Whitsunday Sailing Charters
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Sailing in the Whitsundays region of Queensland attracts lovers of this pastime from all corners of the world. Basically, there are three different ways to enjoy a fantastic sailing experience in the Whitsundays. There is bare boat chartering where you hire a boat for a period of time and it is yours to do with as you please. Skippering your own bare boat does require some level of expertise and help is always available on request from the shore base. Bare boat hire companies operate from Able Point marina in Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour which is about fifteen minutes drive east of Airlie and from Hamilton Island marina. These companies hire out power cruisers, sailing yachts and sailing catamarans and have large fleets that have both small and large sailing and power boats, depending on the number of people in the charter party.
Crewed charter boats usually travel on a scheduled departure and have a set itinerary. There boats range from large power catamarans carrying up to twenty or thirty passengers through to maxi sailing yachts. Many of Australia’s most famous ocean racing yachts have migrated to the Whitsundays after their racing careers are over and have been joined by many old square riggers and a multitude of other charter boats and now all provide a wide choice of styles of boats, itineraries and numbers of passengers for you to choose from. This section of the market is largely used by the backpacker fraternity who come to the Whitsundays in their thousands to take a three day extended cruise on a maxi yacht or historic square rigger or schooner.
The third part of the sailing contingency is made up by the privateers. Every year, thousands of people take their boats north to escape the cold winter months and spend it enjoying the warm winter sun cruising among the islands of the Whitsunday passage. During this time, many join in the largest sailing regatta in Australia which is Hamilton Island race week. At this time of the year, Hamilton Island will be booked out. Hundreds of yachts will congregate around the marina and thousands of sailors will migrate here for the sailing and evening parties. It is a spectacular sight and a great time is had by all.
If you are a lover of sailing, try to get to the Whitsundays and go sailing, especially during Hamilton Island race week.
