The 13 Best Sailing and Yacht Charters in Australia

1.2-Night Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Trimaran Avatar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 771 reviews · from $466Our pick

Spend two nights aboard Avatar, the Whitsundays’ only commercial sailing trimaran, with up to 26 passengers. Sail from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach and quiet reef spots, snorkel with turtles and fish, and enjoy meals, guiding, and onboard accommodation. Expect simple food and tight sleeping quarters.

“I will try to report the facts, without entering into personal judgment because only bad words will come out. I state, in 7 participants we interrupted halfway through the tour, due to safety and health risk problems as the extremely precarious Read moreAuto-translated”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Whitsunday Islands 2-Day Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 452 reviews · 2 days · from $350

Sail overnight from Airlie Beach aboard Matador, a small-group racing yacht with an English-speaking crew. You will snorkel reef sites, reach Whitehaven Beach early, eat fresh onboard meals, and sleep either below deck or beneath the stars. Expect a friendly, social trip, not a luxury cruise.

“Awesome trip! Very friendly crew, good food and cozy beds. Stunning snorkeling spots.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Camira Sailing Adventure through Whitsunday Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 452 reviews · from $185

Spend about 10 hours aboard the Camira catamaran, sailing from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. You’ll follow a guided path linked to the Ngaro people, swim, snorkel a fringing reef, and enjoy barbecue lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol after 10am or snorkeling.

“This should be a happy trip for my partner and I. We planed this trip for my birthday. But it has been ruined by a staff call Joel. He was so rude and seperate attitudes treated Asian and the others during the whole time . That’s not fair. He never stated rules clearly but only said no and stop. We are Australian citizens live in Brisbane for more than 15 years and first time feels raciest so badly in this trip! When we landed the white heaven bay we were the first group, then we thought we would be the first group back to Camira when we came back. We…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 398 reviews · 9 hours · from $183

Spend nine hours aboard a 16-meter schooner with a small group of up to 25 people. Snorkel an exclusive reef site, add a beginner or certified scuba session, visit Green Island, and sail back with wine, cheese, fruit, and cake.

“Fantastic and the crew was excellent Mat, Marie & Paul”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.2 Day & 2 Night Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Condor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 302 reviews · from $501Top rated

Join Prosail Whitsundays at Coral Sea Marina for a 2-night sailing trip through the Whitsundays. You’ll sleep aboard, eat onboard, snorkel with provided gear, walk to Hill Inlet Lookout, and return to Airlie Beach around 11am on day three. BYO alcohol, with no glass or red wine.

“The passengers and crew were amazing and as a solo traveler I felt so embraced and comfortable sooner than I would’ve ever expected. I had a lovely time even though we didn’t catch the best conditions. Everyone’s attitude and williRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Magnetic Island Sip and Sail Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 240 reviews · from $99

Join Pilgrim Magnetic Island at Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar in Nelly Bay for a 90-minute sunset sail on Cleveland Bay. The small yacht carries no more than 12 people and includes local cheese, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks while you watch the sun drop over Magnetic Island.

“This experience was exceptional. The captain and crew were incredibly welcoming and very attentive throughout the entirety of the sail. We were provided with a unique experience, a stunning sunset and a delicious cheese platter. Especially recommend the pumpkin chutney.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Fraser Island 4-Hour Eco-Sailing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 216 reviews · 4 hours · from $77Best value

Join Blue Dolphin Marine Tours for a four-hour cruise from the Fraser Coast with guides including Peter and Cassie. Search for dolphins, dugongs, turtles, and whales, then swim near Fraser Island, play on the AquaMat and boom net, and enjoy morning tea aboard a small, shaded vessel.

“Fabulous day! Great staff and the scenery was divine with some unexpected humpbacks too!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.2-Day Whitsunday Islands Sailing Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 215 reviews · 60 hours · from $488

Spend 60 hours aboard the fast trimaran Avatar, sailing from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and changing snorkel sites around the Whitsundays. Crew members such as Max, Meg, Hannah, and Riley vary by departure. Expect fresh meals, simple cabins, deck sleeping, and a friendly social mood.

“Incredible trip on Avatar! With so many options of boats and companies we hoped we booked the one right for us. Avatar is a great boat with space to lounge on the nets and the crew, Max, Kate and Lauren were so friendly, helpful and funny. They guided us through the snorkelling to ensure we saw some amazing reefs, fish and turtles. An amazing trip and will definitely be a highlight of our 8 month backpacking travel. A very chilled atmosphere, with incredible snorkelling spots and great advice from the crew. Meals were delicious and the soundtrack to the trip matched the moments perfectly. Could not recommend more highly! (Just…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Whitsunday Islands Sailing, SUP & Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 6 hours · from $162

Spend six hours aboard the air-conditioned 60-foot catamaran Wings III, sailing near Hook Island and Hayman Island. Swim, snorkel, paddle a SUP or clear-bottom kayak, and relax on deck with fresh morning tea and lunch. Crew members such as Mon, Mike, Maddy, and Sarah are known for calm, careful water guidance.

“Fabulous day out with Mike and Mon. Didn’t want to do the big overcrowded trips and this was prefect. Nothing was too much trouble, great lunch, snorkeling was fun. All I all we had a very relaxing day”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Whitsunday Islands Sail, SUP & Snorkel Tour- Small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $156

Spend six hours aboard Wings III, a 60ft air-conditioned sailing catamaran from Airlie Beach. Expect reef snorkeling near Hayman Island, SUPs, a clear-bottom kayak, Jacuzzi time, fresh morning tea and lunch, and a route shaped by the weather. Crew members may include Mon, Stew, or Maggie May.

“Wings is a professionally run activity. We had only 10 people on the boat which was a bonus, but even the 25 usual would be fine. It is a big cat. Excellent fruit and savoury platters soon after boarding, pod coffee and big tea selection. BriRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Magnetic Island: Lunchtime Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 37 reviews · 4 - 6 hours · from $169

Spend four to six hours sailing Magnetic Island with Captain Clayton and crew, stopping in a quiet bay for swimming, wildlife watching, and a local seafood and antipasto lunch. Your $169 fare includes organic wine, local beer, stinger suits in season, and a chance to steer on the return sail.

“My experience with them was great! I went with my best friend and we had a great time! I highly recommend! It’s really fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Lady Enid Sailing to Hook Island Cultural Site & Snorkelling

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · from $182

Spend eight hours aboard the 72-foot Lady Enid, an Australian classic yacht sailing from Airlie Beach to Nara Inlet and Hook Island. You’ll visit a Ngaro cultural site, enjoy lunch on board, snorkel for about 40 minutes, and return with sparkling wine and antipasto.

“We asked two different agents for a tour to visit Whitehaven beach and Hill Inlet lookout. They ensured us that the Lady Enid Sailing tour called “Langford Island+snorkeling” was going there so they made us pay for it. In fact, the section ‘what Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Hook Island Cultural Tour, Sail & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · 8 hours · from $180

Spend eight hours aboard Lady Enid, a classic Australian-built timber yacht, sailing from Airlie Beach to Nara Inlet and Hook Island. You’ll visit a Ngaro cultural site, enjoy morning tea and lunch, snorkel for about 40 minutes, and return with sparkling wine and antipasto.

“Equipage tres sympathique et professionnel Journée tres agréable et parfaitement dans nos attentes”

Check availability →Read our full review