How Far Should I Book In Advance?
When it comes to a Whitsundays boat tour, the further in advance you book, the better! This tropical corner of Queensland is a popular destination among Aussies and international visitors year-round. With Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef and the Great Barrier Reef right in our backyard, it's easy to understand why!
For this reason, it is important to book ahead when planning your trip to the Whitsundays. Tours can fill up fast, especially over peak holiday times such as Christmas, Easter and school holidays. Booking ahead of your visit is the best way to ensure you get on the trip that you want and get on your top tour choices.
How far in advance should I book?
As soon as you know you are coming to the Whitsundays, it's a great idea to look into which tours you want to do and secure your spots as soon as possible. Availability and how far ahead you should book will depend on a number of factors, like how long you're planning to sail the Whitsundays, and what time of year you'd like to visit. In some cases, tours can be booked a few days in advance, but in others, you'll need to reserve your spot a few months ahead of time.
Planning A Trip To The Whitsundays? Don't Forget To Book Your Tours In Advance To Avoid Missing Out!
Why should I book my tour in advance?
The more time in advance you book, the better your chances are of securing a spot on the boat of your choice. Since most travellers do plan ahead, the most popular trips will often book up long before their departure date. This means that those who book last minute are not always able to get onto their top choice, and in some cases, can be left disappointed.
Peak season vs off-peak season
One factor to consider when booking your Whitsundays tour is whether you'll be visiting during peak or off-peak season. While there's no bad time to visit this tropical paradise, some times of year are much busier than others due to school holidays. Take a look through our handy guide on the different seasons in the Whitsundays for more information.
How early should I book a peak season Whitsundays tour?
While there is no way to predict what tours will sell out, it's a safe bet that any tours departing during school and public holidays will book up much further in advance than any other time of year. If you are travelling during any holiday season it's important that you book as far in advance as you can. Ideally, that'd be at least a month ahead of your desired tour date.
How early should I book an off-peak Whitsundays tour?
Off-peak times tend to be a lot more lenient, and you can typically get away with booking your tour a little closer to the date. If you're lucky, sometimes trips can be booked up to the day before their departure - but we wouldn't recommend taking that risk! During off-peak seasons, we would recommend booking more popular tours at least a week or two in advance.
Which Whitsunday tours sell out first?
For the most accurate information on which Whitsunday tours are booking up during your desired dates, it's best to get in touch with one of our friendly local travel experts. They'll be able to check the most up-to-date booking numbers for your preferred tour and take the stress out of booking. But, generally speaking, it depends on whether you're interested in an overnight tour, a day tour, or a private charter.
Overnight tours usually sell out first
If you are booking last minute, it is likely most overnight boats will be completely booked out, particularly during peak season. This is especially true if guests want a private cabin or a catamaran tour, or a private charter. If this is the type of tour you desire, it is especially important to give yourself plenty of time to book.
Day tours can be booked last-minute
On the other hand, day trips can be a great last-minute option. Since most overnight boats will be booked (especially over holiday seasons), day trips offer guests the chance to experience the best of the Whitsundays even at short notice. Most offer snorkelling, time on Whitehaven Beach, island visits or even scuba diving. That being said, we really wouldn't advise showing up and trying to book a tour on the day you want to travel!
Whatever sort of tour you'd like to book, it's always best to be prepared. After all, this is the holiday of a lifetime! Make sure you make the most of it!
