Yacht Charter Australia
The spectacular Whitsunday Islands are a chain of 74 beautiful islands located off the western coast of Australia, with wonderfully calm sailing and a warm, subtropical climate cooled by trade winds for most of the year.
What’s on this pageHighlights
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Spectacular snorkeling & diving
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The Great Barrier Reef
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The Whitsunday Islands
Yacht charter Whitsundays
Most of the islands are surrounded by a fringing reef system, with waters protected by the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsunday Islands have enough anchorages to keep you busy for months of happy cruising. If you love watersports, then this is a fantastic destination for kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling and fishing.
An Australian yacht charter is a nature lover’s dream, with idyllic stretches of beach, numerous uninhabited islands teeming with wildlife and stunning coral reefs. It’s home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef.
From our base in Abell Point Marina on Airlie Beach, make Nara Inlet your first port of call on your yacht charter in the Whitsundays. Here, you can see the Ngaro Aboriginal cultural site with ancient cave paintings. If you’re feeling active, hike over the inlet for great views.
Hamilton is a great mid-charter stopover, where you can fill water tanks, fuel up and shop. The island’s marina village has restaurants, bars, shops, a bakery and a supermarket. From here, you can book a scenic flight to get a bird’s eye view of the stunning reefs below.
Choose charter type below to see available charters options
Easy crewed
The simplest, hassle-free way to charter a crewed private yacht.
Fully crewed
Your own private yacht for an all-inclusive luxury sailing vacation.
Cabin cruise
Reserve a private ensuite stateroom on a modern catamaran.
SailShare
Low package rates for island-hopping aboard a sailing yacht.
Aqualodge
Get closer to nature on the perfect self-catering Caribbean vacation.
Things to do in Whitsundays, Australia
Take a scenic flight
See the Whitsunday Islands from a different perspective with a seaplane or helicopter flight. There are a number of options, from short hops to longer flights that even touch down on the Outer Great Barrier Reef.
Visit Whitehaven Beach
One of our favorite things to do in the Whitsundays is to head to the famous Whitehaven Beach and enjoy the impossibly white sand. This unspoiled haven is often rated among the world’s top beaches. Enjoy over four miles of beach with turquoise waters and fantastic views across the South Pacific, where you can sometimes spot pods of migratory whales.
Go on a crocodile safari
During your yacht charter in Australia, try a unique Australian tour to see estuarine crocodiles in the wild, Cruise on the Proserpine River, learn about the mangrove ecosystem and observe the other inhabitants here, including birds, fish and crustaceans.
Visit Palm Bay Resort
Palm Bay Resort on Long Island blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings with Balinese-inspired huts. Stop in for lunch and enjoy a poolside cocktail and a stroll around the beautiful property.
See the Great Barrier Reef
One of the top things to do in the Whitsundays, and all of Australia in fact, is a visit to the world’s largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs teeming with sea life. During the months of May to August, it’s even possible to see migrating whales, including the humpback whale, as well as bottlenose dolphins.
Weather insights
When is the best time to visit the Whitsundays?
Australia has a subtropical climate with wonderful sunny weather for a sailing vacation. The best time to visit Australia is between April and November. April to August has cooler and drier weather, with average temperatures around 75°F. With comfortable and dry conditions, June to September are ideal months for your sailing trip in the Whitsundays. It’s also the time when the whales visit with their calves. January to March is the wet season in the tropics. The weather is warmer with an average of 85°F and a risk of cyclones and rain.
What are the sailing conditions in the Whitsundays?
The sailing conditions in Australia are mostly easy, with short sailing distances.
The wind systems in the Whitsunday Islands are predominantly southerly to southeasterly most of the year. In summer, the winds are northerly to northeasterly.
There are strong tides that need consideration when planning the itinerary of your yacht charter in Australia. There are plenty of sheltered bays on both sides of the islands if the wind gets too strong.
