Airlie Beach Boat Hire
Airlie Beach boat hire is the easiest way to see the Whitsundays on your own terms. Airlie Beach is the gateway to the islands, and the best of them, from secluded bays to Whitehaven Beach, are reached by boat.
You don’t need a licence to hire a boat here, just a little boating experience. With your own catamaran, you choose where to go each day, where to anchor each night, and how long to stay.
Two Types of Airlie Beach Boat Hire
Airlie Beach boat hire comes in two forms: day hire and multi-night bareboat hire. Which one suits you depends on how much of the islands you want to see.
| Day boat hire | Bareboat hire | |
|---|---|---|
| Length of hire | Half day or full day | 5 nights or more |
| Type of boat | Small power boat | Sailing or power catamaran |
| Where you sleep | Ashore | On board, in private cabins |
| How far you can go | Close to Airlie Beach | Throughout the Whitsunday Islands |
| Best for | A taste of the water | Exploring the islands at your own pace |
If you only want a few hours on the water, several Airlie Beach operators offer small power boats for half or full day hire. If you want to explore the islands properly, living aboard your own boat for a week or more, bareboat hire is the way to go. That’s where Whitsunday Escape comes in.
What a Week of Bareboat Hire Looks Like
Imagine seven nights with the people you love. You chart your own course, wake up in a different bay each morning, and spend your days swimming, snorkelling, bushwalking and relaxing on deck.
When you hire a bareboat for a week-long holiday, every day is yours to plan. No two trips are the same, because each one is shaped by your group, your interests and the weather.
Choosing Your Boat: Sail or Power
Our fleet of sailing and power catamarans is based at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. Catamarans are stable, spacious and easy to live aboard, which makes them a great choice for families and groups.
- Sailing catamarans suit groups who’d like to sail between the islands, with a motor for when the wind drops.
- Power catamarans suit groups who’d rather not sail. No sailing knowledge is needed, just some general boating experience.
Boats have two to four private cabins, sleeping up to 12 passengers on our largest catamarans. Every boat has at least one bathroom, and the larger boats have an ensuite for each cabin. Browse the Whitsunday Escape fleet and pick out a few favourites.
Where Can You Go With Airlie Beach Boat Hire?
Our cruising area covers the Whitsunday Islands, from Gloucester Island in the north to Shaw Island in the south and Edward Island to the east. It includes favourites like Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, the sheltered anchorages of Nara Inlet and Cid Harbour, and island resorts such as Hamilton Island and Daydream Island.
Beyond the islands, the outer Great Barrier Reef shelters the waters inside it. That protection is what makes the Whitsundays one of the best places in the world for a bareboat holiday. Explore our Islands and Anchorages to start planning where you’d like to go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boat Hire From Airlie Beach
Do I need a licence or sailing qualification?
No. To hire a bareboat from Airlie Beach, you need some boating experience rather than a formal licence. You should understand the basic rules of the waterways and have been in control of a boat before, even one much smaller than ours. If you’d like to sail, you’ll need to know the basics of sailing. A power catamaran needs no sailing knowledge at all. Learn more about our experience requirements, or call our team on 07 4946 5222 for a chat.
Where can I go?
You can explore the Whitsunday Islands from Gloucester Island in the north to Shaw Island in the south and Edward Island to the east. Popular stops include Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Nara Inlet, Hamilton Island and Daydream Island. Our Whitsundays guide section shows some of the most popular places to go.
Where do you sleep?
On the boat. Every boat has two to four private cabins, and our largest catamarans sleep up to 12 passengers. Every boat has at least one bathroom, and the larger boats have an ensuite for each cabin. Each night, you choose a sheltered bay or inlet to anchor or moor in. Our base gives weather updates and advice over the radio every day, to help you choose the best spots.
Can you teach me how to anchor the boat properly?
Of course. Anchoring and mooring are part of the standard pre-charter briefing everyone receives before they leave the marina. Our boats have electric anchor winches, and we’ll walk you through the anchor, chain and bridle setup until you’re confident. There are also more than 200 public moorings around the Whitsundays that you can use, with time limits during the day.
How long should I go for?
We recommend seven nights or longer to really enjoy a bareboat holiday. The minimum charter is five nights, and our specials often get better the longer you stay. Many of our repeat guests take a longer trip each time they come back.
Can I hire a boat in Airlie Beach for just a day?
Whitsunday Escape specialises in multi-night bareboat holidays. For a few hours on the water, several Airlie Beach operators offer small power boats for half or full day hire.
Ready to Plan Your Airlie Beach Boat Hire?
Our friendly Reservations Team can recommend boats to suit your group, help you choose your dates, and share advice on everything from where to stock up on supplies to how to build your boating experience before you arrive.