cruise whitsunday schedule

Airlie Beach, Australia

Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Schedule

• Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet
• Great Barrier Reef Adventures
• Camira Sailing Adventures
• Island Escape Day Cruises
• Airlie Beach
• Groups & Events
• Resort Connections
• Turtle Club
• Newsletter sign-up
• Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet
• Great Barrier Reef
• Sailing Adventures
• Island Paradise
• Manage Booking
• Environmental Commitment
• Join the Travel Club
• Gift Voucher
• Introduction

Highlights & Inclusions

What to bring.

Camira Sailing Adventure

About the tour.

Departing from Airlie Beach, Camira cruises past Whitsunday Island, passing Daydream, Hamilton and Hook islands en route. On Whitsunday Island’s east coast, Camira moors at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, a 7km arc of dazzling white sand, regularly voted Australia’s best beach.

On a guided hike to Hill Inlet lookout, follow a path walked by the Whitsundays’ traditional owners, the Ngaro people. Back on the beach, swim and stroll along the shore before a BBQ lunch cooked and served on board. After lunch, you will head to one of the Whitsundays fringing reefs for some snorkelling before sailing back to shore.

Physical rating: Please be advised that a moderate level of fitness and agility is recommended for this experience, which includes bushwalking, snorkelling, and climbing in and out of tenders. High temperatures and humidity are possible, especially in the summer months.

*Please also note for any guests wanting to snorkel the fringing reef from Camira, you must have adequate swimming abilities as there are no flotation devices available.

• Scenic return sailing adventure through the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
• Morning and afternoon tea
• Snorkeling the fringing reef*
• BBQ lunch, soft drinks and water
• Beer and wine from 11am
• Beach activities
• Guided walk to Hill Inlet and lookout (tidal dependent)

• Swimwear and towel
• Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and protective clothing
• Light jacket/sweater for a cool or windy day

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Airlie Beach (Queensland Australia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Australia - New Zealand - Pacific Ocean Islands

Local Time 2024-04-30 17:49

Port Airlie Beach cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Airlie Beach, Queensland Australia. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Airlie Beach is a port town in Whitsunday Region (North Queensland, Australia), with population around 8,000. Port Airlie (aka Abel Point) is among the departure ports for Coral Sea cruises to Great Barrier Reef . Most regularly scheduled cruise ship calls to Airlie Beach are from Carnival Corporation -owned liners - from the fleets of Carnival Australia , P&O Australia and Princess Cruises .

Airlie Beach as tourism travel destination is extremely popular among backpackers and boaters. As the beach is relatively small and the surrounding waters are teeming with box jellyfish and marine stingers, to provide a swimming zone for visitors, the town council built a medium-sized lagoon (similar to Cairns '). Airlie Beach Lagoon is sized approx 4300 m2 (46300 ft2).

Whitsunday Islands were named by James Cook (1728-1779, British Royal Navy officer and cartographer). He named them in 1770 as he believed his passage through the region was on Whit Sunday (Christian festival day), without taking into account the International Date Line. Each year, local rsidents celebrate The Blessing of Fleet on Whit Sunday (Pentecost Sunday).  Town's official between 1936-1987 was just Airlie. Busking (street performances) were legalized in June 2010.

Airlie Beach cruise terminal

Most tour boat cruises from Airlie Beach to Great Barrier Reef (and the all 74x Whitsundays islands) depart from Abell Point Marina, and only a few leave out of Port Airlie. Abell Point Marina has 507 berths (moorings). Cruise ships anchor near the Marina and ferry their passengers ashore via the ship's tender boats.

Abell Point Marina as facilities and amenities offers 3 restaurants (cafe bars), 1 event facility, 300 car parking lots, relaxation areas, newly developed parkland, helipad (helicopter landing area), boat maintenance facilities, services (laundry, showers, toilets, Wifi, car rental, diving, fueling, water and power supply, security, ship chandlery, waste collection).

