whitsunday private yacht charters - whitsundays yacht charter companies

Whitsunday Private Yacht Charters

Operator Profile
The Operator offers luxury bareboat charters, sailing around the magical Whitsunday Islands near The Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Bareboat, skipper yourself sailing charters or sailboat charters offer you the freedom and flexibility to create your own holiday itinerary depending on how YOU feel.

Thet have carefully chosen a fleet of top quality bareboat sailing yachts and other charter boats ranging from Yachts (sailboats), Catamarans, and Motor Cruisers designed with cruising, comfort and pleasure in mind to ensure your holiday in the whitsundays with the Operator is simply the best bareboat yacht charter you can have.

And remember when you rent a yacht for a boating holiday, you are hiring from a family owned and operated business dedicated to quality, service and of course YOU.

Location Direction

How do I get there?
The office and fleet are located at Abel Point marina in Airlie Beach, North Queensland, three hours south of Townsville, or 12 hours north of Brisbane (by car).

If you are driving, the Operator is only 20 minutes from the Bruce Highway. Just take the well-marked turn off at Proserpine, and follow the signs.

Mainland - Proserpine Airport (Whitsunday Coast): Virgin Blue, Jet Star
Island - Hamilton Island Airport - Virgin Blue, Jet Star, Qantas

For those arriving at Hamilton Island, there are frequent ferry departures to the mainland (Shute Harbour) or the Operator can arrange for your vessel to be delivered to you on the island. Relocation fee may apply.

Cruise Whitsunday depart from Hamilton Island airport to Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach, please contact the Operator for booking details.

FantaSea Cruises depart from Hamilton Island marina to Shute Harbour (mainland) please visit website www.fantasea.com.au.

There are bus, limo and taxi services between Proserpine Airport & Airlie Beach, which is approx. 35 - 40 mins away, (bookings are required).

Transport Information:
Queensland Rail operates regular services into Proserpine (26kms inland from Airlie Beach) The new Tilt Train will also be stopping at Proserpine as of June 15th 2003 in a north and south bound direction - phone on 132232 within Australia

Bus/Coach Information:
Coach companies (Greyhound, McCaffertys) regularly set down at Airlie Beach and Proserpine from most major cities and towns.

Road Distances:
By Car: Road distances should you choose to drive:
               From                    to                  Airlie Beach
               Mackay                                          150km
               Townsville                                   291km
               Rockhampton                             489km
               Cairns                                           640km
               Brisbane                                       1146km
               Sydney                                         2136km

Transfer Information:

Transfers to Airlie Beach from Proserpine Airport & Railway Station (travel time approx 35 mins)
* Whitsunday Transit (coach) 07 49461 800
* Whitsunday Taxi's 131 008
* Airlie Beach Limousines 1800 700 246
* Whitsunday Shuttle Service

Transfer to Shute Harbour (mainland) from all resort islands including Hamilton Airport (travel time 20 mins or more)
* Fantasea Cruises 07 4946 5111
* Cruise Whitsunday 07 4946 4662

Transfer to Airlie Beach from Shute Harbour (mainland) - (Travel time approx 15 mins.)
* Whitsunday Transit (coach) 07 49461 800
* Whitsunday Taxi's 131 008
* Airlie Beach Limousines 1800 700 246

Whitsundays Introduction
The Whitsunday Islands are one of the best yacht charter sailing and cruising grounds in the world. Sheltered from the ocean swells by the Great Barrier Reef, the area is classed as having 'partially smooth water', which means a safe and enjoyable sailing/cruising area for any one.

Almost all of the islands are national parks, covered with trees and bush, creating the impression that they have yet to be discovered, and offer visitors a hint of adventure.

On the day of your departure, one of the qualified sail guides will spend 3 hours with you, briefing you on the area, and answering any questions you may have on the best places to visit and anchor, as well as take you through the vessel, advising where everything is and how it works. After loading your gear onboard, the sail/motor demonstration is completed and you are underway! Charters officially run from midday to 10.00am, however the Operator prefers to start your briefing at 9:30am (this must be confirmed by the office prior).

