Weather and trip conditions
Bureau of Meteorology marine forecasts
Official coastal and local waters forecasts, warnings and marine observations for your sailing area.
Five weather checks before boating
A practical official checklist for warnings, conditions, wind, waves and tides.
Boating safety
Lifejacket guidance
Learn about lifejacket types and confirm the rules that apply to your vessel and location.
Queensland maritime information
State maritime safety information for Queensland waters and coastal travel.
Reef and marine park access
Guide to visiting the Whitsundays
Access, mooring, anchoring and other rules for recreational visitors to the Whitsundays.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning
Check where activities are allowed and which zones have restrictions before entering the reef area.
Regional waterways and zoning maps
Moreton Bay Beacon to Beacon guides
Official boating maps for southern Moreton Bay, the wider bay and the Brisbane River.
Gold Coast boating maps
Waterway and boating map resources for the Broadwater and connected Gold Coast waterways.
Great Sandy Marine Park maps
Current zoning and map resources for waters around Hervey Bay, the Great Sandy Strait and K’gari.
Great Sandy Marine Park visitor safety
Regional access and preparation guidance, including checking tides and marine weather.
How to use these sources
- Before shortlisting: use the region pages to identify the published fleet and the agencies relevant to that waterway.
- Before enquiring: ask the operator what route, boarding point and skipper arrangements apply to the exact vessel. Use current maps to understand the local context, not to assume a route is included.
- Before departure: check the latest marine forecast, warnings and park guidance again. Confirm the operator’s plan if conditions or access rules affect the trip.
Official maps and general guides are planning references; your charter provider is responsible for explaining its current vessel and itinerary. Continue with the selection guide, quote checklist and information disclaimer.