British Defender School Charter
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Recently refitted British Defender is the ideal trip for your school charter of the Whitsundays
- Beautiful maxi yacht that is perfect for a school charter of up to 26 passengers!
- Able to visit the best spots in the Whitsundays to get the most out of the experience
- Customisable itinerary to suit your requirements
- Authentic sailing experience
- Fast yet comfortable with an amazing crew, explore the spectacular Whitsundays in style!
Bring your students to the most beautiful classroom in the world, as you set sail on an action packed yet educational adventure on British Defender. This speedy maxi yacht can take you to all of the most spectacular locations in the Whitsundays, including Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout and some of the best snorkelling spots in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, ensuring you and your students will have the trip of a lifetime!
Highlights & Features:
- Offers a fun and fast authentic sailing experience
- Flexible, customisable itinerary
- Spacious and comfortable for up to 26 passengers
- Snorkelling, sailing and bushwalking with experienced, knowledgable crew
- All meals included and made fresh
- Wet suit and snorkelling gear included
Hop onboard British Defender for the trip of a lifetime!
Sample Itinerary
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With British Defender, each School Charter itinerary can be tailored to your specific group, taking into consideration your curriculum and study goals so you and your students can make the most out of the trip. Below are just some of the things that can be included in your tour:
Snorkelling
Be immersed in an underwater universe of luscious corals and a myriad of marine life species during your ...
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With British Defender, each School Charter itinerary can be tailored to your specific group, taking into consideration your curriculum and study goals so you and your students can make the most out of the trip. Below are just some of the things that can be included in your tour:
Snorkelling
Be immersed in an underwater universe of luscious corals and a myriad of marine life species during your trip, as you snorkel the fringing reefs of the islands! Our highly experienced and knowledgeable crew guide your students the entire way, making it fun, safe and educational.
Authentic Adventure Sailing
Defender is a maxi yacht, meaning she is twice the size of normal vessels and can reach incredible speeds. She is designed for sailing and with the wind power behind you - there is nothing quite as impressive as a maxi yacht! Get the chance to learn to sail, or sit back and relax, the choice is yours!
Whitehaven Beach
Your itinerary can include a visit to the iconic Whitehaven Beach - known for its 7km stretch of 99% pure silica sands. You can relax on the soft white sand, or go exploring the shallows whilst looking for baby stingrays and lemon sharks!
Hill Inlet
You can then get a guided bushwalk up to the world famous Hill Inlet Lookout, where you can marvel at the swirls in the sand and turquoise water from above. During this walk, you'll learn about the natural and cultural history of the land before you.
Layout
The boat is extremely comfortable and surprisingly spacious, with the saloon featuring 2 dining tables with plenty of space for all of your students. There are 3 bathrooms on board, with hot showers and toilets. There are 6 double bunks and 14 single bunks on board.
There's plenty of space on the top deck to sit and chill, plus a shade awning built into the boom which extends over the whole centre section of the boat for when the sun gets too much.
British Defender was constructed in 1989 and is 77 feet long.
More Information
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What To Bring
Please bring only a small soft bag with:
- Change of clothes
- Swimwear
- Beach towel
- Toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle to refill
- Camera
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunnies etc.)
- Warm clothes/pullover for evenings (seasonal)
What's Included
- Skipper
- Crew
- Drinking water
- Meals
- Wetsuit hire
- Snorkelling equipment*
- Marine Park fees
- Wet weather jackets if needed
*Regular snorkelling equipment s...
Read More
What To Bring
Please bring only a small soft bag with:
- Change of clothes
- Swimwear
- Beach towel
- Toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle to refill
- Camera
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunnies etc.)
- Warm clothes/pullover for evenings (seasonal)
What's Included
- Skipper
- Crew
- Drinking water
- Meals
- Wetsuit hire
- Snorkelling equipment*
- Marine Park fees
- Wet weather jackets if needed
*Regular snorkelling equipment supplied. If you require any additional equipment such as a prescription snorkel mask, please contact Aqua Dive (refer to "What's Extra") for hire options.
What's Extra
- Any dietary requirements (such as vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free diets and dairy/lactose-free) will need to pay a surcharge of $15 per person payable on check in. Kosher and Halal diets are unable to be catered for.
- Luggage storage at Airlie Beach Travel Shop
Terms and Conditions
Important Information:
The specified deposit amount is required to secure the booking, with the remaining balance due 2 months prior to departure. Failure to pay the remaining balance before the due date may result in termination of the charter (cancellation fees apply).
This is a water-based activity, for safety reasons ALL passengers must be able to swim and speak fluent English.
Your Responsibilities:
Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip.
You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel, and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.
It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.
It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and vessel check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.
You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time.
Prices/Extra Costs:
All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. Surcharges over peak holiday seasons may apply.
The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.
We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.
Travel Risk/Insurance:
It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances.
Merchant Fees:
Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.
Other:
Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages.
All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.
Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:
Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value.
E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees.
You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.
Cancellations
Client Cancellations:
All cancellations forfeit the non-refundable deposit. All balance payments are due 2 months prior to departure. Failure to pay the remaining balance before this scheduled date will result in termination of the charter and forfeit of the non-refundable deposit. Once the balance payment has been made, no shows and client cancellations made within 30 days of departure forfeit 100% of the full ticket price.
It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to admin@mr-travel.com. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.
Supplier Cancellations:
The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.
All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.
In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email. While there is a Sailing Whitsundays retail outlet located Airlie Beach, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Mr Travel online department.
Refunds:
All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.
Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.
You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.
Accountability/Misconduct:
All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators.
Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.
Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.
Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Mr Travel/Sailing Whitsundays. If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this educational charter for?
Defender is perfect for a vast range of age groups. We accept primary-school to high-school-aged kids, university research groups, fieldworker excursions, outdoor recreation experiences, scout groups, youth groups and teambuilding leadership camps. There is plenty of flexibility to tailor your time at sea as you work with our travel agents and your vessel crew.
How do I reserve a boat for my upcoming excursion?
Please don't hesitate to contact our travel agents via phone or live chat to book your next educational group charter seamlessly. Due to the personalised nature of each school cohort, we like to get an introductory idea of your group's needs so we can connect you to the perfect vessel.
Can the students dietaries be catered for?
Yes! Defender can cater for a variety of dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, just let our agents know as soon as you can. Please note a per-student fee may apply to those with dietaries.