Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays share the same idyllic climate as the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Tahiti. Nature has left a collection of islands - actually what remains of submerged mountains - rising from a bright turquoise sea. |
The fringing coral
reefs, tropical rainforests, pristine beaches and crystal
clear waters, largely untouched by man, make this one of the
most beautiful destinations in the world.
Whitsunday Islands - Sailing Magic!
The warm aquamarine waters range between 20 and 25 deg. C allow year round snorkeling and diving opportunities and provide a glimpse into the magic of these Great Barrier Reef Islands.
The Whitsundays with its safe anchorages and coves, sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the world's finest cruising areas and will undoubtedly capture your heart and imagination. Lying in the tropics close to 20 deg south the Whitsundays has an enviable climate year round. The Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea protect the waters of the Whitsundays from the ocean seas with most islands being surrounded by a fringing reef system.
Summers are warm with frequent rain showers. Winters, considered perfect by many, are warm by day and cool by night. July is the coolest month and January the warmest. Cyclones if they do occur at all are most likely between February and March.
To review the Whitsundays climate in more detail, click here to link to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website. Additional links to other useful websites are available here.
Getting To the Whitsundays
Domestic airlines Jetstar and Virginblue have daily flights from all major cities into the Whitsunday Coast airport at Proserpine and the Great Barrier Reef airport at Hamilton Island . Qantas has a daily flight from Cairns to Hamilton Island and return.
There is a shuttle bus that will meet every flight into Proserpine. Transfers can be booked on the following site www.whitsundayshuttle.com.au . Transfer time is approximately 45 minutes to Airlie Beach and 60 minutes to Shute Harbour. Taxis are also available - Cost is approximately $70.00 and takes 30 minutes
If you are arriving into Hamilton Island, there are ferry services to both Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach.
Shute Harbour ferry is operated by Fantasea Cruises - timetable and costs can be viewed at www.fantasea.com.au/Timetables.aspx
Ferry service to Abel Point marina in Airlie Beach is operated by Cruise Whitsundays -timetable and costs and can be viewed at resort timetable.aspx Cruise Whitsunday ferry must be pre booked at least 24 hrs prior to arrival. If you need assistance with this please ask us.
All costs and times quoted are approximate.