The nearest airfield is approx 30 km (19 ml) away. Abell Point Marina provides berthing even for superyachts, having 100 fixed moorings for boats with LOA length between 25-70 m (82-230 ft). Marina's max draft is 5 m (16 ft).

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Airlie Beach - user reviews and comments

Whitehaven Cruise & Reef Sail

Cruise and sail from one Whitsundays favourite to the next, and explore the best of the islands in style with the Whitehaven Cruise & Reef Sail 2 Day Package!

• Spend a day visiting both North and South Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Bullet
• Cruise at high speeds to Hill Inlet Lookout and snorkel amongst vibrant fringing reefs
• Adventure sail aboard a famous racing yacht on Tongarra
• Visit the natural beauty of Langford Reef and Hook Island
• See the best of the Whitsundays and save!

Explore the Whitsundays to your heart's content as you island-hop from one world-renowned tropical destination and inner fringing reef to the next! The Whitehaven Cruise & Reef Sail package allows you to spend one action-packed day cruising at top speeds to the marvellous sites of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, followed by an astounding snorkel, on Whitsunday Bullet !

Fill your next unforgettable day sailing to the wondrous islands of the northern Whitsundays on Tongarra , where the impressive underwater playgrounds of Langford Reef and Hook Island's fringing reefs are ready for you to make a splash! Soak up the sights and combine two days of Whitsunday adventure with the Whitehaven Cruise & Reef Sail package!

• Day trip to both North and South Whitehaven Beach
• Cruise at a speedy 25 knots to Hill Inlet Lookout and Whitehaven Beach
• Snorkel and paddleboard amongst a Whitsundays fringing reef
• Enjoy an all-inclusive delicious lunch
• Day trip to Langford Reef and Hook Island
• Adventure sail on a spacious and comfortable catamaran
• Fun watersport activities including snorkelling and paddleboarding
• Feast on an all-inclusive fresh lunch and enjoy BYO alcohol

Combine speedy cruising and blissful sailing amongst iconic Whitsunday gems with ultimate relaxation in just two adventure-filled days, with the Whitehaven Cruise & Reef Sail package!

Whitsunday Bullet

Step aboard the fast power catamaran, Whitsunday Bullet , and get ready for the ride of your life through the jewel-coloured waters of the Whitsunday Islands! As picture-perfect as a postcard, you’ll want to pack your swimsuit and camera for the silica sands and crystal-clear lagoons that await at Whitehaven Beach! Next, take the short, uphill walk to reach the panoramic sites...

Step aboard the fast power catamaran, Whitsunday Bullet , and get ready for the ride of your life through the jewel-coloured waters of the Whitsunday Islands! As picture-perfect as a postcard, you’ll want to pack your swimsuit and camera for the silica sands and crystal-clear lagoons that await at Whitehaven Beach! Next, take the short, uphill walk to reach the panoramic sites of Hill Inlet Lookout! 

Whitsunday Bullet’s stable design is perfect for hopping from one destination to the next at swift speed! After a delicious lunch, spend the rest of your action-packed day snorkelling amongst exotic marine species, having a laugh on the stand-up paddleboards, and relaxing in sun-soaked island bliss!

• Ample time on Whitehaven Beach
• View the shifting sands of Hill Inlet
• Snorkel amongst fringing reefs and marine life
• Included use of stand-up paddleboards
• Delicious packed lunch
• Alcohol for sale onboard
• Fast, stable catamaran with full awning and sun cover
• Plenty of time to explore

Langford Reef Snorkel & Sunset Sail

Time to sail into an exciting day of Whitsundays island and reef adventure! Sit back and feel the salty breeze as your friendly and knowledgable crew entertain you on Tongarra, a sleek and stylish catamaran, and you glide seamlessly to the magical northern islands of the Whitsundays! 

Begin your underwater fun amongst the coral gardens of Langford Reef which ...

