Weather Concerns & Insurance
The Whitsundays enjoy warm, settled weather for most of the year, with steady trade winds that make for great cruising. Like anywhere in the tropics, the weather can still change, so it pays to know how we keep you safe, what happens if conditions turn, and how to protect your holiday with the right insurance.
Weather forecasts
Whitsunday Escape uses the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for all forecasts. Our forecast region is the Mackay Coast, from Bowen to St Lawrence.
Latest BOM Mackay Coast forecast
Once you’re on the water, we read out the forecast at the 8:00 am and 2:00 pm radio schedules on VHF channels 86 and 82. Forecasts are also broadcast on local commercial radio, usually every half hour.
Weather warnings on the water
We monitor the weather closely throughout your charter and will tell you at the radio schedule if any restrictions apply. You’ll always be advised in plenty of time to move somewhere safe.
| Warning | Wind speed | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm | Varies | Restrictions on anchoring on the southern side of Whitsunday Island. All chain out, with plenty of swing room in every direction |
| Strong wind | 25 to 33 knots | Movement restricted on the eastern and southern sides of the islands. No sailing without an approved sail plan. At least 60 m of chain at anchor |
| Gale | 34 to 47 knots | Stay at your anchorage unless we advise you to move. No sails |
| Storm | 48 knots or more | Stay at your anchorage unless we advise you to move |
| Cyclone | Varies | Return to the marina as advised by Whitsunday Escape |
Strong wind and gale warnings can occur at any time of year. Depending on your experience and the size of your boat, you may be asked to stay in a particular anchorage or marina until conditions ease.
Cyclone season
The Queensland coast can be affected by tropical cyclones from December to April. Cyclones vary in size and strength, and they’re generally slow moving, travelling at around 6 to 12 knots.
Queensland is a very large state. A cyclone in the news may be more than 1,000 km away and highly unlikely to affect the Whitsundays. Australia’s forecasting is world class, so we have several days’ warning of any approaching system and plenty of time to bring you safely back to Coral Sea Marina or Hamilton Island Marina. Depending on the severity, you may be asked to leave the boat and move to alternative accommodation.
If you’d prefer to avoid the season altogether, mid-April to mid-December is generally a settled time to visit.
Cancellations and refunds
Your safety always comes first. Whitsunday Escape may cancel or disrupt a charter because of weather or safety concerns, such as a gale warning or an approaching cyclone, and must enforce all safety directions from the Regional Harbour Master, including port closures. These decisions are never made lightly.
All charter fees become non-refundable 90 days before your charter starts.
Whitsunday Escape will not refund charter fees if:
- It is raining
- It is windy, including during strong wind or gale warnings
- A weather event at home or on your way stops you reaching the boat
- You decide not to travel
If the Regional Harbour Master closes the ports, Whitsunday Escape will refund charter fees on a pro rata basis for the time the ports are closed only. Whitsunday Escape takes no responsibility for any other costs.
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers your whole trip, including flights, alternative accommodation, provisioning and other costs a weather disruption could bring. Whitsunday Escape doesn’t charge a non-refundable damage waiver; we’d rather you put that money towards travel insurance that protects your entire holiday.
We’ve sourced some suitable policies for your convenience. Every policy is different, so read the Product Disclosure Statement and speak to your provider about exactly what’s covered.
Keeping your boat insurance valid
Your charter boat is insured while you’re on board, but that cover depends on you following our operating conditions. Your briefing covers these in full. The key ones are:
- Confirm your intended route and anchorage with us before departing each day
- Be anchored by 4:00 pm in an anchorage approved by Whitsunday Escape
- Travel no faster than 3 knots within 70 m of any reef, the shore, another boat or a navigation aid, and when approaching any anchorage
- Keep the depth alarm set to 2 m below the keel and switched on at all times
- Keep a good lookout at all times, including when using the autopilot
- Follow the wind limits and procedures for using the sails
- Report any incident straight away, such as a grounding or a rope caught on the propeller
Every boat carries an AIS transponder, which records its speed and position. This information is available to insurers and authorities in any incident investigation.