Review: Two-night Whitsundays Sailing Tour from Airlie Beach
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It feels like an international convention as I meet my fellow passengers for our upcoming Whitsundays Sailing Tour with Wings Charters.
Climbing on board the sleek catamaran at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, I strike up a conversation with two German girls. They’re on an extended holiday in Australia and have been keen to tick this sailing trip off their to-do list.
The trip includes two nights’ accommodation, all meals, and the use of snorkelling equipment. It promises an all-round introduction to the sublime Whitsundays region — enhanced by the opportunity to sleep on the water. There are 22 people on board, including two crew and a skipper.
Watch our video of top things to do in Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays:
Ten Great Things to Do in AIRLIE BEACH and the WHITSUNDAYS, Australia | Ultimate Travel Guide
Queensland’s Airlie Beach has long been a popular stop on the east coast backpacker trail, but today it’s a holiday hot spot for anyone wanting to experience the extraordinary beauty of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. Think turquoise waters, amazing beaches, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and incredible snorkelling and diving.
As the sails are raised we’re cooled by the south-easterly Coral Sea breeze. It’s a two-hour sail to our first snorkel site — Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island. Following a safety briefing, we grab our snorkelling gear and pile into the dinghy — ready to take the plunge into another world. And it doesn’t disappoint!
The coral is abundant and comprised of sprawling purple staghorns, swaying red sea fans and brown tiered coral discs. There are loads of tropical fish of all shapes and sizes milling around, including the well known resident Maori wrasse. He’s as big as a refrigerator and his iridescent green and blue markings are striking as he swims right past us without a care in the world. We also find Nemo lurking in the anemone.
En route to Hook Passage — our first night’s anchorage — the sky turns different shades of orange and a platter of tasty pre-dinner snacks materialises on deck. Following dinner, the crew presents an informative slide show on marine life in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Later we stretch out on deck for some quiet star-gazing.
Early the next morning, as the catamaran rounds the hoop pine covered rocky outcrop at the northern end of Whitsunday Island in the Whitsunday Islands National Park, we see a white-breasted sea eagle soaring above us with an enormous wing span of around two metres. Then in the shallow waters of Tongue Bay, a turtle bobs to the surface for air.
Donning swimwear, shoes, hats and sunscreen, we’re transferred by dinghy to the island to spend the morning lazing in the sand and paddling in the aquamarine sea. It’s a short uphill walk through dry forest teeming with butterflies for a truly spectacular view. Whitehaven Beach stretches out before us — seven kilometres of 99.89% pure white silica sand that sweeps its way up into Hill Inlet, in perfect contrast with the brilliant blue water.
Once back on board, we weigh anchor and head north for another snorkel — this time at Manta Ray Bay. As the name suggests, these majestic creatures can often be spotted in the area, usually in the cooler months, along with humpback whales that have migrated from the Southern Ocean to the warmer Whitsunday waters to breed. Neon damselfish and shimmering blue-green chromis surround bushy corals of varying shades of purple.
After such a big day, the BBQ dinner on the back deck is very welcome. We all retire early to the sound of the water lapping gently against the hull.
Day three begins with a visit to Langford Island — our last opportunity for snorkelling before we head home to Airlie Beach. This tiny part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park is a long sand spit, dependent on the tide level and abundant with coral and fish life in the shallow water running parallel.
I help hoist the sails for the final leg of the journey, bringing to a close the experience of a lifetime in this spectacular marine environment.
For more information, visit www.wings.com.au.
Browse our full range of Whitsundays tours and experiences here.
Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Katherine Sellers has travelled to over 30 countries. She worked in country pubs and resorts in England and Wales, been a travel agent in Sydney and Brisbane, a croupier for high rollers on Christmas Island, a reservationist at Jenolan Caves House, a guesthouse manager on Lord Howe Island, and a hostess on board a luxury catamaran sailing the Ningaloo Reef. Recently Katherine completed a lap of Australia with her husband in their motorhome. When she’s not flitting about the country, she puts pen to paper.
