On the east coast of Australia, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, green islands with white sandy beaches appear like a mirage under the rays of the tropical sun. Though far from civilization, they attract and frighten at the same time with their unpredictability. The colorful world of fish, turtles, dolphins, and even whales frolicking in warm waters, and the unique coral reefs make it worth embarking on an unpredictable yacht trip off the coast of Australia. Thanks to the reef, the coast of Queensland boasts the largest number of safe anchorages and sheltered yacht clubs. Along the rocky coast and sandy beaches, only the mouths of the rivers serve as natural harbors.
Yacht Charter in Australia
The east coast of Queensland, specifically Airlie Beach, offers yacht charters.
Nearest Airports in Australia
Brisbane International Airport (BNE) and Sydney International Airport (SYD) are the nearest airports to the yacht charter location.
Features of Yachting in Australia
Yachting in Australia is recommended for experienced yachtsmen due to the high level of difficulty. The area is characterized by tidal waters, strong ocean currents, strong winds, rocky shores, gently sloping ocean waves, and difficult seabed topography. Safe and secure moorings and marinas are located along the east and southeast coasts, though navigation can be challenging. However, every island, reef, and passage is well-marked on the region’s nautical charts.
The best time for yachting in Australia is from August to October and from February to May (local spring and autumn). The southeast coast of Australia has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and rainy, mild winters. The air temperature from November to April is around 25-27 degrees Celsius, while the water temperature ranges from 20-25 degrees Celsius. South and southeast trade winds typically prevail at 20-25 knots, and showers are likely.
Australia Yachting Route from Airlie Beach
A 7-day itinerary for a yacht trip around the Whitsunday Islands off the east coast of Australia from Airlie Beach is available. It includes a detailed description of anchorages with GPS coordinates and distances (in miles) for daily sailings on the islands of the Coral Sea in Australia. The route covers 95 nautical miles and includes stopovers at Airlie Beach, South Mall Island, Hook Island, Whitsunday Island, Shaw Island, Hamilton Island, and Shute Harbor.
Queensland is the most popular and famous of the six Australian states. The state’s popularity is attributed to the fact that most of its local tourist attractions are “invented” by nature itself: the best beaches, breathtaking mountain systems, and a series of beautiful waterfalls. The famous Great Barrier Reef, stretching in the Coral Sea along the northeast coast of the state, and the Whitsunday Islands are the main attractions of Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest coral systems in the world, and it can be seen even from space. The reef is made up of billions of coral polyps, the smallest microorganisms. It is the largest formation in the world created by living organisms. In the north, it is almost continuous, while in the south, it breaks up into groups of separate reefs, in some places receding from the coast by 300 km.