Charter Fishing Manly Offshore: 7-Hour Reef Trip with Sydney Charter Fishing, from $214
Quick answer
This 7-hour offshore charter with Sydney Charter Fishing costs $214 per person, runs 6am to 1pm and leaves from Manly Wharf 3.
Bait, tackle, sunscreen and seasickness tablets are included, but bring your own food, and the listing has no rating yet.
Sydney Charter Fishing
7-Hour Offshore Deep-Sea Fishing Charter from Manly
from $214
Charter fishing Manly offshore means a morning on a licensed boat from the ferry wharf at Manly, running out past the Heads to reefs in deep water, and Sydney Charter Fishing sells a 7-hour version of it from 6am to 1pm.
The detail that changes the decision is the clock. The charter window starts at 6am, and on the 15th of every month from February to August, and again in October, sunrise in Sydney falls after 6:00 AM, so the boat leaves in the dark or at first light. Plan how you will reach Manly Wharf before then, because the listing gives no departure times beyond the charter window.
If you are still choosing a trip, start at the Harbour Advisor home page, the Sydney boat tours guide or the fishing charters in Sydney page.
| Operator | Sydney Charter Fishing |
|---|---|
| Boat | Refurbished fishing vessel with live bait tank, shade cover, fish finder, marine toilet; up to 14 guests offshore, up to 26 for harbour fishing |
| Price | $214 per person (about A$308 at today's rate) |
| Duration | 7 hours, 6am to 1pm |
| Departure | Within the 6am-1pm window; the exact sailing time is not stated |
| Pier | Manly Wharf 3 on Google Maps, Manly, beside the ferry terminal and next to Felons Bar |
| Target fish | Marlin, bonito, flounder, flathead and others over reefs up to 150 m deep |
| Food and drinks | Fresh drinking water included; licensed bar on board; bring your own food |
| Languages | English, live guide |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund |
| Rating | None yet: the listing is new on GetYourGuide |
What is the charter fishing Manly offshore trip?
It is a seven-hour deep-sea reef fishing charter with Sydney Charter Fishing that takes a small group out beyond the Heads and fishes bottom reefs with the crew doing the baiting.
The operator says it fishes reefs down to 150 m and holds a position list of more than 500 GPS-marked reefs, aided by fish finders and satellite navigation. The crew bait the hooks, then clean and bag whatever you land. Rods are Shimano and Penn gear, and the bait is fresh. You do not need to own a thing.
- Tackle and bait - supplied, new gear, hooks baited for you
- Crew - licensed, local guides who clean and bag the catch
- Comfort - shade cover, plenty of seats, live bait tank, 150 L cold storage
- Safety - a safety briefing and seasickness medication are part of the trip
- Extras - sunscreen from SPF 15 to 50, with zinc, and a stereo for your music
The listing says the crew "guarantee you will catch fish", but it states no refund or re-sail rule if you do not. Treat that as a confidence claim, not a contract.
Where does the Sydney Charter Fishing offshore trip leave from?
It leaves from Manly Wharf 3 in Manly, with the vessel moored beside the ferry terminal next to Felons Bar.
The meeting point is Manly Wharf 3 on Google Maps, at the northern end of the harbour, beside the Manly ferry terminal and Felons Bar. The operator can pick up from other Sydney Harbour wharves on request, at extra cost, which the listing does not price. Manly is the usual base for northern beaches charters because the Heads are minutes away, so little of the seven hours is spent in transit.
- Reach Manly before 6am; the listing gives no earlier check-in time, so ask the operator when to arrive.
- Use the public toilets at Manly Wharf before boarding. The listing says the marine toilet on board is small.
- Find the boat beside the ferry terminal and report to the crew.
- Pack your own food, as the listing asks.
The Manly ferry from Circular Quay takes about 20 minutes on the fast service according to the Manly Fast Ferry operator, but I do not know whether any ferry reaches Manly before a 6am start. Check the timetable on Transport for NSW and consider a taxi or a rideshare for the first morning.
What do you catch on a charter fishing Manly offshore trip?
