Whale watching tours on a chartered boat

Tourists, groups, school excursions and visitors booked through accommodation, visitor centres and online.

Ticket sales minus the charter fee per trip. A good margin depends on filling seats, so marketing and partnerships matter more than equipment.

• Marketing and online bookings
• Negotiating with boat owners
• Hosting and engaging guests
• Planning departures and handling cancellations

• Who holds the whale watching permit and vessel certification, get this in writing and check with the authorities
• Public liability insurance for your tour business, and what the vessel owner's insurance covers
• Refunds and rebooking when weather cancels trips, and consumer law obligations, check with your state fair trading office
• Seasonal income and dependence on one boat owner

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on your branding, booking setup and other launch needs. Because you charter a vessel rather than buy one, treat this as a guide only.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on departures, group sizes and the season. Time starts from about 15 hours a week. Income is seasonal and depends on one boat owner, so plan for quieter months.

Check who holds the whale watching permit and vessel certification, get it in writing and confirm with the authorities. Also check your public liability insurance, what the owner's insurance covers, and refund and rebooking duties for weather cancellations with your state fair trading office.