Boating

Boating

Boating Maps & Tide Information

Boating Maps

Gone are the days of lugging around cumbersome hard-copy maps when you’re out on the water. Maritime Safety Queensland’s website now offers free downloads of comprehensive boating maps, including the popular Beacon to Beacon map.

These boating maps are more than just bridge heights – they’re a complete guide to the waterways. With important information about channels, navigation markers, safety tips, and Gold Coast boat ramp locations – think of these maps as street directory for the waterways. As a responsible boat owner and user of the waterways, you should never be without one of these handy boating maps.

The maps are specifically designed for recreational boating and should be used as a guide for navigation. Remember to exercise caution when navigating outside of waterways that are not marked by navigation aids.

Download yours today!

Tide Information

For a comprehensive and convenient guide to tidal predictions for Queensland standard ports and other locations refer to the Queensland Tide Tables Guide.

This handy A5 guide covers everything you need to know about Queensland standard ports as well as instructions for calculating tides at a number of other locations. It also covers public moorings, advice on fishing and sun and moon rise and moon phases, making it a must-have for all waterways users.

The Tide Tables Guide can be purchased from a variety of retailers, including the Department of Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centres, selected newsagents, boating and tackle shops, and specialty bookshops.

Visit Maritime Safety Queensland’s website for more information about tides.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is responsible for:

 Improving maritime safety for shipping and small craft through regulation and education

  • Minimising vessel-sourced waste and responding to marine pollution
  • Providing essential maritime services such as aids to navigation and vessel traffic services
  • Encouraging and supporting innovation in the maritime industry.

Be a responsible skipper, before you head out on the water check out MSQ’s safety tips.

Additional Resources

Be Aware and Share – Look out for shared activities on the water.

Marine Incidents

In the event of an accident on the water, it is considered a ‘marine incident’. Common examples of marine incidents include groundings, fires, collisions, and falls within the boat. It is required by law to report any marine incidents to a shipping inspector within 48 hours.

Even if there is no material damage to the boat, incidents involving injuries to people must always be reported. If unsure whether an incident is reportable, it is best to report it. For more information on marine incidents, including Marine Incident Report forms and data on marine incidents, please visit Maritime Safety Queensland’s website.

Break downs

If the unfortunate happens and you find yourself in trouble on the water, several local organisations are available to help you out. Membership organisations such as Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) and Coastguard can offer assistance when needed. However, it’s crucial to be prepared, and this means having a breakdown plan in place before heading out on the water. Make sure you know who to call in case of an emergency and have their phone number readily available. Don’t wait until it’s too late to be prepared.

We have an excellent Boating Facility Location Map available on our homepage, which provides extensive information on public boat ramps, jetties, and pontoons. If you are planning to build a boat ramp, pontoon, jetty, or any other tidal works, we highly recommend referring to our Tidal Works Factsheet. This will help ensure that your proposal meets all the necessary requirements and guidelines.

Recreational fishing rules and regulations

Know your size and possession limits!

Queensland is a paradise for anglers, with over 700,000 people fishing recreationally each year. These anglers take home roughly 8,500 tonnes of fin fish, crabs, and prawns, making fishing a vital part of Queensland’s economy. Our fisheries resources are also a big draw for tourism, attracting anglers from around Australia and the world.

To ensure that our fisheries remain sustainable, it’s important that recreational fishers are aware of the rules and regulations in place to protect fish species. Before you cast your line, make sure you’re familiar with the guidelines that apply to your area by checking out the following links:

If you’re planning to build a boat ramp, pontoon, jetty, or any other tidal works, we highly recommend referring to our Tidal Works Factsheet. This will help ensure that your proposal meets all the necessary requirements and guidelines. Additionally, we have an excellent Boating Facility Location Map available on our homepage, which provides extensive information on public boat ramps, jetties, and pontoons.

The Water Police and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol are responsible for enforcing speed limits and ensuring that everyone on the water is behaving safely.

If you see anyone speeding on the water, please report it to the Water Police via Policelink. You can do this online at www.police.qld.gov.au/apps/reports/hoonOnline or by calling 131 444. The Water Police are happy to take your report and can provide you with an email address if you would like to send in photos or videos.

You can also contact Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol directly at 13 25 23.

Our helpful guide, “Who’s Who in the Blue” is a great resource for getting to know the key players in Queensland’s waterways.

Any damaged or missing aids to navigation such as beacons, buoys, markers or signs, should be reported as soon as possible on
07 5539 7350

For community engagement, communications or media enquiries please contact mail@gcwa.qld.gov.au

Need Assistance?

Who’s Who in the Blue

We know that governance of our waterways can sometimes be complex and confusing.

That’s why we’ve developed this tool to identify who can assist you…

Access, Management & Destinations

  • Access & Management

    Information on Anchoring & Mooring, Boating, Dredging, Operations Team & Tidal Works

    Learn More

  • Our Destinations

    GCWA managed multi-use destinations, building infrastructure for commercial and recreation use of Gold Coast waterways.

    Learn More

Acknowledgement of Country

The Gold Coast Waterways Authority acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional custodians, the Yugambeh peoples of South East Queensland, including the Kombumerri, Mununjali, Wangerriburra, Bullongin and other clans, and their Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their unique and ongoing spiritual and cultural connection with the land and waters of the Gold Coast area.

Anchoring and
MooringBuoy
Moorings