How Much Does It Cost To Sail The Whitsundays?
The Whitsundays are known for world-class sailing. With its tropical islands, calm waters, and diverse marine life, the Whitsundays Islands make the perfect getaway for those who love to sail, swim, snorkel, scuba dive, and explore.
But how much does it cost to sail in the Whitsundays?
How much does it cost to sail the Whitsundays?
We’re asked this all the time – but the truth is, there’s no one definitive answer, sailing the Whitsundays is possible and exciting on any and every budget!
It all depends on what kind of holiday you’re after. For savvy travellers, you’ll be delighted to know you can spend as little as $100 for a sunset sail in the Whitsundays, or around $200 for a day sail. Overnight sails can be as little as $200 - $400 per day. For those with a bigger budget to spend, you can spend to your heart’s content!
When you book a holiday with us, our travel experts will follow up with questions like:
- Do you want a shared cabin or private cabin with an ensuite?
- Do you want a new boat or are you happy with an old sailing schooner?
- Do you want to sail for the day or spend multiple days at sea?
Questions like these can help us determine the right kind of holiday for you. You might be surprised how much you can save if you’re flexible with your itinerary and surroundings!
From day sail rates to overnight experiences, there’s a trip for every budget!
Whitsunday Day Sail Costs
Day sails cost around $190 - $290, and are perfect for travellers who are short on time. If you want to cruise through the glorious Coral Sea and see nearby highlights such as Whitehaven Beach, Hook Island, or Hamilton Island, day sails allow you to soak in the sights in one action-packed day.
Because day sails have limited time, each tour generally focuses on one or two Whitsunday highlights. Here is a quick overview of some popular day sails and what their specialty is.
- Providence - $189 per adult - Sail to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Lady Enid - $289 per adult - Sail to Whitehaven Beach and snorkel for adults only
- Lady Enid Cultural Tour- $255 per adult - Explore Indigenous sites around Hook Island
- Wings - $230 - Sail, snorkel, and SUP at Langford Island and Reef
- Tongarra - $199 - Snorkel around Langford Island and enjoy sunset at sea
Whitsunday Sunset Sail Costs
A cheaper alternative to a day sail in the Whitsundays is a sunset sail, which costs around $85 - $110 per person. Most sunset sails are 2-3 hours and may include a drink or a nibbles platter. If you're on a super tight budget but you want to get out on the water and admire the Whitsunday scenery from an authentic sailing boat, consider a sunset sail!
Here are some popular sunset sails to choose from and what they cost.
- Providence - $85
- Waltzing Matilda - $85
- Lady Enid - $99
- Wings - $110
- Camira - $109
- Explore (from Hamilton Island) - $105
Whitsunday Overnight Sail Costs
Overnight sails in the Whitsundays generally work out to be around $200 - $680 per day. But you can break this down even further depending on the level of luxury you want. Backpacker boats are around $200 - $300 per day, standard catamarans are around $400-$500 per day, and luxury catamarans are around $580 - $680 per day.
Try these amazing overnight sailing tours!
Overnight Whitsunday sailing tours have a higher price tag that day trips of sunset sails, but that is because they offer so much more. You get all meals while onboard, freshly prepared by the crew. With multiple days at sea, you have more time for water sports and exploring the stunning islands and reef sites. Accommodation is also included, with shared bunks offering a cheap option and private cabins offering a more private and expensive option.
Let's take a look at some popular Whitsunday overnight sailing tours so you can see what they cost!
Backpacker overnight sailing tours
Prices are per person, for a shared bunk
- Siska - 2 days, 1 night - $439 ($219.50 per day)
- British Defender - 3 days, 2 nights - $609 ($203 per day)
- Solway Voyager - 3 days, 2 nights - $629 ($209 per day)
- Atlantic Clipper - 2 days, 2 nights - $669 ($334 per day)
- New Horizon - 2 days, 2 nights - $599 ($299 per day)
Catamaran overnight sailing tours
Prices are per private cabin, for 2 guests
- Powerplay - 2 days, 2 nights - $1896 ($474 per person, per day)
- On Ice - 2 days, 2 nights - $1970 ($493 per person, per day)
- Adventurer - 2 days, 2 nights - $1614 ($403 per person, per day)
- Getaway - 2 days, 2 nights - $2340 ($585 per person, per day)
- Pearl - 2 days, 2 nights - $2750 ($687 per person, per day)
Private charters and bareboats
Another way to enjoy sailing in the Whitsundays is by hiring a private charter or bareboat. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to curate your own adventure without the hassle of other guests onboard. Because you are getting a private sailing experience, prices for private charters are generally more expensive than group tours. But you can indulge in an exclusive getaway with your own crew, delicious catering, water sports, and more.
Prices for private charters and bareboats vary depending on the vessel, charter length, and inclusions you wish to add. Take a look at our most popular charter categories and contact our team for a quote!
- Day charters
- Overnight charters
- Family friendly charters
- Bareboat charters
- Sunset cruise charters
- Large group charters
