Destination Whitsundays

Sailing the Whitsundays. 

If you’re looking for a tropical island paradise escape in Australia, then there is no better place than The Whitsunday Islands in Queensland. The area is made up of 74 islands, many surrounded by The Great Barrier Reef – the perfect spot for sailing, snorkeling, hiking, fishing, exploring or just relaxing. Most of the islands are uninhabited covered in rain forest, hiking trails and are surrounded by the most beautiful white sandy beaches.

There are only a couple of resorts operating on the islands  - Hamilton & Long Island are the only two currently open – Daydream Island and Hayman Island are both currently under refurbishment and are due to reopen later this year (2019) and I can’t wait! The mainland town of Airlie Beach is where most holiday makers stay, with resorts, hotels and private houses for all budgets available. It’s a thriving place with bars, cafes, restaurants, shops and backpacker bars.

The best way to holiday in the Whitsundays is by hiring a private charter yacht. You need some knowledge of sailing – you don’t need a boat license, they will run you through a course so you know how to sail. We went through Queensland Yacht Charters and hired a beautiful 43 foot catamaran for 4 days sailing ourselves around the islands of The Whitsundays. This is the kind of escape where you literally live in your swimwear from the moment you wake up in the morning to the time you go to sleep at night.

We visited in October, where the days are still very warm, the skies clear and the winds light. It’s the perfect climate and with so much to see and do up here, you will never get bored. The beauty of hiring your own yacht is the privacy and seclusion of the trip. You can anchor (where it is safe and in allowed zones) and feel like you are a world away from everyone. I’ve been on many tropical holidays before, but hiring your own yacht in The Whitsundays has to take the cake of the best of them.

Here’s a little inspiration for you to look at booking your own tropical Whitsundays Escape...