The 11 Sailing Trips in Australia That Earn Their Price

1.Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,307 reviews · 10 hours · from $183Our pick

Cruise the Whitsundays aboard Camira, a fast sailing catamaran, with morning tea, BBQ lunch, drinks, and afternoon snacks included. Walk with a guide to Hill Inlet, swim at Whitehaven Beach, then snorkel a fringing reef. Crew members such as Dakota, Joel, and Alison have been praised for friendly service and practical help.

“Whitsunday Island & the snorkeling and the fact that we actually sailed (not motored) back to the harbour”

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2.2-Night Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Trimaran Avatar

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

Set sail from Coral Sea Marina aboard Avatar, the Whitsundays’ only commercial sailing trimaran, for two nights among quiet islands and reef waters. You’ll snorkel, visit Whitehaven Beach, eat onboard, and sleep at sea with a small group of up to 26 people. Crew members may include Alex, Ella, Sammy, Dave, Tyler, or Casper.

“All of it it.was the best trip ever Alex and Ella where the best ella was a awesome cook and helpfull and we had good chat Alex was very professional and nogalagble took us to all the top spot and definitely interested doing it again thank again alex and Ella from matt dillon”

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

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

You’ll sail with OzSail aboard Spank Me, an 82-foot boat carrying up to 27 people. The two-night trip combines Whitehaven Beach, island coves, and several snorkeling stops near the Great Barrier Reef. Captain Alex and crew handle meals, equipment, and navigation, while you sleep in shared below-deck bunks.

“Do yourself a favour and book this amazing experience. I’ve never lived on a sailboat overnight and was apprehensive at first but thanks to skipper Alex and his crew Kayla and Kianna, they did the absolute most to make my journey comfortaRead more”

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4.Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling

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

Spend about nine hours aboard the 62-foot Providence, sailing from Coral Sea Marina to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. You can help raise the sails, snorkel a fringing Great Barrier Reef site, and relax on deck. Lunch is optional, while tea, coffee, water, gear, and seasonal stinger suits are provided.

“A really fun day out. The beach is absolutely stunning and worth the journey. The boat is relaxing to sail on and the captain and crew are accommodating and very friendly. Recommended.”

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5.Whitsunday Islands 2-Day Sailing Tour

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

Sail overnight from Airlie Beach aboard the Matador, a small-group racing yacht operated by OzSail Whitsunday. