My Three Day and Three Night Sailing Itinerary on Whitsunday Getaway
Last updated 15/12/21
It was beginning to be a reoccurring daydream, the idea of a getaway filled with secluded tropical shorelines, vibrant fringing reefs, and salty ocean breezes. I quickly realised that nestled along the north-east coastline of Australia, was the bright turquoise lagoons, white silica beaches, and cascading rainforest landscapes of the Whitsundays region, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
After just a short flight from Queensland’s capital city of Brisbane, I found myself in the bustling coastal town of Airlie Beach, where my adventure of the Whitsundays began. More than ready to enjoy some blissful downtime, I boarded Getaway, the luxurious sailing catamaran that I would call home for the next three nights!
Map layout of Whitsunday Getaway sailing itinerary
Day One
My first sailing adventure began at the Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, where I was greeted with nothing but smiles from Getaway’s friendly skipper and host before the crew was shown our spacious air-conditioned rooms and private ensuites. The sleek sailing catamaran offered four private rooms, creating perfect opportunities to make new friends from near and far, and enjoy our own space at the same time!
Whilst we took our time to get comfortable, the skipper was busy hoisting the mainsail to begin our sailing adventure out of Airlie Beach towards the Whitsunday Islands!
Personalise your Whitsundays Itinerary
The crew agreed in excitement with the skipper as he suggested visiting the world-renowned shorelines of Whitehaven Beach and promised we would see more than our fair share of vibrant marine species that call the Whitsundays home. Slowly we then went around the circle sharing our own getaway dreams, to plan our very own personalised Whitsunday’s itinerary!
Snorkelling amongst colourful corals, exploring a secluded island, a bush hike, learning how to sail a boat, stand-up paddleboarding, and finally spotting a dolphin, was the list we created.
As we spent the afternoon on the spacious foredeck, watching the fiery sunset behind the luminous green cascades of Whitsunday Island, the group all happily agreed in unison with this dream bucket list!
Anchor for the night in calm coves
The night was spent getting to know each other over delicious locally sourced grilled fish, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, and a glass of champagne to celebrate. After anchoring Getaway in a calm cove off Cairn Beach on Whitsunday Island, we let the gentle sounds of waves lapsing on the nearby shorelines lull us to sleep, a sky clear with bright stars above.
Day Two
Whitsunday Cairn Hike, Ngaro Sea Trail
Waking before the sun, as half of those on board chose to spend the morning sleeping in, we climbed out of the tender, to embark on the steep ascent from Cairn Beach to reach the rocky outcrop of the towering Whitsunday Cairn boulder above. The hike began through dense rainforest vegetation, that slowly became dominated by giant native grass trees. The sweaty faces were worth it as we took in the breathtaking views of Hook Island and beyond, and the birds began to welcome the rising sun!
It’s recommended that hikers on the Whitsunday Cairn Walk leave at least 3 hours for the return journey, and wear ankle-supporting footwear for the challenging hike.
Taking the perfect photo at Hill Inlet Lookout
Sailing Getaway into Tongue Bay, after enjoying a much-needed buffet breakfast, we took the short uphill walk through native vegetation to reach Hill Inlet Lookout. Reaching for our cameras, we spent the next half hour taking in the ever-changing fusion of white silica sands and shallow lagoons below. Our skipper had made sure we arrived early, to enjoy the panoramic views from the three viewing platforms uninterrupted!
Exploring Whitehaven Beach
Sinking my toes into the cool, silica sands of Whitehaven Beach I only had one thought on my relaxed mind: to take a refreshing dip in the clear turquoise waters ahead! Walking along the shoreline later we laid our eyes on stingrays and baby lemon sharks, before climbing over the rocky headland to the left of Whitehaven’s beach entrance, to reach the secluded cove of Bettys Beach.
After stumbling across one of Whitehaven’s best-kept secrets, the next few hours were spent napping under a shady spot in ultimate coastal bliss!
Snorkelling off Haslewood Island
Enthusiastically we put on our stinger suits and snorkels to spend the early afternoon exploring the underwater playgrounds off Windy Bay on Haslewood Island. Letting the current slowly carry us across the flourishing soft and hard corals below, we kept our eyes out for parrotfish and green turtles – and George Clooney on the Ticket to Paradise film set!
