Our luxury private boat charters Port Douglas provides you and your family, friends and/or colleagues with the ultimate way to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you want to dive, snorkel, sail or explore islands, Blue Dive can arrange day, evening, overnight and multi-day liveaboard dive and snorkel itineraries. Our destinations, up to you – from the amazing Great Barrier Reef, including its far northern Ribbons Reefs and Lizard Island, to Osprey Reef with its 1,000m coral wall drop-offs and even further afield to Papua New Guinea and the Soloman Islands. Blue Dive has access to a range of luxury, private, charter boats, giving us the ability to cater to different group sizes and requirements. Your Blue Dive private guide will be on hand to provide reef information and escort your group in the water on introductory and/or certified dives. All of our guides are experienced PADI professionals, as well as being underwater photographers, this enables us to include a complimentary underwater photo session (certified dive groups only) in your charter – the perfect souvenir of your Great Barrier Reef adventure. If you’re looking for a luxury private boat charter Port Douglas, contact us to discuss your requirements and we can recommend just the right vessel and itinerary, to create the perfect experience for you. Details on several of the private charter vessels we commonly use are below. Day charters start at $4,500.
Blue Dive has been providing exclusive guided dive and snorkel trips from Port Douglas to the Great Barrier Reef since 2008. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding customer service, local advice and expertise – which is appreciated by our clients and makes us the leading Port Douglas dive guides. So, when our clients want something a little more exclusive – such as a luxury private boat charter Port Douglas – our team make all the arrangements to deliver a first-class vessel and package, delivering on your specific requirements. All Blue Dive charters from Port Douglas include your very own private Blue Dive expert dive guide and all diving/snorkelling gear, underwater photo shoot, morning tea, gourmet lunch, afternoon tea, bottled water, soft drinks, tea and coffee. For overnight and multi-day charters, breakfast, dinner and dessert are also included. Dietary requirements and preferences are catered for, just let us know at the time of booking.
We’re pleased to provide additional information on some of the Port Douglas luxury private boat charter vessels we commonly use below, please contact us for availability and prices. Our cancellation policy is also below.
Black Magic is a 12.5 metre (40 foot) custom-built luxury vessel, with a fast cruising speed of well over 20 knots. The on-board crew are dedicated to ensuring you have a superb day, whether you’re diving snorkeling or just relaxing on your own luxury vessel, on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Jim, the skipper, has an unrivalled knowledge of the local reefs and due to its size, Black Magic is very maneuverable, allowing you to access dive sites no other boats in Port Douglas can get to.
For day trips, Black Magic can comfortably take up to 7 passengers, with a suggested maximum of 4 for scuba divers, to ensure space and comfort. For overnight trips, Black Magic can accommodate up to 4 passengers, sleeping in 2 air-conditioned cabins.
Zulu is a 16.4 metre (54 foot) luxury vessel with a very fast cruising speed of 24 knots. This custom-built Port Douglas charter vessel has a Seakeeper gyroscope which keeps the boat very steady, even in windy weather. This makes it an ideal choice for charters in June, July and August, when it can be a little windier and some other boats can become uncomfortable. It also features the Twindisc Express Joystick system, which holds the vessel in any fixed position, crabs the boat diagonally or straight sideways and can rotate it 360° on its axis. This feature makes it perfect for getting to dive sites larger boats can’t get into. Zulu has an air-conditioned saloon with plenty of comfortable seating and a well-equipped galley for preparing fresh lunches and great coffee. While the fusion surround sound system and slide down window allows you to experience back deck action, from the air-conditioned comfort of the saloon.
For day trips, Zulu can comfortably take up to 8 passengers, with a suggested maximum of 4 for scuba divers, to ensure space and comfort. For overnight trips, Zulu can accommodate up to 4 passengers, sleeping in 2 air-conditioned cabins – one is a luxurious ensuite cabin, the other is a smaller double cabin.
Minke is a 12 metre (39.4 foot) luxury vessel with a maximum operational cruising speed of 27 knots. Minke is a part of the same fleet as Zulu and boasts many of the same features, including a gyroscope for a smooth ride and Twindisc control system. This Port Douglas charter vessel has a custom-designed dive station for easy gear setup, while the speed and control features allow you to access some stunning parts of the Great Barrier Reef.
Minke’s open saloon allows guests to easily interact, whether they are kitting up for a dive or simply relaxing on the reef. The Minke is a great option for smaller groups, or those wanting to keep costs down, and can comfortably take up to 7 passengers, with a suggested maximum of 4 for scuba divers, to ensure space and comfort.
Saltaire is a 10.7 metre (35 foot) super-fast charter vessel which can access a range of Great Barrier Reef sites on day trips, that other boats can’t. Destinations available include various sites on the local Port Douglas reefs, including Low Isles, Opal Reef and Agincourt Reefs, and north to the Hope Islands. Included in this charter is a gourmet, home cooked lunch included prawns, meats and French cheeses and is often served on board next to a scenic – and usually private – sand cay.
