We suggest that it’s best to hire your boat for seven nights so that you have enough time to relax while also seeing the sights. Plus, the longer you go the better the nightly rate will be.  If you can only do a short period, that’s ok too, we want everyone to experience the Whitsundays.

Contact our team for short duration charters, which may be available during low and midseason.

It’s possible to sail in the Whitsundays all year round with different seasons offering different experiences.

Since we’re located in the tropics, we have a wet season which generally runs from December to March. It’s a great time of year to enjoy waterfalls, heat and fewer crowds. Our dry season is in winter, running from June to August and it coincides with whale season, where humpback whales migrate to have their babies in the shelter of the islands. The shoulder seasons are always a great time to visit too.

Read our blog on the pros and cons of each season in the Whitsundays.

Mid September to mid October and late December to early January is our peak season.

October through to May is stinger season in the Whitsundays however, that doesn’t mean you can’t get in the water.  You can hire stinger suits from us all year round.  Not only do the protect you from stingers but they will also protect from the sun and keep you warmer during the cooler months.

The maximum number of people we can accommodate comfortably on one of our vessels is 10.

While travel insurance is not essential, it is recommended. A small, additional investment when you book ensures you’re protected if your holiday is interrupted by illness, a family emergency or severe tropical weather.

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for travel at any time of the year.  While we cannot provide specific advice on insurance matters, you may like to contact our office for up to date information on travel insurance providers in Australia.

You can learn more about insurance on our website.

All of our vessels are motor friendly, which means you don’t have to put the sail up if you prefer to motor.

Every person who charters a yacht with us will receive a three-hour induction on operating their vessel and the Whitsundays cruising area,  (timing varies with previous experience and additional time is available on request).

When you arrive, we will help you board and take you through an overview of your vessel below and above deck. Then, we’ll take you through all aspects of navigating through the islands, weather conditions and suitable anchorages.

If you have special interests such as diving, fishing, walking or seeing the island resorts – this is the time to ask – our team has vast experience in all areas and are here to help you make the most of your charter.

You will be taken out of Shute Harbour for a test sail with one of our trainers to make sure you’re comfortable with handling your boat. If your briefer feels you need some additional training, they will advise you to either extend your training time (at $50 an hour) or consider hiring a sail guide.

After the training session, our instructor will take a dinghy back to our base and you’ll head out through the passage to your first night’s anchorage. Luckily, Shute Harbour is the closest mainland port to the islands and your first night of freedom in paradise is not far away!

The Whitsundays School of Sailing operates from our base at Shute Harbour.  The school offers three Royal Yachting Association courses which run over 5 days. If you want some basic knowledge before you hire a yacht, we recommend doing the level 1 course. Level 1: Competent Crew, learn to sail basics Level 2:  Day Skipper Practical Level 3: Coastal Skipper Practical

Training before chartering will ensure you can make the most of your time, but it is not absolutely necessary. You will be given a very detailed safety and operations briefing before you set sail on your charter.

You can also look an online sailing courses or courses in your local area; Here are some we recommend.

This question can be answered by referring to the 100 Magic Miles book (supplied on your boat). Look up the desired location in the book to see if there are any guidelines to anchoring, or you can call us on the radio to find out.

If you are looking at what overnight anchorages are available, check out our interactive anchorages map.

There are several resorts in the Whitsunday Islands which welcome Bareboat charters.
* Daydream Island: Charters can use the resort facilities and there is one mooring available at Lovers Cove. Ask the team at Whitsunday Rent a Yacht to help secure your place.
* Hamilton Island: Hamilton welcomes bareboaters to book a berth in the marina and use the extensive resort facilities. You will need to book your berth in advance by contacting Hamilton Island Marina on VHF Channel 68 or by phone on 07 4946 8353 during office hours, 8.00am – 4.00pm.
* Palm Bay Resort on Long Island: Moorings available on application

Bookings can be arranged by contacting Hamilton Island Marina on VHF Channel 68 or by phone on 07 4946 8353 during office hours, 8.00 am – 5.00 pm

We recommend booking berths in advance, particularly during peak season (please note that fees may vary on New Years Eve). You learn more about berthing at the Hammilton Island Marina in this post on our blog.

Bareboat charterers in the Whitsundays are not permitted to sail to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsunday Islands are surrounded with stunning fringing reefs and they are still a part of the Great Barrie Reef Marine Park.

If you would like to see the Outer Great Barrier Reef we suggest getting in touch with Cruise Whitsundays.

It’s hard to choose the must-see places, you could visit the Whitsundays many times and always see something new and beautiful. To give you an idea on what the “crowd favourites are”, here are 6 anchorages that first-time visitors love.

1.  Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Island
2.  Nara Inlet – Hook Island
3. Tongue Bay – Whitsunday Island
4. Chalkies – Haslewood Island
5. Cateran Bay – Border Island
6. Langford Island

For more great tips on the best places to see in the Whitsundays: Cruising the Whitsundays, 20 places that charters love Discover the 10 best beaches in the Whitsundays The 10 best snorkelling spots in the Whitsundays  

Your yacht will come with a full fuel tank and you are charged only for the fuel used (calculated when you return). Running out of fuel is unlikely on a 7night charter. If, however, you need to re-fuel you can return to our base in Shute Harbour.  Alternatively, there is a fuel station at Hamilton Island Marina, where you will have to pay a marina fee plus the cost of the fuel.

Find out more information on fuel on our post booking information sheet

Apart from food and clothing all vessels come fully equipped. Bring light personal clothing, a book, camera and possibly a tracksuit for the cooler months between June and September. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are musts. The after-dark dress code on all resorts is neat casual.

See our packing list for a more detailed list on what to bring on your bareboat charter.

Yes, if you don’t want to do a food shop before you arrive at our base in Shute Harbour, you can arrange for supplies to be delivered to your vessel. 1. You can use one of our provisioning partners who offer a range of services from eat and heat meals to shopping based on a meal plan to providing incredible gourmet platters. You can learn more about our provisioning partners and their offerings here 2. Another option is to do an online shop with one of the leading supermarkets and ask for your shopping to be delivered to Shute Harbour. Please note that you will need to be at the base for the food to be delivered (which can be a bit of a logistical juggle)

If you are starting your charter on Hamilton Island, you can still have one of our provisioning partners provide the food to your vessel.  Alternatively, there is a large IGA on the island close to the marina.

If you run out of food you can return to our base in Shute Harbour to pick up supplies arranged through your provisioning company or you can head into Airlie Beach to re-stock, Hamilton Island is also an option for re-stocking, they have an IGA (Hamilton Island marina berthing costs apply).

If you are chartering for longer than eight nights, we suggest a mid-charter stop at our base where you can refuel, take on fresh linen, provisions, and anything else you need.

When you visit the Whitsundays, you enter the World Heritage-protected Great Barrier Reef Marine Park which is home to thousands of species of fish, birds, animals and marine life. To protect our pristine marine area, domestic animals are not permitted in the marine park, the six Queensland National Parks (protecting 70 of the Whitsunday islands) or the four National Parks on the mainland.

We offer free wi-fi to all charters at our base in Shute Harbour.

The boats you hire from us are not fitted with modems but you will find that there is mobile phone coverage on the western side of Hook and Whitsunday islands and around Hamilton & Hayman Island.

Learn more about WiFi and signal in the Whitsundays.