Photo: Elemaki ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
74 islands on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Whitsundays are 74 islands inside the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, almost all national park. There is a steady south-east trade wind, tides of up to four metres and anchorages visited by humpback whales. From Airlie Beach we sail to Hook Island, Whitehaven Beach and its silica sand, Hamilton Island and the northern reefs of Butterfly Bay, sleeping on national park moorings and, once, in a marina with showers and a restaurant.
- Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet lookout
- Humpback whales in the passages from June to September
- Coral gardens at Butterfly Bay and Blue Pearl Bay
- Ngaro rock art at Nara Inlet
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Handover
Airlie Beach and boat handover
Fly into Proserpine or Hamilton and transfer to Airlie Beach. Handover at Coral Sea Marina, a tides and moorings briefing and provisioning.
Overnight: Yacht, Airlie Beach marina - DAY 2 · 15 nautical miles
Across Whitsunday Passage to Nara Inlet
Fifteen miles east across Whitsunday Passage to a fjord-like inlet on Hook Island. The Ngaro rock art cave and a still night at anchor.
Overnight: Yacht, Nara Inlet - DAY 3 · 18 nautical miles
Whitehaven Beach
Round the east of Hook Island, 18 miles to Tongue Bay. Walk up to the Hill Inlet lookout and along seven kilometres of white silica sand at Whitehaven.
Overnight: Yacht, Tongue Bay - DAY 4 · 10 nautical miles
Hamilton Island
Ten miles south to the one ‘town’ island. Marina, a shore shower and dinner at a restaurant. Sunset at One Tree Hill lookout.
Overnight: Yacht, Hamilton Island marina - DAY 5 · 8 nautical miles
Cid Harbour and Whitsunday Island
Eight miles to Cid Harbour on the west of Whitsunday Island. Hike to Whitsunday Peak (437 m), whales in the passage and a night in a sheltered bay.
Overnight: Yacht, Cid Harbour - DAY 6 · 15 nautical miles
The northern reefs of Hook Island
Fifteen miles north along Hook Island to Butterfly Bay. Snorkel the best coral in the group and take a park mooring for the night.
Overnight: Yacht, Butterfly Bay - DAY 7 · 12 nautical miles
Blue Pearl Bay and the return
A morning on the Blue Pearl Bay reefs off Hayman, then 12 miles downwind to Airlie Beach. Boat return and dinner on the esplanade.
Overnight: Yacht, Airlie Beach marina - DAY 8 · Transfer
Departure
Breakfast and transfer to Proserpine airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Double cabin on a 40–45 ft catamaran
A professional skipper
Breakfasts and lunches on board
Transfers between Proserpine airport and Airlie Beach
Snorkelling kit and stinger suits
End-of-charter cleaning and linen
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Kitty for dinners ashore, fuel and water
Hamilton Island marina fees and marine park charges
Single-cabin supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
No experience needed, though 15–25 knot winds and tidal streams keep it lively. Ivan runs a briefing on tides and on using the park’s public moorings.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Shoes with clean, non-slip soles
- Sun and wind protection, and a light rain layer
- Personal essentials suited to your experience at sea
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.