Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

THE WHITSUNDAY COAST & ISLANDS 313
In peak season you may have to charter the boat for a week. At other
times, most companies have a minimum of 5 days, but many will rent
for 3 nights if you ask, rather than let a vessel sit idle. Five nights is a
good length of time allowing you to get familiar with the boat, then
relax and enjoy yourself.
In peak season, expect to pay around A$530 to A$730 (US$345–
US$475) for a four- to six-berth yacht, per boat, per night. Rates in the
off season, and even in the Whitsundays’ busiest time, June through
August, will be anywhere from A$40 to A$90 (US$26–US$59) less. If you
are prepared to book within 14 days of when you want to sail, the deals
can be even better; you should be able to find a boat at such late notice
in the off season. You will be asked to lodge a credit-card bond of
between A$1,200 and A$1,500 (US$780–US$975). Mooring fees apply if
you want to call into one of the island resorts overnight. A number of
bareboat-charter companies offer “sail ’n’ stay” packages that combine
a few days sailing with a few days at an island resort.
Most bareboat charter companies will make complete holiday
arrangements for you in the islands, including accommodations, transfers,
tours, and sporting activities. Most operate out of Airlie Beach or
Hamilton Island, or both. Two of the largest bareboat charter companies,
Australian Bareboat Charters and Whitsunday Rent-A-Yacht operate
under the banner of Trinity Marine and share the same contact
details: & 1800/075 000 in Australia, or 07/4946 9232; www.rentayacht.
com.au. Other well-known operators include Queensland Yacht Charters
(& 1800/075 013 in Australia, or 07/4946 7400; fax 07/4946 7698;
www.yachtcharters.com.au); Sail Whitsunday (& 1800/075 045 in Australia,
or 07/4946 7070; fax 07/4946 7044); and The Moorings (& 888/
952-8420 in the U.S.; www.moorings.com; or in Australia & 1800/553
720 or 07/4946 8044. Tourism Whitsundays (see “Visitor Information”
above) can furnish you with a complete list of operators.
If you don’t want to sail yourself, there are countless skippered sailing
trips through the islands (see the “Sailing & Snorkeling Trips” section
for details).
unpretentious resort that has plentiful watersports, picturesque hiking trails,
wild wallabies, and a large beach-cum-tidal flat where you can laze on lounges.
You can get to the islands on your own by ferry (see “Getting Around” above),
or take an organized day trip that visits one, two, or even three islands in a day.
FantaSea Cruises (& 1800/650 851 in Australia, or 07/4946 5111; www.
fantasea.com.au), Whitsunday All Over (& 1300/366 494 in Australia, or
07/4946 6900), and Whitsunday Island Adventure Cruises (& 07/4946
5255 for the booking agent) all offer them, as do several yachts. Whitsunday
All Over also does a day trip to Whitehaven Beach and Bali Hai, an uninhabited
isle where you can snorkel, dive, view the coral from a large submersible, or
laze on the sand for A$86 (US$56) adults, half price for kids.