5 Night Charter Departing from Airlie Beach

This itinerary is based on predominantly south ‐ south easterly breezes. In a northerly Butterfly Bay and Whitehaven Beach may only be good for a lunch stop not an overnighter. Alternative anchorages in these instances could be Stonehaven or Macona Inlet instead of Butterfly Bay and Chance Bay/Turtle Bay as an alternative to Whitehaven Beach.

Full Itinerary

Day 1 – Airlie Beach to Nara Inlet

Nara Inlet is a beautiful Fjord like inlet. Entrance is on the starboard side as there is an extensive reef to port. Nara
Inlet features ancient aboriginal cave paintings with a good bush walk and views over the inlet. Take a
walk to the top of the waterfall which is spectacular after heavy rains. Anchoring only (no moorings)
with very good holding and one of the best places for a sound night’s sleep in all conditions.

Day 2 – Nara Inlet To Butterfly Inlet

A great place to snorkel or dive. There are quite a few public moorings in these bays but anchoring can
also be done outside of the reef protection markers. Bullets can be frequent in strong southerlies, so if
anchoring make sure it is well set. From Butterfly you can also dinghy around to Maureens Cove for
more beautiful snorkeling and diving. There is an abundance of fish and corals that can take you days to
explore. Not a good anchorage in northerlies & fishing is not permitted.

Day 3 – Butterfly Bay to Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is a 5km beach of pure white silica sand; it is extremely popular and a must to visit on everyone’s itinerary. Can sometimes be very rolly at night and at dusk and dawn if on the beach watch out for the sandflies! Good in all breezes but N‐NE.

Day 4 – Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island

This resort island is located in the middle of the Whitsunday group and can be a great mid charter stop
over for many reasons. You are free to use all the resort facilities (pools etc) and there are a great many
restaurants and cafés to choose from and a good range of activities to keep you amused. Fill up with
water, top up the fridge & get rid of your rubbish. There is also a Doctors, General Store, Bakery, Bottle
Shop, Bank, Post Office and many boutique clothing stores.

Day 5 – Hamilton island to Cid Harbour

Sawmill Beach is a very good anchorage in anything except W‐NW‐N winds. In this case then anchoring in Dugong Inlet is an option in all but West winds. Sawmill Beach has a great walking track which is not too strenuous around to Dugong Beach or if you are fit and have the whole day consider a walk to Whitsunday Peak for spectacular views over The Whitsundays. This anchorage is teeming with Turtles and you will also spot Sea Eagles and the occasional Dugong!

Day 6 – Cid to Airlie Beach

Return back to Airlie Beach after a 15nm sail back from Cid Harbour.