Escape with confidence
Skipper yourself bareboat charter company
Escape with confidence
The east coast of Queensland is at risk of tropical cyclones during the summer months of December through to April. Tropical cyclones vary in size and intensity and are generally slow moving with an average speed of six to twelve knots.
Queensland is a very large state, and while the weather forecast may predict a cyclone somewhere off the coast, oftentimes these systems are over 1000km away and highly unlikely to affect the Whitsunday area.
Australia has state of the art forecasting. Ample notice is given of any impending weather systems, and we will have several days’ warning, and sufficient time to bring you safely back to shore. In the unlikely event of an approaching storm, all boats will be asked to make their way to a safe anchorage at either Coral Sea Marina or Hamilton Island Marina until the storm passes. Whitsunday Escape recommends that you take out travel insurance.
Charters may be cancelled by Whitsunday Escape due to weather or safety concerns (e.g. a gale warning or coming cyclone). Whitsunday Escape must enforce all safety warnings by the Regional Harbour Master regarding port closures. Cancellations are not decided lightly and will always be for the safety of the customer.
All charter fees become completely non-refundable 60 days prior to your charter commencement. Whitsunday Escape has sourced relevant Travel Insurance Policies for your convenience but you should always check the PDS to see if it meets your requirements.
Your safety is always our top priority. Due to the Whitsundays being based in Tropical North QLD, charters may be disrupted at any time due to the weather.
Consider taking your hard-earned holiday outside the cyclone season. Mid-April to mid-December is generally a safe time to take a holiday in the Whitsundays. Cancellations and disruptions are not decided lightly and will always be for the safety of the customer.
A strong wind warning.
You may be confined to a certain anchorage or marina depending on your boating skills and the size of your vessel. Strong wind warnings can occur at any time of the year.
A gale warning.
You may be confined to a certain anchorage or marina. Gale warnings can occur at any time of the year.
A cyclone warning (issued by BOM).
You will be required to return to the Coral Sea Marina. You may be asked to vacate the boat and find alternative accommodation depending on the severity. In most cases the ports are closed by the Regional Harbour Master. Tropical Cyclones can occur over the summer months.
Whitsunday Escape will not refund charter fees if:
If the Regional Harbour Master closes the ports, Whitsunday Escape will refund:
Whitsunday Escape takes no responsibility for any ancillary costs and all charter fees are non-refundable within 60 days* prior to travel.
It is strongly recommended to take out travel insurance to cover all ancillary costs such as flights, alternative accommodation, provisioning, etc.
*For a charter 22 nights and over, the period is 90 days.
Insurance policies are all different so you will always need to speak with your insurance provider directly to find out what situations are covered.
Proserpine Airport (PPP) may close due to flooding or low cloud preventing the planes from landing. Check out the Proserpine flight schedule to see if flights are operating.
Heavy or prolonged rainfall may cause flooding to the roads leading into Airlie Beach. Keep in mind that many flood zones are tidal and therefore you may be able to get through in a few hours.
Check out the below links for current closures:
If the Proserpine to Airlie Beach Highway is closed, take an alternative route via Strathdickie Road.
If the weather has left you stuck in Airlie Beach, contact the Whitsunday Regional Information Centre for local advice on accommodation or activities.
Whitsunday Regional Information Centre: 07 4945 3967