Chartering In The Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Islands are undoubtedly one of the best and most accessible cruising areas in Australia.

Anyone fortunate enough to have the time to sail their own yacht there can easily spend several months exploring the many islands and anchorages. If lack of time is a problem or you don’t have a suitable boat there are numerous companies offering bareboat and crewed charters.

Getting There

The area is served by two airports, the airport at Proserpine, 30 minutes drive inland, is well served by shuttle buses to the mainland charter bases at Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. The other airport is at Hamilton Island which has a regular ferry service to Shute Harbour. Both airports have regular flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.

When to Go?

The Whitsundays are a year round destination however the peak season is between May and October. Weather at this time of year is warm, averaging 23°C to 27°C during the day and 17°C to 21°C at night, cool enough to need some warm clothing. Rainfall is low and the area is subject to the SE trade winds which may be quite fresh at times. Winter water temperature is around 22°C. Despite this I find a thin wetsuit necessary when snorkeling for any length of time. Naturally this is the busiest time of the year and the most expensive.

During the summer the weather is hotter and more humid and the winds are lighter. Also the heaviest rainfall occurs between January and March. The average for January is 200mm and for October just 16mm. The area is within the cyclone belt and cyclones can occur anytime between November and May but are most likely to occur in February and March if at all.

How much does it cost?

Bare boats are hired out on a cost per night, which is in the range of $140-$180 per person per night during the high season, depending on the type and standard of the boat. It is possible to pay more or less than this depending on your personal preferences. Most companies have special offers from time to time which will save you money if you can fit in around the conditions of the offer. All food and drink must be purchased separately and most charter companies will pre stock your boat for a fee. Around $25 to $30 per day per person should cover onboard meals and soft drinks.

It is possible to visit some of the resorts during your cruise, so meals and in some cases mooring costs will add to your expenses.

So depending on your requirements hiring the boat and provisioning should cost between $175 to $210 even in the high season. This seems pretty reasonable for meals and accommodation although you do have to do the cooking and washing up!

Airfares and any alcohol costs must be added to this to get the total cost of the holiday.

Can you Do It?

Charter companies don’t require any formal training, but do require some sailing experience. Certainly you should have some experience of anchoring and coastal navigation.

All charter companies give a detailed briefing on the boat and the area before you set off to make sure you understand everything you need to know about the boat and the area.

Some experience can be gained by having some sailing lessons prior to the charter or hiring a skipper for the first few days. You will certainly enjoy your holiday more if you feel confident in your abilities.

How long is long enough?

Most charter prices are per night and are based on a minimum of 5 nights. You wouldn’t want to go for any less time than that or you will have barely left the charter base before having to think about heading back. A ten night charter would probably be best as it would give you time to relax and experience the area at a more leisurely pace. Even then you are unlikely to have seen and done everything.

Let us know if you have any chartering experiences or recommendations by leaving a comment below.