Everything you need to know about chartering a Tiger Catamaran on Sydney Harbour — pricing, BYO, wharves, weather, booking and what to expect on the day.
Tiger 3 and Tiger 4 each accommodate up to 43 guests. Tigeress accommodates up to 30 guests. All charters are 100% private — no shared cruises.
Tiger 3 and Tiger 4 are our larger vessels, both featuring spacious open entertaining decks — ideal for groups who want room to dance, mingle, and celebrate outdoors. Tigeress is a more intimate vessel with a lounge/living room, TV, bedrooms, and a premium interior — perfect for smaller groups wanting a stylish, comfortable atmosphere rather than a large deck party.
Yes. All three vessels have indoor areas where guests can shelter if needed. Tiger 3 and Tiger 4 have an indoor saloon, and Tigeress has a full interior lounge and living area.
Yes. All three vessels have 2 toilets on board.
Yes all Tiger boats have large BBQ on board. The staff will cook the BBQ food for you, so you can relax.
All boats are fitted with Fusion sound systems that connect via Bluetooth. You can stream directly from your phone or device. If you want to bring a DJ, they’ll need to bring their own decks, speakers, and a generator (generator hire available for $100).
On Tiger 3 and 4 we have large eskies on baord for you to use. On Tigeress we have a large esky on board and two small fridges
Yes. All boats operate under Commercial Survey, meaning they’re equipped with the legally required number of life jackets (including children’s sizes) and all mandated safety equipment. Your safety is our priority.
Yes all Tiger Catamarans are in Commercial survey which means they are built with passengers and safety in mind
Yes, we generally have plastic plates, glasses, and cutlery on board. If you’d prefer to bring your own, that’s perfectly fine — just let us know before the charter.
No we do not have pre booking inspections, although we have a great range of photos of each yacht on our website. Feel free to view the photos of Tiger 3, Tiger 4 and Tigeress
Absolutely — all Tiger Catamarans charters are fully BYO. Bring whatever food and drinks your group enjoys. There are no corkage fees, no bar minimums, and no restrictions on what you drink.
No. There is no corkage fee and no BYO surcharge of any kind.
Yes — it’s BYO ice. We recommend bringing 3–6 bags per esky. The boats have large eskies on board to keep everything cold throughout the charter.
Yes you can, but handle with safety. Staff will keep an eye on guests so they dont drop glasses on the boat and all remains safe
There generally is no restriction though staff and guest will have to comply with RSA rules. If you patrons look too intoxicated the guest will be taken off the boat or given water
Yes — we can arrange catering platters delivered directly to the wharf before your charter. Visit our catering page for options and pricing: tigercatamarans.com.au/catering-2/
You can though it is a lot easier to put it on when you get on. There is a $250 early access fee to put alcohol and food on earlier, this is only 30 mins before the start time
Yes you can bring birthday cake, though it can get messy, if spilt on the boat. So please be careful
No , this litters the harbour and gets messy.
All three vessels are priced at $550 per hour with a 4-hour minimum, starting from $2,200 per vessel. This is a flat rate for the whole boat — not per person. NYE charters are priced separately — from $17,500 per vessel (Tiger 3/Tiger 4) or from $16,500 (Tigeress) for a 6–7 hour charter.
The main additional cost to be aware of is the Sydney Maritime Authority wharf fee, which applies if you depart from any city wharf (Circular Quay, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, McMahons Point). Departing from Rose Bay is free. You’ll also need to bring your own food, alcohol, and ice.
Yes — the minimum charter is 4 hours. 3-hour charters may be available on select dates by enquiry. 2-hour charters are not offered.
Choose your vessel and book online via our booking calendar at tigercatamarans.com.au/book-a-catamaran-charter-sydney-harbour/. Pay a 25% deposit to secure your date and receive instant confirmation — no waiting for quotes or callbacks.
A 25% holding deposit is required to secure your date. Full payment is due two weeks before the charter date. Payment can be made by credit card or EFT.
Yes — many groups collect contributions from each guest to cover the charter cost. The booking itself is made under one name, but how you split costs within your group is entirely up to you.
You can depart from Rose Bay (free), Circular Quay, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, or McMahons Point. All city wharves incur a Sydney Maritime Authority fee which is passed on at cost. Full details at tigercatamarans.com.au/wharf-locations/
As early as possible — weekends book out quickly, especially through summer. Christmas and NYE charters typically book out months in advance, so early enquiry is strongly recommended for those dates.
