Whitsundays

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Whitsundays Islands Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the Whitsundays Islands.
See also Whitsunday Passage

Overview

The Whitsunday Islands are a group of islands within the Great Barrier Reef area in Queensland, Australia. They are a major tourist area and very popular with yacht charterers.

The islands are continental that is they geographically belong to the mainland and are not coral cays. They are however surrounded by corals and most of their beaches consist of finely ground coral skeletons.

The name Whitsunday is derived from Captain Cook’s Whitsunday Passage which is believed that he discovered on the day of the Pentecost also known as Whit Sunday.

Cruising the region

The Whitsunday Islands are an almost idyllic cruising ground. There are numerous islands with lovely protected beaches and anchorages and fantastic coral reefs teaming with tropical fish. Most of the area is part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park and several restrictions are applied. There are areas where anchoring is restricted, to protect the coral, but there are usually mooring buoys which can be used for 2 hours during the day and for an overnight after 4 PM. For information refer to the indispensable 100 Magic Miles by David Colfelt.

Local Dangers

  • The pretty but potentially cone shells found on the beach and shallow waters
  • The extremely dangerous box and Irukandji jelly fish prevelent from May to October
  • Stonefish that can be stepped upon in shallow waters

Charts

Uh, it's complicated - there are dozens of them.

Weather Information

See Queensland

Sources for weather information:

Regional Radio Nets

Islands in the Whitsundays

Mainland Ports and Anchorages

References & Publications

  • 100 Magic Miles by David Colfelt. This book is the absolute must-have bible for cruising the Whitsunday Islands area of the Queensland coast. The book covers everything from harbours, anchorages, marine protection and national park zones, locations of courtesy moorings, dive and fishing spots, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Personal Notes

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page [add 3 tildes (~~~) on the name line]

Names: Haiqu, Istioploos


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