How to island hop your way around The Whitsundays

Ever dreamed of wearing a captain’s hat? Choose to charter your own adventure for the most memorable sailing holiday and you can go where your heart – and the wind – desires.

Unlike most other sailing destinations in the world, you won’t even need a licence to skipper your own boat in The Whitsundays. Insurance paperwork and a half-day training session is all that stands between you and an island-hopping holiday, where each day is a new adventure to discover pristine beaches, private coves, vibrant reef and islands full of hidden treasures.

Local operators such as Cumberland Yacht Charters, Charter Yachts Australia, Queensland Yacht Charters, and Whitsunday Escape offer a comprehensive half-day briefing as part of the charter and will have you sailing the islands in no time at all.

Start planning with this guide on how to bareboat like a pro, and decide where to go with a sailing itinerary.

Set sail with an experienced crew

Want the sailing experience without learning how to hoist the sail and moor your vessel? Keep your hands off the wheel and onto the morning mimosas by joining a skippered tour instead.

If you’re travelling with a group, you can charter your own boat with a skipper guide, however public sailing tours are a great excuse to make new friends, and are often a cheaper option. The Whitsundays offers everything from backpacker party boats to luxury romantic cruises, or family-friendly getaways where the boat comes with its own waterslide.

Check out Explore Group Australia, Explore Whitsundays, OzSail, and Prosail Whitsundays. 

Ready to take the plunge? Here’s a guide to choosing the best boat for your sailing style.

Kayak through The Whitsundays

Intrepid travellers up for the challenge might just find kayak hopping the ultimate off-grid Whitsundays adventure. Use your own paddle power to navigate the calm waters and discover your own slice of paradise, before wild camping on remote islands each night.

If you’re experienced, it’s possible to navigate your own way on the Ngaro Sea Trail – but local operator Salty Dog Sea Kayaking offers the best option with a guide, all your gear, meals, and no worries at all. Just the best scenery of your life. Choose between an action-packed day adventure or epic six night expedition to kayak, snorkel and experience true Whitsundays wilderness – including time at iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet.

Set off on a camping adventure

If you’ve always dreamed of immersed-in-nature deserted island camping, but never had the means (or boat) to do so, you’re in luck. Scamper makes island hopping in The Whitsundays a breeze, transferring independent travellers to national park island camping locations around the archipelago. Choose to hop between multiple locations or dedicate time to one special spot, with drop off points around Hook Island, South Molle Island, and Whitsunday Island, home to Whitehaven Beach and Cid Harbour. There’s also the option to hire all your camping gear and kayaks too, perfect for international travellers or those visiting The Whitsundays as part of a longer adventure.

Life gets right back to basics out here. Discover ancient Aboriginal sites and wander through eucalypt rainforest, explore the coast by paddleboard or kayak, then fall asleep to the sound of cicadas and waves lapping at the shore.

Keen on island camping? Check out these other epic island campsites.

Resort-hop through The Whitsundays

Why not choose a few of The Whitsundays best island resorts and hop between for a holiday that blends luxury with adventure, where days by the beach and on the reef meet nights of fine-dining, high thread count and infinity pools. If this sounds your speed, discover some of our favourite Whitsunday island resorts below. 

Hamilton Island

When it comes to Queensland’s islands, Hamilton Island has access on its side. With direct flights available from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Cairns, Hamilton Island is the biggest island in the Whitsundays suite with 740 hectares for you to roam – most likely by golf buggy. You’ll find many resorts here – including the one dubbed best resort in the world – along with countless restaurants, pools, hiking trails and activities which make this island a playground by day and night.

No matter your resort of choice, the Hamilton Island activities desk will give you an access-all-areas pass to the Great Barrier Reef and water sports hire for use on Hamilton’s own Catseye Beach.

Daydream Island

Daydream Island is an award-winning eco-resort that’s all about fostering love and respect for the Great Barrier Reef while making sure guests have an unforgettable island holiday.

Holidaying in style with the family? Daydream Island is your ticket to adventure, with watersports, marine biologist led reef ranger programs for the kids, hands on activities in the famous Living Reef lagoon, reef snorkelling, and a range of day trips throughout the islands. 

Hayman Island

There’s even more luxury to be found on Hayman Island, where the reef is your backyard. Think private sunset beach picnics, elegant accommodation and custom-designed reef experiences – all set against the quintessential Whitsundays backdrop of rainforest clad hills and vivid blue seas.

Long Island

Quiet Long Island is a place you’ll come for a weekend and wish you’d stay longer, so be warned. Home to just two resorts – Balinese inspired Palm Bay Resort and eco-conscious Elysian Retreat that caters to a handful of guests at a time – Long Island is idyllic, barefoot luxury at its most pure. Relax in your villa in between kayaking, bushwalking, reef snorkelling, island day trips and nourishing meals for a stay that feels good inside and out.

Camp Island

If it’s seclusion and privacy you seek, Camp Island could be your dream destination. It may be just 3km offshore from Bowen, but you’ll feel a million miles away from civilisation on your very own private island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. And the best bit? It’s completely yours for you and up to 8 guests.  You can even leave your meal plans at home and dial up the experience by booking a personal chef.

Looking for more Queensland island adventures? Check out these islands perfect for romantic getaways, these spots along the Great Barrier Reef, and these islands you can rent all to yourself.