![The Whitsundays, Australia](https://web.archive.org./web/20240826143713im_/https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_585,h_315,c_fill,g_face/sunsail-web/2023/10/sailing_resized_1.jpg)
Whitsundays one-week bareboat
Highlights
- Big game fishing
- Hill Inlet Lookout photography
- Snorkelling one of the many fringing reefs
- Turtle and Dugong spotting
- Relaxing on Whitehaven Beach
The Whitsunday Islands are a serene group of islands featuring expansive white-sand beaches, surrounded by stretches of crystal clear shallows and dense forestry. They are located off the East Coast of Australia – close to Airlie Beach, QSL. The Whitsundays provide spectacular views above and below the water line, with opportunities for scuba diving, camping experiences, and scenic park trails.
For Families
The Whitsundays are a wonderful place to explore with children – the sand is powder-soft, the Coral Sea surrounding the islands is luke-warm and teeming with life, and, for many areas on the islands, the water stays shallow for very long stretches. Our top beaches for families are listed below:
For Couples
For First-Time Sailors
The Whitsundays are a great introduction to sailing for novice sailors or those who are after a more gentle tide. To Charter a Yacht in The Whitsundays with Sunsail, we require you to meet our level 1 experience. If you have very little sailing experience and wish to improve/ be certified to charter a yacht here, we recommend looking into our Sailing Schools. Equally, if you wish to experience The Whitsundays from the privacy of your own yacht but aren’t keen on sailing yourself – we recommend looking into Hiring A Skipper for your trip.
For Large GroupsAirlie Beach is on the mainland and is where most Whitsunday Charters start, this town has great nightlife, wonderful restaurants and is a place for large groups wanting to set sail around the Whitsundays.
There’s a load on offer while exploring the Whitsundays. This archipelago is in the centre of the Great Barrier Reef and has a plethora of dive sites, viewpoints, relaxation spots and more.
Our 1 week bareboat itinerary is a great way to explore the islands, however, we have summarised our favourite spots to help you plan your trip, below.
Relaxing
The Whitsunday Islands feel as if they have been specially designed for relaxation. They ooze peace and serenity. Even the busier, more touristy beaches (such as Whitehaven) are quite the escape. Other areas we recommend for peace and tranquillity include:
Exploring
Many areas of the Whitsundays offer luscious jungle to explore with spectacular viewpoints, protected dive sites and unique biodiversity. Our top spots to explore are:
Eating and Drinking
There are a few eateries scattered across the Islands, however, Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach are the two main hubs for restaurants and bars. Below we have summarised our top spots:
Underwater Adventures
As the Whitsundays are part of The Great Barrier Reef, most areas are protected and teeming with life – making for some of the best underwater experiences in the world. With this being said, our favourite dive spots around The Whitsundays are:
When entering the ocean in The Whitsundays and surrounding areas, we highly recommend wearing wetsuits to avoid any jellyfish stings (and sunburns!)
September, October and November offer less crowds, moderate temperatures and less Jellyfish to contend with.
If you decide to visit The Whitsundays between June and September you may be lucky enough to witness Humpback Whales on their migration. January – March are the hottest, but also the wettest months of the year: the heavy rainfall can cause dramatic storms, flooring and cause lower-clarity when diving.
The Whitsunday islands are a level 1 sailing experience, the tides gentle and wind forgiving. It is a great option for novice sailors. For more information on dominant wind and average wind speeds, check our Whitsundays Sailing Conditions Tab.
The cost of a Yacht Charter around the Whitsundays can fluctuate depending on the time of year, charter length, where you fly from and what you do on your holiday.
For a quote, please contact us and speak with one of our many wonderful holiday planners.
Marine Park Fees start at AU$34 and the mooring fees in the Whitsundays depend on location: Hamilton Island Marina, Coral Sea Marina and Daydream Island will have their own set fees. The other islands are free of charge to moor. For more information check our Whitsunday Essential Information or speak with your holiday planner.
Start your experience with Sunsail on land and sign up to receive e-mails from us about yachts, offers and destinations.
By clicking 'Sign up' you confirm that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and consent to our use of your information.