Navigation around the islands is quite easy with so many readily identifiable landmarks throughout the Whitsundays. On the day of charter, you receive a very comprehensive vessel and area briefing (between 2 - 4 hours depending on your experience level.) This includes making sure you are familiar with every aspect of the vessel itself, and a detailed outline of your charter area. An indication to the briefer of your itinerary will ensure you will see most of what you came to appreciate!

When sailing here, the tide is a major factor in planning your day. A copy of the tide tables for this area is provided onboard as part of the navigation equipment and the days high and low readings are part of the 'radio scheds' each morning at 9.10am. The tidal flow floods the area to the South, and ebbs to the North flowing around 3 knots. Where the islands are situated close together (Solway, Fitzallen and Hook Island passages) the tide flows at around 5 knots. So using the tide to your advantage when planning your day is important!

You don't need any formal qualifications or licence here and with some basic sailing knowledge almost anyone can enjoy a safe and exhilarating yacht charter sailing holiday with us. If you have no boating experience at all, you will benefit from having the briefer stay with you for the remainder of your first day for a reasonable cost. This way you will gain valuable knowledge, experience and confidence from a qualified (local) sailor.

Alternatively, you can gain experience before you arrive at your local sailing club or from a friend. Windskills Pty Ltd operate here in the Whitsundays at Abel Point Marina and groups of up to three can learn the finer points of sailing which covers such areas as, safety, rules of the road, anchoring & tides, ropework, navigation, distress, parts of a sailing boat, and sail theory.

Unless you have chartered a vessel before, you probably have never anchored a boat, and again the briefer will explain and demonstrate the procedure in detail, to ensure a comfortable night in your chosen piece of paradise. Each island has it's own fringing reef system, and choosing your perfect anchorage is best done with the aid of a pair of Polaroid sunglasses! With the angle of sun to the water, anchoring before 4.00pm each day is required as this provides the bow person on 'lookout' the best chance of locating these reefs.

Reef protection markers with public moorings have been installed in sensitive areas in several locations around the islands including Butterfly Bay, Luncheon Bay, False Nara Inlet (Hook Island), Blue Pearl Bay (Hayman Island), Sunlovers Bay (Daydream Island) and Black Island Reef. These buoys are fixed to the bottom along the edge of the fringing reefs. You are required to either pick up one of the many buoys or anchor outside of the reef markers, thus protecting the coral from any damage. These markers and mooring buoys are clearly marked in the book '100 Magic Miles of The Great Barrier Reef' onboard every vessel, and if you have any questions regarding the procedure, you can always radio the Operator for advise.

Whitsunday Weather
Nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and the North East coast of Queensland Australia, lies a breathtaking group of 74 islands called the Whitsundays. Situated at about latitude 20, the same as the Fijian Islands, the Whitsundays enjoy spectacular tropical weather nearly all year round. Temperatures are very rarely lower than 20 degrees Celsius during the day with average water temperatures at 26 degrees Celsius.

Bareboat yacht charters in The Whitsunday Islands, Australia allows you to visit a World Heritage Listed Marine National Park and apart from a sprinkling of 8 island resorts the area is basically untouched wilderness.

Each of the islands in the group has is own fringing reef system and special identity, some boast pristine white sandy beaches, others have spectacular bush walking tracks, waterfalls and even rainforests. Secluded coves and inlets are in abundance and are often no more than an hour or two’s sail apart.

Summers (December to February) are hot and balmy with occasional showers, but even these tend to be warm and refreshing. The trade winds are strongest between May and August, but a good sailing breeze can be enjoyed at anytime of the year.

The Operator offers luxury bareboat charters, sailing around the magical Whitsunday Islands near The Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Bareboat, skipper yourself sailing charters or sailboat charters offer you the freedom and flexibility to create your own holiday itinerary depending on how YOU feel.

The Whitsundays - the perfect holiday destination choice for a group of fun seeking friends, a couple looking for a romantic break on a bareboat yacht or just a good old fashioned family sailing holiday. Whether it's your first or tenth bareboat charter, the Whitsundays and the team from the Operator is sure to please.

