5 Night Charter Itinerary Northeast Winds

Settle in aboard your boat at Coral Sea Marina the night before you sail. There is no restocking stop on this itinerary, so stock up on food and drinks for all five nights before you leave. Collect your snorkel gear and walk the boardwalk into Airlie Beach for dinner. You can also have your provisions delivered to the boat.

Cid Harbour, on the western side of Whitsunday Island, is calm, well protected and an easy first sail from Airlie Beach. Explore the beaches, fish the mangroves at high tide, or take on the climb to Whitsunday Peak for views across the islands. Take water and your camera. Swimming is not recommended in Cid Harbour, so save your swims for other anchorages.

Saba Bay on Hook Island has three beaches, excellent fringing reef and some of the best turtle spotting in the islands. Look for giant clams while you snorkel, and explore the water caves in the eastern bay at high tide.

Chance Bay is a good choice in northerly winds. It has two beaches you can reach at most tides, good snorkelling, and a walking track across to Whitehaven Beach for a walk on the famous white silica sand. Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water.

Nara Inlet is protected from almost all wind directions and is a popular spot to catch up with other boaties. Take the short walk to the Ngaro Cultural Site and learn about the Ngaro people, the traditional owners of these islands.

Finish with a night at Palm Bay on Long Island, one of the closest safe anchorages to the mainland. The boutique Palm Bay Resort sits in its own sheltered cove, with a restaurant and bar for a final meal ashore. Please note the resort is for guests aged 16 and over, so families with younger children can anchor at nearby Happy Bay instead. Walking tracks run through the island’s national park and rainforest. Next morning it is a short run back to Coral Sea Marina for a 9:30am return.