Day 1: Hamilton Island (Base)
You will enjoy a world-class resort experience before setting sail on a charter adventure of a lifetime! The sparkling aquamarine copper sails of the Hamilton Island yacht club provide a welcoming starting point for your adventures. The facilities are world-class and the clubs Bommie bar and restaurant serve snacks on the deck and an a la carte menu of modern Australian cuisine. Nearby there's an excellent shopping village for all those essential provisioning items and further afield the islands fifty-acre park offers the quintessential Australian experience, allowing you to get up close and personal with kangaroos, koalas, goannas and plenty of other indigenous wildlife.
Watersports are this island biggest attraction, you can snorkel the surrounding coral gardens, dive amongst the tropical fish. Glide across the water on a jet ski or slow the pace down with a gentle paddle in a kayak and explore the nearby bays and inlets. After all that excitement, head back to the yacht club for a refreshing beverage or two and plan your next days adventure. A day spent here will surely get your Whitsundays charter off on the right tack.
Mooring:You can moor in the marina at Hamilton Island Yacht Club.
Things to do: There are plenty of watersports to choose from; jet skiing, snorkeling, diving and kayaking to name a few. Take the bush safari trip and see up close and personal kangaroos, koalas and other indigenous Australian wildlife. Take advantage of the yacht clubs Bommie bar and restaurant for a fine evening meal.
Facilities: There are facilities available for yachts at Hamilton Island Yacht Club
Day 2: Nara Inlet, Hook Island
>Make a stop in this rugged island mainly made up of national park, with stunning beaches and a variety of walking tracks. Located at the southern end of Hook Island, Nara Inlet is a deep fjord-like expanse, surrounded either side by magnificent lush green slopes which transcend into the clear turquoise waters and fringing reef. Navigate your way to the end of this scenic and secluded bay where you'll find the best anchorage for stepping ashore and exploring.
No visit to Nara Inlet should be without a trip through the bush to the Aboriginal cave shelters and magnificent waterfall. In the steep wooded hills surrounding the inlet are the overhanging caves, which show the signs of Aboriginal habituation going back some eight thousand years. Bordered on both sides by piles of shells and decorated with intricate markings and paintings these slices of ancient history are worthy of a quick stop before moving onwards to the rock pools and spectacular waterfall. The delightful rainwater filled pools and cool cascading shower of the waterfall provide a welcome relief from the warm Australian sun and offer a fantastic photo opportunity so have your camera at the ready.
A little further off the beaten path you'll find Hook underwater observatory. Which allows its visitors to descend nine meters below the ocean to view the fantastic marine life, reef fish and coral within their own unspoilt habitat. Just before dusk, head back onboard for an evening refreshment as you gaze out across the bay watching the yachts bobbing up down against a backdrop of lofty green hills and catch the last warm rays of the Australian sun before it dips down over the horizon.
Mooring: The best protection and anchorage can be found at the end of the inlet.
Things to do: Take the worthwhile hike up to the see the Aboriginal cave paintings and cascading waterfall beyond. In the bay you can swim and snorkel and take the opportunity to visit the hook underwater observatory where you can view underwater treasures in their natural habitat.
Day 3: Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island
The tropical fish are in abundance and at the northern end of the bay you'll find the popular Dolphin Point, which is considered to be one of the best dive locations in the Whitsundays.
Located at the northern end of the Whitsundays archipelago, Hayman Island is an exotic isle surrounded by a turquoise and emerald green sparkling lagoon, which gently flows into the colourful coral reef softly fringing the pristine white-sand beaches that back onto the mountainous slopes covered in eucalyptus and sparse bush thicket.
Take a walk through the tropical gardens and see the variety of birds, which inhabit the island, from White cockatoos to painted lorikeets, kookaburras and kingfishers. If you're lucky you might even just catch sight of the proserpine rock wallabies as you enjoy the natural bushland and Australian flora and fauna.
Head back to the resort's restaurant for a delicious evening meal, choosing from fine traditional Australian or international cuisine. It's then back on board for a cocktail or two as you sit back and really soak up the beauty and splendour of this idyllic spot while planning your next days adventure.