Fill your days snorkelling amongst immense coral gardens, exploring deserted sun drenched beaches or just lie back and relax as you meander through World Heritage Listed Marine National Park. Drop anchor and overnight in one of the numerous picturesque bays, inlets or coves and relish in the tranquillity of dining on the deck of your own boat under a star studded sky. Or, pull up at one of the handful of Island resorts and enjoy all the resort has to offer, you can even take a day trip and dive the Great Barrier Reef. Airlie Beach and The Whitsundays has something for everyone! Bareboat or fully crewed charters - the choice is yours.

A suggested bareboat charter itinerary for the Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsunday Islands offer the ultimate sailing/cruising experience, so set your course for the island of your dreams! The itinerary is up to YOU.

There are 8 resorts on 7 of the islands, and each one offers the guest something different. Let the Operator now whet your appetite with a sample itinerary for a 7 night charter.....

Day One:
Once you have completed you briefings set sail across the Whitsunday Passage to Nara Inlet on Hook Island. This is a fjord like inlet and if you wish to go ashore there are caves with Aboriginal rock paintings and waterfalls to explore.

Day Two:
Head south down the Passage to Cid Harbour on Whitsunday Island. Taking in the clean unpolluted water and the purest of air. This is a truly picturesque anchorage. You can take a bush walk or sit back and enjoy the quiet, peaceful setting, on the azure blue waters.

Day Three:
Cruise to Hamilton Island and enjoy everything this cosmopolitan resort has to offer. This is not just a resort, but an island village with a lifestyle all of its own. There are numerous activities to choose from or you can just relax at the pool bar. The restaurants would satisfy any food lover’s passion and budget.

Day Four:
Set sail for spectacular Whitehaven Beach. This magnificent 5km white sandy beach is 98% pure white silica. Squeaky clean and dazzling to see, set off by the contrasting aquamarine blue of the water. Anchor here for the night or just opposite at Chalkies Beach on Hazelwood Island. At the Northern end of Whitehaven Beach, you can climb to the lookout and experience the spectacular panoramic views of Hill Inlet.

Day Five:
Once you have enjoyed your breakfast and fed the fish in the crystal clear waters. Head off north to beautiful Cateran Bay on Border Island. Here you can experience fabulous snorkelling and see the reefs teeming with colourful fish.

Day Six:
Sail north to the tip of Hook Island and enter a snorkelling paradise. Discover numerous bays where the turquoise waters lap up to the coral sand beaches. They offer wilderness anchorage's and a metropolis of marine life amongst the coral forest. Stay the night at Stonehaven or Butterfly Bay, in readiness for your morning sail back down the passage.

Day Seven:
A leisurely sail down to South Molle Island. If you are feeling energetic you can climb Island’s Peak to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding islands. Or take advantage of the islands diversions such as golf, tennis, water-skiing. Celebrate the last night of your charter sitting on deck watching the sunset and the darkened sky become a glitter of stars.

Day Eight:
After breakfast set sail for Abel Point Marina and enjoy the views of the surrounding islands where the tropical rainforest is met by the coral sea. The Operator shall meet you upon you return and bring the yacht back into the marina for you.

More Itinerary Ideas:

Itinerary for 7 nights - Winds moderate SE
Set off from Abel Point Marina after your briefing and set sail for Stonehaven Anchorage. Pick up a mooring and snorkel the vast reef system. (Public moorings in place here and time limit of 2 hours applies) or you can anchor outside the protected area.

Head off to Luncheon Bay for more snorkelling and lunch. Overnight at Butterfly Bay (Public moorings in place here and time limit of 2 hours applies, or you can anchor outside the protected area.)

Head south to Cateran Bay on Boarder Island (map reference C29 page 206) for lunch. Public moorings in place here and time limit of 2 hours apples, or you can anchor outside the protected area.. Overnight at Tongue Bay (three public moorings here)

Set sail for Whitehaven Beach and enjoy the pure silica sand. After lunch head over to Chalkie's Beach (or Stockyard Beach) on Haselwood Island (just East of there) and anchor for the night.

