3
Introductory

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • Day walks
  • Sailing
  • Snorkelling
Accommodation
  • 4 nights boat
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts

5 Days$2795AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: WSX

Trip highlights

  • Explore both the North and South tips of Whitehaven Beach
  • Conquer multiple bush-walk locations and lookouts throughout the archipelago
  • Marvel during Indigenous cave site visits
  • Snorkel amongst untouched reef and aquatic havens, including trips to the outer reefs
  • Walks to Hill Inlet and South Whitehaven Lookout
  • Witness stunning sunsets on secluded sand spits

Why Book With Us

  • Full private sailing charter through the Whitsunday Islands

This active adventure of the Whitsundays will allow you to escape the busier beaches and discover tropical rainforest gullies and windblown heath as you climb to some of the most breathtaking lookouts the island archipelago has to offer.

The Whitsunday Islands offer everything you’d expect from a tropical paradise; turquoise waters that meet swirling white sands, beautiful secluded beaches and magnificent marine life. The proximity to the Great Barrier Reef means the Whitsundays are a mecca for sailing and snorkelling, and there are plenty of opportunities to tick off a number of bucket-list worthy walks.

This Whitsunday Islands sailing adventure has been designed to give travellers the ultimate wilderness expedition in stunning surrounds aboard our own exclusive vessel, sleeping onboard each night and having ample of opportunities to take in the scenery, snorkel the reefs and stretch your legs along some of the more less-trodden trails found within the 74 islands the Whitsundays holds to it's name.

Activities:

Itinerary

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Welcome to the Whitsundays! A subtropical paradise of picturesque islands, world famous beaches, stunning hikes and incredible snorkelling. After meeting your group at the check-in location by 9am, we’ll have the honour of an exclusive Welcome to Country ceremony, lead by one of the local Elders, before heading down to the boat and your home for the next 5 days. If we have enough wind, sit back as you watch the crew set the sails around 10am – it’s quite an impressive operation so don’t forget to cheer them on! After lunch on board, today’s hike will be one of the many trails on South Molle Island, the group of islands closest to the mainland. We have a few different choices depending on weather and tide conditions, but rest assured that no matter which we choose you can expect a gentle gradient of diverse landscapes, opening up to a peak of 360 degrees overlooking the Whitsundays. After your hike enjoy a refreshing swim off the pier in Bauer Bay before returning to the boat for a delicious afternoon tea waiting for you, and you set sail to your first anchorage on the islands. Walking time: 1.5-2.5 hours

Meals:  L,D

Wake up for an early breakfast on board before getting ready to embark on your most challenging hike, the Whitsunday Peak, with a summit of 437m. This hike has a consistent incline that is quite steep in parts, but rewards you with incredible views at the peak overlooking the islands and fringing reef systems. A second viewpoint offers panoramic views overlooking the famous Hamilton Island, the largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays. Return back to the boat for a well deserved lunch. Spend your afternoon snorkelling the underwater oasis of the fringing Great Barrier Reef, and soaking up the sun on an often private sand spit. Optional short walk at Langford Island (30 mins return) - keep a lookout for green turtles! Walking time: approx. 4 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is something special! Spend the morning with a short walk to capture the incredible views of the famous swirling sands of Hill Inlet and some free time exploring the breathtaking Whitehaven Beach, voted best in the world. The white silica sands contrasting with the turquoise swirling ocean is a must-see at least once in your lifetime. After lunch back on board, we head to South Whitehaven where you will begin the Solway Circuit and Chance Bay hikes, complete with stunning views overlooking all 7kms of Whitehaven Beach and the surrounding islands. A longer but more gentle hike today with lots of foliage cover from the sun, approx. 9kms return. Have your eyes peeled to spot the resident yellow-spotted goannas! Walking time: 3-4 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is a slower paced ocean-activities day. Spend the morning snorkelling nearby the South Whitehaven anchorage before heading to one of our favourite bays – Cateran Bay. Enjoy another beautiful snorkel here, go on a hunt to find nemo, and wonder in awe at the colours and diversity of the coral. After lunch enjoy free time on the beach and the very short walk to the Border Island lookout (1.5km return), before setting sail for Hook Passage, your final anchorage. Enjoy sunset from the beach with your group as you soak up your last evening on the islands.

