Voyagner

Whitsundays Sailing, The Lowdown

Posted on 08. Dec, 2009 by Dan in Australia

Last year I decided that before heading off to Asia I should see some more of Australia first, I spent about a week in Sydney before heading up to the Whitsundays to take a sailing trip.

There is absolutely no shortage of options upon arriving in Airlie Beach, from backpacker trips to luxury yachts or live aboards. Boats range from tall ships to ocean racers or catermans, if you’re interested in any kind of sailing I’m sure you will find what you are looking for in at least one operator.

I was looking for somthing at the backpacker end, New Horizon, Solway Lass and Alexander Stewart were top options. I should mention for backpackers options tend to lean towards party boats or more hands on sailing types, you sould ask whoever you book with what type of you are booking, it can be difficult to tell from the online info. I ended up on Atlantic Clipper and if you take a look at their website there is no indication there that it would not be suitible for families, it’s possible they have changed since my trip but I can’t find any info either way. Don’t book online, call the operator or speak to an agent in Airlie and make sure you get a knowedgable answer on the type of trip it will be before handing over any money. That said probably the biggest factor of what your trip will be like is the others whole you will share the boat with and that is up to fate.

The Clipper was a 3 Day/2 Night trip that takes you out around the Whitsunday islands stopping off at a couple of dive locations for Scuba or snorkelling and the obligitory Whitehaven beach. Most of the others had booked the cruise as part of an “East coast explorer” package which usually includes either a surfing or Fraser Island and the Whitsundays. Despite being popular with backpackers most come on these types of budget package tours.

The real Clipper

In Airlie people hang out in groups, usually decided by the boat they have taken out to the islands or the tour group that has made its way up the coast. People don’t generally hang around much longer than a couple of days, once the post cruise after party is over everyone moves on pretty quickly which left me feeling pretty lonley as I hung around an extra couple of days, Airlie being a backpacker party town though means there are plenty of bars and the odd other straggler around to say hi to.

Back out on the water the highlight for most is the hike to and relaxing on Whitehaven beach or opening up the sails if you happen to be on one of the ex racing maxi yachts. The sailing is fun while you are out there but I think if I have my time there again I would just go out to one of the islands to spend more time snorkelling and on other activities with a trip out to the Barrier Reef for some more full on diving.

Image by Lars Ploughmann