Head off to Hamilton Island for the night. You will need a booking, so radio the Operator for one, preferably the day before. You can fill up your water, take on fuel if needed and dispose of any rubbish as well. Charges apply.

Set off for Sawmill Bay on Cid Harbour after breakfast. This very large harbour is an all weather anchorage, popular with bareboat visitors.

Or, you can visit Peppers Palm Bay Resort for a night of pampering. This exclusive resort caters to the quiet pursuit of relaxation. Charges apply and a booking is required, preferably 24 hours or more in advance.

Itinerary ideas are formatted during your charter briefing. Itinerary suggestions can be found prior to this in the navigation book '100 Magic Miles of The Great Barrier Reef' by David Colfelt.

Whitsunday Private Yacht Charters Charter Terms

Important information about your voyage
Prior to departure you will be required to sign a rental agreement for the vessel. Here is a summary of the terms and conditions:

Definitions

The following definitions apply for the Terms and Conditions for this vessel.

- The Supplier or Operator means the Operator who supplies this vessel to you on arrival.

- The Client is also referred to as the renter (s) or hirer (s)

Payment Terms:
The booking requires a non-refundable deposit at the time of confirmation. Your booking is confirmed when you receive back an email confirmation (providing there are no problems with your credit card and your vehicle is available).

How to book a charter:
Once you have chosen your vessel a deposit is payable and is required to secure the booking, and the balance of the charter fee is required 63 days prior to the start date.

What to bring:
To relax in the Whitsunday tropical climate, clothes need to be cool and comfortable. Casual is the way to go with shorts, t/shirts and swimmers! Add something a little smarter if you are planning to visit one of the island resorts. In the winter evenings, you may need a light sweater or tracksuit. The bare essentials are sun screen, sunglasses (Polaroid if possible), a wide brimmed hat, sand shoes (no black soles please), a beach towel and your favourite CD's.

Space is limited onboard, so please do not bring too much and ideally pack in a soft bag. The Operator can store suitcases in the office while you are on charter, but space is limited and the Operator would prefer you packed lightly.

Environmental Management Charge (EMC):
An Environmental Management Charge (EMC) of $20 per person per charter is payable on arrival. The EMC is given to the management agency (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority) and assists with the management and preservation of the World Heritage Listed Marine Park and includes a $5.00 administration fee. The EMC is applicable to all passengers over the age of 4 and is inclusive of GST and administration fees.

Charter Inclusions & Exclusions:
Your vessel is equipped with everything you will need except food. An inventory of the vessel's equipment has been provided with the enclosed information.

# What is included:
Included in your charter cost: Dinghy with outboard motor, all bedding and linen towels etc., all crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils, gas cookers, refrigeration systems, rail mounted gas BBQ, snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel & fins only), all safety (including approved adults sized lifejackets) and navigation gear, comprehensive briefings.

If your vessel has a generator 6 hours running time per day is included.

# Not included in your charter cost:
Port charges at resort islands and marinas, environmental management charges, all fuel and LPG gas for the vessels, additional generator hours, Security bond, fuel bond (motor cruisers & catamarans only), food and beverages, relocation fees for Hamilton Island and any additional hire equipment you may require: paddleboards/dive gear/stinger suits in summer months and fishing equipment etc.

Please note: when children are onboard the Operator highly recommends you bring or hire children's buoyancy vests.

Vessel Security Bond & Fuel Bond
Upon your arrival we require a security bond of $2000.00, which can be paid by cash or credit card authorisation (Diners Club not accepted). Alternatively you can reduce the security bond to $500.00 by paying a non-refundable damage waiver of $250.00.    Please note: damage waiver is not available on some vessels.

Once you have finished your charter the vessel is checked and your security bond returned to you by cheque or the credit authorisation will be cancelled within 10 working days. If there have been any losses or damage to the vessel during your charter the costs will be deducted from your security bond.

A fuel bond of $500.00 ($1,000.00 for Cruisecat 40) is required for motor cruisers and catamarans.

