Whitehaven in the picture
If Whitehaven Beach is what brought you here, make it the focus of your trip. Leave room for the cruise and time on the sand, with the route shaped around the day's conditions.
Airlie Beach. Out to the islands.
Leave Airlie Beach for island swims, Whitehaven's white sand and nights at anchor, with a private crewed yacht for your own group.
Find my charterThe islands start here
Meet on the mainland, then spend your days among the Whitsundays, coming back aboard after a swim or a beach wander.
Airlie Beach makes a relaxed beginning to an island holiday. Spend a night ashore, gather your people and take that first look out from the marina before the mainland slips behind you.
For a day, a beach and a long spell in the water may be enough. Stay aboard and there is room for slower mornings, another anchorage and an evening together after the day's cruising.
From Airlie to the islands
Make a favourite beach the focus, spend a day away from town or settle into life aboard.
A day out from your mainland stay
Keep your room in Airlie Beach and give the day to island cruising, a swim and your own group aboard. Choose the beach stop or time in the water you would most like to build it around.
Wake among the islands
Stay for the quieter hours: a morning on deck, a swim before moving on and the view from your anchorage as evening falls. A few nights aboard make those moments part of the holiday.
Your home among the islands
Picture everyone aboard, from the first afternoon on deck to the cabins you return to after an island day.
Lumir
37m10 overnight guests4 cabins
4 cabins for a stay with family or friends.
Explore Lumir
Havanna
19.8m11 overnight guests
A barbecue aboard for relaxed meals together.
Explore Havanna
Big Sky
48m11 overnight guests5 cabins
5 cabins for a stay with family or friends.
Explore Big SkyA few practical details.
Start with your people and dates. The finer details can take shape from there.
- Make the marina part of the travel plan
- Confirm the actual meeting point and boarding time before arranging airport or accommodation transfers. Leave room for luggage and guests arriving separately.
- Choose the return time early
- For a day charter, share dinner bookings or onward travel. For an overnight trip, plan the last morning around when the group leaves the yacht, then arrange the next part of the journey.
- Keep the route comfortable
- The skipper will shape the route around weather, sea conditions and the yacht. A clear preference for beach time, snorkelling or longer lunches is more useful than a tightly timed island checklist.
Your time aboard
A private day or several nights. Three, five and seven nights give different amounts of time for the islands and days at anchor.
The whole charter cost
Compare the complete cost for your group, dates and time aboard. A private day and several nights in the islands have different inclusions and running costs.
Understand charter costs- The yacht and time aboard
- Compare the day or weekly charter fee for your dates, with the minimum time aboard, guest limits and tax treatment stated in the quote.
- Food, drinks and cruising
- Check what is included and whether an APA or other expense allowance applies. Food, drinks, fuel and route costs can be charged separately from the charter fee.
- Getting to and from the yacht
- Include transfers, marina charges and any yacht relocation in the comparison. Confirm delivery fees and any gratuity separately.
Take your people to the islands
Start with your dates and guests. You can leave the island route open while you find the kind of charter you would like.
Find my charterBefore you go.
Is Airlie Beach a good starting point for a private Whitsundays charter?
It suits a mainland stay and gives the group a place to meet before boarding. The best starting point still depends on the yacht and your dates. Compare the complete arrival and return plan alongside the charter itself.
Can we charter for just one day from Airlie Beach?
Yes, you can request a private crewed day charter. Share the number of guests, your date and the main experience you want. The proposed yacht, departure and route determine how much time you can spend at each stop.
Should we choose Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island?
Airlie Beach works around mainland accommodation and travel. Hamilton Island may suit an island stay or island arrival. Choose the yacht and workable boarding arrangement together before committing to transfers or flights.
Do we need to choose every island before enquiring?
No. Your dates, guests and preferred time aboard are enough to start. Places you particularly want to visit and the balance of active days and quiet anchorages can be discussed in the follow-up.