What Type of Whitsunday Sailing Charter Do You Want?
Unsure? Contact Us or See Types of Yacht Charters
Unsure? Contact Us or See Types of Yacht Charters
Australia yacht charter holidays in the Whitsunday Islands are famous for their fantastic waterways, secluded islands, beautiful scenery, the Great Barrier Reef, and their ideal climate all year round. This incredible sailing destination is also beginning to be discovered by sailors from outside Australia. If stunning beaches and great diving and snorkeling get you excited, go down under and experience islands set inside acres of stunning coral reefs that protect the many anchorages and bays from ocean swells. Numerous destinations make for easy line-of-sight sailing and allow you to navigate the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
A choice of charters for monohull sailboats and sailing catamarans. Many of these yachts cater for larger numbers, and this can make for added fun if two groups of friends or family want to go cruising down under. Your journey will usually start at Hamilton Island or Sydney. From there, it will be blue skies, clear waters, and white beaches wherever you go. Sailing experience is required for bareboat charters in the Whitsundays. Contact our Charter Experts for more information on sailing requirements and skipper options.
The Whitsunday Islands are a remote sailing destination, with very limited access to shops, restaurants, and supplies once you leave the mainland. Careful provisioning before departure is essential. If your charter departs from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, you can stock up on groceries, fresh produce, beverages, and other essentials at Coles, a major Australian supermarket located approximately 10 minutes away by car. We recommend purchasing enough provisions for your entire charter before setting sail.
Here’s a preview of a few things you can expect on your Australia yacht charter with Virgin Island Sailing®:
A Few of the Best Places to Visit in Australia:
The numerous islands of the Whitsundays play host to tradewinds nearly year round, regulating temperatures and creating a sub tropical climate perfect for a yacht charter vacation. The islands lie on the equivalent tropical latitude as Honolulu in the northern hemisphere and Mauritius in the southern hemisphere.
The summer months of January to March act as the region’s wet season with sunny days in the mid 80’s giving way to momentary tropical showers and then going right back to sunshine. Winter months are drier with temperatures reaching the mid 70’s.
The winter season is often busier, since the drier months coincide with sailing events happening at Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach, as well as humpback whale migratory season. All of which draw tourists to the area.
| Avg Temp (°F ) | Avg. Water Temp (°F ) | Avg. Rainfall (in) | Avg. Wind Speed (kts) | |
| January | 81 | 83 | 11 | E 10-15 |
| February | 81 | 83 | 11 | E/SE 10-15 |
| March | 80 | 82 | 11 | E/SE 10-15 |
| April | 77 | 80 | 6 | E/SE 10-20 |
| May | 73 | 77 | 4 | E/SE 10-15 |
| June | 69 | 73 | 3 | SE 10-15 |
| July | 67 | 71 | 2 | SE 10-15 |
| August | 69 | 72 | 1 | E 10-15 |
| September | 73 | 74 | 1 | E 10-15 |
| October | 76 | 77 | 1 | E 10-15 |
| November | 79 | 79 | 4 | NE 10-15 |
| December | 81 | 82 | 5 | E/NE 10-15 |
Distance: 15nm | Duration: 45m
Considered to be the gateway to the wonder that is the Whitsundays, Airlie Beach is all slick white sands, buzzing bars, and beautiful blue waters. Subtropical temperatures, easy access to the plethora of perfect islands, and the chance to explore the wealth of underwater life that makes the Great Barrier Reef such a bucket list destination – it’s no wonder Airlie is a must-stop on the backpacker’s route for those traveling Australia. Charter guests are sure to fall in love with this vibrant corner of the world brimming with amazing restaurants and water sports to keep you active. For those who want to leave the ions of blue and white behind and head into cooler climes, the Conway National Park is also right on the doorstep and welcomes you in with its mangroves, gullies, and gorgeous rainforest. Beach lovers should also be sure to head to the iconic Whitehaven Beach – a vision of turquoise and white and one of the most famous beaches in the whole of the world.
Stationary
Hook Island is part of the Whitsundays and is almost completely uninhabited. The island has fjord-like inlets, secluded beaches, sheltered bays, moorings and anchorages. It offers ideal sailing and kayaking conditions and opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, including raptors like sea eagles and ospreys, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, reef fish and humpback whales between June and September. The fringing reefs encourage snorkeling, scuba diving, and underwater photography.
Distance: 20nm | Duration: 1h 5m
Of all the wonders of the Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach is the star of the show. Endless tributes and accolades have been crafted in pure praise of this beach with its silky snow-white sands, bold blue and green shades, and bucket-list beauty. One glance and you will see exactly why Whitehaven is consistently awarded the best beach in Australia and even the far-flung world. Sculpted by the miracle of nature and stretching for 7km, the sands of Whitehaven have been studied and proven to be made of a whopping 98 percent pure silica, which is how they earn their bone-white shades and their silk through the fingers’ touch. The sand is celebrated as being so fine it can even clean diamonds. For charter guests wanting to make the most of their time on Whitehaven, you can visit Tongue Point for some of the best views. You can also hike through the national park, swim, snorkel, and hit the best wining and dining spots in this truly beautiful enclave.
Distance: 11nm | Duration: 35m
Hamilton Island is one of the Whitsundays near the Great Barrier Reef. As a destination in its own right, the island hosts whale watching, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and tours by air or sea. Available food ranges from bistro to fine dining.
Distance: 45nm | Duration: 2h 20m
Due to its protected status, visitors to Heart Reef in the Whitsundays may not swim or snorkel near the reef. Named for its shape, it is best to fly over it and land nearby, where a glass-bottomed boat can take you closer to see its splendor.
Distance: 24nm | Duration: 1h 15m
A divine dive site to the north of Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, Hardy Reef and Hook Reef offer shades of blue as you’ve never seen before. Depending on the time of year you travel, you can often spot migrating humpback whales, pods of playful dolphins and even whale sharks in the turquoise waters below. A dream destination for keen scuba divers and snorkelers, this fragile environment is home to deep channels that you can see from onboard as cobalt curves contrasting with the reefs. With countless diving schools and scattered pontoons, charter guests can also spot the renowned and highly photographed Heart Reef nearby, adding an element of romance to this trip of a lifetime.
Distance: 26nm | Duration: 1h 20m
U.S. citizens traveling to Australia must have a valid passport and an approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or other appropriate visa before departure. The ETA allows eligible travelers to stay in Australia for up to three months per visit and can be obtained through the official Australian ETA app.
Your choice of charter will determine your starting point. Air travel is recommended, as many airlines offer direct flights to Sydney from many countries. If you plan to start from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, both of those locations have airports that you can fly to from the Australian cities of Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, or Melbourne.
The Whitsunday Coast Airport is a 30 minute drive from Airlie Beach and is serviced by weekly flights. Shuttle buses meet all arriving flights and can take you to either the Coral Sea Marina or your accommodation.
Hamilton Island Airport is the only Whitsundays Island commercial airport and has multiple arrivals and departures each day and is a 5 minute ride by taxi or shuttle to your accommodation or marina.
The Whitsunday Islands are part of the protected Great Barrier Reef region, where specific regulations apply to anchoring, marine wildlife, fishing, and recreational activities. Before setting sail, we recommend reviewing the Whitsundays Marine Park Recreational Guide.
For current weather forecasts, visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Our charter partner’s base broadcasts local weather updates daily at 9:00 AM and 3:45 PM local time and contacts guests twice daily to help ensure a safe and enjoyable sailing experience.
Resources:
Bareboat Charter Packing Checklist
Crewed Charter Packing Checklist
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