Beluga

Beluga is an explorer-style motor yacht, custom-built by Moonen in 2006 and last refitted in 2017. She was built as a go-anywhere yacht with 4,000nm range, a wide beam, abundant relaxing space, and elegant design.

With modern wood styling throughout, Beluga’s interior layout sleeps up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms, including a master suite, 2 double cabins (with splitting wall which creates 2 single beds in each cabin), 2 twin cabins and 2 pullman beds.

Beluga offers an abundance of onboard space, including four impressive areas and multiple decks providing privacy, as well as numerous dining and lounging options. Her expansive sundeck features a jacuzzi fitting up to four people at once while soaking up outdoor views, whilst a secret spot is hidden up the ‘monkey island’, also known as the ‘Grand Crow’s Nest’—the ideal place for whale watching, reef spotting, or enjoying a champagne sunset.

The experienced team of 6 crew on-board is led by Australian Captain Peter Lacey. He and his crew, including a chase boat skipper and deckhand, will ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience with insightful local knowledge.

When not out on tour, Beluga is moored at tropical Port Douglas, providing perfect access to the Great Barrier Reef. Beluga spends most of the time touring throughout the East Coast of Australia, from as north at Cape York to as south as the Whitsundays. Beluga also has capabilities for extended charters to the South Pacific, including Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Beluga’s space and flexibility makes it a wonderful charter option for all kinds of guests. Ranging from luxury day tours to long voyages, guests onboard Beluga can participate in a range of aquatic activities upon Australia’s East Coast.

Day Charters

Beluga offers customised, pro-rata bookings as short as 24 hours to suit your special event or occasion. Accommodating up to twelve guests for a cruising charter, Beluga will take guests island hopping along remote sand quays, leisurely beach fishing, and soaking up sea-salt air from the aft deck while enjoying champagne and delicious food from Beluga’s dedicated crew.

Extended Private Charters

Beluga sleeps up to ten guests across five impressive rooms, with configuration flexibility to suit all kinds of travellers, from groups of couples to extended families.

Holiday Charter

Beluga’s elegant and comfortable design makes it perfect for an intimate and extended holiday in remote luxury. Using Beluga as a floating five-star hotel, guests can soak up the tropical ambience of one of the world’s most dynamic coral landscapes with leisurely snorkelling and diving, while enjoying canapés, sunshine, and unhurried luxury onboard.

Research Charters

Beluga has been used for exploration of the Pacific Ocean, with an extensive résumé of research charters. Beluga has been featured in documentaries highlighting the importance of ocean conservation, and the vessel and its crew are proud participants of the Great Barrier Reef Census, a project by Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Guests are welcome to participate in these ventures and contribute to research and management for this exceptionally beautiful and fragile area.

Animal research and conservation is an extensive part of Beluga’s repertoire. Beluga offers Minke Whale expeditions as they travel through the Reef in the winter between June and July—encounters with these curious, eight-metre gentle giants are unforgettable and come teamed with a professional diver for snorkelling and diving encounters. Beluga also has previous experience visiting villages and turtle nurseries in Papua New Guinea.

Fishing Charter

Beluga is frequently chartered for high-end fishing experiences. Beluga is a popular choice for mother-shipping charters seeking marlin and other game fish, available during season from September to November, as well as other tailored charters.

• 40ft custom-built Assegai chase boat MV MINKE, fully equipped for fishing, scuba diving, and snorkelling
• 2 x Tenders, 4.3m Swift Mirage RIB 60hp
• 2 x brand new F5 Seabobs (4 power levels)
• Fully-equipped range of diving equipment, including a dive compressor
• Fully equipped range of snorkelling gear
• Fully equipped range of fishing gear
• Water sport equipment and toys, including water-skis, wakeboard, doughnut, banana, 2 x SUPs
• Gym equipment: Yoga mats, bench press chair with dumbbells

Beluga is available for charter all year round, predominately touring throughout the Tropical North Queensland region along the Great Barrier Reef, including Lizard Island, Port Douglas, and the Whitsundays. Beluga is also available for customised touring in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, during their on-season between April and August. Please contact us for all enquiries.

Bringing specific clothing to maximise your comfort is recommended for travel at any time of year, including waterproof gear when out fishing in the sun and wet wading. In the greater Tropical North Queensland region, long ‘skins’ pants/tights for wading at the warmer end of season are compulsory due to the presence of stingers.