Falling in love with sailing is so very easy for many reasons: the sense of relaxed freedom having escaped the ordinary of daily life, the sheer exhilaration of gliding silently and effortlessly through pristine waters teaming with colourful life, the thrill of adventure with each passing moment and choosing your next destination on a whim, and the deep satisfaction of harnessing the power of nature to achieve your next port of call.

A sailing holiday in the Whitsundays Queensland is the premier destination for sailors of little or no experience and expert skippers alike. Setting sail from Airlie Beach, the cruising grounds are particularly well protected offering calm waters, sheltered bays, and anchorages only a few hours apart, with many options to stop and enjoy along the way including national parks and island resorts such as Hamilton Island, Hayman Island and Daydream Island.

Salty Dogs & Experienced Sailors

If you’re an experienced “yachtie” ready to head out and enjoy this sailing holiday playground the Whitsundays is renowned for, rest easy knowing your boat is well equipped with premium sails, well serviced winches, reliable lines and sheets, comprehensive safety equipment and a nice clean hull. Our boats are designed for cruising, handle well in moderate conditions the Whitsundays enjoys year round, and are set up to be manned by minimal crew. Yachting has never been easier or more enjoyable!

Our Favourite Yachting Routes

  • Cid Harbour north to Stonehaven Anchorage
  • Pinnacles (north Hook Island) south to Hill Inlet
  • Whitehaven Beach through Solway Passage to Hamilton Island
  • Cataran Bay south to Whitehaven beach
  • Hook Passage, west to North Molle Island and back south east to Cid Harbour
  • Coral Sea Marina, north east to Blue Pearl Bay

Sailing a yacht on pioneer bay, airlie beach

Suggested Itineraries Whitsunday Anchorage Map

Learning to Sail

Sailing in the Whitsunday Islands, Trimming Sails

If you’re a keen novice ready to learn, the Whitsundays Queensland is the best sailing school on offer. Our experienced team of guides can show you the ropes and get your crew ready to sail.

When you head off on your own, guidance and advice are never far away with radio contact twice daily, on board cruising guides, GPS and charts as well as many a friendly “boaties” on the water willing to offer a hand or piece of advise where needed.

See the link below for more information about what’s required to sail, options for learning before you arrive and ‘Skippered’ or ‘Sail Guide’ options.

Experience Requirements Take a Professional Skipper or Sail Guide

Airlie Beach Race Week &
Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

The Whitsundays is home to two world-renowned sailing race events, Airlie Beach Race Week based out of Coral Sea Marina and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week based out of Hamilton Island Marina. Both events are held ‘back to back’ during August each year.

The races are an amazing spectacle to see with more than 100 boats competing. If you are considering chartering a yacht during this period, the thrill of experiencing these races far exceeds any disruption that may eventuate.

The yachts head out in the morning from their bases, set sail far out into the open waters and return late afternoon, so they have little influence on your sailing itinerary.

We advise our charterers to keep a wide berth when boats are passing and will advise via radio any specific courses of action required.

Charter Yachts Australia Hamilton Island Race Week

How to be involved

Imagine the excitement of being a part of not one, but two world famous sailing races? Hire one of our boats and be a spectator vessel to sail alongside some of the best racing yachts in the world. Due to Insurance and safety restrictions our boats are unable to compete, but are welcomed to sail the sidelines of each race route and enjoy in the after race celebrations.

Airlie Beach Race Week Hamilton Island Race Week