The Whitsundays are one stop you simply cannot miss on a trip up the East Coast of Australia. Home to the supposed most beautiful beach in the world, this group of islands draws in loads of visitors – for good reason. One of the best ways to experience the Whitsundays is on a sailing trip. Whether you go for the day or book an overnight tour, this is a stunning spot to live life on the water. Here’s what you need to know about sailing the Whitsundays!
Which Whitsundays Sailing Tour Should You Book?
There are so many different factors to consider when booking your Whitsundays sailing trip. Consider your budget, and how much time you have for this excursion. You’ll also likely want to think about the number of days/nights you want to be on board. I did a 2-day, 1-night sailing trip – this was perfect for me. However, I did actually get a bit seasick (for the first time ever!), and I was glad I hadn’t booked a longer trip. Another thing to consider is whether you want to go on a party boat, or you’d prefer a more relaxed experience. Some boats are geared towards backpacking partiers – this is usually pretty clear in the trip description!
I booked a 2-day, 1-night tour with Sailing Whitsundays, on the British Defender. This wasn’t a party boat, but we all had some drinks in the evening. Most of the people were around my age, 25-30, and the majority were international backpackers traveling around Australia. This is the most similar tour, with the same company on a different ship (the Matador).
Below are a few popular overnight sailing tours for the Whitsundays!
There are also plenty of options if you’re after just a day tour or a sunset cruise.
If you’re planning your sailing trip to the Whitsundays, here are a few things you might want to know before you go…
Travel Tips for Sailing the Whitsundays
Bad weather can really make or break a trip
If it’s at all possible with your flexible schedule, try to check the weather before you book. And only book if the weather is meant to be good. The weather was terrible on my sailing trip, and it really did mar the experience. I get so jealous seeing photos of people sat out on deck in their swimsuits, soaking up the sun! It poured rain for the first half of the first day, and rained for most of the first half of the second day. In hindsight, I wish I’d have tried to be a bit more flexible with my travel plans, and wait for another departure with a better forecast.
Be prepared for the ship itself
If you book an overnight sailing trip, keep your expectations in line with reality. Unless you’ve booked a luxury trip or a fancy cruise, your ship and accommodation will probably be pretty modest. The vessels will likely have confined spaces, very small bathrooms, and bunk beds – meaning you might be sleeping on a top bunk. Your luggage (more on that below) will likely need to fit in your bunk with you. There will be more space to stretch out on deck, which is where you’ll probably want to be anyway!
Pack light!
You probably won’t be allowed to bring all your luggage on board the boat, just an overnight bag. Not only will you need to pack your essentials into a small bag, but you’ll need to figure out where you can store your luggage while you’re on the sailing trip. Most hostels in Airlie Beach will be able to do this (some charge an additional a fee).
Stock up and bring your own booze
My boat was a BYOB vessel, so I stocked up with a bag of goon (cheap wine) before I got on board. Glass containers and red wine were not allowed on board. The amount of booze you bring will depend on how much you personally want to drink over your trip, and the type of sailing trip you take! If you’re going on a party boat, it’s best to be safe and buy more booze than you would usually – if you run out, there’s nowhere you can go to buy more.
Bring medication if you get seasick, or think you might get seasick
I have never been seasick before in my life, but really struggled with nausea and a weak stomach in the Whitsundays. On the first morning, as we sailed in the pouring rain and strong wind out to Whitehaven Beach, I had to choose between eating my lunch below deck where it was dry and warm, or above deck. I ate above deck. I really wish I’d have brought seasickness medication, tablets, bracelets – anything!
If you have a vehicle, check your parking options based on where you’ll depart
There is a large car park at the marina in Airlie Beach, with long-term paid parking available. This cost $10 AUD per day – I parked my car here without any issues. If you’re going on a longer sailing trip, be sure to factor parking fees into your budget for the trip. Sailing Whitsundays have a very helpful article about all the parking options in Airlie Beach.
Yes, Whitehaven Beach really is that beautiful
Even on a rainy, cloudy day, Whitehaven Beach blew me away. While I didn’t have the perfect beach weather, I still loved going for a dip. This is a pristine white sand beach – and it’s regularly been lauded as the best beach in the world. Be sure to walk up to the lookout at Hill Inlet for those picture-perfect shots.
Langford Island is another can’t-miss spot
This was probably my favorite place I visited in the Whitsundays. The sun was shining, and we were dropped off on a remote sandbar island! I saw a ray in the water here, and loved the view from the lookout on top of the hill.
Where to Stay in Airlie Beach
If you’re doing a sailing trip in the Whitsundays, you’ll probably want to stay around Airlie Beach the night before your trip, and probably the night after, too. There are loads of accommodation options in Airlie Beach:
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- Luxury: Peninsula Hotel Airlie Beach – a five-star hotel of apartments and penthouses, right on the waterfront
- Mid-range: Sea Star Apartments – one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with all the amenities you need
- Mid-range: Airlie Beach Hotel – clean and comfortable rooms in the heart of Airlie Beach
- Budget: Nomads Airlie Beach – the most popular hostel in Airlie Beach, but mixed reviews around cleanliness
- Budget: Magnums Airlie Beach – a good option for a hostel private rooms
- Camping: NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park –I stayed here at an unpowered site, the location is great and facilities were super clean
- Nearest free camps: There are literally no free campsites around Airlie Beach – Lake Proserpine campground is the nearest cheap campsite, at $10 per person, per night
While it’s unlikely that you’ve got the money for a boat share if you’re reading my blog (lol) – if you are interested in having your own boat to explore the Whitsundays, check out Alfie & Co. This company offers memberships (and ownership) for superb vessels – and they have a vessel in the Whitsundays every year.
Other Things to Do in Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is primarily a destination for exploring the Whitsundays. But there are other awesome things to do besides a sailing trip! If you have your own set of wheels, make a detour to Cedar Creek Falls. This is a really pretty waterfall in Conway National Park, not far from Airlie Beach. If you’re wanting to tick something epic off your bucket list, why not go sky diving?! You could also book a scenic flight or a helicopter flight to see this beautiful area from the air. Check out the tours below to make the most of a trip to the Whitsundays!
Planning Your Trip to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays
This is one of the most popular stops on any East Coast trip. Keep in mind that accommodation prices will reflect that! The nearest airport is Airlie Beach airport. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Despite the bad weather, I did have a really wonderful sailing trip in the Whitsundays. Whether you book a day tour or a multi-night trip, the best way to experience the Whitsundays is on the water! I hope this guide helps planning your sailing trip to the Whitsundays.
Have you been sailing in the Whitsundays? If not, is it on your bucket list?
You might also like my posts:
A Guide to Jervis Bay, New South Wales
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Incredible Places You Must Visit on K’gari (Fraser Island)
Paradise on Earth: A Travel Guide to Great Keppel Island, Queensland
Moving to Oz on a Working Holiday Visa: How to Start Your Life in Australia
Australia Budget: Month 5 (August 2023)
All of my Australia posts!
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