Explore the Swan River on board Perth’s electric picnic boatÂ
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welcome to nauti picnics
Ahoy, my boaties! Want to cruise the Swan River without a skipper’s ticket?
Nauti Picnics is electric driven and will give you the freedom to see Perth from a different view, in your own time and pace.
It is a self-skippered boat hire, so anyone over 20 years of age can enjoy this experience.
You have full control of your adventure, just pack your picnic, choose your tribe and jump on board.
The Swan River is beautiful all year round, and with Perth’s 300 days of sun every year, you’ll have plenty of sunny days to choose from. Check out our Weather Policy further down.
Where will our boat take you?
From Perth CBD to the spectacular Swan Valley – Western Australia’s oldest wine region – The Swan River invites you on a long history line from Indigenous sacred stories and Perth Settlement, to stunning modern architecture.
This 35km long stretch of the river gives you plenty of options to explore on our picnic boat.
There are no set routes, this is your time on the river to fully explore and plan your day. Try something new, see something different, adventure and learn about your own backyard if you are from WA or experience a whole other culture and history if you have come to these beautiful shores from overseas or interstate. It’s you choice!
Below are some examples.
Iconic Perth Route
 3 hour return trip —
Cruise from Maylands down to Perth City and Elizabeth Quay – See Optus Stadium – Matagarup Bridge – Claisebrook Cove – Heirisson Island.
From $270 for up to 8 people
That’s $34 per person when sharing with 8
Freedom to Roam Route
6 hours return trip –
It’s your adventure and you have the choice. It’s no stress when you can cruise a full day on the beautiful Swan River.
Urban or Nature?
From $480 for up to 8 people
That’s $60 per person when sharing with 8
Back to Nature Route
3 hours return trip –
Leave the noise and stress behind and enjoy the quiet, tranquil part of the Swan River. Set off to explore the fantastic wildlife from Maylands to Garvey Park.
From $270 for up to 8 people.
That’s $34 per person when sharing with 8
Check out the Map
Pricing
Half Day Hire per boat
3 hours sharing with up to 8 people- Seeing EQ and all the iconic landmarks
- Venture into the tranquil nature
- Showing off Perth to visitors
Full Day Hire per boat
6 hours sharing with up to 8 peopleTaking your time to explore the Swan River
- Swimming or mooring to a buoy
- A trip to the Swan Valley
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The Boat
No Skipper’s ticket needed - woohoo!
Picnic table in the middle and cushions for extra comfort
Room for small esky - cheers!
Booking 24 hrs prior. We offer 10am or 2pm sessions
Room for 8 people inc dogs and kids
Only Upper Swan River boating - Max Speed 4 knots
We launch at Maylands Boat Ramp and you choose your adventure
Electric engine - Fiberglass boat
Read our Boat Rules Here
Nauti Praise
Weather Policy
Australians enjoy the great outdoors all year round and so do we here at Nauti. Safety is paramount to us and the weather plays a big part of this.
At the very least, poor weather can spoil a trip: at the very worst, it can cause an emergency situation on the water. We don’t want either.
We check the weather constantly and if the forecast is not boating worthy (sometimes you beat us to it, which is great) we will keep you up-to-date days before you booking day, and you will have the choice to postpone or cancel (48 hours prior min)
If Nauti decides the weather is unsafe on the day of the hire (this is Nauti Picnics call), we will contact you and postpone the boat hire, if possible. If not possible (say you live overseas or interstate), we will refund you the booking cost.
If it’s raining (picnics on the water is no fun in the rain), we will happily postpone.
The same goes for strong wind forecast.
We want you to be safe and have an awesome time on the boat.
Call us if you have any concerns.
0439999301
From Nauti Beginnings
Introducing your boat landlord – Yvonne!
Yvonne was not born a water baby. She is not comfortable with water in her face, she had never driven a boat before she started Nauti and she had never towed anything, but yet here she is with her own boat business, launching and retrieving, proving just how easy things are with a little practice.
She brings this gorgeous business idea and her story all the way from Scandinavia and she wants all of Perth and visitors to experience just how enjoyable it is to be the Captain of your own boat on the Swan River.
Caring deeply about the importance of small tourism businesses and collaborations in Western Australia, Yvonne advocates for other small businesses alike and fully supports everything homegrown in WA!
Questions? We thought so…
Are life jackets included in the hire price?
Yes, adult life jackets are available in the boat. Life jackets for children are available on land and will need to be reserved when booking, please let us know the weight of the children attending and how many. We do not have life vests for dogs unfortunately
How many people can be in the boat?
There is room for 8 passengers, which is also the max legal passenger number by authorities.
This include children and dogs. No exception!Â
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Yes, you can BYO. We encourage you to bring what you enjoy. There is a large picnic table in the middle of the boat.