Fuel Charges
Fuel is charged on consumption at the end of your charter, however this can take up to two (2) days due to the volume of vessels at Abel Point Marina. Average usage is approximately 4 hours per day.

    * Small yachts will use approx 3 litres per hour
    * Larger yachts will use approx 4-5 litres per hour
    * Catamarans will use approx 5-8 litres per hour
    * Motor Cruisers – 10-40 litres per hour

If your vessel is equipped with generator, 6 hours running time per day is included in your charter. Additional hours will be charged for.

Cancellation policy:
The initial deposit paid is non-refundable. In addition to forfeiting your deposit, the following charges also apply:
Providing the Operator is notified in writing 63 days or more prior to the commencement of your charter, the Operator refunds on all monies, less a AUD $200.00 administration fee. If the Operator is notified in writing 63 days or less from the commencement of your charter, the full charter fee will remain due and payable and will not be waived or refunded unless the Operator is able to obtain an alternative booking for the same period. Any money paid to a booking agent is not included in the above conditions and charges and the Operator is not responsible for any money paid to an agent.

Transfer Insurance:
The Operator highly recommends you purchase travel insurance once you book your charter in the Whitsundays. Please see a travel agent before leaving home.

Payment Methods:
Credit cards accepted: Mastercard, Visacard (in Australian dollars), money orders & direct deposits to the Operator's account (in Australian dollars) - these can be supplied at the time of confirmation.

The booking is confirmed when you have received an email confirmation and a deposit has been paid. The balance of the charter fees are due no later than 63 days prior to charter. If the departure date is within 63 days, the full charter fee is required.

Commencement of Charter
Your charter commences at 9.30am and to ensure no additional expenses are incurred please make sure you and your crew are available to start your briefing on time. Due to the ever-growing popularity of the Whitsundays, Abel Point Marina is reaching its capacity. In light of this they have been forced to introduce a charge for any vessels leaving the marina after 12:00 noon.

If you are unable to commence at the specified time please contact us and we will endeavour to make alternative arrangements.

Briefing
Your fully comprehensive briefing will commence at 9:30am and depending on your level of experience, runs for approximately 3-4 hours. During this time we will sit down and brief you on the charter area, charts and 100 Magic Miles. Following this we will familiarise you with the workings of your chosen vessel and finally take you for an on water check to ensure you are comfortable and confident to take the helm.

Sleeping Aboard Your Vessel
As a service to our clients we can pre arrange for you to sleep aboard your vessel the night before charter, depending on vessel availability. The vessel will be made available to you at 4.00pm that afternoon, when one of our staff members will do a quick 'run through' of the vessel with you. Your briefing will commence at 8:30am the next morning. This service allows you to become familiar with the vessel, settle in and have everything stowed away before your briefing, allowing you to start enjoying your holiday a lot earlier. Please phone/email for prices and availability. The cost of the sleepaboard is due with the balance of charter fee 60 days prior.

Please note that we are unable to offer our sleepaboard option if your arrival time at our office is later than 4:15pm.

Accommodation in Airelie Beach:
The accommodation in Airlie Beach ranges from a nice motel at $90 per double room up to $350 per double room, (from 3 to 5 star). The Operator can book both mainland and island accommodation for you - please ask for the recommended list of motels and apartments.

PLEASE NOTE: Drop off on the last day of charter is 10.00am (unless prior arrangements are made).

Hamilton Island & Hayman Island Departures and Returns Attract Relocation Fees:
The Operator can deliver your vessel to Hamilton Island or Hayman Island marinas upon request - this is subject to berthing availability and must be pre-booked. As the Operator doesn't have an office on either island, all monies must be prepaid (reef tax, provisioning etc)
PLEASE NOTE: One week per year around August, Hamilton Island is closed to bareboats for their race series. You cannot collect or drop your vessel off at either island during this time. (This may include overnight bookings).

Provisioning for your bareboat charter holiday:
One of the most important ingredients for a delightful Whitsunday yacht charter holiday is good food. As you will be cruising one of the most spectacular places in the world you need to ensure your experience is complemented with a good selection of food and drinks.

