Frequently asked questions.

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What If I Get Seasick?

If you're prone to seasickness, take precautions such as:

  • Using over-the-counter motion sickness tablets (consult your pharmacist)

  • Trying natural solutions like ginger or acupressure wristbands

  • Staying on deck and focusing on the horizon to reduce nausea

What Wildlife Will We See?

You may encounter:

  • Dolphins swimming gracefully alongside the boat

  • Sea birds soaring above or nesting along the coastline

  • Potential sightings of seals, stingray, or other marine creatures depending on the season

What About Food and Drinks?

  • Morning refreshments are complimentary on our tours

  • Complimentary grazing platters on all cruises

  • We recommend bringing personal water bottles

  • Private charters can accommodate extra BYO catering. Our vessel is equipped with two BBQs & cooler tables for BYO beverages alcoholic and non-alcoholic

  • Check our catering policies for specific tour requirements

Do You Still Go Out in Bad Weather?

Tours generally proceed in mild or moderate weather conditions. However, for safety reasons, we may cancel or reschedule trips in severe weather. We'll keep you informed through direct communication and weather updates.

How Accessible is the boat?

Catalpa Charters welcomes guests with accessibility needs and encourages you to contact the crew before booking so we can talk through your requirements and (if helpful) arrange a quick vessel look-through. Our tours depart from the Rockingham Val Street Commercial Jetty, and boarding is tide-dependent. Access to the vessel is via a purpose-built gangway with handrails and an additional five steps that adjust to changing tide times. Because of this, level (step-free) access isn’t always possible, and some areas onboard have raised doorframes/steps (including entry points like the wheelhouse and toilet), which are clearly signed and explained in the welcome safety briefing.

Onboard, there is a toilet with handrails and a hand-washing station (note: it is not wheelchair accessible due to access constraints/raised thresholds). Crew provide clear, simple communication and use a microphone/speaker for commentary, and emergency procedures are explained on arrival with clear exit pathways and priority assistance available if needed. For safety reasons, service animals are not permitted onboard. Our website is designed to support screen readers and follows WCAG 2.0 standards to help guests plan ahead with confidence.

You can access all our Terms + Conditions and Accessibility documents here.

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