The astounding flexibility of my Whitsundays sailing escape became apparent as the crew chose to continue snorkelling or be taken back to the catamaran for relaxing downtime in the front nets. Nestled in the secluded cove, it truly was the best of both worlds!
Sailing into the Whitsundays sunset
Those eager to learn how to sail sat behind Getaway's wheel and hoisted the ropes under the experienced eye of the skipper that afternoon. We continued to tick off our Whitsundays bucket list as the setting sun began to paint the sky with soft hues of pink and orange, and the stars began to twinkle!
Day Three
Exploring Langford Island
Following the jam-packed adventures of the previous day, I awoke blissfully to the sun shining through the side window of my private ensuite cabin, overlooking the picturesque Hayman Island and Langford Island in the distance.
Emerging from below, we got ready to walk across the slowly disappearing sandbank attached to Langford Island. Giggling in amazement, we treaded past baby stingrays and green turtles before taking the 300 metre walk to reach Langford’s summit. From the top, we took in delightful views of Hook Island’s surrounding shorelines, framed by the unique trunks of Whitsunday bottle trees!
Paddleboarding in Butterfly Bay
Cruising into the serene waters of Butterfly Bay the group was astounded by the scene in front of our eyes, it felt like it had come straight from a dream! After a tasty late breakfast, the possibilities before us were endless. Climbing down into the tender we explored the towering rocky outcrops of the bay where wild mountain goats played, cooled down with a snorkel off the outer fringing reefs, and then decided to untie the stand-up paddleboards for some fun!
As we goofily took turns paddling around the perimeter of Butterfly Bay, we came to learn how the bay got its name, as the last of the season’s butterflies fluttered on top of the shallows!
Swimming amongst fishes at Mantaray Bay
Just when the crew thought the day couldn’t possibly get any better, the skipper then anchored Getaway in Mantraray Bay after lunch, to swim amongst unique Humphead Maori Wrasses, giant trevallies, curious batfish, and an abundance of smaller reef fish!
Everyone instantly put down their books and swam into the underwater playground from the back of the catamaran, the cove suddenly filling with shrieks of surprise and amazement as the marine creatures playfully swam around us!
Ngaro Cultural Site at Nara Inlet
Following days spent enjoying all the Whitsundays has to offer, the crew simultaneously decided that there was no better way to learn, reflect and pay respect to Ngaro Country than to visit the Ngaro Cultural Site at Nara Inlet.
After a short, uphill walk we reached the ancient cave paintings of the Ngaro people, the oldest Indigenous site to be found on Australia’s East Coast. Listening and reading the sacred stories of the traditional owners of the Whitsunday Islands transported us back 9000 years, into the region’s extensive Indigenous history.
Celebrating our time onboard Getaway
As we all took turns sharing our highlights from the day whilst lounging in the foredeck nets with a cheese platter and beverage, our skipper suddenly yelled out "Dolphin"!
In front of our eyes, a dolphin played in the last of the day's light, unaware of our excitement, as we ticked off our last item of the trip's bucket list!
Day Four
Exploring South Molle Island’s abandoned resort
Within what felt like a blink of an eye the last day onboard Getaway began with a cup of coffee, and a serene moment watching the Whitsundays come to life as the sun rose over South Molle Island. The skipper reminded us that the morning was ours, as some chose to explore the abandoned site of South Molle Island which had been destroyed in 2017 by Cyclone Debbie, or embark on the 2km return Balancing Rock Hike.
It is recommended that hikers leave an hour of walking time to complete the moderate level hike, to take in the panoramic views of the surrounding Molle Islands from the summit.
Sailing back to Airlie Beach
Sitting up top chatting with our skipper or relaxing in the foredeck nets for the last time we all agreed that it was more than worth booking the extended overnight sailing tour onboard Getaway. Having more than one full day to awake to the soft lull of the ocean, explore the multitude of secluded inlets, and take endless dips in jewel-coloured coves was more than worth it.
It also granted that I was finally able to finish the book I have been reading for what feels like forever!
Let yourself cruise into the sunset and immerse yourself in all the natural wonder of the Whitsundays, with a personalised Whitsundays sailing itinerary tailed to your holiday bucket list. Bound to fulfill all your boldest getaway daydreams – it sure fulfilled mine!
