Whitsunday Escape™ offer a most unique holiday experience in paradise with “Skipper Yourself Bareboat Yacht Charters”. You choose the itinerary, pace and adventures to explore Queensland’s tropical Whitsunday Islands from the comfort of your own floating accommodation.

With the largest, modern fleet of self-contained sleep aboard boats, Whitsunday Escape will have you sailing or cruising the Whitsundays in style. Based in Airlie Beach, you can hire one of our many power boats or sailing yachts and catamarans to explore the islands at your own pace.

No licence is required, just some prior boating experience, as you will receive a comprehensive briefing before you set sail on the holiday of a lifetime.

A boat for every holiday

Leopard 40.1

Whitsunday Escape Leopard 40 3 cabin sailing catamaran for rent

The new Leopard 40.1 offers a new class of luxury sailing for large groups in the Whitsundays

The Beneteau 41.1 features two double ensuite cabins and all the latest features including a big swim platform

The Leopard 44 is cleverly designed with extra beds and living areas making her the ideal choice for large mixed groups

See all our boats:View All

Power Boats

Sailing Catamarans

Sailing Yachts

Things to do and places to go

Great Barrier Reef

Cruise the islands of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and experience nature at its finest.

Whitehaven Beach

Possibly Australia's most famous beach, the white sands of Whitehaven are a must see on your holiday.

Island Resorts

Stop off at islands resorts and enjoy restaurants, cocktails, swim-up pool bars, and activities galore.

Water Activities

With an abundance of anchorages, coral reefs, and beaches to explore, water activities are very popular in the Whitsundays.

Whales

The cooler months are whale season in the Whitsundays. Nearly every day offers great whale watching experiences.

Snorkelling

Some of the best reef snorkelling in Australia is right here in the Whitsundays. Snorkelling gear is provided free!

See what more you can do
or create your own itinerary

A few words from some of our happy customers

Steve & Friends

We have just completed our 7 night stay aboard Leopard 42 “Aliara”.

We sailed, well motored, the northern section of the Whitsundays. Taking in Macona Inlet, Tongue Bay, Butterfly Bay (best place), Blue Pearl Bay, Black Island and Happy Bay.

The booking process was easy, the stay on board was ideal and a good early start the next day, we had a excellent time, we all worked well together as one, we would definitely do it again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ All round.

QLD; who chartered our Leopard 42 for the first time

The Lagioia’s and Skelton’s

After nearly 30 years of wishing and hoping to experience a bareboating holiday and ticking off a Bucket list item. Myself and wife and wonderful friends took the leap and wow.

From the very beginning of the process with Whitsunday Escape they have been nothing but professional and friendly. The planning process, then check in and briefing as well as the training was seamless.

Myself and my crew took to the challenge of sailing the Seawind 1160-3 “Sea Dragon” with excitement and adventure. With minimal sailing experience but with the great training we received we felt confident that we could do this and yes we did.

Being able to see the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and anchor in some awesome spots is just amazing. Sunsets and sunrises that were inspiring as well as some of the vistas over water or beaches.

No other holiday let’s you experience the outdoors like this. At times we were moored in a bay with other boats then at other times felt like castaways, all alone on a secluded beach in paradise.

Would we do this again? Without a doubt and it’s not going to take another 30 years before we do.

Thank you Whitsundays and a big thank you to Whitsunday Escape for making it so easy to make our dreams come true.

The Lagioia’s and Skelton’s.

VIC; who chartered our Seawind 1160 (3) for the first time

The Ackinclose Family

This was the holiday of a lifetime. When we returned, we immediately got off the boat and walked straight into the office to book again for the following year.

We had an absolute blast. And really the boat was the centre piece of that. It was everything we could have asked for; spacious, luxurious, comfortable, plenty of water storage and fridge/freezer space, room to spread out, great cooking facilities, plenty of lounging areas and a hot shower and comfy bed at the end of every day.

Perhaps most importantly it allowed us to ‘choose our own adventure’! This holiday had it all…. turquoise waters, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, isolated beaches, white sand, incredible walks, beach combing, whales, dolphins, turtles, tropical fish, and some high sea adventures! It’s one thing to visit the Whitsundays, it’s another altogether to holiday ON the Whitsundays. Being on the water 24/7 is an experience unlike any other… it was pure joy!

We loved being on our own (the perfect covid safe holiday really!), enjoying each others company and everyday being an adventure. Not to mention relaxing and unwinding with the most amazing scenery and sunsets. This is a holiday you and your children will remember forever!

QLD; who chartered our Leopard 43.3 GENSET for the first time

The Whitsunday Escape™ News

Nov 23

Choosing the best bareboat for you.

New to bareboating and feeling daunted by the amount of choice? Our friendly team are here to help you decide. Sail or Power? Our sailing catamarans are not just for avid sailors. All our boats perform well under motor, as they are equipped with twin engines. It is entirely acceptable to leave the sails down […]

Oct 11

Channel 7 Weekender

We were honoured to host Chris Parsons and the Channel 7 Queensland Weekender crew, aboard one of our luxury Power catamarans. Accompanied by one of our Managers, Tim Pugh, the show offers an insight into the spectacular freedom of bareboating, and the adventures to be had. Weather conditions were superb and they set […]

May 25

Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project

The Whitsunday Regional Council, together with the Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT), have begun to develop a sustainable project plan for the region. Joining a group of local operators, whose interest is to become greater stewards of the Reef, Whitsunday Escape have pledged to be a part of this crucial project. The Whitsundays “Healthy Heart” […]