make chartering a boat easy and tailored to your family’s needs, so we give you the option of choosing where you would like to go and what you would like to do within your chartered time. We can offer adventure and family friendly activities or rest and relaxation, the choice is yours! You can choose to BYO food and drinks or a fully catered charter for easy planning. We supply the eskies, ice, BBQ and BBQ tools free of charge.
More info on our charters
What to expect
When you book a family charter with Sailing in Paradise you can expect a quality of service from years of experience in the industry but most of all your can expect a fun day (or evening) on the water that the whole family will love.
From your initial enquiry, we aim to make the booking process as simple as possible for you, offering a variety of optional extras including catering or beverages should you wish to book them. But none of this is obligatory, we also welcome BYO.
We offer a personalised and customised service so if you have any questions or special requirements please feel free to reach out to our team and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What's included?
- Private use of your own beautiful sailing catamaran for 3 to 6 hours
- Skipper plus one crew, (our crew are heaps of fun and have a laid-back yet professional nature) we promise you will love them. Check out the 'about us' page to meet the gang!
- Island Activities for day charters incl. Stand up Paddle Boards, beach activities, beach volleyball and splash mat
- Use of tablet with premium spotify and sound system on board
- Use of small marine BBQ if required
- Use of large eskies (ice supplied)
- Instaworthy Memento Photos taken by our crew
- Lots of FUN!!
What to Bring
- Smiles and good vibes :)
- Swimmers and towel (if you plan to swim)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen
- Jacket on cooler days
- Shoes that you can slip off
- Food, drinks and non-breakable cups etc (unless you want us to organise the catering for you).
Where can we go?
We operate in the calm, protected waters of the Gold Coast Broadwater. Where to go very much depends on what you would like to do and how long your boat charter is for so please feel free to discuss this with our team. In a 3 hour charter during the day our guests usually love a swim stop at Wavebreak Island where you can enjoy the range of island activities on board. Your skipper is knowledgeable in the local area and will make recommendations based on the conditions on the day. If you don't wish to swim in a 3 hour charter you instead opt to sail further north along the inside of South Stradbroke Island and see the millionaires mansions at Sovereign Islands.
In the evening we will generally sail north to watch the sunset and return to the southern part of the Broadwater to enjoy the city lights after dark which are just beautiful.
Family Charters FAQ's
Where do your boats depart from?
Our boats are berthed at Marina Mirage. Please see the 'contact us' page on our website for further details and a map. Marina Mirage is about 10 mins from Surfers and 15 mins from Broadbeach.
Where can I park?
There is parking available at Mariners Cove (paid) and Marina Mirage plus limited street parking on Seaworld Drive. Please check signage at time of parking and consider ride share for a stress free arrival at your charter (especially during busy times of year).
What about other transport options?
There are lots of ways to get to the boat! The most popular (and cost effective/convenient) is often via Maxi Taxis.
Can I BYO food and drink?
Yes if you would like to bring your own food and drinks on board that is completely fine.
I am short on time can you please help me out with catering/drinks?
Yes, we also offer catering and drinks service for your convenience. Please request our full catering list as advance bookings are required. We offer a range of catering options from grazing boards, to tapas and private chefs.
Do you have Eskies on board?
Yes we do and we also provide ice. The eskies are very large and can be used for food or drink.
Are your charters suitable for children?
Absolutely! We love having kids on board and our crew will often try and include them in the sailing and driving the boat. We also carry a range of beach games suitable for kids including buckets and spades for the littlest family members. The wide and spacious deck area also make the boats wonderful for kids. Of course as any parent knows, you are always careful with children when it comes to being on the water, but as boats go our catamarans would be some of the most family friendly around. Please feel free to contact our team if you have any questions about which boat may be best for your family.
Are your charters suitable for guests with limited mobility?
We have welcomed several guests on board with limited mobility. However we do realise that each individual is different in terms of ability and what they are comfortable with. Please take a look at the 360 tours on the 'Our Boats' page for an ideal of getting around the boats and do bear in mind a big step up (or carry) is required to board the boats at the marina. Our friendly team will be happy to discuss further to ensure you and your guests are comfortable prior to making a booking.
Will I get seasick?
Nope. We operate in the calm, protected waters of the Gold Coast Broadwater. We do not go offshore (into the open ocean) so we do not experience large waves. Our catamarans are very stable, and do not have the same side to side rocking motion as experienced by single hull vessels so you won't get seasick :-).
What happens if it rains?
First of all remember...a little rain doesn't stop a great time on our boats especially in the warm Gold Coast endless summer... But do rest assured that we have a very generous wet weather policy as we want you to enjoy your time on board the boat, so if there is torrential rain or storms at the time you will be able to cancel or reschedule your cruise. Please see the full booking policy provided with your invoice for full details or contact our team.
Why should we choose you over another operator?
This list is endless. Check out our reviews, check out our socials, speak to someone who has been with us before (you would be surprised, you will probably know someone who has been with us?), and we pride ourselves on the fact that our guests keep coming back (some have sailed with us as many as 8 times). We go out of our way to create the best experience possible and are constantly updating, re-inventing, reinvesting and reviewing. We're not happy until you're happy and we want you to come back again and again. We can blow our own trumpet from time to time right? :-)
How do I book?
Click here to fill out an enquiry form and you will quickly get all the info you need including availability, pricing, inclusions etc. You can also book online! Then it is simply a matter of paying your deposit to secure your preferred date. But don't dawdle as we quickly book out and we don't want you to be disappointed.
Choosing the perfect vessel for you
Spirit of Gwonda (30 capacity)
The ultimate party boat! Built specifically with entertaining in mind, her open plan layout is designed for you to soak up the sun or dance the day/night away! The easy foredeck access via the centre of the boat ensures your guests can always see one another no matter where they are on the boat, which is also great for families with small children!
Oceans (30 capacity)
Our most luxurious vessel, Oceans is guaranteed to impress. With a maximum guest capacity of 30, but intimate enough to host couples and small groups, Oceans delivers the space required for your group without sacrificing any of the creature comforts.
Island Time (42 capacity)
Our brand-NEW Seawind 1160 Resort! Island Time joined the fleet in November 2023 and brings a new charter experience to the Gold Coast. Purpose built for day charters and events this vessel offers unrivalled connectivity from interior to exterior spaces.
Still can't decide on the perfect vessel? Click here to take a tour of our boats!
Private Charter Pricing
Sailing in Paradise offers an affordable luxury option for your boat charter, we pride ourselves on offering the best value on the Gold Coast for the quality of vessels and service that we provide.
Our rates vary seasonally and will change depending on your selected vessel and charter duration. Please click here to request a private charter info pack including rate card via email.
Catering Options
Whilst BYO is most welcome, many of our guests opt to have professional catering delivered to the boat for a stress-free option. We partner with quality caterers and can offer a range of delicious options to suit every budget and occasion. Please click here to request a private charter info pack including current catering options via email.
Tim
Gold Coast Family Charters
We took Tim and his family out with us for a private charter, read about their experience with us here...
Tim, Aus
“Steve, Jessica and the team provided a fantastic experience for our family. The lunch was superb, Steve interacted with the kids to get them involved in getting the sails up which they loved. They took some amazing pictures which was all part of the service, not a chargeable extra. I can't recommend them enough.” Facebook review
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