Whitsunday Islands Yacht Charters

The Whitsunday Islands yacht charters offer the ultimate experience when it comes to adventure and relaxation. Sailing, swimming, diving, skydiving, spas, and more await charter guests.

If you’re considering a yacht charter in the Whitsundays, here is a sample one-week itinerary that will allow you to experience all that the region has to offer.

Whitsunday Islands Yacht Charters – The Itinerary

A week-long yacht charter in the Whitsunday Islands will take you to some of the most beautiful and breathtaking beaches in the world, coupled with crystal clear water and fascinating sea life. Get ready for a sailing vacation in paradise!

Day 1

Hook Island

Nara Inlet on Hook Island is a popular choice of first night anchorage. It is an easy spot to reach and a well-sheltered spot to adjust to life on your yacht. You will depart Abell Point Marina and travel through a long, narrow fjord and across the Whitsunday Passage. Once you arrive at Nara Inlet, venture to the Aboriginal Caves and see the rock paintings and the wild goats that inhabit the island or hike to the waterfall surrounded by tropical palms and Hoop Pines. Next, head around Pinnacle Point to Butterfly Bay for a swim or snorkel.

Day 2

Whitsunday Island

Hamilton Island is a modern resort with pristine beaches, a busy marina, bars, restaurants, and shops. Enjoy all of the available water sports, or head below the surface of the water and discover the coral and marine life. If you’re a golf aficionado, the Hamilton Island Golf Club is the only Australian 18-hole championship course on its own island.

Day 3

Hamilton Island

The famous Ribbon Reefs have some of the best snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing on the outer reef, and the inner reef is great for sunset walks along the beach, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing. You will be immersed in the sounds of the reef and the sea from the moment you arrive. Dive at Steve’s Bommie and see the isolated pinnacle that attracts large schools of pelagic fish. Snorkelers will love the large coral heads within the lagoon, making you feel as if you’re swimming in a valley of colorful tropical fish. Andy’s Postcard is another dive spot to explore, with an abundance of underwater life. You might even see migrating minke whales that swim right up to your yacht’s stern. End your day with the sunset and stargazing over cocktails.

Day 4

Cumberland Island

Whitehaven Beach on Tongue Bay is the ultimate escape, with 6km of sparkling white silica sand and no buildings in sight. The water is crystal clear, and ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Enjoy a long walk to the platform lookout with its picture-perfect view of Hill Inlet and its whirling, twirling underwater sand. At the end of the day, enjoy cocktails on the aft deck and watch the stars come out in the southern sky.

Day 5

Border Island

Just off the northeastern coast of Whitsunday Island is Border Island, famous for its snorkeling. Cataran Bay is ranked as one of the top three snorkel spots in the Whitsundays. It’s a small, mountainous island with lush green eucalyptus forests that meet golden sand. It’s a designated Green Zone with a fully protected reef teeming with exotic underwater life, including red snappers, butterfly, and angelfish. For more experienced divers, head to where the shelf drops to observe Maori wrasse, rays, and reef sharks, as well as caves and ledges.

Day 6

Hayman Island

Head over to Stonehaven Anchorage or the 5-star Hayman Island Resort’s marina for the night. Snorkeling here will bring you up close and personal with some of the most captivating fish and corals. Sunbathe on the beach or take a dip in the clear water, or walk up to Dolphin Point Lookout and enjoy the sunset view.

Day 7

Hook Island – Manta Ray Bay

Your final spot, Manta Ray Bay, circles back to Hook Island’s north coast. This area has some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Whitsundays, with a range of underwater valleys, caves, and swim-throughs leading all the way to the seafloor. Hard and soft corals are home to abundant marine life, including Maori Wrasse and Manta Rays. It is close to Airlie Beach, and you can anchor very close to the bay for the day.

Why Charter a Yacht in the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the richest underwater ecosystems
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to one of the richest underwater ecosystems on the planet — an awe-inspiring part of the world composed of 2,900+ coral reefs and more than 900 islands. The Great Barrier Reef is often referred to as Australia’s “Blue Outback” because of its thriving populations of colorful fish, sea life, turtles, and birds.

You can combine history with the great outdoors at Babinda Boulders
Babinda Boulders is both a renowned swimming hole and a sacred Aboriginal site. Just a short drive from Cairns, and surrounded by lush rainforests, it is home to large boulders, quiet creeks, and pools of cool water where people can swim. The water originates from Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland’s tallest mountain, which you can see just beyond it.

Of course, you can (and should) go for a dive
Diving yacht charters in the Great Barrier Reef offer some of the best diving in the world. There are many dive spots in the Great Barrier Reef, but one of the most popular areas for diving is Townsville. Perfect for any level diver, Townsville has a range of dive spots that show off the Reef’s beautiful sea life: clownfish, purple anthias, sea fans, species of butterflyfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, and more.

There are plenty of landscapes to see above ground, too — like Kuranda, a village in the rainforest
Known for its location, Kuranda has been attracting elite, adventurous travelers from across the globe for centuries. Home of the Barron Falls, which are beautiful in their own right, Kuranda is now the source of a thriving arts and culture scene. From relaxed local markets selling local handicrafts, to the spectacular views fueled by the rainforest that surrounds it, Kuranda is a buried treasure in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

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