EIGHT new businesses will join the Rottnest Island community following a call for expressions of interest earlier this year.
There will be a crayfish catch and cruise experience, glass bottom kayaks, a catamaran cruise, boat hire, subsea scooters and undersea helmet walks as well as a new food van at the lighthouse and shade and beach accessory hire.
Rottnest Island Authority executive director Michelle Reynolds said most of the new offerings were water-based businesses.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“We made a decision about those that were appropriate and would build on brand Rottnest, and they were mostly water-based,” Ms Reynolds said.
“We’re very excited about offering tourists and visitors more to do.”
From next month, Fremantle-based cruise company Charter 1 will bring its catamaran ‘Capella’ to Rottnest offering sailing tours, whale watching and accommodation for up to 10 guests.
Owner Jules de Angelis said it was a simple decision to expand to Rottnest.
“People love coming to Rottnest and it makes sense to offer these experiences when they’re on the island,” Mr de Angelis said.
“We love being on the boat and sharing that experience with other people.”
Sea Kayak Rottnest will start glass bottom kayak tours in January offering family-friendly kayaks tours at different locations on the island.
Head guide Malcolm Roberts said the reefs off Rottnest Island were beautiful and visitors could expect to see stingrays and dolphins on the tours.
Tourism Minister Paul Papalia officially launched the new businesses on Saturday saying the eight new businesses will give visitors more to do on the island.
Mr Papalia said that coming from a small business background himself, he applauded people who were entrepreneurial and courageous enough to start their own business.
“We will do everything we can do get more people to the island and make sure these businesses succeed,” he said.
New Rottnest Island businesses
- Rottnest Kayak
- Charter 1
- Rottnest Dive and Undersea Walk
- Lexi’s on Rotto
- Boating West
- Rotto Shade
- Seatoys WA
- Rottnest Cruises