The BOX on the Waterby water taxi
Absolute waterfront on the Ettalong foreshore
- We don't charge your card today
- Licensed, insured skippers
- 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
- Drop-off at Ettalong Beach Wharf, Ettalong Beach NSW
The BOX on the Water
Book the boatArrive the way the harbour intended
Modern Australian restaurant, lounge bar and beach kiosk right on the Ettalong Beach foreshore, looking across Broken Bay to Box Head and Lion Island.
The BOX on the Water sits in prime position on the Ettalong Beach foreshore with panoramic views across Broken Bay to Wagstaffe, Box Head, Lion Island and the Barrenjoey headland. Locally owned and run, it serves lunch, cocktails and fresh seafood, with a beach kiosk for takeaway. It is a short stroll from Ettalong Beach Wharf, which makes it one of the easiest Central Coast lunches to reach by water taxi from Palm Beach.
Inside The BOX on the Water
What the afternoon looks like once the boat has dropped you at Ettalong Beach Wharf, Ettalong Beach NSW.
Three steps from your door to the table
- 01
Pick your wharf and time
Drop-off is already locked to Ettalong Beach Wharf, Ettalong Beach NSW. Add your pickup wharf, passengers and time.
- 02
See the live fare
All-inclusive, per boat, no surprises at the wharf. Add your card — we don't charge it today.
- 03
Meet your skipper
You get the operator, boat and captain's contact by SMS, plus a tracking link on the day.
Table first, then the boat
We'll ask The BOX on the Water to hold the table for you
Send us your time and party size and we'll come back to you by text and email with the answer — confirmed, a different time, or fully booked. Your boat is only booked once the table is sorted, so you never pay for a trip to a table you didn't get.
- Nothing charged for the table or the boat while you wait
- Venue can counter-offer a time — accept it and we shift your boat
- Fully booked? We suggest other waterfront tables on the same waterway
Prefer to do it yourself? Book direct with The BOX on the Water and come back for the boat.
Live fares
Book your boat to The BOX on the Water
Drop-off is already set to Ettalong Beach Wharf, Ettalong Beach NSW. Tap a popular pickup below or type your own — you'll have a live fare in under a minute. We do not charge your card today; it is charged only once an operator accepts, or three days before pickup.
Why arrive by water
- No parking hunt — you step off at Ettalong Beach Wharf, Ettalong Beach NSW
- Door-to-door for couples through to groups of 30+
- Licensed local skippers, surveyed and insured vessels
- Live fare up front — nothing to pay at the wharf
- Return pickup booked at the same time if you want it
- Cancellation terms shown before you confirm
Arriving by boat
Land at Ettalong Beach Wharf (Ferry Road) and walk two minutes along the foreshore. Daytime runs only — the crossing from Palm Beach is around 25 minutes.
Daylight water taxi service only at Ettalong Beach — lunch sittings from 11:00am, last return departure 4:00pm. No night-time returns across the channel.
Alternate landing: Palm Beach Wharf, Palm Beach NSW
Check a fare now →Water taxis to The BOX on the Water — questions
Can I get a water taxi to The BOX on the Water?
Yes. Water Taxis Australia runs licensed water taxis to Ettalong Beach Wharf, Ettalong Beach NSW, the closest public landing to The BOX on the Water in Ettalong Beach. Enter your pickup wharf, choose a time and you'll see a live all-inclusive fare per boat before you book.
How much does a water taxi to The BOX on the Water cost?
Fares are priced per boat, not per person, and depend on your pickup wharf, the time of day and how many passengers you have. The live fare shown in the booking engine on this page is the fare you pay — it already includes the licensed skipper, fuel, GST and platform fees.
When is my card charged?
We don't charge your card when you book. Your card is only verified — your bank may show a temporary zero-dollar check, which is not a payment. The fare is charged only once a water taxi operator or skipper accepts your job (or three days before pickup, whichever comes first). If no one accepts, you are never charged. If you're using a debit card, keep the funds available so the fare can be charged when a skipper accepts.
Where does the boat drop us off at The BOX on the Water?
Land at Ettalong Beach Wharf (Ferry Road) and walk two minutes along the foreshore. Daytime runs only — the crossing from Palm Beach is around 25 minutes.
Do you book the table as well?
Yes — we can request it for you. Send us your time and party size and we'll come back to you by text and email with the answer: confirmed, a different time offered, or fully booked. Nothing is charged while you wait, and you only finish the water taxi booking once the table is sorted. You're welcome to book the table yourself instead and just use us for the boat.
Get the best tables you can reach by boat
New venues, seasonal menus and water taxi deals — a couple of emails a month, no spam.
- First access to New Year's Eve & Vivid Sydney slots
- New wharves, new operators, new routes — the day they go live
- Subscriber-only fare drops on charter and limo trips