Why not leave the hard work up to the experts and have your yacht provisioned for you, with fresh local produce & seafood, top quality meats, fine wines and refreshing beverages all ready to cast off on your arrival?. You will be supplied a link to the website with your charter documents.

Alternatively, there is a large Woolworths and Bi-Lo supermarket here in Airlie Beach that caters for all tastes (Open 7 days a week generally from 8.00am to 9.00pm Mon-Fri & 8.00am to 5.00pm Sat-Sun)

Please Note: The only island with a 'general store/supermarket' is Hamilton Island, so it's best to take the bulk of your food with you from the start.

Mid Charter Turnaround and Re-provisioning, Fuelling etc:
For extended charters of 8 nights or more, you will need to return to Abel Point Marina approximately half way through your charter for more fuel, clean linen, water and fresh food. If you have ordered your food through our provisioning service this will be delivered to the Marina awaiting your return.

Should you decide not to do your Mid–Charter at Abel Point Marina, you can obtain water, fuel and there are laundry facilities for the linen available at Hamilton Island.
Please note: charges will apply for berthing at Hamilton Island. Whitsunday Provisioning Service will not send re-provisioning to Hamilton Island, this is only available at Abel Point Marina.

Parking your car:
Abel Point Marina provides free open air car parking here at the marina, however space is limited and at peak times quickly becomes full. Alternatively, Whitsunday Airport Secured Parking can collect your car once you have unloaded and take it away to their undercover secure parking facility. Upon your return, they will have your car here ready and waiting for you. Bookings are essential.
PLEASE NOTE: Cancellations within 24 hours will incur a fee.

Pre-Charter information pack:
The Operator highly recommends you purchase the pre-charter pack, consisting of an area map of the Whitsunday Islands, and the book '100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef' - this book is the 'bible' of sailing the Whitsundays and is onboard every charter vessel. Cost for this pack is $85.00 postage paid express mail within Australia & $115.00 postage paid overseas. Individual items can be purchased if you wish. This pack will give you the advantage of planning your holiday before you get here i.e.: navigation, the resort islands, tips for your holiday, diving and snorkelling information.

Fishing Gear:
To preserve the wonderful marine life for future generations, fishing gear is not supplied on any of the boats. Should you wish to fish in approved marine areas, you may use your own equipment or purchase it in Airlie Beach on arrival. Handlines, bait and ice can be purchased here at the marina. No facilities exist for the hire of rods.

Water Sports:
Please read the following information on "Seasation" for the best diving experience in the Whitsundays. The Operator also arranges reef trips by boat or seaplane, paddle board hire as well as scenic flights to the Great Barrier Reef.

Have you ever wanted to dive the fabulous Whitsunday's, but don't have a medical certificate or any experience? Well now you CAN!

Seasation
Offer Introductory & Certified Dives in the Whitsunday's for you on your sailing holiday. Two spectacular Whitsunday locations are chosen for an unforgettable day of fun, discovery and adventure. The vessels design provides for a great day out in almost any weather conditions.

Introductory Scuba Diving - No Experience Necessary It's Fun...It's Safe...It's Easy
Taking you scuba diving for the first time is Seasation's speciality. An introductory scuba dive requires absolutely no experience. The experienced Scuba Instructors will give you an underwater experience you will never forget. On your introductory dive you will get down and up close and personal with some of the most colourful marine life in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park including spectacular corals and many species of fish.
Cost per person - $75.00 for one dive and $35.00 per person for second.

Included:
All dive equipment.
Tuition by experienced Scuba Diving Instructors.
Supervision by experienced crew and divemasters.
Certificate of completion of dives.
Conditions Medical questionnaire to be filled out on board prior
Age restrictions apply - must be over 10 years old

Certified Divers
Seasation offers certified divers the best locations in the Whitsunday's. The experienced crew select the locations depending on weather and tide, endeavouring to get you the best diving experience available in the islands for the prevailing conditions. Seasation is the Whitsunday's only custom built sail & dive vessel, and dive locations may consist of any of the following sites (depending on the conditions): Bali Hai (Black Island), Langford Reef, Hook Island, Butterfly Bay, Mantaray Bay, Maureens Cove, Mackerel Bay & Luncheon Bay.
Cost per person - $75.00 for one dive and $35.00 per person for second.

