Rottnest is nineteen kilometres of coastline and one very hot bike ride. The ferry gets you to Thomson Bay and then leaves you to it. A water taxi is the piece most visitors do not know exists: a private boat that moves you between bays, out to the snorkelling, or back to the mainland after the last scheduled service has gone.
What a Rottnest water taxi costs in 2026
Island fares are per boat, from about $41 all-in for a short hop up to about $89 for a longer run across the island's bays.
Those are finished prices. Operator rate, our commission, the platform fee and the card surcharge are all included before the number is shown, so nothing appears at checkout that was not in the quote.
| Trip | Typical time | Indicative all-in fare | |---|---|---| | Thomson Bay to Army Jetty | 5 min | from $41 | | Thomson Bay to Geordie Bay | 10-15 min | from $60 | | Thomson Bay to Parker Point | 15-20 min | from $75 | | Geordie Bay to Little Salmon Bay | 20-25 min | up to $89 | | Fremantle to Rottnest (private transfer) | 30-40 min | quoted on distance |
For a family of five with snorkel gear, $60 to skip a 40-minute uphill ride in a 35-degree northerly is not a hard decision.
Every Rottnest and Perth boarding point
On the island - Thomson Bay main jetty - Army Jetty - Geordie Bay - Longreach Bay - Parker Point - Little Salmon Bay
Mainland - Fremantle Fishing Harbour - Fremantle Sailing Club - Hillarys Boat Harbour - Elizabeth Quay - Mends Street Jetty, South Perth - Matilda Bay Jetty - Claisebrook Cove - Canning Bridge Jetty
Waterfront venues are bookable as pick-ups too: Hotel Rottnest, Thomsons Rottnest, Isola Bar, the Geordie Bay Café, Little Creatures, Bathers Beach House, Cicerello's, The Boatshed and Sandbar at Hillarys.
The four ways people use a Rottnest water taxi
1. Bay hopping. The reason most bookings exist. Base yourself at Thomson Bay and boat out to Parker Point or Little Salmon for the snorkelling, then back for lunch — without the ride, the heat or the hills.
2. Late returns. The last ferry is early if you are having a good day. A private transfer back to Fremantle runs until 10pm.
3. Group and luggage runs. Weddings, buck's and hen's weekends, family reunions, and anyone moving eskies, bags and bikes between accommodation at Geordie Bay and the jetty.
4. Swan River transfers. Elizabeth Quay to South Perth, Matilda Bay or Claisebrook — the fastest way across the river on a Perth summer evening, and the only one with a view.
Water taxi vs the Rottnest ferry
They are not competitors so much as different tools.
The ferry is the cheap, scheduled, high-volume crossing. If you are two people going for the day from Fremantle and your plans fit the timetable, take it.
A water taxi is private, on your clock, and — critically — it works *on the island*. No ferry moves you from Thomson Bay to Little Salmon. It also carries the group and gear that make the ferry an ordeal, and it runs after the last scheduled sailing.
Plenty of people use both: ferry across in the morning, water taxi between bays all day.
Practical notes
- Weather — the crossing is exposed and strong afternoon sea breezes are normal in summer. Skippers may move a departure earlier or stand a crossing down; an operator cancellation is refunded in full.
- Luggage — one suitcase plus a hand bag per passenger free. Bikes, boards and oversized items $25 each, declared at booking.
- Waiting time — 15 minutes free, then $5 per minute to the card on file. Beach and bay pick-ups reward being early.
- Kids and quokkas — life jackets are carried in kids' sizes. The quokkas are not our department, but they are at Thomson Bay.
- Extra cruise time — add minutes at booking to run the south coast past the Basin and Salmon Bay on the way home.
Cancellations and refunds
Water taxi bookings cancel free up to 2 days before pickup; inside that window tiered charges apply because the boat has been committed. Weather and operator cancellations are refunded in full. Refunds go to wallet credit by default and can be cashed out to the original card any time from the wallet page.
Booking a Rottnest water taxi
Open the booking engine and type "Rottnest", "Thomson", "Geordie" or "Fremantle" — the bays and jetties appear as you type, and the map moves to the island. Set your passengers, date and time, and a live fare with available boats comes back in seconds. Pay online and your QR boarding pass arrives by email and SMS.
If nothing is free at your slot, the job is broadcast to every eligible WA operator rather than dead-ending. One booking engine across the whole Australian fleet is exactly why Water Taxis Australia exists.
Hours: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, seven days. Same-day bookings close at 9:00 pm.
More reading
Questions we hear a lot
How much is a water taxi at Rottnest Island?+
Island hops start from about $41 all-in and longer runs go to roughly $89, per boat. Those are finished prices — operator rate, our commission, the platform fee and the card surcharge are already included. Mainland crossings from Fremantle or the Swan River are quoted on distance and time.
Where do Rottnest water taxis pick up and drop off?+
Thomson Bay, the Army Jetty, Geordie Bay, Longreach, Parker Point and Little Salmon Bay on the island, plus Fremantle Fishing Harbour, Fremantle Sailing Club, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Elizabeth Quay, Mends Street Jetty, Matilda Bay, Claisebrook Cove and Canning Bridge on the mainland.
Is a water taxi better than the Rottnest ferry?+
They do different jobs. The ferry is the cheap scheduled crossing from Fremantle, Perth or Hillarys. A water taxi is a private boat on your schedule that can also move you between bays on the island itself — which the ferry does not do at all, and which is where most people actually want it.
Can a water taxi move us between bays on Rottnest?+
Yes, and it is the most common island booking. Thomson Bay to Geordie Bay, or a lift out to Little Salmon and Parker Point with snorkel gear, saves a long ride in the heat and lets you cover more of the island in a day.
Do Rottnest water taxis carry bikes and luggage?+
One suitcase plus a hand bag per passenger is free. Bikes, boards and other oversized items are $25 each and must be declared at booking so the right boat is sent.
What hours do Rottnest water taxis run?+
6:00 am to 10:00 pm, seven days. Same-day bookings close at 9:00 pm; later or next-day trips go through Book Later.
Can I get a water taxi from Fremantle to Rottnest?+
Yes, as a private charter transfer rather than a scheduled service. It is quoted on distance and sea conditions, and it makes most sense for groups, late returns after the last ferry, or anyone with awkward luggage and a tight schedule.
Ready to lock in your trip on the water?
Live fare, instant confirmation, one clean receipt. If the operator can't cover your slot we issue an automatic full refund — no phone calls, no forms.
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