Whitsunday Ticket
World
With such an abundance of cruises and tours available we can assume that you are already confused and perhaps hesitant about what to do, or what to do first. Don't despair. Let us help.
The Whitsunday's claim to have about 74 islands. 8 of these having a total of 10 tourist resorts on them. The remaining islands are all National Parks controlled, being totally uninhabited and natural. From 5 star award winning International luxury type resorts to the less sophisticated and peaceful cabin style or even camping on a deserted island - there is something for everyone.
There are two main departure points for the boats for various reasons. Many day trip boats leave from Shute Harbour, some 10km east of Airlie Beach and about a 10 minute drive. There are connecting and returning local "Whitsunday Transit" buses to the Shute Harbour departures all day. Shute Harbour also has a car park that costs about $9 per day.
The second main departure point is the Abel Point Marina about 1.2 km to the west of Airlie Court Holiday Units, just over the hill. Most of the boats that depart from here are mainly overnight sailing boats however there are still many day boats that depart as well. The best way to get there is a 10 minute walk by following the coastline around to the marina (no hills), by taxi, or by courtesy coach with whatever company you may be traveling with. The car park is free.
To simplify all those colourful brochures that hit you as a blur at once when you walk into Reception, the following is designed to help you by firstly dividing the cruises into 8 main categories:
Overnight Sailing
Certainly popular amongst the adventurer at heart or the willing. These tours are normally 3 day & 2 night visiting fringing island coral reefs and Whitehaven Beach with some 3 day / 3 night visiting these islands and the Great Barrier Reef as well. With so many to choose from it really boils down to : when you want to go; how big or small a boat you want to go on; and how much you wish to pay. Most prices do not include additional taxes or stinger suits which can be anywhere from $30 to $60 per person for the 3 days.
Click here for details of all the overnight sailing trips [.doc format 377kb]
Great Barrier Reef Cruises
The reef itself is about 70 km from the mainland and about 55 km from the outer islands. There are reefs around the islands that are more "fringing reefs" that in areas around Hook and Hayman Islands are quite popular. Cruises vary from 2 to 2.5 hours to get to the reef and most spend about 3 -4 hours out there. Flights take about 30 minutes. Reef walking on boat cruises or flights are not generally encouraged. There are two main cruises - the Fantasea and Cruise Whitsunday pontoons which are ideal for comfort, scuba divers, snorkeled and beginners. Most flights arrive at the reef for low tide - ideal for reef walking.
Full Day One Resort Cruises
The Whitsunday Passage draws a line between "inner" and "outer islands". Inner island resorts include Daydream, South Molle, Club Crocodile (Long Is.) and Palm Bay (Long Is.). Paradise Bay (Long Is.) is a private resort. The outer islands, which involve crossing the Whitsunday Passage include Hamilton and Hook Islands. Also Hayman and Club Med Lindeman are quite exclusive, offering only more expensive day flights to their islands so as to restrict day numbers. Dent Island is to be redeveloped as a Golf Resort island. Generally the inner islands are much cheaper to access than those crossing the Whitsunday Passage to the outer islands.
Multi Island Resort Cruises
There are 3 island and 2 island cruises that range in price but all offer very good value. We suggest you try one of these first so you can get your bearings and experience the "feel" of the Whitsunday's. You can combine "Resort" and "natural attractions" in one day or each singularly.
Natural Islands Cruises
These will show you the best of our natural attractions. Usually 2 or 3 island cruises most include snorkeling and visit the fabulous and spectacular "Whitehaven Beach" which lies on the very outside of Whitsunday Island. Most include lunch packages or pack your own lunch. Some of these cruises circumnavigate the whole of the Whitsunday's in just one day - not a bad idea if you are on a short stay.
Day Sailing Cruises
The Whitsunday's are ideal for sailing, with it's hundreds of bays and anchorages, is certainly to World class standard. Sailing cruises visit mainly natural islands such as the Whitehaven Beach area as well as the fringing island reef areas around Hook and Hayman Islands that are ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving. The thrill of sailing provides an unforgettable experience - hopefully with no engine running - and the soothing feeling of fresh, salty air. Most sailing boats spend about 2 to 2.5 hours sailing to your destination, then 2-3 hours on a beach, then home again. Other activities are often included - maybe take the helm!
Fishing Trips
With such an abundance of islands and coral reefs, there are plenty of good fishing spots and the skippers try to make sure you get the best of them around the islands. Bait, tackle and lunch are included in costs. For those more serious about their fishing you can try one of the game fishing boats that would visit both the islands and Barrier Reef in small limited groups - all inclusive. At the end of the day, why not ask the chef on premises at KC's Chargrill to cook up your fish to your liking for a small fee, or try a bbq. Please fillet fish at sea where possible.
Mainland Attractions
There are trees in our rainforest over 2000 years of age. The Conway National Park offers a spectacular rainforest. There are some marvelous rainforest and bush walks as well as the Cedar Creek waterfalls. Bus tours can combine visits to these and other attractions like a Crocodile Cruise with Wetland Tour. Scenic flights, Tiger Moth flights, horse Riding, Parasailing, Jet Skis, Golf, car hire and Skydiving will also provide plenty of mainland memories.
The choice is yours, contact us for more details and brochures as well as courtesy busses, scuba diving etc. Our tour desk is licensed to comply with the Australian Travel Compensation Fund requirements. We're convenient for changes to trips, we offer over 35 years local knowledge, we're independent/unbiaseded and specialise only in the Whitsundays.
