We've put together a Sample Itinerary for you

How thoroughly you want to explore the Whitsundays depends both on the time you have available and whether you have been here before.

For first timers we would suggest 10 or 11 nights with a combination of secluded bays and resorts. We also suggest you break your anchorages up so the crew can get a bit of exercise. So cast off and away we go.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10

Day 1.

The briefing and familiarisation can take up to 3-4 hours. You must be anchored for the night by 4.00pm each day so if you are leaving from Airlie Beach you must be able to start the briefing before10.00am. For most flights that is difficult so it is recommended you stay the first night at a hotel or you can stay on the boat, in the marina, if it is available for half the normal nightly rate.

So assuming you get in the night before and start your briefing around 8.00am you will be away around lunchtime and head for Stonehaven. There are plenty of National Park moorings here as there are in most anchorages in the north of Hook Island. Give yourself a chance to get used to handling the boat before you have to start using the anchor. Reasonable snorkelling here very protected from the north and north east winds. You should arrive there about 2.30pm. which will ensure you should have no problem getting one of the six moorings.

Day 2.

From here a nice run is up to Langford Island for lunch. This is a sandy beach but with good coral in shallow water. Again there are plenty of moorings here. Spend some time on the beach, particularly if you have children. The only problem here is exposure; if the winds are strong it can be uncomfortable. There can also be a strong current along the beach so have someone stay on the boat so they take the dinghy out and round everybody up if necessary.

If it is too windy then head to Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island. Gets a bit congested with day trippers, and for good reason, plenty of sea life and most of them will eat out of your hand.

After lunch head to Butterfly Bay, one of the jewels of the Whitsundays and very popular for overnighters. There are 9 moorings and you cannot anchor in the bay, so miss out on a mooring and you may have to move to the next bay.

Day 3.

Following a leisurely breakfast proceed out of Butterfly east. There are two or three really good snorkel spots along there. Spend the morning in this area.

From here it depends. The nicest is to continue down the eastern side of Hook Island to Border Island. Border Island has spectacular coral and is very protected from south and south west winds. Two things to consider,

• The passage down the eastern side can be rough and a little scary for people who are not used to boats. If it looks windy and rough when you stick your nose around the corner then turnaround and head down the western side to Cid Harbour for the night. You can then pass through Hook Passage the next morning and hop over to Border Island from there.
• The second is the forecast winds, both direction and strength, for that night if they are a Northerly aspect and more than 15 knots you will be in for a bumpy night at Border Island.

Day 4.

After leaving Border stop for a while at Dumbell Island. The fish life here is spectacular, magnificent colours and so tame the little ones will bump into your mask rather than get out of your way. From Dumbell Island proceed to Tongue Bay. Once moored, follow all the other dinghies to the shore and take the walk to the lookout. Make sure you have all your cameras because the view over Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach is probably the best on the planet, especially at half tide when you get the contrast of colours.

From there walk down to the beach, shuffle in the ponds and watch as dozens of small stingrays dart away from you. Off the beach is a great place to swim, the water is just so clear and inviting.

Day 5.

Call into Whitehaven Beach for lunch or stay there the night it is usually quite safe even though it is fairly open. Take a walk (or run) along the beach to stretch your legs. In the afternoon head on to Linderman Island (Club Med) you can anchor at either end of the island depending on wind. There are great walks (more exercise) over the island and they are assessable from either end, as is the resort.

Day 6.

Generally people take a resort mooring in front of the resort. You can have either lunch or dinner there, for those who have never been to Club Med, make sure you get there running on empty, the amount of food is ridiculous. They have a great golf course and plenty of activities, or just spend time around the pool with an ice cold cocktail.

Day 7.

Motor back to Hamilton Island. You can go direct, or up the western side of Long Island and call into Club Croc. then walk around to the upmarket Peppers Resort for a cold one. Lunch on Hamilton is great at the Yacht Club, you can then hire a golf cart and tour the whole island, call into the resort and check it out. When you have had enough, proceed to Gulnare Inlet for the night, or if you missed out on Cid Harbour on the way down that is really pretty and not to be missed.

At high tide in Gulnare it is possible to take the dinghy up through the mangroves for a number of kilometres, winding toward the foot of the mountain into true wilderness areas. There are also remnants of olds timber mills and some very old aboriginal paintings accessible from the main inlet.

Swimming is very restricted here and coral non existent, but the mountains are very steep and picturesque and it is protected from winds from any direction.

Day 8.

Leaving Gulnare it is a short hop to Henning Island. There is huge brain coral close to the shore which is best at mid tide. Some pieces are the size of the boat, so a morning snorkel here before motoring over to Sth. Molle Island is a good idea.

There are a number of very nice walks on Sth. Molle and another opportunity for some exercise. For the golfers and first time golfers there is a little 9 hole course which is generally played in bare feet. The resort has a large pool, tennis courts and put on a nice lunch. The bay makes a good anchorage for the night if the winds are from the south.

Day 9.

A short trip to visit Daydream island resort. The owners have recently spent over $80m. renovating and although unimposing from the outside it is very nice once you get ashore.

There are a number of good snorkel, swimming and picnic places on the western side of Hook Island. Taking your time to travel up this coast, stopping at a couple of nice places sees you at Nara Inlet for your final night. This is a very protected anchorage. There are Aboriginal paintings with a clearly marked path which is boardwalked for part of the way

Day 10.

A two hour run back to Airlie Beach should see you arrive not later than 10.00am. for your debrief. This takes about an hour, but talking about your experiences can often stretch it to twice that time. The bus picks up for the airport around noon (depending on where you are heading) and you are off home.

Of course the above is just a suggestion; you can spend more or less time at different places. It is not unusual for people to spend a couple of days in one anchorage that particularly appeals to them, just relaxing. The thing is, the area is very large and varied. There will be places you will want to revisit. At the end of the day it is not how many places you anchor; it’s about relaxation and friendship.