Whale Watching Business For Sale

" Spirit Of Hervey Bay "- The renowned whale watching tour and cruise business is on the market as a going concern. The owner says time to slow down and take it a bit easier. OWNER WILL ACCEPT REAL ESTATE AS PART PAYMENT.

The current business was established 32 years ago and is a family run venture. The majority of income is derived from the whale watching season out of Hervey Bay. The current vessel, MV Grant Dorn, is the largest vessel offering whale tours in Hervey Bay catering for 244 persons in 1D waters. The vessel also has COO for 100 persons in 1C waters.

This catamaran cruises out on the pristine waters of Platypus Bay and the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park, offering two whale watch cruises per day, 7 days a week from mid July through to end of October. The MV Grant Dorn is the 4th whale watching vessel owned by this company.

Other tours offered outside the whale watch season are Mary River Cruises, Christmas party cruises, private charters etc. Also out of whale watch season there is also the opportunity to contract out the vessel as a fill-in or replacement vessel for businesses along the Queensland coast. This lucrative business can be run for only 4 months a year if desired or there is the potential to significantly grow the business through strategic advertising and marketing by an enthusiastic energetic owner.

The MV Grant Dorn was built in Hervey Bay by Streamline Catamarans and launched in 2008. Made from composite material she is a beautiful, clean, well maintained vessel. A special feature of this vessel is its Underwater Viewing Windows. These windows are located in each hull of the boat, where passengers can walk down some stairs and see the whales up close in their underwater world.

HERVEY BAY:
The coastal town of Hervey Bay is the ideal base for fun and adventure on the Fraser Coast. This vibrant town with its alfresco dining, esplanade and beaches is 4 hours north of Brisbane and 1 ½ hours south of Bundaberg. The area is a popular weekend getaway or relaxing holiday destination for both families and couples with direct flights available from Brisbane and Sydney.

Hervey Bay, Maryborough and surrounds are part of the Fraser Coast Regional Council. Within this area is a population of 101,500 (52,500 in Hervey Bay) and increases during whale watch season, school holidays and in the winter when the Grey Nomads travel north.
With the world renowned Fraser Island at its doorstep, approximately 55,000 tourists visit Hervey Bay and go whale watching during the whale season each year. Tourists travel from all over the globe to come and experience the best whale watching experience in the world, right here in Hervey Bay.
The area is also very popular for sailing, marlin fishing, scuba diving, jet skiing, fishing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, boating and more.
Raising a young family themselves, the current owners have found Hervey Bay and the surrounding areas to have plenty to offer families. This includes schooling (both public and private schools) and extra-curricular activities such as gymnastics, soccer, AFL, netball, football, karate, taekwondo, hockey, surf lifesaving, swimming to name a few.

PERMITS, DOCUMENTS, LICENSES & CREDENTIALS CURRENTLY HELD BY SPIRIT OF HERVEY BAY INCLUDE:
Certificate of Operation
Certificate of Survey
SMS - Safety Management System
Commercial Activity Agreement (whale watch permit)
Eco Accreditation
Fire Certificate

The boat is staffed with 1x skipper, 1x deckhand, 1-3x hosties depending on passenger numbers. Requirements for Skipper - MED 3 and Master Class 5, deckhand/hosties - Elements of Shipboard Safety (this needs to be obtained after 6 months of service), First Aid, CPR and RSA.
Currently our skipper is employed full time, as he manages and undertakes the majority of maintenance and basic repairs on the vessel. He is also utilized in other sectors within our company which are not associated with the boat.
During the whale watch season approximately 16 staff are employed, 2 Skippers, 4 office staff, 2 bus drivers, 6 -8 boat crew. Staff are paid on a casual basis, except for one full time skipper and one full time office person.

REASON FOR SELLING:
After 32 years running this business the owners are ready to move onto something different or maybe even retire.

SALE OF BUSINESS:
Located on the doorstep of Heritage listed Fraser Island in the beautiful coastal town of Hervey Bay, this business would be ideal for a partnership or as a family run business. As a WIWO business opportunity, everything is included in the asking price - boat, tender, whale watch permit, 2 x 25 seater mini buses, forward bookings, manifesting and booking systems, website, facebook account, instagram account and advertising material etc.

FOR PARTICULARS ON THE VESSEL CALL OR EMAIL NEV NOW

Have a look at the website: www. Spiritofherveybay. Com