Private charter vs Tangalooma day tour
A Tangalooma day tour runs to a published timetable on a scheduled vessel, with the resort and its activities at the other end. A private charter on Moreton Bay is the whole boat booked for one group, about six hours, with the route planned around your day. They are two different products. Here is what each one includes.
The two days, compared
| Compare | Sea La Vie private charter | Tangalooma day tour |
|---|---|---|
| The boat | Sea La VieA 2017 Axopar 24 HT booked for one group at a time, up to 7 guests, children included in that total | Tangalooma day tourA scheduled vessel carrying other passengers on the same sailing |
| Who sets the schedule | Sea La VieYou and Captain Jeremy, planned around your group and the conditions on the day | Tangalooma day tourPublished departure and return times, the same for everyone aboard |
| Length of the day | Sea La VieAbout six hours on the water, from New Farm or Manly | Tangalooma day tourA set day length published by the operator, transfers included |
| Time in the water | Sea La VieSnorkelling time is planned around your group, the conditions and the day's itinerary | Tangalooma day tourA set window at the wrecks within the published timetable. Check the operator's current itinerary |
| Where you snorkel | Sea La VieThe Tangalooma Wrecks and other sheltered water Jeremy chooses for the tide and the conditions | Tangalooma day tourThe Tangalooma Wrecks, as set out in the operator's itinerary |
| Wildlife | Sea La VieTurtles, dolphins and dugongs live in the bay and Jeremy will tell you what you are seeing. Sightings are never promised | Tangalooma day tourThe resort runs its own evening dolphin feeding program, booked separately |
| Food and drinks | Sea La VieFrench style catering, complimentary champagne, juices, water and soft drinks, all included in the charter price | Tangalooma day tourMeals and drinks bought at the resort unless the fare includes them. Inclusions vary by operator and by fare |
| Where the day goes | Sea La VieMoreton Island, which may include the Tangalooma Wrecks and beach stops. Amity and North Stradbroke are a different part of the bay, chosen according to conditions | Tangalooma day tourThe Tangalooma resort precinct, as published in the operator's itinerary |
| Privacy | Sea La VieThe boat is exclusively yours. Beaches and sandbars are public places, and Jeremy chooses a quiet setting for the tide and the conditions on the day | Tangalooma day tourA resort and a scheduled vessel, shared with the other guests booked that day |
| How it is priced | Sea La ViePer boat, never per person: $1,390 for two guests and $2,400 for up to seven, Friday to Sunday and Queensland public holidays. $1,290 and $2,200 Monday to Thursday | Tangalooma day tourPer person, set by the operator. Check the current fare and what it covers |
| Suits | Sea La VieGroups who want the boat to themselves, and days with a date attached: a family week, a birthday, an anniversary, a proposal | Tangalooma day tourAnyone who wants a scheduled day trip to the island, with the resort and its activities on hand |
When a Tangalooma tour makes sense
A Tangalooma day tour is a straightforward way to reach Moreton Island on a set date, with transfers, the resort and its own activities arranged for you. If one or two of you mainly want to see the island and the wrecks, it does that well, and the wrecks are the same wrecks either way.
Inclusions vary by operator and by fare, so check the current itinerary for departure and return times, how long the vessel stays at the wrecks, and whether meals, gear hire and activities are in the fare or bought on the day.
When a private charter suits better
If there are two or more of you, and the day itself is the point (a family week, a birthday, an anniversary, a proposal), a private charter puts the boat, the route and the timing under your control rather than a timetable.
One price covers the boat and follows the total number of guests, children included, rather than a head count at the gangway. The Island Getaway is $1,890 per boat for up to four guests. $1,690 Monday to Thursday. That covers about six hours on the water, French style catering, complimentary champagne, all snorkelling gear sized to your group, towels, fuel and Captain Jeremy hosting the day.
And the large charter yachts?
The other way people go private is to hire one of the large charter yachts on the river or the bay. Those are a different product: more guests, a hired crew, and usually an hourly rate with a minimum hire, with catering and extras quoted separately. Rates and inclusions vary by operator, so it is worth checking what is in the price before comparing the numbers. Sea La Vie sits at the small end of that market and sells one whole day, priced per boat.
How it is priced
Sea La Vie$2,400 per boat for up to seven guests. $2,200 Monday to Thursday.
Large charter yachtsUsually an hourly rate with a minimum hire, and catering and extras quoted on top.
The feel
Sea La VieUp to 7 guests, owner operated by Captain Jeremy, owner and marine scientist.
Large charter yachtsLarger guest numbers and a hired crew. Capacity varies by vessel.
What's included
Sea La VieFrench style catering, complimentary champagne, all snorkelling gear sized to the group, towels, fuel and route planning.
Large charter yachtsInclusions vary by operator. Check what the hire rate covers before comparing the numbers.
One boat, one group, one price for the day.
Ready for the whole boat?
Per boat, never per person: $1,390 for two guests and $2,400 for up to seven, Friday to Sunday and Queensland public holidays. $1,290 and $2,200 Monday to Thursday. Catering, champagne, gear and fuel included.