With such an abundance of cruises and tours available we can assume that you are already confused and perhaps hesitant about what to do, or what to do first. Don't despair. Let us help.
The Whitsunday's claim to have about 74 islands. 8 of these having a total of 10 tourist resorts on them. The remaining islands are all National Parks controlled, being totally uninhabited and natural. From 5 star award winning International luxury type resorts to the less sophisticated and peaceful cabin style or even camping on a deserted island - there is something for everyone.
There are two main departure points for the boats for various reasons. Many day trip boats leave from Shute Harbour, some 10km east of Airlie Beach and about a 10 minute drive. There are connecting and returning local "Whitsunday Transit" buses to the Shute Harbour departures all day. Shute Harbour also has a car park that costs about $9 per day.
The second main departure point is the Abel Point Marina about 1.2 km to the west of Airlie Court Holiday Units, just over the hill. Most of the boats that depart from here are mainly overnight sailing boats however there are still many day boats that depart as well. The best way to get there is a 10 minute walk by following the coastline around to the marina (no hills), by taxi, or by courtesy coach with whatever company you may be traveling with. The car park is free.
To simplify all those colourful brochures that hit you as a blur at once when you walk into Reception, the following is designed to help you by firstly dividing the cruises into 8 main categories:
Overnight Sailing
Certainly popular amongst the adventurer at heart or the willing. These tours are normally 3 day & 2 night visiting fringing island coral reefs and Whitehaven Beach with some 3 day / 3 night visiting these islands and the Great Barrier Reef as well. With so many to choose from it really boils down to : when you want to go; how big or small a boat you want to go on; and how much you wish to pay. Most prices do not include additional taxes or stinger suits which can be anywhere from $30 to $60 per person for the 3 days.
Click here for details of all the overnight sailing trips [.doc format 377kb]
Great Barrier Reef Cruises
The reef itself is about 70 km from the mainland and about 55 km from the outer islands. There are reefs around the islands that are more "fringing reefs" that in areas around Hook and Hayman Islands are quite popular. Cruises vary from 2 to 2.5 hours to get to the reef and most spend about 3 -4 hours out there. Flights take about 30 minutes. Reef walking on boat cruises or flights are not generally encouraged. There are two main cruises - the Fantasea and Cruise Whitsunday pontoons which are ideal for comfort, scuba divers, snorkeled and beginners. Most flights arrive at the reef for low tide - ideal for reef walking.
Full Day One Resort Cruises
The Whitsunday Passage draws a line between "inner" and "outer islands". Inner island resorts include Daydream, South Molle, Club Crocodile (Long Is.) and Palm Bay (Long Is.). Paradise Bay (Long Is.) is a private resort. The outer islands, which involve crossing the Whitsunday Passage include Hamilton and Hook Islands. Also Hayman and Club Med Lindeman are quite exclusive, offering only more expensive day flights to their islands so as to restrict day numbers. Dent Island is to be redeveloped as a Golf Resort island. Generally the inner islands are much cheaper to access than those crossing the Whitsunday Passage to the outer islands.
Multi Island Resort Cruises
There are 3 island and 2 island cruises that range in price but all offer very good value. We suggest you try one of these first so you can get your bearings and experience the "feel" of the Whitsunday's. You can combine "Resort" and "natural attractions" in one day or each singularly.
Natural Islands Cruises
These will show you the best of our natural attractions. Usually 2 or 3 island cruises most include snorkeling and visit the fabulous and spectacular "Whitehaven Beach" which lies on the very outside of Whitsunday Island. Most include lunch packages or pack your own lunch. Some of these cruises circumnavigate the whole of the Whitsunday's in just one day - not a bad idea if you are on a short stay.
Day Sailing Cruises
The Whitsunday's are ideal for sailing, with it's hundreds of bays and anchorages, is certainly to World class standard. Sailing cruises visit mainly natural islands such as the Whitehaven Beach area as well as the fringing island reef areas around Hook and Hayman Islands that are ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving. The thrill of sailing provides an unforgettable experience - hopefully with no engine running - and the soothing feeling of fresh, salty air. Most sailing boats spend about 2 to 2.5 hours sailing to your destination, then 2-3 hours on a beach, then home again. Other activities are often included - maybe take the helm!
Fishing Trips
With such an abundance of islands and coral reefs, there are plenty of good fishing spots and the skippers try to make sure you get the best of them around the islands. Bait, tackle and lunch are included in costs. For those more serious about their fishing you can try one of the game fishing boats that would visit both the islands and Barrier Reef in small limited groups - all inclusive. At the end of the day, why not ask the chef on premises at KC's Chargrill to cook up your fish to your liking for a small fee, or try a bbq. Please fillet fish at sea where possible.
Mainland Attractions
There are trees in our rainforest over 2000 years of age. The Conway National Park offers a spectacular rainforest. There are some marvelous rainforest and bush walks as well as the Cedar Creek waterfalls. Bus tours can combine visits to these and other attractions like a Crocodile Cruise with Wetland Tour. Scenic flights, Tiger Moth flights, horse Riding, Parasailing, Jet Skis, Golf, car hire and Skydiving will also provide plenty of mainland memories.
The choice is yours, contact us for more details and brochures as well as courtesy busses, scuba diving etc. Our tour desk is licensed to comply with the Australian Travel Compensation Fund requirements. We're convenient for changes to trips, we offer over 35 years local knowledge, we're independent/unbiaseded and specialise only in the Whitsundays.
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