Begin your underwater fun amongst the coral gardens of Langford Reef which sprawl adjacent to the pristine Langford Island, on which you'll enjoy a guided bushwalk to the lookout! After a tasty lunch on Tongarra’s spacious deck, get ready for some more fun under the sun and unbeatable downtime! Hook Island, the second largest island in the Whitsundays, is enveloped by stunning fringing reefs, serene waters and bustling marine life! Keep your eyes peeled for green sea turtles, Maori Wrasse and giant clams as you dive deep into the big blue!

• Visit Langford Reef, Bali Hai and Hook Island
• Authentic sailing experience
• Abundant snorkelling time amongst fringing reefs
• Banana boat ride included
• Delicious lunch freshly prepared on board 
• Morning tea and afternoon snacks included
• BYO alcohol
• Onboard toilet and both indoor and outdoor seating

Departs/Returns

Whitsunday Bullet departs from the Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach at 8:30 am and returns by 4:45 pm.

Langford Reef Snorkel & Sunset Sail departs from the Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach at 9:30 am a...

Langford Reef Snorkel & Sunset Sail departs from the Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach at 9:30 am and returns by 6:30 pm.

More Information

What to bring.

Please refer to the individual product "what to bring" sections:

• Whitsunday Bullet “what to bring” list here.
• Langford Reef Snorkel & Sunset Sail “what to bring” list here.

What's Included

Please refer to the individual product "what is included" sections:

• Whitsunday Bullet “what is included” list here.
• Langford Reef Snorkel & Sunset Sail “what is included” list here.

What's Extra

Please refer to the individual product "...

Please refer to the individual product "what's extra" sections:

• Whitsunday Bullet “what’s extra” list here.
• Langford Reef Snorkel & Sunset Sail “what’s extra” list here.

Terms and Conditions

Please refer to the individual product "terms and conditions" sections:

• Whitsunday Bullet “terms and conditions” list here.
• Langford Reef Snorkel & Sunset Sail “terms and conditions” list here.

Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees. You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

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Booking For Whitehaven Cruise & Reef Sail

Check availability for whitehaven cruise & reef sail, manual availability check request for whitehaven cruise & reef sail, gift card - whitehaven cruise & reef sail, date of travel:.

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Please note: Calendar availability is based on total capacity - selected fare options may be limited.

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Sailing Whitsundays acknowledges the Ngaro, Gia and Juru people as the Traditional Owners of the lands and seas in which we operate. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples.

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Small Ship Cruises in Whitsunday Islands

Famed for its huge stretches of white powder sand beaches and azure waters on the island of Whitsundays, cruises can take you to some of Australia 's most beautiful barrier reefs and colossal beaches. This is a much-loved part of the Great Barrier Reef for sailing, thanks to sheltered bays and warm, balmy nights. The island’s coast is lined with barrier reefs topped with white sand, allowing visitors to explore the reefs by snorkeling from their small cruise ship and sunbathing on the spits and beaches. Bright corals are plentiful and covered with thousands of colorful fishes attracting turtles and huge Maori wrasse. Above the waterline, and if you can tear yourself away from the beaches, bushwalks offer panoramic views of the island and its coast and dramatic waterfalls and forests full of fascinating wildlife.

On board the small ship cruise, you can while away sunbathing, enjoying meals and drinks with other guests, and taking in the scenery. Onboard barbeques and delicious picnics of fresh local Australian cuisine can be enjoyed on the boat or on the beaches and spits of sand. Whales and dolphins can also be spotted from a small ship cruise around the Whitsundays, and many bottlenose dolphins might even follow the boat and enjoy playing in the bow waves. Cruises in Whitsundays are famous for star-watching, beautiful clear skies, and sparse artificial light. You can enjoy a spectacular show and maybe even sleep on deck overnight.