Sailing Australia with Dream Yacht Charter
Yacht charter Australia
Explore the Great Barrier Reef and the beautiful Whitsunday Islands from our base in Airlie Beach. Plan your perfect Australia itinerary and enjoy sailing our catamarans and monohulls.
Sail guide yacht charters Australia
No sailing experience is needed to enjoy a sailing vacation in Australia’s Whitsunday Islands. Hire a sail guide to sail your yacht while you enjoy the vacation with your guests.
Australia sailing itinerary
Take a look at our Australia sailing vacation suggestions
Whitsundays 7 days
Other Itineraries
8-day itinerary Whitsunday Islands
11-day itinerary Whitsunday Islands
15-day itinerary Whitsunday Islands
Useful information for yacht charters in Australia
How do I get to Australia from the US?
To get to our base in Australia to start your yacht charter in the Whitsundays, fly into Proserpine Airport, also called Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP). You can also fly into Hamilton Island Airport (HTI). This flight connects with the Cruise Whitsundays Ferry Service to the mainland. We are happy to arrange tickets for you with your charter booking.
During the high season, there are regular flights from a number of Australian cities including Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
We can arrange airport transfers on request, which takes about 40 minutes via taxi from Whitsunday Coast Airport or a 60-minute ferry from Hamilton Island Airport Marina to Airlie Beach.
What language is spoken in Australia?
The official language spoken in Australia is English.
What is the currency for Australia?
The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD).
What documents do I need to sail Australia?
To sail Australia, you will need a valid US passport. If you are traveling for less than 90 days you need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), an online visa.
If you charter a boat in the Whitsundays, you will need to nominate yourself, or someone in your crew with experience, as the skipper. They will be legally responsible for the boat.
You can hire a sail guide if you want someone to sail the boat for you. Sail guides have knowledge of the local area and have completed the GRMPBA Sail Guides Course. They are not legally responsible for the boat or the insurance. Boats up to 12m must have a Coxswain Certification and boats over 12m must have a Master Class 5 Certification.
How do I get around Australia?
Major car rental companies operate their offices at all airports, so please refer to airport websites for operating hours and contact details. Taxis are regularly available in front of the airport buildings. The Greyhound Bus also offers daily services throughout Australia and the pick up location is available from Port of Airlie in Airlie Beach.
If you need an organized transfer from the airport, please contact our base manager.
What is the Wi-Fi like in Australia?
Internet access is available at our marina. There are also internet cafés in Airlie Beach and on some islands. Cell phones can work, depending on zones, but don’t forget about the roaming fees. Cell phone coverage is limited once you depart the mainland.
What regulations are there in Australia?
There are specific rules for Whitsundays regarding wildlife. Download the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Guide for more information. There is also a recreational guide on the government website.
Where can I find weather forecasts in Australia?
You can find Australia weather forecasts on the Australian Government website. The base also broadcasts the latest weather to guests on charter at 9am and 3:45pm daily. The base team will also make contact with customers twice daily – a local regulation.
What provisioning is there in Australia?
There are plenty of choices for provisioning in Australia. Please refer to the base guide.
What baggage can I take on my yacht charter, Whitsundays?
Please only take soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on board.
What is the electrical current in Australia?
The electrical current in Australia is 240V.
What is the dialing code for Australia?
The dialing code for Australia is +61.
Downloads
10 Night Itinerary
pdf 150.21 KB
14 Night Itinerary
pdf 167.92 KB
5 Night Itinerary
pdf 124.99 KB
7 Night Itinerary
pdf 147.36 KB
Base Guide Bareboat Whitsundays
pdf 3.66 MB
Booking Extras Q Y C
pdf 272.37 KB
Crew List Bareboat 11
doc 104.00 KB
Q Y C Emergency Safety Operation Procedure Manual Bareboat 11th Edition N E W.pdf
pdf 1.72 MB
Sailing Experience Bareboat Q Y C.18052023.pdf
pdf 323.64 KB
FAQ
See all our FAQsWhy should I book with Dream Yacht?
