The Different Marinas In Airlie Beach And The Surrounding Areas
Airlie Beach and the surrounding areas are important marine tourism communities in Tropical North Queensland. Many of them are directly or indirectly involved in the industry, each helping to support the flow of business and tourism in their own way.
Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour are the two main towns that are used by tourists and locals to launch vessels into the water, including any boat charters or tours of the Whitsunday Islands. Across the two towns, there are three main marinas: Coral Sea Marina, Port of Airlie, and Shute Harbour. Each one serves as the departure point for tours to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.
If you're lucky enough to be taking a boat tour or charter from this beautiful corner of Queensland, it's important to double check which marina you will be departing from.
Guide to different Airlie Beach marinas
As mentioned above, the three main marinas across Airlie Beach and its surroundings are:
- Coral Sea Marina
- Port of Airlie
- Shute Harbour
While Coral Sea Marina and Port of Airlie can be found within the town of Airlie Beach, and are typically a walking distance or just a short drive from most local accommodations, Shute Harbour is a little bit further away - but more on that later. Read on for a clear breakdown of each marina.
Coral Sea Marina
Location: 1-3 Shingley Dr, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
Facilities: Car park, fuelling, gas refills, vessel pump-out, power, trolleys, private amenities
Nearby amenities: Boho Cafe, Garden Bar, Sorrento, The Sweet Spot, Le Kiosk, Coral Sea Resort
Tourist notes: This is the largest marina in the Whitsundays, with a whopping 520 berths that are used by both commercial and private vessels. If your tour departs from Coral Sea Marina, be sure to check which Meeting Point you should be at, and how to get there. Meeting Point B and C are typically used for tours. Check out our in-depth guide to Coral Sea Marina for more information.
Quick fact: Significant upgrades have been made to the marina in recent years since it came into new ownership in 2013. The recent facelift has earned the marina the titles of Marina of the Year, a Major Tourism Attraction (gold), and the 5 Gold Anchor Global Marina Accreditation, among other awards. Coral Sea Marina is a popular destination for luxurious superyachts as a result!
Major tour operators
| Ocean Rafting | Whitsunday Jetski Tours |
| Whitsunday Bullet | Red Cat Adventures |
| Big Fury | Iconic Whitsunday Adventures (Lady Enid Sailing, Viper, Sundowner) |
| Whitsunday Sailing (Providence V, MiLady) | Whitehaven Xpress |
| Whitsunday Sailing Adventures (British Defender, Blizzard, Apollo, Eureka II, | Whitsunday Catamarans (Whitsunday Getaway, Powerplay, Whitsunday Pearl, Whitsunday Blue, Whitehaven Dreamer, Salty, On Ice, Entice, Whitsunday Adventurer) |
| True Blue Sailing (Atlantic Clipper, New Horizon) | Solway Voyager |
| Helireef | Wings |
| Whisper Cruises |
Port of Airlie Marina
Location: 7/33 Port Dr, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
Facilities: Car park, private amenities, dock assist, fuelling, boat yard maintenance
Nearby amenities: Rufus & Co. Cafe, La Marina Italian Restaurant & Bar, Mana Skin Body & Soul Recovery, Billabong
Tourist notes: Port of Airlie is the other marina located in Airlie Beach where several boat tours depart from. Just next to the Port of Airlie, visitors can find the Cruise Whitsundays terminal, which is where their trips, including the ferry to Hamilton Island, ReefSleep and Camira, depart from. Find a full list of Cruise Whitsundays tours here.
Quick fact: The area that is now the Port of Airlie was not always so functional. Not so long ago the same area that is now ideal for boats was called Muddy Bay and had to be dredged before it could be converted into a harbour! Today it is fully functional and plays an important role in the boating community of Airlie Beach.
Major tour operators:
| Explore Whitsundays (Siska, Waltzing Matilda, Prima) | Summer Jo |
| Cruise Whitsundays ** | Ocean Dynamics |
**Cruise Whitsundays tours depart from their own designated terminal beside the Port of Airlie
Shute Harbour
Location: Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, Lot 296 Whitsunday Dr, Shute Harbour QLD 4802
Facilities: Car park, fuelling, ice and bait, public boat ramp, fishing pontoon
Nearby amenities: 74 Islands Bar & Bistro
Tourist notes: Shute Harbour is about 10km past Airlie Beach and is best reached by bus or taxi cab.
Quick fact: Shute Harbour was once the main focal point to get to and from anywhere in the Whitsundays. However, since the development of the Coral Sea Marina, most traffic stays closer to Airlie Beach. Today Shute Harbour is mainly used for smaller vessels and operates a ferry to transport tradesmen to and from the islands and is also a hub for companies that cater to hikers and kayakers on the island, and is used as a base for an island transport service.
Major tour operators:
| Scamper | Sealink |
| Pioneer Adventures | Explore |
Marinas in Airlie Beach
If you have booked a day trip or overnight tour, make sure you know which marina your tour is departing from before setting out for your journey so you can stay organised and enjoy your trip to the fullest.
There are also several launching ramps in the Whitsundays that include Coral Sea Marina, Port of Airlie, Shute Harbour as well as VMR Shingley Dr and Whitsunday Sailing Club, where you can launch your own boat if you are coming to the Whitsundays to enjoy the water!
Whatever you are doing, you are bound to have fun in the waters of the Whitsundays enjoying the island life and tropical beauty!
Explore the Whitsundays with these tours and activities!
