Yacht Charter in Whitsundays

The Whitsunday Islands is located off the coast of Queensland and situated in the very heart of the Great Barrier Reef. It's sheltered and protected, with islands that total to 74, offering calm waters that are perfect for sailing all-year-round. As one of the top spots for yacht charters in Australia, you'll find a host of agencies offering yacht charters for many different sailing options, whether you want to explore the islands on a day trip, an overnight excursion, or a full-week Whitsunday Islands escapade. There are also three main marinas in Whitsundays, each offering amenities and facilities that allow for a wide range of yachts to dock.

Whitsundays yacht charter prices vary on a number of factors, including the size of the yacht, the rental duration, and the number of people on board. A 36-foot power vessel for a group of 4 adults can cost around USD 700 each day for a minimum of 5 nights rental. A 44.5-foot power vessel for 8 adults can go for $1,600 per night, and a 40-foot catamaran can go for about $1,300. Whether you want a sailboat, a catamaran, a power vessel, or a simple motor yacht for a group of 4, there's plenty of yacht charters to choose from on Whitsundays.

Since Whitsundays is located in the tropics, it has two seasons: the wet and the dry season. The drier months of June to August, which is winter season in Australia coincides with whale season where humpback whales migrate to the region and take shelter in the islands. The winter yacht charter season is one of the busiest in Whitsundays due to the influx of tourists, which means you'll see many boats in the waters at this time for the year.

The months of December to March is the wet season, which means rain and storms are a common occurrence and not ideal for a yacht charter across the islands. Between April to November is your best bet, but unless there's extremely bad weather, yacht charters still run and operate in the Whitsundays, no matter what season.

Whitsunday Islands offer a world of bright white beaches and clear blue skies, vibrant coral reefs, and many bays offering safe anchorages. A perfect place to sail, you can hop on a yacht at 8 in the morning, explore the beautiful beaches and snorkeling spots, and come back by 5 pm for the most beautiful sunset before you disembark in the marina.

Among the most popular things to do when you charter a yacht for a day on Whitsundays is visiting Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach. You can hike to the peak where a lookout provides beautiful views of the swirling sands below. Then make your way down to Whitehaven Beach, where beautiful white sand and crystal blue waters await you. You can then head up to the north end of Hook Island for some quick snorkeling, before making your back to the marina.

You can charter a yacht overnight on Whitsundays to spend the night moored in one of the bays and wake up to the beautiful sunrise in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. A typical itinerary for an overnight charter includes embarking from one of the marinas at Airlie Beach, then making your way to Hook Island to explore the trails, the snorkeling spots, and the beaches. Of course, the Hill Inlet lookout and Whitehaven Beach are the must-visit spots, but for an overnight trip, you can enjoy more recreational activities compared to a day yacht charter.

Aside from these two spots, you can hit secret spots with fantastic snorkeling, such as the North end of Hook Island or Hayman Island. Get to sleep on board, enjoy catering prepared by your crew, and explore the islands some more in the morning before making your way back to Airlie Beach.

Whitsunday Islands are so rich with marine life that one or two days simply isn't time to truly capture its beauty. A marine park, you'll get to discover many of the world's best dive spots, where the waters are teeming with sea creatures only found in the region, as well as uninhabited islands with beaches all to yourselves, and charming towns along the coast. Here is a sample itinerary when you decide to charter a yacht for a week on Whitsundays:

Day 1: Airlie Beach to Hook Island

Explore Nara Inlet in Hook Island with its steep hillsides and waterfalls. You can also visit caves where ancient carvings were made by the indigenous Ngaro people. A calm and secluded bay, you can anchor here for the night before making your way to another bay come morning.

Day 2: Butterfly Bay

Head to the northern coast where you will find Butterfly Bay. Colonies of blue butterflies are found on the beach, thus, the name of the bay. The beach is also home to manta rays and Maori wrasse, and other stunning wildlife. Have lunch at Blue Pearl Bay in Hayman Island, and get back to the Bay to stay the night on your yacht.

Day 3: Cateran Bay on Border Island

Head up north and visit Border Island, teeming with marine life and designated as a "Green Zone." You can anchor outside the protected area, and make your way to the island where trails to the highest part of the island offer a magnificent view of the Whitsundays.

Day 4: Whitehaven Beach

And for course, a visit to the Whitsundays is never complete without a bit of Whitehaven Beach. This is by far the most popular destination for any yacht charter on Whitsundays.

Day 5: Hamilton Island

An island where resorts are aplenty, you can enjoy a range of activities here such as mini-golf, go-karting, helicopter rides, and sunbathing at Catseye Bay.

Day 6: Cid Harbour

Located on the western side of the island, head to Cid Harbour's Dugong Beach for some swimming and even sightings of turtles.

Day 7: Palm Bay in Long Island

A spa is located on the island, where you can pamper yourself with their range of spa services. You can also visit the Molle Islands National Park, before making your way back to Airlie Beach.

For an intimate and private wedding on a private beach, a Whitsundays yacht charter can make your dreams a reality. Hop on board with your wedding party and have your ceremony on an uninhabited beach for the ultimate private beach wedding. A wedding yacht charter in Whitsundays is the perfect mix of luxury and adventure, where your honeymoon, wedding weekend, and ceremony can take place all within the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Whitsunday Islands is one of the most popular yachting destinations in the Southern Hemisphere for nothing. With incredible islands, calm and sheltered bays, and a plethora of yacht charter options, your Whitsunday holiday will surely be an adventure for the whole family.