The listing names marlin, bonito, flounder and flathead as targets, fished over deep reefs beyond the Heads.
| Fish | How it is fished | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Flathead | Bottom fishing over reef or sand | Named in the listing |
| Flounder | Bottom fishing | Named in the listing |
| Bonito | Sport fishing near the surface | Named in the listing |
| Marlin | Game fishing | Named in the listing; the listing gives no season |
The listing mentions bottom reef fishing, sport fishing and game fishing, and whale watching in season. It gives no catch limits or species season. The NSW Department of Primary Industries sets size and bag limits per species, so ask the crew what you can keep and read the NSW DPI recreational fishing rules before the day.
Do you need a licence for charter fishing Manly offshore?
Usually not: NSW DPI says that you may not need to pay the recreational fishing fee when fishing from a charter boat whose operator holds an exemption certificate.
The exemption belongs to the operator, not to you, and the listing does not say that Sydney Charter Fishing holds one. DPI also notes that clients under 18 are exempt in their own right. Ask the operator in writing before you book, because the fee rule is the customer's responsibility if the certificate does not exist. The rules sit on the DPI exemptions page.
How long is it and when does it sail?
The trip is 7 hours long within a fixed 6am to 1pm window, and the listing shows no other time slots.
Seven hours is long enough to travel out, fish several reef spots and return without rushing. Sunrise decides how much of the morning is dark.
| Month | Sunrise | At 6am |
|---|---|---|
| Dec | 5:36 AM | Daylight |
| Jan | 5:58 AM | Just light |
| Mar | 6:52 AM | Dark |
| Jun | 6:56 AM | Dark |
| Sep | 5:53 AM | Daylight |
| Oct | 6:12 AM | Just before sunrise |
Sydney's clocks go back in early April and forward in early October, so the times shift by an hour at those points. The sunrise times are the sunrise-sunset.org figures for the 15th of each month, not for the day you sail.
What is on board and what is included?
The boat has a shade cover, rod holders, a live bait tank, cold storage, drinking water, a stereo and a small marine toilet, and the ticket covers bait, tackle and seasickness medication.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Rod, reel, bait | Included |
| Hook baiting, cleaning and bagging fish | Included |
| Sunscreen SPF 15 to 50 | Included |
| Seasickness medication | Included |
| Fresh drinking water | Included |
| Food | Not included; the listing asks you to bring your own |
| Drinks from the bar | Sold on board; prices not listed |
| Other Sydney wharf pickup | On request, at extra cost |
Only a small marine toilet is on board, so the listing asks you to use the Manly Wharf toilets before sailing. The listing names no minimum age beyond saying the trip is unsuitable for children under 3.
How does it compare with the 4-hour charter?
The 7-hour trip costs $28 more than the 4-hour sibling, and works out at about $31 an hour against $47 an hour.
| Trip | Price | Length | Per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-hour offshore charter | $214 | 7 hours | $31 |
| 4-hour offshore charter | $186 | 4 hours | $47 |
The extra three hours give more time on the reefs for a fraction of the cost, but you commit to a 1pm return. If you only want a shorter outing, take the 4-hour trip. If you would prefer something on the harbour at a quiet pace, the sunrise kayak tour costs $124 and takes 2 hours. All options sit on the Sydney fishing charters page.
Is charter fishing Manly offshore worth it against the 4-hour trip?
For charter fishing Manly offshore, yes: the 7-hour trip gives the cheapest hour of fishing in my Sydney list and enough time to try more than one reef.
It is a poor fit if you are prone to seasickness. Offshore swell near Sydney Heads was 1.2 m at my check, which is mild, but the open ocean beyond the Heads is livelier than the harbour. The tablets are included, yet they do not work for everyone. A short trip is the safer test.
May to November is when whales pass the NSW coast on their migration, with June and July the busiest.
The listing says the vessel does seasonal whale watching, so a winter or spring trip may add whales to the day. Boats must stay at least 100 m from a whale, so do not expect close passes, and the listing promises none.
When is the best time for charter fishing Manly offshore?
