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  1. Home
  2. Travelling by boat

Travelling by boat

Last Updated
Friday, 17/06/2022

 

This page will help you understand the risks and take appropriate precautions before you head out on the water.

Read this page for information on:

  • reducing the risk of piracy
  • territorial waters and exclusion zones
  • local water travel
  • water activities and watercraft

This page is about getting around by boat and using watercraft. If you're planning a holiday on a cruise ship, see going on a cruise.

Piracy

Piracy takes many forms. It may include armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and murder. It can also include crimes of opportunity such as unlawful requests for payments for anchorage.

All forms of shipping are attractive targets for pirates. This includes commercial vessels, pleasure craft (such as yachts) and luxury cruise ships.

Piracy is a problem in both coastal and international waters around the world. Some areas are especially high risk.

For more information, see our advice on reducing your risk of piracy.

Territorial waters and maritime exclusion zones

Many countries patrol and defend their territorial waters from unauthorised vessels.

  • Find out where the maritime borders are. Like on land, you can't cross a border without the right visa.
  • Countries sometimes contest maritime borders. Patrols may confront you for being in their territory, even if the international community deems it isn't.
  • Countries may declare exclusion zones around coastal areas. They're often near sensitive government infrastructure such as military bases.

Find out where these areas are on your route. Take care not to stray into them, unless you have the right visa. You could be arrested or jailed.

Outside these areas, you're in international waters. You must follow the Convention of the Law of the Sea (United Nations).

Learn more about oceans and the law of the sea (United Nations). 

Local water travel

Hundreds of people die every year in boat accidents. Search and rescue services overseas may not have the same capabilities as those in Australia.

Inter-island ferries and rivercraft may be overloaded, poorly maintained and lack life-saving equipment.

To stay safe on the water:

  • check safety standards are in place
  • check there is enough safety equipment for everyone
  • avoid travelling after dark
  • don't get on overcrowded boats

On smaller watercraft, wear your life jacket at all times.

Water activities and watercraft

If you’re planning to do activities on (or under) the water, know the risks.

This includes activities like going on a yacht, catamaran, jet ski or speedboat. It also includes activities that involve a boat, such as water skiing, wake boarding and diving.

Security deposits on watercraft

It's common for operators to ask for a security deposit when renting out watercraft or equipment. Usually, this is cash or a 'security hold (temporary charge) on your credit card. Sometimes they want an identity document.

  • Never give your passport as a deposit. It’s a valuable document, protect it. Don't become a victim of identity theft (Australian Federal Police).
  • Don't leave someone with your credit card. Never let it out of sight, or let someone write down the number.

If an operator insists on holding on to your passport or credit card, go elsewhere. It could be a scam.

Staying safe on and under the water

  • Only go with an operator with high standards. Check their safety standards before you book.
  • Always use the right safety equipment, even if others don't. This includes life jackets or seat belts. It also includes helmets for some activities.
  • If an operator doesn't provide safety equipment, go with someone else.
  • Check your travel insurance. Make sure it covers you for all your activities, in water or on land.

Stay within the law

Know the local laws on the water. Just like driving a vehicle on the road, if you break the law on the water you could be arrested or jailed. It also increases the risk that you'll have an an accident. Medical assistance is expensive overseas, and you may void your travel insurance.

  • Learn the local laws and etiquette on the water. There could be speed limits, exclusion zones, keeping left or right and rules on who has the right of way. Find out.
  • There may be laws around alcohol on the water. Sailing or riding a watercraft while under the influence is usually illegal. And dangerous.
  • You may need a local licence to sail or ride (pilot) a watercraft. Find out if you need a local licence. If so, don't take control of a vehicle without it on you.
  • Safety equipment may be a legal requirement. For the pilot and their passengers. In some countries, only certified equipment is legal. Find out first.

Learn more about staying within the law. Understand what happens if you're arrested or jailed.

Read more

  • Read our travel advice for your planned destinations.
  • Going on a cruise? Read our cruising page.
  • See our information and advice on reducing the risk of piracy.
  • Find out what to do in the event of a tsunami.
  • See our advice about avoiding kidnapping.

See also

  • Find an Australian embassy or consulate (DFAT)
  • Read the travel insurance buying guide (CHOICE).
  • Learn more about oceans and the law of the sea (United Nations).
  • Learn more about the global threat of piracy (United Nations).

Related content

Going on a cruise

Before you go on a cruise, make sure you take steps to be prepared, and reduce your risks of things going wrong.

View details
Reducing the risk of piracy

Piracy is a major issue around the world. Explore this page to learn about high risk areas for piracy, how to reduce your risk and where to get help.

View details

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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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Main navigation

  • Home
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Getting a foreign visa
      • Travel insurance
      • CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
    • Who you are
      • Academics
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • Journalists
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Mature and older travellers
      • School leavers
      • Travelling with children
      • Travelling with a disability
      • Travelling with pets
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Antarctica and the Arctic
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Retiring overseas
      • Sports and adventure
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
        • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
      • Religious events
        • Travel overseas for Ramadan
        • Travel overseas for Hajj
      • Sporting events
        • Rugby League Las Vegas 2025
    • Health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Going overseas for a medical procedure
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medication and medical equipment
      • Mental health
      • Organ transplant tourism
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health care agreements
      • What happens if you die overseas
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Protests and civil unrest
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Pacific
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent help
  • Our services
    • Consular State of Play
      • Data
      • Case studies
      • Images
      • Videos
      • Audio
      • Historical data
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • 영사 서비스 헌장 (Korean)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Quy định về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
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      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
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      • 한국어 (Korean)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Crises
    • News and updates
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