Included:
All dive equipment.
Extensive dive location briefings
2 dive locations (weather depending)
Supervision by experienced crew & divemasters
Current Australian Diving Medical certificate required

Reef Safari
Offer Introductory & Certified Dives in the Whitsunday's for you on your sailing holiday. Their roaming dive vessel travels both North and South around the islands, and meeting up with them for a dive is easy.

Introductory Dives:
If you don't have a dive certificate - but would like to experience diving in the Whitsunday's, why not try and introductory dive. You can be taken on an easy, shallow water dive for 30 minutes with a qualified diver, who will ensure you have a personalised diving adventure without all the necessary certificates required.

Certified Dives:
For certified divers, please remember to bring your certification card. You will be taken on your 40 minute dive by a local dive guide who can show you the best spots.

Cost:
The cost for the first dive is AUD$75.00 and extra dives are AUD$60.00 The cost includes all equipment hire, tuition and instructor for both introductory and certified dives. Please indicate this in the extras section when making a bookings, or just radio us whilst on charter and we can arrange it for you.

Marine Stingers:
During the warmer months Marine Stingers may be present in tropical waters, but by taking a few simple precautions you can minimise the risks of being stung by wearing a stinger suit, which come in a variety of styles and sizes. These can be hired from the dive shop.

Last minute requirements:
There is a kiosk (small general store) at Abel Point Marina that stocks the basic necessities you may have forgotten as well at bait, ice, some tackle, snacks, drinks etc.

Banking:
There are no banking facilities at Abel Point Marina. The ANZ & Westpac banks are located at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre in Cannonvale. The Commonwealth & National Australia Banks are located in the main street of Airlie Beach. All the resort islands accept major credit cards, and eftpos facilities are available, and there is also a National Australia Bank on Hamilton Island.

Abel Point Marina Facilities:
If staying overnight on your vessel in the marina, showers, toilets and laundry facilities are available, as well as water and power for the vessel - charges apply.

Service Vessel:
Your safety and comfort is paramount to us. If whilst on charter you have a problem with your vessel, or a medical emergency needing immediate attention, the Operator has a high-speed service vessel that can assist you.

Radio Contact & Mobile Phone Coverage:
Your vessel is equipped with a VHF marine radio. This is manned at the base at Abel Point Marina from 08.00am to 5.30pm everyday, and the Operator conducts the radio 'scheds' each morning at 9.10am and each afternoon at 3.50pm. If you require assistance outside these times, a locally manned station 'VMR Whitsunday' will assist. Mobile phones work in the Whitsunday area quite well if you have 'line of sight' to the mainland or Hamilton Island. Areas such as the Eastern side of any island will have either patchy reception, or none at all. Messages received by the office for you will be relayed upon receipt by radio.

Sailing Experience:
No licence is required. The Operator provides a fully comprehensive briefing on arrival which covers the vessels familierisation, area brief and an onwater check. If required, for a small charge of $35.00 per hour the Operator can provide a sail guide to accompany your clients for as long as necessary or until you are confident to take the helm. Some basic on water experience is usually enough to get them started. At least one person should have some basic on water experience and plenty of common sense.

Restriction:
Pets are not allowed on the boats.
No smoking is allowed below decks, however they can smoke on deck or in the cockpit.
The area that the Operator restricts the vessels from being operated in is approximately 25nm (NS) x 25nm (EW). The area is fully covered during the fully comprehensive briefing. However they are not permitted to cruise to the Great Barrier Reef which is approximately 40NM from the islands.

