Tour Highlights
- Escape the crowds! Overnight small group sailing Whitsundays (max 15) cruise
- Visit stunning hand picked locations in the Whitsundays from secluded beachs to vibrant coral reefs.
- Sail around the stunning Whitsunday Islands in comfort aboard a spacious 60ft fibreglass Roberts Ketch.
- Snorkelling pristine bays with coral gardens and exotic fish or dive into aquamarine waters straight off the back of your yacht
- Fun Sailing! For the young adventurous traveller: 18 to 40s, young at heart travellers.
Description & Tour Inclusions
Included In Price
- Very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly crew
- Aussie BBQ
- Roomy interior
- Personalised service
- Wide flat decks with shade awnings
- Meals prepared onboard using fresh local produce
- Snorkelling equipment and tuition provided
- Fresh linen provided
- All marine & park fees included
- ***BYO Alcohol***
Great Barrier Reef tours, a stunning 2 day 1 night intimate sailing cruise on board a 60ft sailing ketch with only 15 guests navigating the islands of the Whitsundays on the Great Barrier Reef. Sail to pristine reefs, unspoilt beaches and picturesque bays away from the crowds.
What to Expect
Set sail on a 2-day, 1-night sailing adventure in the stunning Whitsunday Islands, where the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef unfolds around you. This intimate Whitsundays cruise aboard a 60ft sailing ketch accommodates just 15 guests, ensuring a personalized and comfortable experience. Navigate through some of the most beautiful islands, snorkel vibrant coral reefs, and relax on unspoiled beaches away from the usual crowds.
Features and Highlights
Intimate Sailing Experience:
- Your yacht, a classic 40-year-old ketch, offers spacious decks and roomy interiors, ideal for enjoying the serene environment of the Whitsundays. With 8-foot headroom, it caters comfortably even for taller guests, ensuring everyone can move around freely without the cramped conditions found on many boats.
Flexible Itinerary:
- While the exact route can vary based on weather and group preferences, destinations like the renowned Whitehaven Beach are staples. This allows you to immerse in the spectacular natural beauty and pristine conditions of one of Australia's top beaches.
Marine Life Encounters:
- The waters of the Whitsundays are teeming with life. Snorkelling at renowned spots like Peter's Bay and Hook Passage to see an array of marine species in their natural habitats, including colourful coral gardens teeming with diverse aquatic life.
Relaxation and Adventure:
- Whether you're up for an active holiday or just want to soak up the sun and sea air, this tour balances relaxation with adventure. Participate in sailing the ketch or kick back and enjoy the journey as your experienced crew navigates through the islands.
Spectacular Sunsets and Social Atmosphere:
- End each day with stunning sunsets, which you can enjoy from the deck with a drink in hand, providing perfect moments to socialize with fellow passengers and share experiences of the day.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1:
- After setting sail from Airlie Beach, your first adventure is snorkelling in the vibrant reefs of Hook Passage. Lunch on board precedes an afternoon snorkel in the hidden waters of Border Island. As the day winds down, enjoy a picturesque sunset on deck, followed by a communal dinner under the stars.
Day 2:
- Start with a morning visit to Hill Inlet for breathtaking views from the lookout above Whitehaven Beach. Spend the morning basking on the silica sands or exploring the beach. Post-lunch, enjoy one last snorkelling session before sailing back to Airlie Beach, arriving by 4 PM.
Culinary Delights
The onboard menu is designed to complement the sea-going experience, featuring fresh ingredients and a variety of dishes to suit all palates, with options for special dietary needs upon request.
- Breakfasts: include a selection of cereals, fruits, yogurts, and pastries alongside coffee and tea.
- Lunches: showcase a delightful mix of salads, cold meats, and freshly prepared sandwiches.
- Dinners: are hearty and fulfilling, perfect after a day of adventure, ranging from local seafood to international favourites.
Accommodation Details
- Shared Saloon Accommodation: Offers a convivial atmosphere with shared facilities, perfect for solo travellers or groups.
- Private Double Cabins: Ideal for couples seeking more privacy, these cabins provide a cozy retreat from the communal areas.
- Private Double Ensuite Cabins: For ultimate comfort, opt for a double cabin with private bathroom facilities, ensuring personal space and convenience.
Additional Information
Wildlife and Marine Life:
- The Great Barrier Reef is a sanctuary for diverse species, including six of the world's seven sea turtle species. You may also encounter Maori Wrasse, Clownfish, and during migration season, even whales.
Environmental Commitment:
- The overnight sailing tour emphasises sustainability, with efforts to protect the local ecosystem while providing an unforgettable experience of the natural beauty of the Whitsundays.
Embark on this intimate sailing adventure to discover the hidden jewels of the Great Barrier Reef, where each turn brings new sights, sounds, and memories to cherish. This Whitsundays sailing tour combines the thrill of discovery with the pleasure of leisure, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking both relaxation and adventure on the high seas. This is a two-day, one-night shared charter sailing experience that you will never forget, exploring the stunning Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef with an intimate group of only 15 guests.
See all Whitsundays overnight sailing holidays.
Learn more about Hill Inlet
-
What is the Difference Between Hill Inlet & Whitehaven Beach
-
What is the Difference Between North & South Whitehaven Beach
Itinerary
Your Whitsundays Sailing Yacht
Your sailing yacht is a 60ft (18m) fibreglass constructed Roberts ketch. If you are wondering how a ketch distinguishes itself from other boats, it’s easy - you just count the sails.
A ketch is a yacht with two masts, where the forward of the two masts, known as the mainmast, is larger than the after mast, known as the mizzen.
