Whitsunday Bareboat Yacht Charter
Recommendations On How To Get The Best Whitsunday Bareboat Yacht Charter.
Many companies offer a great range of Whitsunday bareboat yacht charter options and it is, quite simply, one of the finest areas to go boating, with the Great Barrier Reef nearby, sublime weather and scenery and reasonable prices. There are dozens of islands in the Whitsundays National Marine Park - a UNESCO World Heritage area – that range from quiet, out of the way retreats to privately-owned island resorts with good facilities. In addition, there is a good range of bareboat charters available, from square-riggers and schooners to motorboats and racing yachts, and you don’t need to be a master skipper or to even hold a license to charter one.
As to what to expect, the Whitsundays lie between the mainland and the Great Barrier Reef and are a stunning collection of lush islands amid calm (for the most part), azure seas. They are surrounded by white beaches and fringe coral reefs where snorkeling and diving is particularly good. The majority of the islands are under the park banner and uninhabited and thus ideal for those who enjoy sailing to secluded coves and dropping anchor. If you happen upon another charter or tour group, simply retract and head to the next beach or island. The main islands are only an hour or two’s sailing apart.
However, if you do enjoy mingling and prefer the odd indulgence at a good restaurant or café, consider heading to one of the island resorts, such as Hamilton Island or Dent Island. Hamilton is the most developed, has the best facilities and hotels and is just south of the main Whitsunday Island. The marina here is well equipped and you can even pick up a Whitsunday bareboat yacht charter with Sunsail. Whitsunday Island itself is a must-see, if only to visit world famous Whitehaven Beach, with its silica sand and giant turtles. It also boasts a lush interior with one or two established hiking trails.
Other fun islands to check out include the farther afield Hook Island and Hayman Island; the latter of which is private property and cannot be visited unless you have a reservation at their exclusive resort. For those who don’t fancy going too far from the shore, Daydream Island and South Molle are just a few nautical miles from Shute Harbour, while Long Island is also nearer the mainland and has great family resorts.
The three main places and companies to hire Whitsunday bareboat yacht charter vessels are: Queensland Yacht Charters at Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach; Whitsunday Rent-A-Yacht at Shute Harbour; and Sunsail, which goes direct out of Hamilton Island. All of these companies have decent fleets, will ensure you get the right vessel, and are competitive. There are several other companies in the region, but if you plan on flying direct to Hamilton Island and chartering from the marina there, you will need to book way in advance. The Whitsundays region is fully accessible, with an airport in Proserpine (not far from Airlie Beach), another airport on Hamilton Island, and buses and trains from Brisbane.