Transfer Information:

Transfer to Shute Harbour (mainland) from all resort islands including Hamilton Airport (travel time 20 mins or more)
* Fantasea Cruises 07 4946 5111
* Cruise Whitsunday 07 4946 4662

Transfer to Airlie Beach from Shute Harbour (mainland) - (Travel time approx 15 mins.)
* Whitsunday Transit (coach) 07 49461 800
* Whitsunday Taxi's 131 008
* Airlie Beach Limousines 1800 700 246

Terms of booking on this website

Information disclaimer
The rates on this website are often heavily discounted. This is due to our negotiated rates and bulk buying power. On very rare occasions, a rate may be displayed incorrectly due to our, or a supplier's error. In such a case, if you book with us at a quoted rate that is incorrect, we will notify you of any price change and give you the option to proceed or cancel. We make every effort to keep information on our site up to date, but we cannot guarantee this website is free of errors or omissions and retain the right to update or change the information published at any time.

Liability
To the extent permitted by law we/the owners of this website will not be liable to you or to any third party (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage (including but not limited to any accident, injury, delay or loss of enjoyment) arising out of your reliance upon information contained on this website, including but not limited to your use (or inability to use) any products or services described or procured through this website.

On departure day, before you commence your trip, you may be required to sign a rental agreement (in the case of boat charters) with the supplier of the vessel. Your rental and use of the vessel will be governed by the terms of the rental agreement and any other documentation or information provided to you by the supplier at the time you pick up your vessel. The rental agreement is between you and the supplier and we will not be liable to you or to any third party in relation to the terms of the supplier rental agreement or any other documentation provided to you by the supplier at the time of pick up.

While we will make reasonable efforts to ensure we are representing only reputable suppliers, we make no warranty about the fitness or suitability of any third party (supplier) product or service and will not accept responsibility for the quality or fitness of any vessel. We welcome feedback from our customers on their experience with our suppliers. We may, at our discretion, provide you with reasonable assistance in resolving any dispute you may have with a supplier.

Our total liability to you in relation to your use of this website and the information contained on this website will not exceed the dollar amount of the deposit we have received from you in relation to your booking/rental. Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather. Again, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance. Your use of this website is governed by the laws of New Zealand and the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.

Booking information
To make a booking, you must complete our no-obligations reservations enquiry form which is easy to follow and secured with the latest encryption technology. Once we receive your enquiry, we will contact you via phone or email, to advise of availability and confirm the final price is correct - and discuss payment options. A booking is confirmed when you have been emailed a confirmation notice and at this stage the deposit is processed on your credit card and becomes non-refundable and any cancellation fees stated in the terms apply. Upon receipt of your confirmation, please check your details carefully and notify us immediately if there are any incorrect details, as it may not be possible to make changes at a later date.

Please note we accept Visa and Mastercard and the credit card fees are:
1) 1.75% for the deposit amount.
2) 1.75% for the balance of payment.

If you are booking via phone, please first make sure you have read the terms and conditions of your selected sailing adventure. Our reservations consultant will ask you if you have read the terms and agree to them before proceeding. The onus is always on the renter to ensure they make themselves fully aware of the terms displayed on our website.

Information disclosure
In booking on this website you acknowledge that we disclose your information to your selected Supplier in order to provide the requested rental, trip or charter services.

Amendments
Please check the terms of each vessel to see whether amendment fees apply. Please also note that for some vessels an amendment is treated as a new booking and the rate current at the time the amendment is made to recalculate the entire booking amount (not just the days changed). In the case of boat rental/yacht charter, if the hire or number of days is increased, an additional deposit may be required, while reduction in rental periods or price may reduce the total, but the deposit amount will remain unchanged.

Vessel Capacity and fitness to charter (for Bareboats only)
Under no circumstances are you permitted to carry more passengers than the vessel you charter is legally registered to carry, and if you do your insurance may be invalidated. The number of passengers allowed is indicated next to each vessel on this website. It is your responsibility to choose a journey that is within your capabilities. A boat or trip supplier can refuse to hire a vessel to any person who is in their opinion unfit to skipper or does not meet eligibility requirements. In such circumstances we will have no further liability to you.

Whitsunday Private Yacht Charters Charter Terms for travel between 01-Jan-2008 and 31-Dec-2011