7 Night Charter Departing from Airlie 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 Cid Harbour or Gulnare Inlet

Gulnare Inlet is a fully protected anchorage in all conditions. However, entry and exit to the inlet must be on a
rising tide as there are a few shallow places to look out for on the way in. Anchoring is in deeper water.
Refer to 100 Magic Miles for details on using a back bearing to navigate through the entrance. This inlet is
great for spending hours exploring the mangrove creeks in the dinghy.

Sawmill Beach is a very good anchorage in anything except W‐NW‐N winds. In this case 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.

Day 3 – Cid/Gulnare 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. When staying in the marina you are free to use all the resort facilities (pools,
restaurants, showers, 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 4 –  Hamilton Island to Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is a  5km beach of pure white silica sand is extremely popular and a must to visit on everyone’s itinerary.
Can sometimes be 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 5 – Whitehaven to Cateran Bay

Good in E‐SE‐S‐SW breezes but can be a little rolly as the wind easts. Best in lighter conditions. Great snorkeling and diving and a pretty beach accessible at high tide. There are public moorings in place here and anchoring is permitted outside of the reef protection buoys.

Day 6 – Cateran Bay to Butterfly Bay

Cateran Bay is 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 7 – Butterfly Bay to South Molle

Bauer Bay (South Molle Island Resort) is good in E‐SE‐S‐SW 15‐25kn. Can become rolly as the wind swings more east. The resort is now a backpacker resort. There is a fee to visit – just pick up a mooring and announce yourself at reception.
They have such activities as squash, tennis and a 9 hole golf course, along with restaurant, bar and pool. If
you just wish to visit the island purely for the 16kms of walking tracks (great views of the surrounding
islands), then simply drop anchor and proceed inshore to the start of the track behind the resort.

Day 8 – South Molle to Airlie Beach

Enjoy an 8.5nm sail from South Molle back to Airlie Beach.

Please note that this is a general guide only and is subject to weather conditions.