Pick a settled day and ask the crew: the listing gives no season, and Sydney's 2025 data shows rain on 3 to 18 days a month depending on the month.
| Month | Avg high 2025 | Rain days | Sunrise (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25.3°C | 18 | 5:58 AM |
| Feb | 26.1°C | 14 | 6:28 AM |
| Mar | 25.7°C | 18 | 6:52 AM |
| Apr | 23.3°C | 14 | 6:16 AM |
| May | 19.4°C | 17 | 6:38 AM |
| Jun | 16.3°C | 3 | 6:56 AM |
| Jul | 16.2°C | 7 | 6:56 AM |
| Aug | 16.9°C | 17 | 6:32 AM |
| Sep | 22.1°C | 4 | 5:53 AM |
| Oct | 25.8°C | 10 | 6:12 AM |
| Nov | 25.7°C | 8 | 5:42 AM |
| Dec | 26.6°C | 10 | 5:36 AM |
June 2025 had only 3 rain days and 16.3°C highs, while August had 17 rain days. Cold mornings out on the water feel colder than the daytime highs in the table. Wear layers, a hat and wet-weather cover from May to September. Check the Bureau of Meteorology marine forecast on the day before.
What do passengers say?
There are no reviews to summarise: GetYourGuide marks the listing as new, with no rating and no review text.
Without a rating I would use the operator's own claims with care. The gear, the crew and the 500-reef position list are statements from Sydney Charter Fishing, and the page for the operator is on GetYourGuide. Read reviews there after a few weeks.
Who should skip charter fishing Manly offshore?
Skip it if you get seasick, cannot start before 6am, want a sightseeing cruise, or travel with a child under 3.
- Seasickness - pick a shorter trip or the harbour; see the Sydney boat tours hub
- Late starters - the charter window begins at 6am
- Children under 3 - listed as unsuitable
- Sightseers - this is a fishing trip; a harbour sunset catamaran cruise shows more of the city
- Big appetites - food is not provided; pack it
How do you book charter fishing Manly offshore?
Book the 7-hour offshore fishing charter for $214 per person: 6am to 1pm from Manly Wharf 3 with bait, tackle and seasickness tablets, free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Select your date and check the listed time at checkout. The "reserve now and pay later" option holds a spot without payment today.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 7-hour fishing charter from Manly worth it?
Yes if you want to fish: at about $31 an hour it is cheaper per hour than the 4-hour trip at $47. It is a poor choice if you are prone to seasickness.
What time does the Manly fishing charter start?
The listing gives a 6am to 1pm window for the 7-hour trip. It does not state a separate boarding time, so confirm it with the operator.
Where does the charter leave from?
From Manly Wharf 3, beside the ferry terminal and next to Felons Bar. Other Sydney Harbour wharves are available on request at extra cost.
Do I need a fishing licence?
Usually not on a charter, if the operator holds a NSW DPI exemption certificate. The listing does not say, so ask Sydney Charter Fishing before you book.
What fish will I catch?
The listing names marlin, bonito, flounder and flathead over reefs up to 150 m deep. It states no species season or catch figure.
Is gear included?
Yes. The crew supply rods, reels, bait and tackle, bait the hooks and clean and bag the catch.
Is food provided?
No. The listing asks you to bring food, and fresh drinking water is on board. A licensed bar sells drinks.
Is there a toilet on the boat?
Yes, but it is a small marine toilet. The listing asks you to use the Manly Wharf toilets before boarding.
How many people are on the boat?
Up to 14 guests for offshore reef fishing and up to 26 for harbour fishing, according to the listing.
Is seasickness medication included?
Yes, the listing includes it. Take it as advised before sailing, because it does not suit everyone.
Can I see whales?
Possibly. The listing mentions seasonal whale watching, and NSW whale migration runs May to November, peaking in June and July.
Can I cancel?
Yes, free up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing for the 7-Hour Offshore Deep-Sea Fishing Charter from Manly (Sydney Charter Fishing), checked 2026-10-17; NSW DPI, recreational fishing fee exemptions; NSW National Parks, whale migration; Bureau of Meteorology; Transport for NSW; Manly Fast Ferry; sunrise-sunset.org, Open-Meteo and Frankfurter APIs.