Meals:  B,L,D

Wake up early to enjoy your coffee on the deck, in the peaceful quiet of Hook Passage as the sun begins to rise. After breakfast, journey through dry rainforest, open woodland, hoop pines and groves of giant grasstrees on this short but steep hike from Cairn Beach to the towering volcanic mass of the Whitsunday Cairn. Have your cameras ready to snap the last panoramic views of the islands before slowly making your way back down and returning to the boat. After lunch on board, enjoy a final sail home to the coastal sailing town of Airlie Beach where your tour sadly draws to a close after arriving around 3:30-4:00pm – but not before exchanging details with all the wonderful people you’ve had the pleasure of spending the last 5 days with. What an incredible way to truly experience the Whitsunday Islands! Walking time: 3-4 hours

Meals:  B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

  • Accommodation on board, communal share in bunks
  • All meals - breakfast, morning tea, lunch, dinner and snacks
  • Hot beverages and filtered water
  • Professional Crew and Boat Staff
  • 1 x Professional wilderness guide
  • All National Park, mooring fees and shore excursions
  • All activity gear including snorkelling equipment, wet suits, floatation devices and hammocks
  • All bed linen (enclosed bed sheet and pillow), bath towels, and body wash
  • Comprehensive first aid kit & emergency satellite telephone

  • Airfares to Airlie Beach
  • Accommodation in Airlie Beach before and after your trip
  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Alcoholic beverages - you are welcome to bring your own on board however we recommend avoiding glass where possible
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation

Shared Dormitory Cabins

Accommodation on all vessels is in shared dormitory-style cabins/sections – it’s not a luxury hotel but it is comfortable and unique. This trip operates solely as a liveaboard tour, with each night being spent sleeping below deck in bunks. Both single and double bunks are available. Each vessel will also have 2x bathrooms and 2x showers on board.

Comfy beds, linen, pillows and shower towels are all provided, along with some sleeping mats to sleep on deck if you wish.

Bunks

The layout of beds onboard each yacht is bunk-style, meaning that there may be a requirement for solo travellers to climb on to upper bunks platforms.

If this will be a problem or you would like to request a lower bunk, please advise your sales/reservations consultant.

Suitability

Introductory

3

You should be moderately fit in order to undertake the trip. None of the walks should exceed 10km but you should expect to encounter some slow and steady gradients up to some of the island peaks. Suggested preparation: regular exercise 2 or 3 times per week (this can be jogging, walking or swimming) in the months leading up to your trip. At least once a week you should walk with a weighted day pack (5kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip. SWIMMING - there will be a number of opportunities to snorkel on your trip, so to participate we strongly recommend that you be confident and able to swim short distances in open water without assistance.

Departure dates


Priceper person from

$2795AUD

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Whitsundays Sail & Hike trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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WIFI is not available on your sailing yacht and phone reception will be limited when further out into the islands.

No. The crew will provide each guest with a 'shillow' - a cross between an enclosed bed sheet and a pillow in one.

Airlie Beach Bag Storage is located on the main street of Airlie Beach and offer secure bag storage from $5.

There are both hot and colder shower options available on your yacht.

Due to the dormitory-style cabin layout, single rooms are not available on this trip.

Your trip will commence with an early morning pickup on Day 1, so you should arrange a night of pre-trip accommodation in one of the many amazing options in town.

Each vessel is well designed for sailing in the Whitsundays. Sea sickness medication should be purchased prior to your trip commencing and the trained crew will assist you as much as possible from that point on to ensure that you are comfortable.

You will only need to carry the essentials when walking on the islands - water (2-3L), camera, waterproof layer, suncream, snacks, etc. Your pack weight should not exceed 5-7kg.

Your crew should have you back to Airlie Beach Marina at approximately 3:30-4:00pm.

Whale season in the Whitsundays runs from June to early October.

Trip reviews

Videos

Whitsundays Sail & Hike: Sailing the Whitsundays

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.