Yes we do as those dates are in high demand, and we have to pay staff more.
You choose your departure wharf and the skipper takes it from there. A typical charter involves departing and cruising the harbour for the first hour or so, anchoring at a great harbour beach for a swim and BBQ, then spending the remaining time cruising to another spot or simply enjoying the harbour. The itinerary is flexible — it’s your charter.
Confortable nn marking shoes which you’d wear on a boat. Some marking and black sole shoes may scuff the boat. If its an issue the staff will ask the person to got barefeet for the day.
Yes — we know many great harbour beaches and will find the most appropriate spot based on conditions. The skipper will anchor up at a safe, sheltered location for your swim stop.
Yes — feel free to bring entertainers, drink servers, or topless waitstaff. They count toward your total passenger numbers, so factor them into your headcount when booking.
Food, drinks, ice (3–6 bags per esky), sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable clothing. Bring a towel and swimmers if you’re planning a swim stop. Plates, glasses, and cutlery are provided on board (plastic).
No. Tiger Catamarans provides a licensed skipper and crew for every charter — guests don’t need any boating qualifications.
We will aim to arrive approximately 5 minutes before the charter begins. Ensure you and your party are ready to jump onboard so we can set sail on time.
We can only wait at some wharves for a 15 minute time slot. They will either have to catch a water taxi out to the group or we can pick them up at a seperate wharf. The crew will work something out with the guests on the day.
You can, though it can not impede the skippers view when drinving on our busy harbour
Definitley not.
Sydney Harbour has many sheltered bays and inlets. If the wind picks up or it’s raining, the skipper will navigate to a protected location on the harbour to keep your group comfortable. In most cases, the charter goes ahead as planned.
Only truly extreme or unsafe conditions — things like severe storms or dangerous seas — would cause us to cancel. If that happens, we’ll call you on the morning of the charter and work with you to reschedule to another available date.
Sydney Harbour is a calm, sheltered body of water — not open ocean. The vast majority of guests have no issues at all. If you’re prone to seasickness, we recommend taking seasick tablets before boarding as a precaution.
Very safe. Catamarans are exceptionally stable vessels and life jackets are available for all guests. Non-swimmers are not at any additional risk on board — swimming stops are optional, not mandatory.
All boats operate under Commercial Survey and are equipped with first aid equipment. The skipper is trained in on-water emergency procedures and will return to shore or contact emergency services as required.
Yes — the boats are safe and welcome guests of all ages.
Yes — child-sized life jackets are available on board.
Yes, though we always recommend keeping a close eye on young children around open deck areas. The vessels are stable and safe.
Yes we will store them on the boat
Yes generally speaking.
Yes, unless they are in a wheelchair, which makes it difficults
Yes — NYE is one of our most popular charters. Tiger 3 and Tiger 4 from $17,500 per vessel; Tigeress from $16,500 per vessel for a 6–7 hour charter. You’ll see both the 9pm family fireworks and the midnight fireworks from the water — one of the best vantage points in Sydney. NYE books out months in advance, so enquire early.
Yes thats fine, if you organise them yourself thats not a problem.
We don’t offer fixed packages — every charter is tailored to your group. Many hens and bucks groups bring their own games, themes, decorations, and entertainment. Contact us and we’ll help you plan the perfect day.
Yes — Sydney Harbour is a spectacular backdrop for corporate events, client entertainment, team building days, and end-of-year parties. All charters are fully private, BYO, and customisable. Visit tigercatamarans.com.au/services/work-parties-sydney-harbour/ for more.
Yes — Christmas is a hugely popular time on the harbour. Book early as December dates fill quickly. Visit tigercatamarans.com.au/services/christmas-party-boat-hire-sydney-harbour/
Absolutely — Sydney Harbour is a stunning location for a proposal. Contact us and we can help you plan a memorable moment, from a sunset cruise to a specific harbour vantage point.
Speak with Andrew the owner he will give you some options if you have to cancel. The decision to cancel due to possible bad or unsafe weather is the decision of the owner Andrew. We know the harbour and weather very well.
If the weather is genuinely unsafe, we’ll contact you on the morning of the charter and work together to find another date. Rescheduling due to personal preference or mild weather is subject to availability.
We will contact you on the day and try and get you another one of our boats. This very rarely happens as our fleet is quite modern
Yes thats possible, ask Andrew about your numbers prior
Call Andrew directly on 0404 026 678 or book online to lock in your Sydney Harbour charter date.
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