Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays
The Whitsundays’ treasure trove of 74 scattered emerald islands is best enjoyed at your leisure. From snorkelling and swimming to sunbathing and savouring fresh seafood — this is your holiday, your way. Your sailing adventure takes off from the Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The marina is approximately a 30-minute drive from Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP). Transfers are not included in your package; please plan accordingly.
Want to know more about Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays? Our insider travel guide includes handpicked places to eat and drink, the best activities in the area, and special experiences to make your trip memorable.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
The Catamaran Experience — Pick your vessel and arrive in paradise
The postcard-perfect Whitsundays are yours to explore with this unique bareboat charter. Picture yourself lazing on the silica-rich beachfront with azure waters lapping the shore; swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing as your heart desires. With this incredible package, you’re not restricted to choosing just one island — you can experience them all as your very own skipper.
With self-guided exploration, you can spend as long as you like on each island, sailing your private catamaran to the rock-walled mooring grounds of Caves Cove on Hook Island, watching the sunset over the horizon from the otherworldly Whitehaven Beach or just plunging into the bluer-than-blue waters — perfect for discovering the menagerie of rich marine life.
Regardless of which luxury sailing catamaran you choose, you’ll be treated to the VIP lifestyle, with a private dinghy for self-led discovery, shower on deck for that post-plunge cool off, swim ladder to descend into the alluringly turquoise waters and kitchenette with a gas stove and oven to prepare all meals.
Local Tips — Want to know more about Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays?
Our insider travel guide includes handpicked places to eat and drink, the best activities in the area, and special experiences to make your trip memorable.
Your Handpicked Inclusions — Early boarding, access to Ocean Club on the day of arrival and a full maritime briefing
Put down your anchor at Coral Sea Marina with early access to Ocean Club on the day of arrival (prior to embarkation). Exclusively for marina guests, Ocean Club offers a space to relax, including a sea-view deck with BBQ and complimentary coffee. Benefit from 5pm boarding on the day of arrival and an overnight stay onboard at the marina, so you can become acquainted with your new home-away-from-home. On the day of embarkation, learn the secrets of your majestic catamaran and how to skipper it like a true-blue sailor with a full maritime briefing.
Your potential Whitsundays itinerary could look like this:
- Day 1: Settle into the Ocean Club until it’s time for your 5pm boarding. Once onboard, stay overnight at the five Gold Anchor-accredited Coral Sea Marina.
- Day 2: In the morning, you’ll be provided a thorough maritime briefing on navigation, mooring, anchoring, boat handling and more, so you’re ready to set sail. Once the briefing is complete, it’s your turn to take the helm. Our recommendation? Caves Cove for spectacular sunsets and wildlife spotting.
- Day 3: You could plunge headfirst into the crystal-clear depths for a morning snorkelling session, followed by underwater art installations at Langford Reef and Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island.
- Day 4: Make Dumbbell Island or the southern coral sand beach of Esk Island your location for lunch. If the tides allow, head to Tongue Bay on Whitsunday Island.
- Day 5: A spritely run through Solway Passage could see you greeted by Pentecost Island as you make your way to Hamilton Island’s world-class dining. (NOTE: Hamilton Island is not accessible for Whitsunday Freedom.)
- Day 6: Leave Hamilton Island and set course for the micro-rainforest shoreline of Palm Bay, Long Island.
- Day 7: Begin your morning with a walk on Long Island, keeping an eye out for tawny frogmouth owls, curlews, kookaburras and bush turkeys. Out at sea, you may spot turtles, dolphins and whales. Set sail to Goat Island or Sunlovers Beach on Daydream Island for a leisurely lunch aboard the catamaran. Return to Coral Sea Marina at 3pm for refuelling and debriefing. Disembark at 5pm.
Travelling with a larger group? Upgrade to Ruby Sunday, Lucy, Portland Roads, LAWLESS or Whitsunday Freedom, each valid for up to eight guests. Each vessel offers its own signature features: browse individual packages for further details.
