What are the hours of hire?

Swan Boat Hire operates boat and paddle hire during daylight hours only. Monday to Saturday hires begin at 7:30am (8:30am on Sunday) and before the sun goes down, all craft must be returned to the beach and hirers need to collect their deposit from the shop. In Summer the latest return time is 6:00pm and in Winter the latest return time is 5:00pm due to an earlier sunset.

Does the hirer need a boating license?

A boating license in not required as we provide detailed tuition on safe boating practice, navigation and observing speed limits. A car license or passport is required as a form of photo identification.

Do hirers need their own fishing gear?

Hirers can bring their own fishing gear, crab pots, cast nets, esky etc but Swan Boat Hire also provides pre-rigged handlines, knife, a bucket and an esky free of charge for use with all hire craft. Rods, crab pots and landing nets to hire as well as a full range of tackle for purchase are also available at Swan Boat Hire.

Where can the hirer get bait?

Swan Boat Hire has a large range of live and fresh bait (blood/sand worms, prawns, squid and mullet) available as well as local frozen bait for beach, estuary and offshore fishing. Hirers are also able to bring their own bait.

Is there an esky for the hirer to use?

Swan Boat Hire provides 25L and 45L eskies free of charge for all hirers. Just ask when you arrive at the shop. Block and crushed ice is available to purchase at the shop.

What else does the hirer need to bring?

It is essential that the hirer brings photo identification and payment in the form of cash, debit or credit card. We recommend hirers bring clothing appropriate to the weather, including sunscreen, hat and sunglasses for sun protection. Hirers may bring their own fishing equipment, though handlines and rods are available to hire or purchase plus we stock live, fresh and frozen bait.

Where can the hirer go in the river? Including fishing options.

Paddle craft have the entire river to explore and can do so over a few hours. Smaller boats can navigate through the entire river system also but need a high tide to fully access the lower reaches.

BBQ Pontoons are only allowed between Chambers Island and Bli Bli Islands. They are restricted from heading downstream from Chambers Island as they draw more water being heavier boats (i.e. shallow channels would result in the BBQ pontoon becoming bogged). Hire craft are prohibited from approaching the Maroochy River mouth or cross the bar into the ocean; doing so would result in termination of hire.

Can the hire craft go offshore and out the river mouth?

Maritime Safety Regulations prohibit all hire craft approaching the Maroochy River mouth or crossing the bar into the ocean; doing so would result in termination of hire. All craft at Swan Boat Hire are licensed and equipped for calm water use only - meaning rivers, canals or creeks.

Can the hirer use the craft at night?

All hire craft are hirable during daylight hours only. Hires commence at 7:30am and must be returned by 5:00pm in Winter, by 5:30pm in Spring and Autumn and by 6:00pm in Summer.

Can the hirer split their hire at all? E.g. during a three hour hire, use two hours in the morning and one hour later in the afternoon?

Hirers must take the amount of time booked in one block. Splitting up hire period is not permitted in any craft.

How far in advance does the hirer need to book?

Hirers are encouraged to book the day or a few days in advance, but also be aware that during weekends, public holidays, school holidays and special occasions such as Father's Day, the more popular craft with families and larger groups (BBQ Pontoons, Cruisers, 8-seaters) are often booked weeks in advance.

What happens if the hirer needs to cancel?

If the hirer needs to cancel the booking they need to contact Swan Boat Hire as soon as possible on 0754437225. If the cancellation is due to inclement weather, we encourage the hirer to rebook the hire craft at a later date and their deposit will be held until the actual hire date.

What is the deposit for?

The deposit is like a bond. The hirer pays this before departing with the hire craft and on completion of the hire the deposit is refunded once the hirer returns to the shop with any additional hire gear (hand-lines, esky, lifejackets) and the hire manual/map. Any extra hire time may be deducted from the deposit.

An open credit card imprint may need to be taken for party group bookings for hirers under the age of 21 years (e.g. 21^st birthdays and Bucks Parties). This is essential to cover potential damage costs.

Can the hirer use a discount voucher for boat hire?

Any hirer wishing to take advantage of a discount voucher or special deal must mention this at the time of booking or present the voucher on the day of hire.