Best Whitsundays cruises and areas to visit

The huge white sand beach of Whitehaven Beach in Tongue Bay is a perfect place to anchor on a small ship cruise. The area is beautiful and sheltered, with a huge beach area and several bushwalks to take you to viewpoints in the forested areas. Turtles are a common sight here, and snorkeling is very popular; many other watersports are available in Tongue Bay, including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. It is worth noting that the beaches at Tongue Bay are only accessible at low tide, and it is best to discuss timings with the crew of your cruise boat.

Langford Island

This long strip of beach and land may be small, but great things come in small packages. The long white strip of sand jutting out from the islet is the stuff of dreams. Also, it is the ultimate spot to take that sun-soaked desert island photo to make everyone back home green with envy. The island is surrounded by a beautiful reef, a perfect location to snorkel and enjoy the warm, crystal-clear waters. The only thing to watch here is the tide; your small ship cruise crew will let you know when you need to return to the boat so as not to get stranded.

Butterfly and Luncheon Bay

These two bays are the ideal anchorage on a small ship cruise of the Whitsundays, thanks to their sheltered position and beautiful wildlife. Snorkellers will find giant wrasse, reef fish, and colorful corals. On land, take a bushwalk and enjoy the bird and butterfly species in this extraordinary place. These bays are also slightly quieter than others due to the limited number of moorings.

Best time to cruise in Whitsundays

With year-round warm weather and perfect sailing conditions, the best time to cruise Whitsundays is anytime. The hottest time of the year is from December to March, when the weather is warm and humid, and the water is the perfect swimming temperature. This wetter period never dampers the fun; the rain is usually relatively short-lived. The winter months are drier and have the added attraction of being whale season. If you visit Whitsundays from June to August, you can see the migrating humpback whales passing through with their calves. Many people find September one of the best times to visit Whitsundays for the weather conditions alone. The days are drier, but the water is still almost as warm as in the winter months.

How to get to Whitsundays

Reaching Whitsundays can be done by air from most major Australian airports, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Cairns. There are two airports near Whitsundays: the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island and Whitsunday Coast Airport. Most small ship cruises of Whitsundays depart from Airlie Beach, which is only half an hour’s drive from Whitsunday Coast Airport in Proserpine on the mainland. There are frequent shuttle buses between the airport and Airlie Beach.

Whitsundays Cruise Tips

• Many small ship cruises around Whitsundays are sailing boats that offer the chance to try your hand at sailing. If you want to learn something on your holiday, ask the crew, and they will allow you to help them.
• The Australian way of life is very laid-back, which means lots of fun and no need to dress up. You can leave your high fashion holiday wear at home. Stick with T-shirts and maybe a sweater, just in case. Bring comfortable shoes for bush walks, preferably light but with covered toes.
• A camera is a must-have; this is one of the world’s most scenic places. It might also be worthwhile to bring a small waterproof camera if you plan on snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding.
• The sun shines bright in Whitsundays, even more so because of the reflection of white beaches and expanses of water. A good shady hat, polarised sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreens are a must, especially if you are looking to do watersports and bushwalking.
• Whitsundays is a trendy area, attracting tourists from Australia and worldwide. It is highly advisable to book well in advance, especially if you have your heart set on a particular itinerary or small cruise boat.

Whitsunday Islands Reviews

• 6 Verified Reviews

The views and visit to the beaches was great.

Cruising Whitsunday Islands in July on the Hammer

• 9.6 Exceptional

Nice, we got there in the morning when it was less busy

Cruising Whitsunday Islands in December on the Eureka

• 8.0 Very good

Good. We went to Whitehaven Beach and 2 snorkel sites.

• Anna-Lena N

Not to miss when travelling Australia. The whole area is stunning and so fun to explore

Cruising Whitsunday Islands in June on the Broomstick

Enjoyed Whitehaven beach, the hiking and snorkeling activities. Appreciated that wetsuits were available since water was still chilly.

Cruising Whitsunday Islands in October on the Entice

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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