We can also recommend a picnic made by local shops. Please do not overlad the boat with eskies. Only bring soft coolers.
Do I need a skipper’s ticket/boat licence to drive the boat?
No, anyone over the age of 20 can hire and drive the boat due to the low horsepower. It is important, however, that you follow our Induction given on the jetty, and obey the maritime laws that apply on the water, These can also be found on the website and in a folder on the boat.
How long does the battery last for?
The battery has the capacity to last for 6.5 hours, but this also depends on current, tide, weather, wind and the weight onboard. It is important to keep an eye on the weather and the digital display in the boat, and sail accordingly.
How many boats do you have and what is the maximum capacity?
We have one boat at the moment, but are working on including more in our fleet. The maximum people in the boat, are 8 people. Keep up to date with further progress via our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Can we get a boat without having to book in advance?
No, at this time only online booking 48 hours prior to hire is available. We are not moored at any jetty and will need to take the boat to the boat ramp for you.
Weekends and special occacions book out pretty quickly, so plan ahead.
Is there a cover on the boat?
Yes, there is a huge Bimini roof that covers the seating are. But, in the Western Australian summer, you will need to put on sunscreen and /or bring a light jacket as the sun will come in from the sides.
How fast do the boat go?
Top speed is 4 knots (8km/h) or a brisk walking pace. It also depends on the weather and current, and how many people are in the boat.
Can I fish from the boat?
No, due to being a picnic boat, the people after you might be on there to enjoy their food and drinks and a fishy smell is not very pleasant.
What happens if I return the boat too late?
Firstly, it is your responsibility to make sure you are back on time Weather and tide has to be taken into consideration. Sometimes you won’t make it to your planned destination and you have to return earlier. These things are normal in boating. If you are 15 min late, a $50 fee applies and it will keep counting in 15min intervals.
If you running late interferes with another persons booking, and they choose to cancel their booking due to this, we reserve the right to charge you for their booking as well.
Are there any cancellation fees?
Where cancellation notice is provided more than 48 hours prior to reservation time, Nauti Picnics will refund the hire charge.
Cancellations notice provided 48- 24 hours prior to reservation time will result in a credit of the hire charges to use towards future bookings.
Rescheduling within 24 hours is not permitted.
A no-show 15 minutes after scheduled departure has commenced shall result in full rental payment and the boat will be retrieved from water, unless notice has been given to Nauti Picnics prior.
No extension of hire is permitted if customer is running late
Can there be more than one skipper?
Yes, anyone over the age of 20 can drive the boat whilst you are out on the water. The other skipper will have to be there during the induction. The original hirer/ skipper will be responsible for any damage and fees if anything should go wrong.
Wind and Rain Policy
Rain and wind are no fun when enjoying a floating picnic. So, if it is deemed unsafe by BOM or by Nauti, we will reschedule the booking on the day of the hire. No extra fees.
Winter is unpredictable, and we want to you experience the river in winter, so this is where the flexibility comes in. Check the weather, book a boat and if the weather changes, we’ll follow the sun for your convenience.
How old do I have to be in order to drive the boat?
You will need to have a valid ID and be over 20 years of age. Reason is that you are responsible for everyone onboard and the boat whilst on the river.
Can I drink alcohol on board?
Yes. The skipper of the boat must remain under the legal alcohol limit of .05 during the sailing.
The rest of the guest may consume alcohol, but we are encouraging moderation and good behaviour. Nauti can stop the hire early and/or refuse hire of the boat if the crew are intoxicated.
Can I hire the boat with a Captain?
Unfortunately we cannot organise a skipper/captain for you due to rules and regulation around skippered vessels for hire. The boat is easy to drive and we promise to teach you everything you need to know.
What if I damage the boat?
Well, we then have to fix it. As the skipper of the boat, you are responsible for the boat and everyone on board, and we expect you to look after our assets.
Should an accident occur and you damage the boat, the engine and/or other equipment you are liable for the cost of the damage or the insurance excess of $1,000.
And if Nauti is losing money due to long repair times, you might be liable for missed income too.
Can I moor anywhere on the river?
No, you can moor on public jetties, but for a maximum of 15 min. Some jetties allow up to 4 hour mooring, please see signs at jetty or use our map as guide. There are also red courtesy moorings/buoys available on the river for up to 4 hours.
Do keep in mind that you should never leave the boat unattended.
Is there a bond for hiring a boat?
No. What we do instead is to keep your credit card encrypted and if you do damage the boat, return late from hire or lose any equipment, we will charge the cc with the cost. You will be notified when you return the boat and will receive an invoice. The boat does cost more than an Audi A3, so please take care of it.
Read all the FAQS Here
Let’s share the memories
Follow us on Instagram @nautipicnics and tag your post #nautipicnics so we can share your adventure with others.
