Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
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When is the best time to visit Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet?
Whitehaven Beach itself is accessible at any tide, so timing is really about the Hill Inlet lookout and the crowds rather than the beach.
The lookout walk is around 600m each way from Tongue Bay, where there are more than a dozen free public moorings. Bringing a dinghy in to shore at Tongue Bay is best on a rising or high tide, because the fringing coral reef there is generally impassable at low tide.
Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times. Day tour boats arrive and leave on a fixed schedule, so chartering a bareboat means you can be at the lookout outside those hours, very often with the platform to yourself.
How many nights should we charter for?
Charters are a minimum of five nights, and seven to ten nights is recommended for a good tour of the islands. Most families book seven.
Even a week won’t cover everything, so it helps to shortlist the places and experiences that matter most. The team will help shape an itinerary around them at your briefing.
What does a first-timer’s itinerary look like?
Keep it simple. Short legs of under two hours between anchorages mean relaxed days and daylight arrivals.
A classic first charter mixes calm bays, iconic beaches and easy walks: a sheltered first night such as Cid Harbour on Whitsunday Island. Suggested itineraries are published for different wind conditions, and the team tailors your plan at the briefing. You will also have daily radio call with the team and they will advise on the best anchorage for the weather conditions.
Where can we go, and are there any limits?
The cruising area covers the Whitsunday Islands within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with 74 islands, fringing reefs and plenty of anchorages and moorings to choose from.
The one firm limit is the outer reef, which charter boats can’t visit. Many guests find the fringing reef snorkelling around the islands every bit as good.
How do public moorings work?
There are more than 100 public moorings throughout the Whitsundays. They’re free, maintained by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and placed near coral to prevent anchor damage.
Moorings are first come, first served, with a two-hour limit during the day. Pick one up in the afternoon and you can stay overnight, leaving by 9am the next morning. Only one boat per mooring.