A day on the water with nobody else aboard.
Some days are not for an audience. A quiet departure from New Farm or Manly, a stretch of Moreton Bay away from the weekend fleet, and photography handled exactly as you ask. One boat, up to seven guests, and Captain Jeremy, owner and marine scientist, as the only crew.
By phone or a short message. Tell Jeremy the date, the guest numbers and the departure that suits you.
What discreet means on this boat
A quiet departure
New Farm Powerhouse and Manly Boat Harbour are the two established departures, and an early one is the quietest hour of the day at either. Scarborough Harbour on the Redcliffe peninsula is available by arrangement. Other river pontoons can sometimes be arranged: ask when you enquire and Jeremy will tell you what the tide, the depth and the timing allow on your date.
Away from the weekend fleet
The weekend fleet gathers at the wrecks. Jeremy takes the other direction: a sandbank on the eastern side of the bay, a cove behind an island, or the far reach of a channel. Beaches and sandbars are public places, so what is yours for the day is the boat. The setting is chosen for the tide and the conditions on the day.
Photography on your terms
Tell Jeremy before the day how you would like photography handled and it is noted against your booking and followed on the water. If you would rather no photographs were taken at all, say so when you book. Clause 14 of the terms covers it, and nothing from your day is posted or tagged without your say so.
Kept between you and the captain
A booking needs a contact name, a phone number and your guest numbers: that is what the passenger list and the safety brief run on. Beyond that, your plans are discussed with the captain and stay there. Invoicing to a company is straightforward, and a short confidentiality letter is no trouble.
How a discreet day is arranged
- 01
One conversation
A phone call or a short message. You tell Jeremy what the day needs to be, he tells you what the bay is doing that week, and you settle the date between you.
- 02
A plan made with the captain
Departure point, timing, food and drink, where the boat anchors and where you step off. Agreed with Captain Jeremy before the day, so nothing has to be decided in front of anyone.
- 03
The day itself
About six hours on Moreton Bay with the boat to yourselves. Swim, eat, sleep in the sun, talk or not. The captain runs the boat and keeps his distance.
- 04
Back to a quiet dock
Back to the pontoon you left from, or to the other established departure when that shortens the walk to the car: board at New Farm and step off at Manly, or the reverse. Anything else is by arrangement and depends on the tide, the depth and the timing.
Where the day starts, and where it goes
There are two established departures: New Farm Powerhouse, which adds about fifteen minutes down the river, and Manly Boat Harbour, about forty five minutes from Moreton Island in the right conditions. Scarborough Harbour is available by arrangement, and other river pontoons can sometimes be arranged for a particular date. Ask when you enquire so Jeremy can confirm what the tide, the depth and the timing allow.
Established departures
Bookable for any date.
- New Farm Powerhouse pontoon, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm
- Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, 578 Royal Esplanade, Manly
By arrangement
Examples, not a promise. Subject to tide, depth and timing on your date.
- Scarborough Harbour, Redcliffe peninsula
- Hamilton and Portside
- Other Brisbane River pontoons
Where the day goes
Chosen for the conditions on the day.
- Moreton Island and the Tangalooma Wrecks
- Amity Point and North Stradbroke
- Peel Island and the reef flats
- Quiet channels and sandbanks away from the weekend fleet
Scarborough Harbour, Redcliffe peninsula
Scarborough is available by arrangement for guests staying on the Redcliffe peninsula or in the northern bay. It is the same private charter, departing from Scarborough instead of Brisbane. Ask when you enquire so Jeremy can confirm timing and availability for your date.
Who books a day like this
People who are recognised wherever they go and would like one day where they are not. A couple who want time together without a crowd or a comment. Someone visiting Brisbane for work with a quiet six hours between meetings. A family that has had enough attention for one year. The reasons are yours. Jeremy needs only what the day runs on: the date, your guest numbers, the departure and the timing.
The boat is an Axopar 24, fast, quiet at anchor and small enough to tuck into water larger boats cannot reach. Captain Jeremy, owner and marine scientist, is the only crew. He has spent more than a decade on this bay and knows which corners are quiet on which tide and which wind. French style catering, complimentary champagne, all snorkelling gear sized to the group, towels and fuel are included. Monday to Thursday the bay is at its quietest, and a discreet day sits comfortably there.
Payment can be by invoice to a company, and a short confidentiality letter is no trouble if your people would like one. 30% deposit today, balance due 7 days before your charter. Cancel at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund. Both sit in the terms, along with clause 14 on photography. Start with a phone call and we will keep it simple from there.
Charter facts
- Duration
- About six hours
- Guests
- 2 to 7, always one private group. Children count towards the total.
- Departure
- New Farm Powerhouse or Manly Boat Harbour. Scarborough Harbour, Redcliffe peninsula, by arrangement. Other river pontoons by arrangement, subject to tide, depth and timing.
- Where the day goes
- Sandbanks, quiet coves and channels away from the weekend fleet, chosen for the conditions on the day. Beaches and sandbars are public places; the boat is what is exclusively yours.
- Price
- Per boat, never per seat: $1,390 for two guests, $1,890 for up to four guests, $2,400 for up to seven guests. Monday to Thursday: $1,290, $1,690, $2,200.
- Included
- Exclusive use of the boat, Captain Jeremy, owner and marine scientist, Fuel, French style catering, Complimentary champagne, All snorkelling gear sized to the group, Towels, Route planning
- Photography
- Tell Jeremy before the day how you would like photography handled and it is noted against your booking, per clause 14 of the terms. Nothing from your day is posted or tagged without your say so.
- Booking
- 30% deposit today, balance due 7 days before your charter. Cancel at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund. Invoicing to a company and a short confidentiality letter on request.
- Boat
- 2017 Axopar 24 HT, owner-operated by Captain Jeremy, owner and marine scientist
- Weather policy
- If Jeremy cancels before departure for weather or safety, you choose an agreed alternative date or a full refund. A charter that runs safely is not refunded because conditions were less than ideal.