For complete information about boating in the Whitsundays, refer to the essential sailing guide for the area, 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef – The Whitsunday Islands.

Australia’s amazing cruising grounds, the Whitsundays, offer scores of protected anchorages each within easy reach of the next anchorage / moorings

Sailing conditions

South-east trade winds fan the Queensland coast from March-April to September-October providing exhilarating sailing conditions, frequently 15-20 knots in strength. From October onwards milder easterlies and north-easterlies are more common. The islands themselves and the Great Barrier Reef to the east create a relatively protected stretch of water (European discoverer James Cook referred to the Whitsunday Passage as “one continued safe harbour”). But when the winds are piping in, the phenomenon of ‘bullets’ (sharp gusts) may be experienced in some anchorages, and good anchoring technique is essential.

Tides

The Whitsundays are subject to 10-13 feet tides which, during times of maximum flood and ebb, create currents that accelerate through the narrow passages between the islands, and when the direction -of the wind and tidal currents oppose each other, Whitsunday waters can sometimes be turbulent. Yachts plan their movements to take advantage of currents and to avoid bumpy passage making. The large rise and fall of the water level needs to be considered when anchoring a yacht.

Boating facilities

The area has four marinas, with others under construction.

Location	Entrance lat./Long.	Facilities
Mackay	21° 063’S, 149° 14.0’E	479 berths; full marine services; launching ramp
Laguna Whitsundays	20° 35’S, 148° 41.5’E	Current Status Unknown
Hamilton Island	20° 20.8’S, 148° 56.8’E	230 berths; full marine services
Abell Point	20° 15.6’S, 148° 42.6’E	507 berths; full marine services; launching ramp