Cancellation Policy

These cancellation terms form part of our full Terms and Conditions. If anything below appears to conflict with the Terms and Conditions, the Terms and Conditions are the authoritative version.

Customer Cancellations

We understand that plans change. We use the cancellation terms set by the Charter Boat Agents’ Association — the industry-standard terms used across Sydney Harbour charter agencies.

Please note that a postponement is treated as a cancellation. Moving your date releases the boat we were holding for you, so the same terms apply as if you had cancelled. You are welcome to make a new booking for the new date.

If you need to cancel or postpone, the following terms apply:

More than 60 days before the charter date: Your deposit is refunded less a management fee, but only if we secure a replacement booking for the same boat, date and time at equivalent value. If we cannot, the deposit is not refundable. The management fee is $500 or 15% of the charter fee, whichever is the lesser.
60–30 days before the charter date: The deposit is not refundable.
30–14 days before the charter date: Monies paid are not refundable. We will give consideration to any food, staffing and boat costs not yet incurred.
Less than 14 days before the charter date: Monies paid are not refundable.

What that means in practice: the deposit is 50% and the balance falls due 14 days before your charter. So cancelling before the 14-day mark generally costs you the deposit, and cancelling inside 14 days costs the full charter fee.

Catering and Committed Costs

Catering, beverage packages and third-party services (entertainment, security, water taxis, wharf bookings) are ordered on your behalf and have their own lead times and minimum spends. If you cancel or postpone and we cannot cancel these items in time to avoid the cost, you remain responsible for them in addition to the above. We will always try to reduce or cancel committed costs, and we pass on any saving we achieve.

Boat-Specific Terms

Some boats we represent have stricter cancellation or weather terms than those on this page — a few issue a credit toward a future charter rather than a refund. Where that applies to your boat, those terms are set out in full on your invoice before you pay, and they replace the terms on this page for your booking. If your invoice contains no boat-specific terms section, the terms above apply in full.

Security Bond

Some charters require a refundable security bond, usually held as a pre-authorisation on a card shortly before your charter and released afterwards. Where one applies, the amount is set out on your invoice.

Nothing on this page excludes, restricts or modifies any right or remedy you have under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

Boat Owner / Operator Cancellations

If, due to circumstances beyond your control, we are unable to fulfil your reservation with the selected boat and time, you will be offered the choice of:

Selecting an alternative available boat or time that is acceptable to you, or
Receiving a full and unconditional refund of any and all monies paid to us for that specific booking.

Severe Weather and Force Majeure

Reschedules may be made in cases of severe weather or unforeseen circumstances that make it unsafe to proceed with the charter, at the discretion of Boatique Sydney Boat Hire. We will work with you to find a suitable alternative date.

Please note: rescheduling for rain is not standard practice across Sydney Harbour charter operators — this is an industry-wide convention, not a Boatique-specific policy. Most charters proceed in light rain or overcast conditions, and many of our boats have covered or enclosed entertaining areas that keep guests comfortable in those conditions. Reschedules are typically only offered when the operator deems conditions genuinely unsafe (severe winds, storms, or similar). If you have specific weather concerns close to your charter date, please get in touch with us as soon as possible and we’ll discuss options.

Modifications

Changes to your booking (guest count, catering, extras) can be accommodated subject to availability and operator notice. Some changes — particularly catering — require approximately two weeks’ notice to ensure the operator’s caterer can plan the menu accordingly.

Refund Processing

All refunds will be processed within 10 business days of approval.

For full booking terms, please see our Terms and Conditions.