All aboard the best boat charters in Queensland

The Whitsundays is one of the world’s best sailing destinations, so naturally the best way to explore is to jump on a boat and head out into the big blue that made it so famous.

Your first decision isn’t which of the 74 islands you want to hop between, but whether you want to charter a boat with a skipper, or handle the captain duties yourself (we call it bareboating). Yes, this is one of the few destinations in the world where you can take the helm yourself, without a license.

Want to be led by a local who knows the waters like the back of their hand? Providence Sailing’s MiLady offers 2-3 night charters for up to six passengers: you’ll beat the crowds to the Whitsundays’ most popular spots, paddleboard and snorkel throughout the day, then sip bubbles at sunset, no work required. Book with Portland Roads Sailing and you can even have a Master Reef Guide or local N’garo First Nations guide join you – offering incredible insight into the coral and marine life in the region, and the Indigenous connection to country and the seas of the Gia, Juru and Ngaro.

For an experience dripping in luxury, YOTSPACE superyacht voyages are for you. Explore reefs and islands in the Whitsundays, or book a voyage further into the tropical north to remote Lizard Island. Expeditions come with a price tag that matches an all-inclusive tour where every whim is taken care of, but this is perfect for couples who want a once-in-a-lifetime charter experience without having to fork out for an entire boat: you can book by the cabin with YOTSPACE.

Prefer to handle things yourself? There are countless local bareboating charters here in the Whitsundays that will kit you out with the vessel, gear and itinerary ideas to get the most out of your holiday. Cumberland Yacht Charters, Charter Yachts Australia, Queensland Yacht Charters, Sunsail 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.

Boat charters in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is the most popular gateway to the world’s largest reef system, but book a boat charter and you can set sail toward lesser-known parts of the reef to explore untouched beauty. And nothing quite compares to spending the night out on the Great Barrier Reef, just you and your crew.

No crew is more passionate about reef conservation than the Passions of Paradise team, so if you want to be inspired by the reef’s beauty alongside the incredible eco-tourism efforts to ensure it thrives, book an experience on their charter boat, Allure. This 47-ft Riviera is equipped for day and extended charters, with long-range fuel tanks that can take you to the reef’s far reaches. Their most popular trips are 2-3 day reef excursions, with luxury accommodation for six passengers. Swim, dive or snorkel from their 39 moorings along the reef: they can even organise a marine biologist to come along to bring the mysteries of the reef to life while you participate in citizen science projects.

Departing from Port Douglas, MV Monsoon Reef Charters will show you and 11 friends the reef in style in a fully customisable and unforgettable day trip. You’ll just need to decide on snorkelling the reef, relaxing on your own sand cay, and fishing – or combine all of the above.

Your ticket to adventure on the Great Barrier Reef is with Aroona Luxury Boat Charters. Extended or one day charters will take you to destinations like Lizard Island, Ribbon Reef, Osprey Reef and even remote parts of Cape York – and the crew can offer personalised fun from scuba diving to kitesurfing, stand up paddle boards, ocean photography and even big game fishing.

Downsize your vessel, but not your experience, on board a compact 6-metre craft with Mission Beach Charters. Whether you'd like a romantic picnic on a deserted island, a marine biologist led snorkelling safari through the marine park, a scenic cruise around the local islands, or to spot a whale or two, the half or full day charters can do it. Turn your day into an overnighter and they’ll even put together an island camping package, with drop off and pick up service.

Yacht charters and boat charters elsewhere in Queensland

Don’t think that our north steals all the sailing limelight. This is Queensland: where there’s water, there’s ways to explore it. 

Fraser Coast

Between the world’s largest sand island and the world’s first whale heritage site, there’s a lot to see when you get out on the water on the Fraser Coast.

Blue Dolphin Marine Tours is the longest running sailing operator in the region that offers private sailing charters as well as tours. Fraser Island Boat Charters has bareboat and skippered charter options among its bevy of catamaran, with sports fishing packages available too. Captain your own boat with Sweet Escape Yacht Charters based in Hervey Bay – the crew will help plan your trip itinerary and best anchorage locations. Or jump onboard with Freedom Whale Watch & Charters: they offer day sailing or sunset private charters for special occasions, as well as overnight charters for up to 10 passengers through the calm waters of Hervey Bay.

Southern Great Barrier Reef

Kick back on a floating bean bag onboard Sail Capricornia with a drink in hand, before you stop to snorkel, paddleboard and explore the warm waters and beaches around Keppel Bay.

Want a little more speed? Keppel Explorer can whiz you around Keppel Bay on an exhilarating scenic day tour of island-hopping via coves, caves and secret beaches – all snorkel gear included. Keppel Charters also offers half day and full day options. 

Brisbane

Queensland’s capital also has plenty of opportunity to get out on the water – and we don’t just mean the river. Discover some of Moreton Bay’s best kept secrets, national park islands and secluded beaches with Brisbane Yacht Charters (overnight charters and bareboat options are available too). Big Blue Charters can show you the sights on Brisbane River, or journey to Moreton Island and Tangalooma Wrecks for a day like a VIP.

Gold Coast

On the Gold Coast, Sailing in Paradise offers private charters on their catamarans. The Spirit Of Gwonda can host up to 30 guests in total comfort and is perfect for day charters, birthdays, hens parties, family gatherings or corporate events. The Seawind 1000XL, has a maximum capacity of 20 guests and is ideal for smaller groups and sightseeing.

Townsville

Known for its wine-flowing sunset cruises around Magnetic Island, Pilgrim Sailing also offers luxury four-hour private charters for couples of Maggie. Larger groups can book an all-inclusive private day charter or private sunset cruise. Big Mama Sailing also offers private charters for up to 15 guests and will tailor your day to suit your interests, from snorkelling reefs to beach-hopping.

Fishing charters in Queensland

There’s no better spot to throw a line in than Queensland – and we’ve got fishing charters that offer everything from deep sea sports fishing adventures to relaxed days on the water where the beers sunk might even outnumber your catch. Keen anglers should plan a fishing trip to in-demand destinations like Gladstone and Rockhampton for barramundi and mangrove jack, or go in search of black marlin in the deep waters off Cairns and the Fraser Coast. There’s plenty of big fish in this sea.

If it’s marlin you’re after, Kekoa Sports Fishing creates personalised multi-day liveaboard marlin fishing charters all year round, and they have one of the most experienced crew in the state. They operate out of Cairns for its black marlin season (late September – late November), and Fraser Coast the rest of the year.

Elsewhere up north, Cairns Reef Fishing runs all-inclusive private and shared charters, Out n About offers sport fishing from Port Douglas, while Northern Conquest Charters trolls the outer reef and estuaries from both Cairns and Townsville.

Fishing in Queensland doesn’t get much better than in Gulf Savannah’s Karumba, so if you make it here for barra season (February – October), head out for a day with Karumba Fishing Adventures or Kerry D Fishing.

Add a fishing charter to your Whitsundays holiday: Hamilton Island’s Renegade Fishing Charters  boasts a 38ft game boat for sport and reef fishing, while Topnotch Game Fishing’s half day and full day charters can also take you sightseeing on the way, like a stop at Whitehaven Beach.

Choose 1770 Creek2Reef Fishing Charters near Gladstone and you can choose a fishing charter, or a combined fishing and snorkelling adventure that includes time near Lady Musgrave Island. Or reel in barramundi and king threadfin in Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River with Reel Fishing CQ.

On the Sunshine Coast? Sunshine Coast Afloat runs deep sea fishing charters (including overnight excursions), while Deep End Fishing can show you a good time reef fishing, estuary fishing or night fishing.