Dream Yacht Worldwide is now the world’s leading yacht charter company and offers you:
- A diverse fleet of yachts with a wide variety of models and manufacturers to suit every type of sailor.
- We have 40+ exciting destinations and we’re a pioneer in finding new sailing grounds.
- You can be assured of our commitment to customer service excellence.
- You’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome from our base teams who will share regional tips, recommendations and advice.
- We’re also a trusted seller of new and used boats and an innovator in charter management options – sailing is our business.
What licenses do I need to hire a yacht and sail myself?
The skipper of a yacht has primary responsibility for the safety of the crew and yacht at all times. Many destinations require just relevant experience demonstrated by a sailing resume.
To charter in the Mediterranean, it is mandatory that you hold a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities for bareboat charters in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Malta, Montenegro and Turkey. Other destinations that require a license include Madagascar, Seychelles, Thailand, Brazil and Sweden. For Belize, the port authority will issue a certificate of competency and an application is made on arrival.
You must take your proof of competency and original certificate with you on your charter. We advise you to contact our team about your qualifications and destination requirements before booking.
By accepting the yacht contract you are confirming that you and/or members of your crew are capable and competent to sail the yacht in the conditions and cruising area of the charter. We reserve the right not to hand over the yacht if, after inspection, it is the opinion that the charterer is not, or may not be competent to be in charge of the vessel.
What is a skippered yacht charter?
A skippered yacht charter is when you rent one of our boats for you and your guests and a professional skipper sails it for you. No sailing experience is needed.
You will need to choose a yacht with a cabin for your skipper to sleep in as they are responsible for your yacht for the duration of your charter. We will find the skipper for you once you have found your perfect destination and yacht.
You will need to pay for your skipper’s food. You can invite the skipper to dine with you on board or out at a local restaurant.
What is the difference between crewed and by the cabin charters?
Our by the cabin charter charters offer exciting destination tours on a set itinerary crafted by our destination experts. You can book a double cabin and private bathroom and will share the boat with other guests who have booked the other available cabins. You will be looked after by a professional skipper and hostess with itineraries ranging from three to 11 nights. There is a set menu and included meals and drinks vary depending on location.
Can you tell me about your yachts?
Our super premier yachts are less than 12 months old from their first charter date, while premier yachts are less than three years old from their first charter date. Our yachts are well maintained and undergo regular, scheduled technical inspection.
In case of emergency, you can rely on our hotline, at any time, seven days a week. If you experience a technical failure affecting major and important parts of the yacht, we will repair the failure within four hours of receiving your call during working hours (8am to 5pm). If you lose more than four hours (during working hours), we will compensate you for one full day. If the repair takes more than one day, we will provide you with a similar boat or compensate you on a pro-rata basis. If restrictions to this guarantee apply in specific areas, this will be detailed during the charter check-in at the base.
Do I need insurance for my bareboat charter?
We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits. Please make sure you have personal travel insurance that covers sailing.
We will insure the vessel throughout the charter with first-class insurers against all risks, to provide permission to charter as under contract terms and to cover third-party liability.
The following options are available in limited locations:
- Security Deposit: This varies on the size of the boat and when the boat is returned without damage it is refunded.
- Damage Waiver: The charterer agrees to pay a non-refundable damage waiver at the time of booking, as well as a reduced damage deposit on embarkation that is refundable upon completion of the charter should no damage occur.
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Simply wonderful! Fred + Isabelle were so accommodating and did so much for us. Isabelle’s food was incredible. Thank you so much!
Laura
Exumas CabinGreat class. Very professional and great service!
Thomas
Antigua BareboatJust what we needed to get out of a year of lockdown, see new places and connect with nature. Highly recommended for your next sailing adventure!
Johan
St. Martin BareboatExcellent cruise and wonderful stay on board. Skipper attentive, very pleasant and very professional.