Saltaire can comfortably take up to 8 passengers, with a suggested maximum of 4 for scuba divers, to ensure space and comfort. Cruising speed 22 knots, speed when going to Captain Cook territory 30 knots.
Monsoon is a 16.5 metre (54 foot) luxury charter vessel, with a cruising speed of approximately 15 knots and a choice of spacious lounge and deck areas, to enjoy and relax throughout your day. Monsoon’s skipper has a wealth of local knowledge that guarantees you’ll visit the best possible Great Barrier Reef sites, on the day of your private charter. The experienced crew will pamper you with friendly personal service, as you explore superb reefs and dive and snorkel in the warm tropical waters.
Monsoon’s dive deck sits just inches above the waterline, making entry and exit a breeze, while the onboard tender makes drift dives and accessing hard-to-reach dive sites a possibility. Guided snorkeling is included for those who aren’t diving. Your gourmet lunch includes canapés, cheese platter and seasonal tropical fruit selection, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. You’re welcome to bring your own beer and wine onboard. Monsoon is suitable for day charters and can comfortably take up to 10 passengers, with a suggested maximum of 8 for scuba divers, to ensure space and comfort.
Shaka is a 18.3 metre (60 foot) luxury vessel with a top speed of 42 knots and cruising speed of 32 knots. This private charter boat was purpose built to traverse the 150-mile length of the Great Barrier Reef and is suitable for day trips and long-range expeditions. With a range of 865 nautical miles at 20 knots, Shaka can take you across the Great Barrier Reef and Ribbons Reefs, including Lizard Island, out to Osprey Reef and further afield to the Soloman Islands and Papua New Guinea. Shaka has a newly installed gyroscope system, ensuring calm stable cruising even when the wind is up.
Shaka was hand-built by Barry Martin using cold-moulded methods, with western red cedar, strip-planked core, all encased in fiberglass and epoxy resin. The unique 21 degree deep-V hull with prop tunnels provides an amazing ride with 3000hp and there’s a long list of luxury gadgets on board for passenger comfort. Shaka sleeps 6 in air conditioned comfort, across its 4 berths.
Liquid Desire is a 16.8 metre (55 foot) luxury, sailing catamaran which was purpose-built for sailing the Great Barrier Reef. It features all the conveniences you need for a liveaboard dive and snorkel trip from Port Douglas. Liquid Desire can take you north to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and Lizard Island, all of which are widely recognized as being first class reef destinations. The crew are passionate about ensuring your charter is memorable for all the right reasons. The on-board chef specialises in fine seafarers cuisine and will prepare and serve excellent meals including fresh seafood appetizers, or a chilled papaya salad, followed by a tuna curry, chilli mud crab or a grilled crayfish.
As a sailing catamaran, Liquid Desire is much slower than other luxury Port Douglas charter vessels featured here and as such, we wouldn’t usually recommend it for day charters. Liquid Desire can comfortably sleep 6 in a range of air conditioned cabins and the huge saloon can seat 20 people.
Argo Expeditions is a 27 metre (88.5 foot) motor yacht, with a cruising range of 3,000km. Able to accommodate up to 14 passengers in well-appointed air conditioned cabins Argo Expeditions is a great choice for multi-day charters and liveaboard trips of 3 days and more. Destinations you can visit on Argo Expeditions includes the Great Barrier Reef’s northern Ribbon Reefs, including the Cod Hole and Lizard Island, and beyond to Osprey Reef. This luxury vessel is superb for Dwarf Minke whale trips and often books out in June.
Argo has a plush saloon and dining area, full commercial galley, laundry facilities, plenty of deck space and 2 dive compressors.
For your peace of mind we highly recommend travel insurance, just in case you need to cancel. We ask for a deposit of 50% of the charter rate to confirm booking. 20% of the charter rate becomes non-refundable 6 months prior to the departure date. If we have to cancel (bad weather or breakdown) we will advise at earliest opportunity and will provide full refund or reschedule the charter at your choice. If you cancel more than 14 days but less than 30 days ahead of the departure date, 50% of the charter rate is forfeited. Cancellations within 14 days of departure date forfeit the full cost of the charter. Full payment must be made 30 days prior to departure date.
Blue Dive are pleased to provide recommendations and bookings for luxury private boat charters from Port Douglas. A dedicated Blue Dive dive guide is included in all charters, which can be booked for day tours or extended multi-day and liveaboard trips. Imagine, your own boat going out to the Great Barrier Reef – it doesn’t get much better than that! Contact Blue Dive today and let us organise a very special diving and snorkelling experience for just you and your friends or family, on the amazing Great Barrier Reef. Want The Guide Without The Boat? Blue Dive can also take you to the reef on a Port Douglas day tour reef boat, providing your own private dive guide.
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