Whitsunday Sail Charter
Details On What Kind Of Sail Charters Are Available In The Whitsundays.
Sailing is the main activity in the Whitsunday Islands and there are all sorts of charters available, from day trips to all-encompassing, multi-day tours of the main islands and the Great Barrier Reef. You can go it alone on a bare boat charter or sit back and let everything be taken care of. Visitors can get a Whitsunday sail charter from Airlie Beach and nearby Shute Harbour, as well as from Hamilton Island, which is one of the main islands in the 74-island archipelago. The two main operators are Sunsail and Whitsunday Rent a Yacht.
Airlie Beach is the main base from which to pick up a sailing charter or get on a cruise. Although not the biggest harbor in the area, it has the best offering of hotels and tourist facilities. Oz Adventure Sailing is one of the main sailing charters here and most vessels are available, from square-riggers and schooners to racing yachts. Just a few miles across the headland from Airlie Beach is Shute Harbour, one of the state’s busiest ports and home to a huge collection of charters. From here you can take in the Whitsundays, as well as Mission Beach and also the Great Barrier Reef proper.
The main attraction, and one which virtually all Whitsunday sail charters will take in, is Whitsunday Island. It is the largest island in Whitsunday Islands National Park and is home to the beautiful Whitehaven Beach, one of the most stunning beaches you will see anywhere in the world. It features the whitest of silica-based sand (where wearing sunglasses is a must) and warm, aquamarine waters. Swim off here a few feet and you will be bumping into turtles and all manner of exotic fish. In addition, Whitsunday Island also has many coves and inlets, which offer a nice break from tourist-heavy Whitehaven Beach. Those into hiking should head for Tongue Point, which offers decent walking and fantastic views over the island.
Another popular destination in the Whitsundays is Hamilton Island, one of the closer ones to the mainland and just south of Whitsunday Island. It is a private island and is the busiest and most developed in the archipelago, with many quality resorts and good facilities. The marina here is well done and there is even a bank and an airport on the island. Sunsail run charters from the marina on a variety of tour options, including bare boating.
Other charters available in the Whitsunday islands
Atlantic Clipper Whitsundays: this is one of the biggest ships that does trips around the Whitsundays and is popular with divers.
Cruise Whitsundays: takes in Knuckle Reef via its own pontoon and Camira catamaran.
Anaconda III: with berths or private charter available, Anaconda III takes in the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef proper.
Solway Lass: this century-old, restored tall ship regularly departs Airlie Beach to take in the Whitsunday Islands.
Avatar Sailing: a large racing trimaran that takes in the islands at speed.
Ocean Rafting: one of the best known charters has fast boats for day trippers and for two-day cruises. They are one of the cheaper operators.
For those who would prefer a luxury Whitsunday sail charter, there are several companies that do them in the region, including the 115-foot Schooner Whitsunday Magic and Pacific Sunrise Whitsundays.
