Australia: Idyllic sailing down under

The 74 tropical Whitsunday Islands in the heart of the Australian Great Barrier Reef are one of the most enchanting Yacht Charter destinations in the world. While 66 of the islands are uninhabited, the other eight Whitsundays are also offered accommodations for different tastes: For environmentally conscious visitors, for families, for all-inclusive lovers, for activity enthusiasts or connoisseurs of good food and wine, everything is included.

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef, is the largest living structure in the world that can even be seen from space. It consists of more than 100 mostly uninhabited islands and islets and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1981. If you have a soft spot for the romantic, you shouldn’t miss taking a seaplane or helicopter to the heart-shaped Heart Reef.

With its length of over 2000km, the Great Barrier Reef protects the Whitsundays from big waves from the Pacific and makes the waters around this archipelago one of the safest yacht charter areas in the world.

The base of our main partner Sunsail for a fascinating sailing trip is on Hamilton Island on the northeast coast of Queensland. The marina has excellent facilities and offers first class service. Hamilton Island, the center of the Whitsundays Yacht Charter area, is accessible by air.

Whitsundays

Whitsundays – paradise on earth

The yacht charter area of ​​the Whitsunday Islands is the best known and best developed sailing area in Australia.

The 74 islands of the area offer countless secluded bays for the perfect anchorage without ‘neighbors’. The possible sailing routes in this area, which is ideal for bareboat sailing, are just as numerous.

Picturesque sandy beaches, palm trees, rainforests rich in flora and fauna as well as warm, crystal clear water populated by corals, dolphins and other whales, sea turtles and manta rays as well as lots of other creatures, create a picturesque backdrop for an unforgettable sailing trip enriched with diving excursions. Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island has been named one of the top three beaches in the world.

The Whitsunday Islands yacht charter area stretches from Mackay Island in the south to Bowen Island in the north and is up to 25 nautical miles east of the northeast coast of Australia off Queensland. Sailing as far as the Outer Great Barrier Reef is not permitted.

Territory properties

The wind blows all year round mostly from the east and south-east with a maximum strength of 20 knots. The Passat, known as Tradewinds, blows the most from March to May and not at all from September to December. Cyclones rarely occur, and when they do, between December and April. Queensland has a very good cyclone warning system. From November to January the wind also comes increasingly from the northeast and anchorages open to the south can be used. It is wet and humid from January to March with temperatures around 30 ° C. The driest months are August and September with a temperature around 25 ° C. The coldest month is July with approx. 23 ° C.

The Whitsunday Islands yacht charter area is moderately difficult. Sailing experience should be available for the tidal waters.

There are large tides of up to 4m with a current of 3 knots. It is essential to watch out for ebb and flow.

There are very good, clean marinas which are charged between 25 and 50 AUD per day for their use. It is free to use on Hamilton Island and Able Point. The countless bays of the 74 Witsunday Islands offer countless idyllic anchorages. There are additional anchorages at the resorts on Long Island (Club Crocodile Resort, Peppers Palm Bay, South Molle), Hook Island, Hayman Island and Lindeman Island (Club Med).

There is a marine park fee of AUD 21 per person per person prior to sailing. A departure tax and a noise tax will be charged per person on the return flight.

From Germany you first fly to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. Qantas Airways offers the best connection via Singapore, as does the connecting flight to Hamilton Island.

Sailing to the Outer Great Barrier Reef is not permitted.

A stay in Sydney.