She will be sailed by an experienced crew of two.
Your ketch has been designed with a spacious deck area, so there’s a lot of room to kick back and relax.
Comfort was a prime consideration in its build 40+ years ago and the below decks have been made with ample headroom.
At 8 feet (2.43 metres) you can be rest assured that the only head banging you will be doing will be restricted to the music you are listening to!
Sailing Whitsundays Sample Itinerary
As we set off from the Airlie Beach marina, our first stop will be the peaceful Hook Passage or the hidden gem, Border Island, both promising an abundance of marine life to discover. Equipped with our snorkelling gear, we'll dive into the vibrant coral reefs and encounter a diverse array of underwater creatures. After a satisfying lunch, we'll venture into the clear waters of Peter's Bay for a second snokrel. As the sun begins to set, we'll gather on deck to admire the breathtaking sunset and bond with our fellow explorers, creating lasting memories together.
In the morning, we will journey to Hill Inlet, where we can marvel at the stunning natural beauty of the swirling sands from the lookout point. Following this, we will spend relaxing hours on the untouched white sands of Whitehaven Beach. On our return journey, we will have one final snorkelling opportunity before concluding our adventures and arriving back at the marina by 4:00 pm.
Ask about our Private Charter boats in the Whitsundays
Note: The itinerary is an example of a scheduled cruise. All cruises are subject to weather and tidal conditions and the captain’s professional judgement in putting together the best itinerary to keep guests happy, safe, and well.
Wildlife and Marine Life in the Whitsunday Islands
Turtles
The Great Barrier Reef is home to six species of the world’s seven species of turtles. Turtles can be seen all around the Whitsundays and snorkelling with one of them is one of the great highlights of the cruise. Nesting turtles lay their eggs on many of the Whitsunday beaches between November and February so you can often see their tracks on the beaches in the morning. You might be lucky enough to see them if you visit the beaches late at night. With an eight week incubation period, the eggs hatch from January onwards.
Fish you may encounter on the Great Barrier Reef include:
- Maori Wrasse
- Clownfish
- Fusiliers
- Coral Trout
- Surgeon Fish
- Parrotfish
- Cod
- Emperor
- Grouper
- Batfish
Other marine life and wildlife you may encounter during your trip include:
- Bottlenose dolphins
- Whales (June-August)
- An array of bird species, including curlews and brolgas
Tour Details
Tour Languages Offered
English
EnglishDeparts From
Airlie Beach
Departure Time
Departs 8:30am - Returns 4.00pm
Departure Instructions
Please meet at the La Marina Restaurant (under the Boast Harbor Apartments) PORT OF AIRLIE (Port Drive, Airlie Beach) at 8:00AM.
Destinations
- Hill Inlet
- Shute Harbour
- Whitehaven Beach
- Hill Inlet
- Hook Passage
- Border Island
Months of Operation
January - December
Days of Operation
Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
Duration
2 Day 1 Night
Fitness Level Required
Medium
Restrictions
- All passengers must be able to clearly understand safety directions and instructions given in English by the crew and be able to complete the required safety forms in English
- All passengers wishing to participate in snorkelling must acknowledge that they are able to swim in deep water without a flotation device & unassisted
- All passengers must be able to climb a 1.5 meter high ladder unassisted
Additional Information
- All departures and itineraries are subject to weather.
- Vessel operators reserve the right to vary itineraries for safety and passenger comfort.
- Please note it is the passengers responsibility to advise at time of booking of any medical conditions including food allergies they may suffer from
- If you have excess luggage this can be stored at the boat check-in offices.
- If you have requested a Special Diet menu, please bring $15 cash that has to be paid directly to the boat, diets are not included in the ticket price.
Eco Certifications
What to Bring
- Please bring only a medium sized travel bag (preferably without zippers) with:
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Change of clothes
- Swimwear
- Beach towel
- Toiletries
- Camera
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm clothes/pullover for evenings (seasonal)
- Cash for on board purchases
- BYO alcohol - drinks brought on board should not be in glass containers and no red wine is allowed
Child Policy
No children under the age of 8
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be in writing.
We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.
In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.
Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.
Operators policy:
We highly recommends that guests read the following policy:
All future decisions regarding your booking will be guided by the Terms and Conditions outlined in this policy.
Extended / Overnight Tour Cancellations
If you or your guests cancel:
Between 30 and 60 days of departure, you will forfeit 25% of the ticket price.
Between 14 to 30 days before departure, you will forfeit 50% of the ticket price.
Within 14 days of departure, you will forfeit the full trip fee.
Travel Insurance
We RECOMMEND ALL GUESTS have Travel Insurance which covers cancellation for a variety of reasons, including Pre-trip COVID cancellation cover. Cancellation due to contracting COVID or as a close contact will now no longer be considered a valid reason to cancel or postpone a trip.
The Operator strongly recommends that guests have travel insurance to:
Cover valuable items (e.g. Cameras, Luggage)
Protect against unforeseen flight or coach cancellations, road closures or late arrival into Airlie Beach for any reason which subsequently leads to missing the scheduled departure time,
Cover medical conditions that may occur during carriage, and the associated extra costs of accessing medical care around the islands, including returning to port or emergency air evacuation.
Cover against an emergency where you need to return to port urgently, e.g. a family member becomes very ill,
Cover against full ticket refunds, including the agent commissions component
Please ensure that the guests understand the details of the cover included for the Travel Insurance to ensure that it covers the above for their peace of mind.
From
au$459.00
Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.
Tour Code: 487
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