Cairns Boat Hire

from A$209

4 hours

Trinity Inlet

All Ages

Hire a boat in Cairns' Trinity Inlet for a half or full day. Enjoy fishing, wildlife watching, and exploring mangrove creeks, with options to hire fishing rods, Esky, and a skipper. Perfect for up to four people seeking a flexible aquatic adventure.

Key Highlights

Explore Cairns' Trinity Inlet and its intricate mangrove forests
Opportunity to fish for over 40 species including barramundi and snapper
Wildlife watching with chances to see saltwater crocodiles and diverse birdlife
Scenic views of rainforest-clad mountains
Self-drive with the option to hire a skipper

What’s included

Self-drive hire boats (seats up to 8 people)
Half day (08:00-12:00 or 12:30-16:30) or full day (08:00-16:30) hire options
Optional fishing rods and Esky available for hire
Skipper hire available

Overview

Discover Cairns' Trinity Inlet in one of our self drive hire boats and cruise through a network of mangrove-lined creeks and streams. This area is a biodiversity hotspot, teeming with over 40 species of fish, saltwater crocodiles, and numerous native birds. The natural beauty of rainforest-covered mountains surrounds the waterway, making it a picturesque spot for your adventure.

Choose either a "tinny" seating up to 4 people or a larger ultra stable "pontoon boat" which can accommodate up to 8 passengers. Hire durations include half days from 08:00-12:00 or 12:30-16:30, and full day from 08:00-16:30, providing flexibility for your plans.

Fishing enthusiasts can cast a line to catch species such as barramundi, mangrove jack, queenfish, fingermark, salmon, and snapper. Wildlife watchers may spot saltwater crocodiles basking along the banks, while birders can enjoy sightings of local and migratory birds throughout Trinity Inlet.

The experience is designed as a do-it-yourself day out, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. If you prefer, you can arrange for a skipper to handle navigation while you relax and enjoy the journey.

Additional equipment, such as fishing rods and an Esky, can be hired to make your trip more comfortable. Bait and ice are available for purchase, ensuring you have everything you need for a successful outing on Cairns' Trinity Inlet.

Commonly asked questions.

Cairns Boat Hire offers 6-person and 8-person pontoon boats, as well as 4-person tinny boats. All boats are designed for easy self-drive operation and have shade protection. The pontoon boats are particularly well suited to families and larger groups, while the tinnies are a good option for couples, small families and groups of friends.

No. A marine licence is not required to drive the Cairns Boat Hire vessels. The driver or hirer must be at least 18 years old, and a safety and boat-handling briefing is provided before departure.

The pontoon boats offer a more stable and spacious platform, with padded seating and a canopy for shade, making them particularly suitable for families and groups. The 4-person tinnies are smaller and more compact, with two bench seats and central-console steering, making them a good choice for smaller groups wanting to explore Trinity Inlet.

The pontoon boats are available in 6-person and 8-person configurations, while the tinnies can accommodate up to four people. If you hire a skipper, the skipper counts towards the boat's passenger capacity.

There are flexible hire options depending on the boat. Pontoon boats are available for half-day and full-day hire, with hourly hire also available for a minimum of two hours. Tinnies are available for half-day and full-day hire, with a two-hour minimum hourly option available by arrangement.

The boats operate within the designated area of Trinity Inlet. A map showing the permitted area is provided during check-in, and the crew will explain the operating area and navigation requirements before you depart.

No. These boats are designed for exploring Trinity Inlet and its waterways and cannot be taken offshore to the Great Barrier Reef, Fitzroy Island or Green Island.

Yes. Fishing is one of the main reasons people hire these boats, with Trinity Inlet offering opportunities to target species including barramundi, mangrove jack and estuary cod. You can bring your own fishing equipment or hire rods and other fishing extras from Cairns Boat Hire.
Check our fishing and BBQ packages

Yes. The boats are suitable for families, and children can travel onboard. Children aged 12 and under must wear a life jacket, which is supplied as part of the boat hire. Children aged two and over require their own seat, while infants can sit on a parent's lap. Anyone under 18 must travel with a responsible adult or guardian.

No. Swimming is not permitted in Trinity Inlet because it is a saltwater crocodile habitat and marine stingers may also be present. Passengers should remain onboard the boat while exploring the waterways.

Additional info by the operator.

Start: Cairns QLD 4870

Boat Hire Duration: Half day: 08:00-12:00 or 12:30-16:30 Full day: 08:00-16:30 Equipment Hire: Fishing rods and Esky available for hire Bait and ice available for purchase Skipper hire optional