Mooring: There are limited public moorings available at the Hayman Islands resort for a fee. You can anchor in the bay at Blue Pearl Bay
Things to do: Snorkelling and diving are the main attractions at Blue Pearl Bay. Taking a walk through the bush you'll come across plenty of Australian flora and fauna and an evening meal at the islands luxurious resort is a must!
Day 4: Butterfly Bay, Hook Island
Make sure you take a track to the unique Butterfly Bay, named such due to its shape and the flocks of butterflies which line its shore.
The wild unspoilt beauty of Butterfly Bay will simply take your breath away. Carved deep into the mountainous lush hillsides of Hook Island, this spectacular uninhabited bay offers a sheltered anchorage amongst the warm emerald waters and picturesque sandy beach.
A designated green zone, this area of the island falls under the Whitsunday Islands National Park, a World Heritage Site, which protects the extensive reef here making it one of the best places for snorkeling within the Whitsundays archipelago. So don your mask and flippers and take to water and explore this magical underwater kingdom. With some hard corals, giant Maori wrasse, schools of parrotfish, rainbows of reef fish and majestic Manta rays to see on your travels you'll need your underwater camera to remind you of all the colorful marine life you've seen.
Mooring:You can anchor in the bay but keep an eye out for the coral outcrops that are only visible at low tide
Things to do: Snorkeling is the main attraction at Butterfly Bay, with an extensive reef to explore it's also perfect for a deep dive. Take lunch ashore the island and delight in the pretty colonies of butterflies, which gather in the shade.
Day 5: Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island
Explore this exquisite stretch of immaculate tropical sand by private helicopter, seaplane, ferry, yacht or feel the soft, warm sand between your toes as you take a walk along this 7 kilometer highlight.
Whitehaven beach is a dazzling, unspoilt six-kilometre stretch of sandy delight, nestled between the deep green tropical bush and the crystal clear turquoise waters of Whitsunday Island. One of the most naturally beautiful places in the world, this awe-inspiring beach with its peaceful ambience and picture perfect scenery is the ultimate way to spend a castaway day escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Head back down to the shore for a spot of snorkeling just off the beach, where under-the-sea-adventurers will be treated to a variety of colorful reef fish and coral; or take to your kayak and explore the surrounding breathtaking coastline and find a deserted inlet in which to have an indulgent picnic lunch before lying back and soaking up the warm rays of the sun, it's just another hard day in paradise.
Mooring: You can anchor just off the beach.
Things to do: Swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing are the main attractions at Whitehaven. For the more energetic, take the bushwalk up to Betty's lookout where you'll be treated to stunning views out across Whitehaven beach, Hill Inlet and beyond.
Day 6: Palm Bay Long Island
With a fantastic selection of tranquil anchorages to choose from, you can truly escape the crowds on the sandy beaches nestled amid elegant palms.
Nestled amongst the swaying palms fringing the white-sand beach and the glistening turquoise waters of Long Island lies Palm Bay. A picturesque sweeping bay you can approach it through the dredged channel and lagoon and offers a safe overnight anchorage.
From here the visiting yachtsman can take advantage of the bays exclusive and intimate resort, Pepper Palm Bay. Here you can laze by the pool, immerse yourself in the heated spa or just relax in beach hammock while you listen to the sounds of the lapping waves hit the beach. If you're feeling more energetic then enjoy a game of tennis or don that mask and snorkel to discover some of the amazing underwater treasures in the surrounding coral of this beautiful bay.
Back at Palm Bay take the opportunity to dine ashore in the resorts signature La Riviera restaurant for a delicious meal before heading back onboard for another peaceful nights rest in paradise.
Mooring: You can pick up a mooring in Palm Bay
Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.
Things to do: Take advantage of the bays exclusive resort of Pepper Palm Bay for some indulgence and relaxation. Take a hike through the islands National Park and experience Australian flora and fauna at it's best. Don't forget to delve in the surrounding coral reef before dinning ashore in the bays signature restaurant La Riviera
Facilities: The Pepper Palm Bay shop is well stocked with a selection of meats, local fish and general grocery items at reasonable prices. There are no amenities outside of the resort area.
Day 7: Hamilton Island (Base)Island
Return to base
