Sip your spritz aboard this luxe new Mediterranean-inspired cruise along Byron’s stunning Brunswick River.
Most visitors who flock to Byron Bay have been thoroughly read-in on those soft curves of dazzling beach and the town’s ever-evolving list of noteworthy eateries. But fewer people are familiar with the glassy, aquamarine Brunswick River, which ebbs and flows into the Pacific Ocean at the unhurried hamlet of Brunswick Heads, north of Byron. That’s all about to change, though, with the launch of luxury charter vessel, M.V. Jasmine .
Except for her hull, this custom-rebuilt and stylishly reimagined 18-metre nautical nymph is entirely unrecognisable from her former life as a dive and snorkel boat. These days, she cuts a sleek figure atop the gentle waters and, rather than chasing sea life, Jasmine now chases sunsets – all with a well-mixed cocktail in hand.
Setting sail westward toward Mullumbimby from the Brunswick Heads Marina, M.V. Jasmine is Capri-coded and all about sun-washed moments and incredible Mediterranean-inspired morsels. The two-storey beauty is the brainchild of Dean Fuchs and Helen Caruana, who also operate local tour company, Out of the Blue Adventures . Helen says she won the argument with Fuchs to transform the tired-old vessel into a water-top bar after being inspired by Noosa’s floating beach club, Catalina.
Caruana says it took two years for her idea to finally set sail in Byron Bay, but she was adamant that if they “made it bougie, people would come." And they have. The Jasmine is gorgeously finessed to perfection, from the red-and-white striped lounges to the marble-topped bar and sunny-yellow accents, but for Caruana, it takes more than good looks to hit the mark. “The biggest thing about hospitality is people," she says. “It’s about being welcoming and thinking about the experience you’re selling and just making sure you meet that."
Up to 70 guests can be warmly welcomed onboard to take a gentle return journey upriver, complete with cocktails and canapes made with ingredients that showcase the region and local producers. As guests cruise, they may choose to chill on the upper deck and watch the lush landscape slip by or find their sea legs shimmying to the beats spinning from the DJ booth. On the lower deck, passengers perch on crimson stools by the full-service cocktail bar and watch the action in the kitchen from the bow with a Byroncello Spritz.
What types of cruises are there?
There are a number of different weekly cruises to book, including the three-hour sunset cruise, which includes a cheese plate and curated mood music by the resident DJ. Or you can up the luxe by gathering 14 people for the VIP sunset cruise, which gives you exclusive use of the upper deck.
For day drinks and eats, go for the lunch cruise. Also three hours, this water-top meal consists of eight courses, which you can choose to match with beverages from Luna Wine Store .
For families, the two-hour brunch cruise is the only sojourn that invites kids on board. You’ll enjoy coffee and pastries as you wave to the morning paddle boarders and soak up the stillness of the river.
M.V. Jasmine also collaborates with local businesses for special events, such as lunch cruises that feature notable chefs or local products. Of course, there’s also the opportunity to have Jasmine all to yourself on a private charter.
What you’ll eat on the cruise
A veritable smorgasbord of local flavour, guests onboard the M.V. Jasmine are treated to a procession of incredible bites assembled using local ingredients. The plates are Med meets Byron with everything from salty anchovy toasts to tuna skewers, plump oysters and voluptuous spoons of tiramisu. With a rotating roster of collaborations with local chefs and businesses, such as Light Years and The Hut, it’s worth keeping an eye on Insta for what’s coming up @jasminebyronbay .
