The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays | Boating in the area | Whitsunday Map | Wildlife in the area

The Great Barrier Reef as a Holiday Destination

The Great Barrier Reef is the perfect tourist destination. The Great Barrier Reef has about 1.6 million visitors each year into a truly small footprint with the effect on the reef being quite small. The reef has more than 2900 individual reefs and over 940 islands, so the human pressure is currently very thinly spread.

Marine tourism plays as a team in maintaining the health of reef tourism; operators act as reef watchdogs and are often the first to spot something that may be going wrong. For example, tourism operators have been the key to early identification of areas affected by coral bleaching, and other problems, at the same time, the industry generates 1.5 billion dollars in annual income, plus extensive overseas investments.

Better mooring systems are being introduced including pontoons on the reef, to prevent damage to coral beds. Pressure from boats is being reduced by setting up moorings. Many of which have been installed by the operators themselves. New anchoring areas have been introduced in particularly sensitive sections of the reef, along with an education campaign for boat owners. There is major scientific effort to insure tourism does not impact on populations of whales, turtles and birds - with many tour operators involved in developing codes of practice to insure that tourists do not disturb wildlife or endangered species. Coral damage is being reduced by educating divers and keeping inexperienced snorkellers and large groups away from sensitive areas.

Whitsunday Islands - Queensland - Australia

This fabulous area consists of seventy-four islands contained within a one hundred kilometre north/ south strip. Most islands are uninhabited and provide beautiful bush walks, secluded inlets with sandy beaches and pristine coral beds.

Safe overnight anchorages shelter you from prevailing winds and provide protection in almost any weather conditions. You are in constant radio contact with our base should you require advice or assistance.

If you feel like enjoying a five star restaurant, a game of golf, horse back riding, tennis or any of the other activities provided by a number of resorts in the area you can anchor at one or more of these locations for a minimal charge.

Franklin Island	Hamilton Island	Hook Island	Whitehaven Beach	The Whitsundays

Island Resorts - Whitsundays

The weather from late April through December ranges from hot to warm with little rain. Sea breezes of 10-15 knots provide comfort and relief. The nights are usually cooler and a pullover may be required in the evening between June and August.

The water temperature ranges from 22- 29 degrees Celsius and is quite safe for swimming with a few sensible precautions. Full briefing is provided before you start, outlining the most suitable locations and conditions.

The entire cruising area is encompassed by the outer reef, which provides protection from the open sea and restricts wave heights in all but the most severe conditions to half a metre. During September whales are common, breaching and providing a spectacle, often close to your boat, a very special time in the Whitsundays.

The History of the Whitsunday Group

The Whitsunday Islands were originally discovered by Captain Cook in 1770 and were named the Cumberland group, a name that exists formally even to this day. They were renamed Whitsunday much later, and it is by this name that they are most commonly known today. Most of us is can remember from our schooldays the story of Captain Cook, running aground in 1770 in the area now known as Cooktown. This is where cannon and other equipment were cast overboard to lighten the vessel, whilst substantial repairs were made following a collision with the Reef.