Nail a Whitsundays sailing holiday with this itinerary

Most bareboat charters are based out of Airlie Beach, about a 30-minute drive from Proserpine’s Whitsunday Coast Airport. It’s best to arrive the day before setting sail so you have time to pick up everything you’ll need, including all your food and groceries for the trip. Those shorter on holiday time could fly direct to Hamilton Island instead, as a few charters run from right here in the heart of the islands.

Day one of your Whitsundays sail holiday itinerary begins with a comprehensive briefing all about your boat and how to operate it safely. Expect this to take a couple of hours, then it’s time to head out into the big blue – it’s just a short, relaxed sail across Whitsunday Passage to your first destination: Nara Inlet.

As the mainland peels away from sight, keep your eyes out for other activity on the horizon: from June to September these calm waters draw an annual pilgrimage of humpback and pilot whales as they migrate and calve.

A stunning fjord-like wonderland at the southern end of Hook Island, Nara Inlet is known as the region’s most protected overnight anchorage – great for establishing your sea legs. But that’s just the start of its list of accolades: you’ll find fringing reef at the mouth of the inlet perfect for snorkelling, and calm waters to dive into or cast a line in (you might just catch some coral trout or spangled emperor for dinner).

However, some of the best spots to explore here are on land. If you have time left in your day, moor in the secluded bay and take your dinghy to shore. Step onto the bushwalking trails and step back in time – you’ll find ancient Ngaro cave paintings in these steep wooded hills, dating back some 8,000 years.

During rainy season (January - March in The Whitsundays), this part of Hook Island is also famed for rock pools and a cascading waterfall. Perfect for a refreshing dip before returning to your deck for sunset, drink in hand.

Day 2: Explore Hook Island

It’s just 58 square kilometres, but you could spend a lifetime exploring the bays, beaches and reef of Hook Island: it’s just that stunning. After a leisurely breakfast, set sail for Butterfly Bay on the northern tip of the island. A designated green zone, this area of the island falls under World Heritage listing, making it one of the best spots for snorkelling in The Whitsunday archipelago. Expect to come face to face with giant Maori wrasse, schools of parrot fish and the full colour spectrum of reef fish, as well as majestic manta rays. Plan your snorkelling trips at low tide for best view of coral and marine life.

Once you’ve surfaced, a picnic lunch or afternoon tea beckons ashore, where more wonders await in the form of colonies of butterflies. Meanwhile, diving enthusiasts may take the opportunity to meet up with dive vessels that operate in the area. If this rocks your boat, it’s best to discuss and book ahead via your charter company.

Butterfly Bay offers nine mooring buoys and an extremely protected anchorage in most winds, so you might want to simply spend the afternoon swimming then fire up the barbeque on board. If you want to get some more nautical miles under your belt, keep making your way to Saba Bay, where you can drop anchor and dive straight into more colourful reef teeming with life. 

Day 3: Sail to Whitehaven Beach

No trip to The Whitsundays is complete without sinking your toes into the pure, silica sands of the world’s most beautiful beach, and today’s your chance to do so. Get an early start and cruise down the east coast of Hook Island to Whitsunday Island. It’s easy line-of-sight sailing and in a few hours you’ll arrive in Tongue Bay, your overnight anchorage point which also offers immediate access to two of The Whitsundays most famous spots: Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach.

First up: take in the views. Anchor here in Tongue Bay and tender across to the beach for a short bushwalk up the hill to the lookout across Hill Inlet. This unspoilt destination is one that certainly lives up to the hype – and the sand swirls look their best at low tide. Then it’s time to hit the beach and explore the many kilometres of white sand. Lay back, exfoliate – even clean your jewellery in the sand – between dips in the clear waters.  The many day boats will leave after lunch and you with a few other bareboats, charter boats and a handful of campers will have the whole beach to enjoy.

If you can drag yourself away from the beach, Tongue Bay is also a great spot for kayaking, spotting turtles, swimming and snorkelling. 

Day 4: Climb to the roof of The Whitsundays

If you didn’t get a chance yesterday to walk up to the famous Hill Inlet Lookout, be sure to tackle it this morning. The views south down Whitehaven Beach are well worth it.

Today you’re headed for the western shore of Whitsunday Island, where the sheltered natural anchorage of Cid Harbour calls. This is a marine-life watching haven, where dugongs and turtles come to feed on the sea grass. Anglers should throw a line in here too – just save swimming for another location, as sharks also frequent this area.  

Cid Harbour is home to a few secluded bays, and most yachts will pull up in Dugong Inlet or Sawmill Bay – the latter is home to a beach perfect for a picnic lunch. This is also the access point for one of The Whitsundays’ most challenging yet rewarding walks, so you’ll need the fuel before you head out.

Part of the region’s Ngaro Sea Trail, the 5km (3.1 miles) return track to Whitsunday Peak is steep, ascending some 437 metres (478 yards) as you zig-zag up the mountain side, cutting through thick rainforest. But the sweat is worth it: the dense green makes way for 360-degree blue vistas across the islands, dusted with pink and gold if you time your arrival for sunset.  

Day 5: Return to the mainland

Take it easy and take the time to appreciate your surroundings this morning: tonight you’ll be back on dry land. Sip that coffee slowly, then set sail – it’ll take a few hours to reach your destination, but the beauty (and incredible nightlife) of Airlie Beach awaits.