Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
All topics
When is the best time of year to charter a boat in the Whitsundays?
The Whitsundays can be chartered comfortably all year, with average daytime temperatures between 23°C and 30°C.
September and October are peak season, with typically clear skies, light winds and plenty of sunshine.
April to May is shoulder season, when the heat and humidity ease off. June to August brings the south easterly trade winds that give the region its reputation as a sailing mecca, along with Airlie Beach Race Week and Hamilton Island Race Week.
November and December tend to bring more northerly winds, which open up anchorages that are not usually accessible during the trade wind months.
January to March is the wet season. Expect hot humid days and regular short showers to cool things down. The rainfall also creates waterfalls and lush flora comes alive.
What is the water temperature in the Whitsundays, and can we swim all year?
Water temperatures in the Whitsundays rarely drop below 22°C in winter and can reach 28°C through summer, so swimming is comfortable all year round.
Winter is the coolest period and still very swimmable. Charterers snorkel daily through June, July and August, often in the clearest water of the year.
Between November and mid April a stinger suit is recommended whenever you are in the water.
When is whale season in the Whitsundays, and will we see whales from a bareboat?
Humpback whales migrate to the Whitsundays every winter to calve and breed, and are present from June to September.
Sightings from a bareboat are common between July and August, often close enough to watch a calf take its first breaths. Bottlenose dolphins are here year round and will sometimes ride the bow while you are under way.
During migration season a good lookout needs to be maintained at all times and exclusion zones apply. Your pre-charter briefing covers what to do if whales come close.
The Whitsundays is an accredited Whale Heritage Area, and Whitsunday Escape sponsors the Whales of the Whitsundays program.
Are there stingers in the Whitsundays, and do we need a stinger suit?
Stinger suits are recommended between November and mid April, when Irukandji jellyfish are more prevalent in the water. Outside those months, swimming without a suit is normal practice across the islands.
During stinger season the advice is to wear a suit any time you are in the water, whether that is snorkelling off the back of the boat or swimming from a beach. Stinger suits also provide good sun protection and added warmth meaning you can spend longer in the water, so they can be worn all year.
How far in advance should we book, and when is peak season?
September and October are peak season in the Whitsundays, and school holiday periods can book 18 months ahead.
Popular boats are often reserved months in advance, so booking early is the surest way to get the layout that suits your group.
A $750 deposit secures a booking, with the balance not due until 90 days before the charter. Dates or boats can be changed with no penalty outside that 90 day window, so booking early does not lock you in.