- All safety equipment
- Tender
- USB charging
- Deck showers
- Beach and deck chairs
- Generator on select vessels
- Boarding: 5pm / Disembarkation: 5pm
Surcharges may apply to select facilities and services
Valid for travel until 1 April 2025 (bookings must be made before 31 January 2025).
Environment Management Charge (EMC): Please note that the government charges an Environment Management Charge (EMC) of A$21 per person, payable directly through Portland Roads at time of boarding. This charge includes all moorings except Palm Bay, Long Island and Daydream Island. Children under the age of three are excluded from the Environment Management Charge.
Package Inclusions: Inclusions are correct at the time of purchase. Refer to your booking confirmation for details.
Blackout Dates Apply. Dates are identified in the Booking Calendar.
Check Availability: To confirm your dates of stay at purchase, click on ‘Check Availability’ and select your preferred package. Use the calendar to browse and select available dates.
Buy Now, Choose Dates Later: If you want to secure this offer and don’t know when you want to travel please select ‘Buy Now, Choose Dates Later’. This will secure your package and give you the flexibility to choose your travel dates — within the book by and validity period and subject to availability. To select dates post-purchase, simply select ‘My Escapes’ under the ‘My Account’ tab and follow the prompts.
7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee: Things don’t always work out. Our 7-day Change of Mind Guarantee is there to help. Bookings (except for cruise bookings, flights and deposit fee, if applicable, which are subject to the cancellation terms of the relevant supplier) may be cancelled with a full refund provided that cancellation occurs strictly within 7 days from the date of purchase and provided that the cancellation is made no less than 14 days prior to the check-in date. Excludes flight and service fee, if applicable.
Date Changes and Cancellations: After the 7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee, date changes and cancellations are not permitted.
Please Note:
- Pricing is per package, not per person.
- As different vessels have different departure dates, please be certain about your selection as date changes and cancellations are not permitted (outside of the 7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee).
- Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsunday’s bareboat charter fleet are not fishing vessels. Fishing is not permitted from our vessels in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
- Compulsory maritime briefing will take place at 9am on Day 2.
- Guests will board at 5pm the night prior to disembarkation, and set sail after a four- to five-hour briefing the following day.
- Guests will disembark on the final day at 5pm.
- While each charter finishes with disembarkation at 5pm, all vessels must return to the fuel wharf by 3pm on the last day of charter for refuelling.
- Refuelling is at the charterers’ expense.
- Guests will be required to fill out a Hire Agreement and Crew Forms 45 days prior to arrival.
- Guests will also receive a copy of a hire agreement and pre-charter notes 45 days prior to arrival.
- Infants (under 3) are permitted onboard.
- Vessels are equipped with cooking facilities, but food is not included in your package. Guests must bring their own food and drinks.
- Any unused portion of the package is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for other services or cash.
- No bareboat charters in the Whitsundays are permitted to visit the resort at the exclusive Hayman Island.
- Snorkelling and mooring at Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island is permitted.
- All packages do not include airport transfers, fuel, fees for all marinas and moorings, food or provisions.
- All surcharges are payable directly to Portland Roads or local providers.
- Parking at Coral Sea Marina is available for A$10 per day.
- Premier vessel, ‘Whitsunday Freedom’ is not permitted to enter the marina at Hamilton Island.
- All other vessels, Due West, Ruby Sunday, Portland Roads and Lawlessare permitted to visit Hamilton Island.
Important: The hotel, transportation and/or destination you are travelling to may have health, insurance and vaccination requirements in place. Please ensure you stay up to date with any requirements prior to your departure.
The property, facilities and dining are subject to government regulations and restrictions. Please check the property website for the most up-to-date information as some of the services may be impacted.
We reserve the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to the website’s terms and conditions.
*Images are for illustrative purposes and may not be reflective of the package purchased. See individual offers and packages for details.
