Cairns Reef Charter Services

The Great Barrier Reef, stretching over 2500 kilometres, offers some of the safest and most beautiful sailing waters in the world. Cruise the waters of the Great Barrier Reef - charter a bare boat with friends or family as crew or take along an experienced skipper as your sailing guide. There are resort and deserted islands to explore, and coral cays with calm, clear waters surrounded by coral gardens and brightly coloured marine life. Cruises designed for comfort or adventure depart Cairns, Townsville or Airlie Beach. The Whitsunday or Hinchinbrook area is one of Queensland's premier boating destinations, very popular for those interested in bare boating.

This cruise combines the unforgettable opportunity to see one of the Great Wonders of the World with the romance of sailing aboard a traditional vessel. We visit reef areas such as Thetford, Moore and Briggs, each of which offer varying dive or snorkel locations, with different coral formations and featuring a multitude of tropical fish life. You can discover the exotic beauty of the Great Barrier Reef for the first time as a snorkeller with one of the crew to guide and assist. If you feel the urge to become part of the underwater world, our Dive Instructor can give you an opportunity to try a personalised Introductory Dive.

Certified divers can also experience the pleasure of diving at pristine sites not visited by the masses. Night dive, swim, throughs and drift dives are all possible. This vessel has the charm of gaffrigged schooners built in the 1800's. Made of hard wood using modern technology she is 20 metres (65') long with a beam of 5.2 metres (17'). Her beautiful lines will give you the unique feeling of nostalgia, adventure and romance. Our experienced and multi-lingual skipper and crew will make this cruise an experience of a lifetime, including delicious meals (please advise of any special dietary requirements), and every attention paid to your comfort and well being.

She takes a maximum of 10 passengers so you can experience that personalised attention not possible on bigger vessels. Our objective is to allow you to relax and enjoy the experience at your own pace. Join in and help sail the boat or just 'supervise' from the sundeck.

Cost:
AUD $580 per person - State Room - Double Bed
AUD $560 per person - Shared Cabin - Double or Single bunk

Diving Package:
AUD $140.00 (4 dives)

Valid 1st. April 2007 - 31 March 2008.

2 Day / 1 Night Great Barrier Reef Sailing Experience

Departs Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays

Come sail with us from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef aboard our well appointed and spacious 16 metre ketch. This vessel is professionally crewed catered and comfortably accommodates up to 10 passengers. Enjoy the best the reef has to offer for two adventure filled days and one relaxing evening.

Cost:
AUD $400 per person - Share Cabin Accommodation
AUD $420 per person - Private Cabin - Double Bed
AUD $400 per person - Stateroom - Queen size Bed

State-of-the-art 40-foot Buizen pilot saloon luxury yacht specifically appointed to charter the beautiful reefs and islands near Port Douglas and the tropical northern regions of the Great Barrier Reef. The vast cruising area that stretches from Port Douglas to Cape York features stunning coastal scenery, as well as a spectacular string of reefs studded with tropical islands and lagoons that offer among the most breathtaking views of underwater life in the world. On board, you are not only spoilt for choice, but you set the pace.

Day 1 Depart Port Douglas Marina at 8.30am and cruise north along the beautiful Daintree coast and anchor overnight at Hope Isles or Rocky Isles.

Day 2 Arrive at the spectacular Lizard Island with its surrounding coral reefs at sunset.

Day 4 Sail to Cooktown and overnight on board yacht in historic Cooktown harbour where Captain Cook, on his discovery voyage, repaired his ship, the Endeavour after striking a coral reef.

Day 5 Disembark vessel at 9.00 a.m. and enjoy a 4WD tour around Cooktown and return to Port Douglas along the famous Bloomfield Track through the Daintree Rainforest. Passage along the Bloomfield track is subject to weather conditions. The inland route to Port Douglas will be taken if adverse conditions apply.

Experience the solitude and serenity of the myriad mangrove fringed waterways and sandy beaches of magnificent Hinchinbrook Island, the largest National Park island in the world. Alternatively, you can dive on the coral reef-fringing picturesque tropical islands. For the more sociably minded, a cruise to Dunk Island and join in the fun is essential. When you thought you'd experienced all the world's great cruising grounds, there's still one place to delight and surprise you.

On the North Queensland coast, between Mission Beach and the Palm Island Group lie 30 tropical islands. Unspoiled and virtually as untouched as they were when Captain Cook first sighted them on his voyage of discovery in 1770. They are overwhelmingly beautiful and enticing. Located on the same latitude as Fiji, they provide vistas of rainforest clad mountains, miles of deserted, golden beaches, fascinating mangrove habitats, fringing coral reefs covered by warm clear water and 1000sq miles of sheltered cruising grounds fanned by the predictable SE Trade Winds. You appreciate the freedom and privacy that a Boating Holiday can provide as you cruise this serenely attractive part of the world.

The vessel of your choice becomes your self-contained apartment on the water, with changing views daily. It is your environmentally harmonious vehicle for discovery, fantastic fishing, adventure or just relaxing aboard in the company of good friends. Hinchinbrook Boating Holidays has an appeal to everyone with a sense of adventure, a love of nature and the desire to drop out of the rat race for a few days, a week or as long as you like! On board you will find a toilet and shower, a well equipped galley with sink, stove, fridge, utensils, and crockery, fresh linen, towels, pillows and quilts, plus snorkelling and fishing gear. A dinghy and outboard is supplied.

Have us tailor design an itinerary just for you! Special itineraries can be designed to incorporate diving, sightseeing, bird watching, rainforest walks or just sailing the nearby or remote islands and cays. We can arrange charters for a full day or half day, or if you have a little more time, we can also arrange extended live aboard charters. We have vessels available for charter to accommodate either groups or individuals. Alternatively, there are many scheduled departures available on a share charter basis.