Pontoon, Fishing Gear Optional

Cairns Boat Hire runs this self-drive pontoon on Trinity Inlet, with a BBQ and fishing gear as optional extras. Mangrove jack, queenfish, trevally and grunter patrol the inlet. Half or full day, 4 to 8 hours, from A$249 per group of up to 8, rated 4.8 across 8 reviews.

Overview

You collect the pontoon at Berth A1, Marlin Marina, 1 Spence Street in Cairns City, and take it out on Trinity Inlet yourself. No marine licence is needed, but whoever drives has to be 18 or older and hold a valid driver's licence. Before you head off, the crew runs a safety briefing and points you toward the fishing spots that are working best on the day's tides.

From there the afternoon is yours. The boat seats up to 8 people and comes with a shaded canopy and padded seating, so it works as much for a slow sightseeing cruise past the city as for a serious attempt at the fish. Fuel and life jackets are included in the hire price, and children aged 8 and under must keep a life jacket on the whole time.

Fishing rods, bait and an esky are optional hire extras, as is a BBQ to cook lunch on board, with a pre-ordered BBQ pack available if you give at least 24 hours' notice. Hire runs half day or full day, and you pick that option when booking. Reviewers describe using it for a family fishing afternoon, a cruise along Chinaman Creek and a wedding anniversary, so it suits groups after either fishing or a relaxed day on the water, and one reviewer advised a full day if fishing is the priority, since the better spots take a while to reach.

What's Included

Included

8-person pontoon boat hire (8 people maximum)
Life jackets
Fuel
Safety and introduction briefing
Tips on the best fishing spots

Not Included

Fishing rods and bait (available for hire)
BBQ (available for hire) and BBQ packs (available for purchase - minimum of 24 hours notice)
Skipper service ($50 per hour, included in passenger count)
Hotel pickup

Itinerary

Meet at Marlin MarinaCheck in at Berth A1, Cairns Marlin Marina, 1 Spence St, Cairns City. The crew gives a full safety briefing and tips on the best fishing spots based on tides and time of day.
Collect optional gearFishing rods, bait and an esky can be hired on arrival, along with a BBQ. BBQ lunch packs require at least 24 hours' pre-order.
Self-drive Trinity InletTake the pontoon out on the calm waterways of Trinity Inlet at your own pace, for either a half-day or full-day hire, chosen at the time of booking.
Fish, cruise or barbecueTry the recommended fishing spots, cruise the inlet at your own pace, or cook lunch on the hired BBQ. A skipper service is available as an extra paid option.
Return the boatBring the pontoon back to Marlin Marina at the end of the hire period. No hotel pickup or drop-off is provided.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before you book this hire.

Bring basics. Pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, a camera, comfortable clothes and insect repellent, plus your own food and drinks. One reviewer noted you can buy rods and bait on site, so you do not need to bring fishing tackle.
Allow time. The recommended fishing spots take a while to reach, and one reviewer on a short hire ran out of time to fish properly. That reviewer planned to rebook for a full day to allow more time for the fishing.
Who can drive. No marine licence is required, but the driver must be at least 18 and hold a valid driver's licence. Reviewers with no boating experience said the pre-departure instructions and safety briefing left them confident behind the wheel.
Group feel. The boat takes up to 8 people and suits families and groups of friends. Reviewers mention sons in their twenties, couples on an anniversary and small groups of three.
Kids on board. Children aged 8 and under must wear a life jacket at all times, and life jackets are included. The operator describes the pontoons as suitable for all ages.
Getting there. There is no hotel pickup, so make your own way to Berth A1 at Marlin Marina on Spence Street. One reviewer's group set off later than planned while waiting for a member of their party to arrive.

Common issues. Fishing gear, bait, BBQ and BBQ packs all cost extra, as does a skipper service, and a skipper counts toward the 8-person maximum. One reviewer found the recommended fishing spots too far away for a short hire and wished they had booked a full day. There is no hotel pickup, and the half-day or full-day option must be chosen at the time of booking, not on the day.

Choosing A Charter

Do I need a boat licence to drive the pontoon?

No marine licence is required. The driver must be 18 or older and hold a valid driver's licence. A skipper is also available as a paid extra if you would rather not drive.

Where do I collect the boat?

At Berth A1, Cairns Marlin Marina, 1 Spence Street, Cairns City. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there.

What is included in the hire price?

The pontoon boat for up to 8 people, fuel, life jackets, a safety briefing and tips on the best local fishing spots. Fishing gear, bait, a skipper, BBQ hire and BBQ packs are extra, and BBQ packs need at least 24 hours' notice.

How long is the hire and can I choose on the day?

The hire runs either half day or full day. You must select the option at the time of booking, so decide beforehand whether you want a shorter cruise or a full day on the water.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, the operator says the pontoons suit all ages. Children aged 8 and under must wear a life jacket at all times, and life jackets are provided.

What is the cancellation policy?

The listing states you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. BBQ lunch packs also require at least 24 hours' notice if you want to pre-order one.