Maxime
Guadeloupe SkipperedI have just returned from another fantastic week of sailing at your base in Pula and would like to thank everyone involved for making this possible at such short notice and without any problems.
Mathias
Croatia BareboatThe marina itself is a perfect base with super facilities! The Lagoon 42 was in good condition and the skipper was fantastic and knew the area very well.
Jonathan
Croatia SkipperedWhat an EXCELLENT experience. We just returned from a week long charter with skipper from Corfu, sailing around the beautiful islands of the Ionian Sea. Paxos, Antipaxos and the old town of Corfu were beautiful and the secluded bays we got to visit thanks to our local skipper Nicholas were simply stunning. Fly and Flops was yesterday – we will only charter with Dream Yacht for the foreseeable future.
David
Greece SkipperedOur group of 10 had a WONDERFUL time in French Polynesia from May 21-28, 2022! The food was fantastic: captain and cook, husband and wife: Henry and Mehee (sp) were amazing and the whole experience on board was a dream! We can’t wait to book another trip through Dream Yacht
Katie
Tahiti Crewed PremiumDream Yacht provided a great sailing experience for my extended family on 2 monohulls from Scrub Island. The boats were in very good condition and perfectly prepared, the staff friendly and helpful. I had worked for a number of charter companies over the years but Dream Yacht is one of the
Charlie
British Virgin Islands BareboatThe new boat was in perfect condition and best condition for exploring bays and islands. I could never have imagined that this could be so much fun and enjoyable and we are already looking forward to the next upcoming trip in the Ionian Sea.er.
Vytautas
Scandinavia BareboatBaja is now my favorite place. There was something for everyone: sailing under northerly winds with mostly calm evenings, snorkeling, fishing, secluded sandy beaches, pelican feedings, being greeted by barking sea lions, and exploring the geology of Ispiritu Santo Island. Dream Yacht Base La Paz provided competent professional support with a well-equipped and maintained boat. We were wonderfully cooked by an on-board chef arranged with Dream Yacht, which meant more free time for all of us. An unforgettable vacation and adventure connected with nature.
Taiyoko
Mexico Crewed PremiumAll the staff were fantastic and made our trip a memorable one. Incredibly friendly and welcoming, the food was fantastic. The service throughout the trip was always top notch!
Tommy
Thailand CabinAbsolutely recommendable. Perfect service. Will charter again and recommend Dream Yacht Charter anytime.
Zahradnik
Turkey BareboatI just returned from 3 weeks of fantastic sailing with my family on one of your catamarans in Sardinia. My thanks to our skipper Simone and Daniela, our cook.
Giles
Sardinia SkipperedFor a first cruise as a skipper, the Mediterranean is perfect. The service of Dream Yacht is too!
Thomas
France BareboatWe had an incredible trip and got engaged on our very first night of sailing! We will surely come back one day. We were beginners, we were guided very well and that gave us a lot of confidence.
George
Australia BareboatThe experience on board far exceeded our expectations. Isabelle provided exceptional three course meals. Her creativity and delicious meals were incredible. Thomas was an excellent skipper, he “felt” our needs. Thanks guys!” Spira, bareboat with crew in New Caledonia.
Spira
New Caledonia Crewed PremiumOnce again a fantastic sail with a great crew. Thanks again to a great captain and cook. Was totally fantastic.
Connie
Seychelles CabinA very excellent sailing vacation – especially the crew was fantastic. I would sail with Dream Yacht again and highly recommend them.
Mark
Guadeloupe BareboatI loved the vacation and am not sure this trip can ever be topped. Everything about it was incredible. The captain and crew were great, helpful, friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. We loved it.
Trina
Greece Crewed PremiumWe just returned from one of your Lagoon 52F’s last week in St. Thomas! We had the trip of a lifetime sailing around St. Thomas and St. John!
Megan
US Virgin Islands BareboatWhat’s new?
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