The 12 Airlie Beach Sailing Trips That Earn Their Price

1.2-Night Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Trimaran Avatar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 771 reviews · from $466Our pick

Join OzSail’s 2-night trimaran voyage from Airlie Beach aboard Avatar, the Whitsundays’ only commercial sailing trimaran. You’ll visit Whitehaven Beach, snorkel calm reef waters, eat onboard, and sleep at sea. Crew members may include Alex, Ella, Sammy, Dave, Tyler, or Casper.

“The staff really made this trip that much more enjoyable. Beautiful reefs, amazing staff what an experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 752 reviews · from $466Top rated

Sail from Airlie Beach aboard the 82-foot Spank Me for two nights of island scenery, snorkeling, and Whitehaven Beach. You’ll sleep in shared bunks, eat included meals, and visit places such as Hook Island, Hayman Island, Luncheon Bay, and Blue Pearl Bay. Captain Alex and the crew lead the trip.

“We just departed from the “Spank Me” and we had a great time! Accommodations were about what you’d expect from a racing sailboat, and Captain Alex takes you around to some beautiful places and great snorkeling spots. Marie and MollRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Full-Day Whitsunday Sail and Snorkel Adventure with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 653 reviews · from $142

Spend about 8.5 hours aboard the Tongarra from Coral Sea Marina, sailing to Langford Island for beach time, snorkeling, and optional banana boat rides. Lunch, snacks, snorkeling gear, and stinger suits are included. Bring your own alcohol for the return sail and sunset.

“Such a great experience to see a not so busy snorkel site on the Whitsunday’s! Incredible people running the ship, great snacks and met some friendly people along the way.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 640 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $137

Spend nine hours aboard the 62-foot gaff-rigged schooner Providence, sailing from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and a fringing Great Barrier Reef site. You can help raise the sails, snorkel with supplied gear, and enjoy guidance from crew members such as Jack, Fin, Reed, or Hans, depending on the day.

“Hi, thank you so much for so beautiful day, we really love it ✨”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Whitsunday Islands 2-Day Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 452 reviews · 2 days · from $350

Sail overnight from Airlie Beach aboard the Matador with an English-speaking crew, two reef snorkeling stops, early access to Whitehaven Beach, fresh meals, sunset music, and a night under the stars. Expect dorm-style sleeping, shared facilities, and an active boat trip rather than a resort cruise.

“Top ! Everything was perfect. The staff was super nice, food was good. Felt more like a family boat rather than a party boat (thank you for that!) We stayed at the most beautiful place and arrived before everyone at Whitehaven beach ! I truly recommand the Matador and OzSail :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Camira Sailing Adventure through Whitsunday Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 452 reviews · from $185

Cruise the Whitsundays aboard the high-speed catamaran Camira, with stops at Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and a fringing reef. You get a guided lookout walk, swimming, snorkeling gear, stinger suits, BBQ lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol after snorkeling or from 10am.

“Something very different on your ship Great experience with your staff they are so friendly and helpful”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Providence Whitsundays Tallship Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 389 reviews · 2 hours · from $63Best value

Spend two hours aboard Providence V, a 62-foot gaff-rigged schooner and movie boat, sailing from Coral Sea Marina across Airlie Beach’s bay. Enjoy a welcome drink, shared bread, cheese, fruit, and dips, help raise the sails, and watch the sun fade over the Whitsundays with crew such as Oscar, Katie, or Luke.

“This activity was a great end to our honeymoon week away in the Whitsundays and was a relaxing way to wind down that evening with a glass of champagne included. Something to note for future improvement would be doing the safety demonstration before leaving the docks, instead of waiting till you are already 10-15mins out at sea and then doing it. Apart from this everything else was great! We went with Katie and Oscar who were both friendly and informative and it was really interesting watching them put up and take down the sails and having them explain what they did. Also loved that the bar remained open after the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Trip with Meals

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 389 reviews · 3 days · from $460

Spend two nights aboard an OzSail maxi yacht from Airlie Beach, snorkeling sites around Hook, Hayman, Border, and Whitsunday islands, reaching Whitehaven Beach early, and sharing fresh meals with an English-speaking crew. Expect open-plan bunks, shared bathrooms, changing snorkel sites, and real sailing.

“Magical trip, best moments with sunrise, sunset, stars, snorkelling (turtles, lemon sharks), dolphin and shark spotting on the boat- and Whitehaven (wow)! Sam, Chris, max, Silla - best crew- book it!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Adults Only Sunset Sail with Aperol Spritz/Antipasto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Spend two hours aboard the 72-foot timber yacht Lady Enid, sailing from Coral Sea Marina as the sun drops behind Airlie Beach. You’ll walk barefoot on deck, share prawns and antipasto, sip an Aperol Spritz, and watch the town light up on the return trip.

“Stunning sunset sail, the crew were awesome, my partner and I soaked up every moment. Definitely the best way to relax in the afternoon!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Whitsunday Islands Sailing, SUP & Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 6 hours · from $162

Spend six hours aboard the air-conditioned 60-foot catamaran Wings III with Captain and crew, including Mon, Maddy, Mike, and Sarah on various departures. Sail near Hook Island and Hayman Island, snorkel fringing reefs, paddle a SUP or clear-bottom kayak, and enjoy fresh food. Bring your own drinks.

“Great snorkeling. Great boat . Great food . Great crew . Fantastic music . limited numbers . just book it .”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.2-Day, 2-Night Maxi Yacht Sailing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 57 reviews · 2 days · from $494

Join Prosail Whitsundays for two nights aboard an ex-racing maxi yacht with a fun English-speaking crew. You’ll sail from Airlie Beach, snorkel up to three reef sites, walk to Hill Inlet Lookout, spend three hours at Whitehaven Beach, and share fresh meals with a social group of about 25 passengers.

“Tom, Dylan, and Nick were lovely. Had a great time snorkeling and hiking on Whitehaven!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.BYOB Sunset Sail in Style Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 35 reviews · 2 hours · from $77

Join a skipper and host aboard the 60-foot SV Wings III for a relaxed two-hour sunset sail from Coral Sea Marina. You’ll get a tropical welcome drink, antipasto, dessert canapés, tea, and coffee. Bring your own chilled drinks, then settle on the spacious decks or top sundeck.

Check availability →Read our full review