Film, TV, Photography & Drone Boat Hire Sydney
Private boat hire on Sydney Harbour for film crews, television productions, photographers, content creators and production teams. Use the vessel for filming from the water, moving crew and equipment, location work or supporting an authorised drone operation.
A practical Sydney Harbour platform for your production
Sydney Harbour provides an incredible backdrop for film, television, commercial photography and digital content. Sometimes the shot you need simply cannot be achieved from land.
Our vessels provide a practical working platform on the water, allowing production teams to move around Sydney Harbour and position the vessel for suitable filming and photography locations.
- Film and television productions
- Commercial photography
- Advertising and promotional shoots
- Documentaries and interviews
- Social media and digital content
- Drone production support
- Crew and talent transfers
- Camera and equipment transport
- Location scouting from the water
Film, television, photography and content production
Film Production
Use a private vessel for Sydney Harbour establishing shots, moving footage, location work and production support.
TV Production
Support television shoots, interviews, factual programs, commercial productions and harbour-based content.
Photography Boat Hire
Position photographers on Sydney Harbour for landscapes, commercial campaigns, events and waterfront subjects.
Commercial Shoots
Private boat hire for advertising, branded content, promotional campaigns and marketing photography.
Content Creation
Flexible harbour access for online content, social media, travel features and digital productions.
Drone Production Support
Use the vessel as part of an appropriately authorised drone production or to move production personnel and equipment.
Get the camera where the shoreline can’t
A private vessel allows your production to change position around Sydney Harbour without continually relocating an entire land-based crew.
Depending on harbour traffic, weather, maritime restrictions and safe vessel operation, our skipper can work with your production team to position the vessel for suitable filming and photography locations.
Tell us what you’re trying to capture and we can discuss the practical requirements before the booking.
Shoot Sydney from a completely different perspective
For photographers and camera crews, the harbour itself becomes your shooting position.
A private vessel can assist with photographing boats, waterfront properties, harbour events, Sydney landmarks, commercial subjects and landscapes from angles that aren’t available from the shoreline.
Bookings can be structured around the amount of time you require, the locations you need to reach and the amount of equipment and crew travelling aboard.
Photography Boat EnquirySimple private boat hire pricing
For straightforward filming, photography, location scouting and production work, our normal private Sydney Harbour cruise rates apply.
30 Minutes
A practical option for a quick shoot, photography session, location inspection or short production requirement.
45 Minutes
Additional time to reposition around the harbour or work through several planned shots and locations.
60 Minutes
A full hour aboard for photography, filming, scouting, content creation or other production work.
Passenger pricing: All rates above include 1–4 passengers. Additional passengers are $20 per person.
For larger or more complicated productions involving substantial equipment, multiple vessels, extended hire, unusual logistics or special operating requirements, contact us for a custom quote.
Working with drone crews on Sydney Harbour
For productions involving aerial footage, a private vessel may be useful for moving crew and equipment or supporting an approved drone operation from the harbour.
Drone operations must be planned separately from the boat booking. Your drone operator or production company is responsible for obtaining all required aviation, filming, landowner and other permissions applicable to the proposed operation.
Important: drone approvals
Hiring the water taxi does not itself provide permission to operate a drone on Sydney Harbour.
Once your production has determined where and how the authorised operation will take place, we can discuss the vessel requirements, crew transport and marine logistics.
Discuss Drone Boat SupportCrew, equipment and production logistics
Film and photography bookings can be very different from a normal passenger transfer. Give us as much information as possible so we can determine the appropriate vessel time and setup.
Date & Time
Provide your production date, preferred start time and approximate duration.
Crew Numbers
Tell us how many photographers, camera operators, crew, talent and other personnel will be aboard.
Equipment
Let us know what cameras, cases and production equipment you need to bring aboard.
Locations
Provide the harbour areas, landmarks or waterfront locations you need to reach.
Type Of Shoot
Tell us whether it is film, television, photography, advertising, drone support or another production.
Run Sheet
For more involved productions, send us your proposed run sheet so we can review the marine logistics.
Plan your crew pickup and production locations
Our interactive map shows available water taxi pickup and drop-off locations around Sydney Harbour that may assist with crew movements and production planning.
Film, photography & production boat hire
How much does film or photography boat hire cost?
Our standard private boat hire rates are $240 for 30 minutes, $340 for 45 minutes and $440 for 60 minutes. These prices include 1–4 passengers, with additional passengers charged at $20 per person.
Can we hire the boat specifically for filming?
Yes. Contact us with your production requirements, crew numbers, locations and estimated duration so we can plan the booking.
Can photographers shoot from the boat?
Yes. A private vessel can provide a useful platform for suitable photography work on Sydney Harbour, subject to safe vessel operation and harbour conditions.
Can you position the boat for a particular shot?
Where it is safe and practical, the skipper can work with the production team on suitable vessel positioning. Maritime rules, harbour traffic, weather and safe vessel operation always take priority.
Can we bring our entire production crew?
Yes, subject to the vessel’s passenger capacity and the amount of equipment being carried. All passengers count toward the vessel capacity, and large quantities of equipment can reduce the practical space available for crew.
Can we bring camera and production equipment aboard?
Yes, subject to the size, weight and amount of equipment. Tell us what you are bringing beforehand so appropriate space can be allowed for both passengers and equipment.
Can you transport crew to different harbour locations?
Yes. Crew and talent transfers can be arranged between suitable Sydney Harbour pickup and drop-off locations.
Can the boat support drone filming?
The vessel may be able to support an appropriately planned and authorised drone production. The production and drone operator remain responsible for all applicable permissions and aviation requirements. Hiring the vessel itself does not authorise drone operations.
What if we need longer than one hour?
Contact us with your estimated duration, production schedule and requirements. Longer or more complex production bookings can be quoted specifically around the job.
Do we need filming permits?
Any filming, photography, drone or location permissions required for the production remain the responsibility of the production company or organiser. Requirements depend on the activity and location.
Tell us what you’re trying to capture
Send us your production date, crew numbers, equipment, locations and approximate time required. We can then work out the most practical water taxi or private boat arrangement for your shoot.