Super-yachts are a great way to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. On these high value, luxury vessels you can access most of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Different rules apply depending whether you are involved in private recreational use or providing commercial charters using a super-yacht in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Commercial charters include elements of your operation that provide transport, accommodation or services for paying guests or tourists.

Private recreational use of super-yachts

Where you can go

As a recreational user you may access most of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. You do need to be aware of three things zoning, the size of your super-yacht, and the activities you do.

Size matters

In some areas of the Marine Park there are special management strategies in place to manage use. As some of these rules apply to vessel and group size, they will relate to you.

• Super-yachts less than or equal to 35 metres in overall length
• Super-yachts between 35 and 70 metres in overall length
• Super-yachts over 70 metres in overall length

What activities you do

For each zone there is a range of activities that may or may not be undertaken (for example, no fishing in the Marine National Park (green) Zone). Use the zoning maps to check that your activities match the zoning for that area.Some specific recreational activities may have special rules:

• Fishing
• Motorised water sports including use of jetskis
• Whale watching

In addition to the management arrangements for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, other rules may also apply to the operation of your super-yacht in Queensland waters.

If you use helicopters or semi-submersibles, please contact the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.