Overnight Sailing in the Whitsundays
Every visitor to the Whitsundays, whether they are from a foreign country or based in Australia, would have heard of the famous overnight sailing vessels which operate in the region. If you haven't had the chance to experience the Whitsundays overnight on the water, this is a must-do Australian bucket list item!
By far the most popular style of tour to embark on in the Whitsundays, crewed overnight sailing trips give guests the opportunity to sail around the glorious islands and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for a longer period of time. They offer a unique sailing experience where guests join other like-minded travellers on the vessel and are entirely assisted by a skipper and crew that do all of the work and offer ample instruction when required. The crew also prepare all meals onboard, sail the vessel and assist during the water-based activities.
Because of the popularity of this type of trip, the Whitsundays now features up to 50 different overnight sailing vessels with each one offering a different style of boat and itinerary to suit every travellers wants and needs. Saying this, the most popular style of boats are categorised into ‘party/backpackers’, ‘couples’, ‘fun sailing’, ‘sailing catamarans’, ‘budget’ and ‘diving’ vessels – so those looking at joining a tour can easily search for what they are wanting.
The tours also range in price, from budget to luxury, and range in length, from 1 night to 3 nights. The itineraries are weather dependent and can vary, however, most 2 day/ 2 night tours generally visit Whitehaven Beach and do the bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout and can visit up to 4 different snorkelling locations. Some vessels also feature extra activities and equipment onboard such as a spa, SUP boards, kayaks, sea scooters and onboard diving. Check out the vessel’s page to find out more.
All the boats also offer private charter options for smaller groups, in which you can still enjoy the ease of a crewed vessel, but with the option to extend your trip and customise your itinerary. Read more about the benefits of chartering a private vessel here.
