No Pontoon? Where to Rent a Pontoon Boat Pontoon on the Gold Coast 

There is no greater lifestyle upgrade than owning a pontoon boat on the Gold Coast. Whether you enjoy water top lunches or sunset cruises, pontoon boats are unmatched when it comes to water vessels with versatility. One of the biggest hurdles is where to moor your pontoon boat if you don’t have a private jetty.

While many boat owners transport their pontoon boats with a trailer, others prefer a water-ready position for the ultimate convenience. But, if you want to skip the queues, you need a firm knowledge of boat moorings for rent Gold Coast.

Anchoring & Mooring

Before you start shopping for Pontoon Boats for Sale, explore the Gold Coast Waterways Authority’s (GCWA) regulations to keep the beautiful, but busy, waterways safe. Pontoon boats are classed as a “party” boat, made for pleasure and leisure rather than designed for long-term voyages in the ocean. Their shallow draft design is most suited to cruising in sheltered waters like bays, canals, lakes and rivers rather than cutting through large ocean swells. You won’t need to worry about long-term “parking”, but you should get to grips with no-anchor zones to avoid fines.

Let’s Make a Deal: Casual & Long-Term Mooring Options

Not every berth comes with a high-end marina price point. The community should be your first stop, and on the Facebook group Rent My Boat Berth is a treasure-trove of information, from locating casual, private moorings the residents rent out while they’re away, and many offer these at discounted rates. This group isn’t the only reliable marketplace online; both the Yacht Hub and Boats Online offer valuable services to buy and sell boats and find low-cost private and commercial berths.

Important Facilities

A pontoon boat is a major investment, and even the biggest lovers of rural exploration want certain essential facilities when they’re moored. So, what facilities are key to look out for?

Access

Ideally, the berth will allow for all-day access, just ensure it isn’t a tide-dependent site so you can set sail whenever you like.

Power

Is there power and water on-site? You want to be able to wash your pontoon boat down at the end of your adventure and charge batteries, etc.

Fuel Availability

As a “party” boat, pontoon boats weren’t designed for speed; they were designed for total relaxation. On-site fuel will save on long journeys for fuel.

Hope Island Marina. Image by Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pontoon Mooring Locations

Designed for flat waterways, a pontoon boat requires protected waters for mooring. To ensure fair access, the majority of these protected water moorings are regulated by the GCWA. You must also consider size because pontoon boats are on the larger end of the spectrum.

Pacific Point Marina

Once known as Horizon Shores, the Pacific Point Marina is one of Australia’s largest facilities, so it can easily accommodate wider vessels. It’s home to more than 550 wet berths, 24/7 fuel, dry storage space, and waterfront dining.

Hope Island Marina

If you want beauty, convenience, and luxury, look no further than Hope Island Marina. Located right at the heart of one of the area’s premier resort precincts and nestled between two world-class golf courses, there is 24-hour security, bathroom and shower facilities, power and water, plus shops, cafes, and restaurants.

The Boat Works Coomera

If you want high-end maintenance facilities within rock-throwing distance, there’s no better place to moor your pontoon than The Boat Works. There are restaurants, a laundry, a gym, and so much more.

Runaway Bay Marina

With 24/7 security, easy access to South Stradbroke Island, easy parking, and repairs and servicing, Runaway Bay Marina is an excellent choice for pontoon boat mooring.

Gold Coast mooring fees are usually calculated by a vessel’s lineal metre, and prices can range anywhere from $400 to $1,200 monthly. However, community groups with private rentals can be up to 30% cheaper than commercial options, so it’s worth doing your research.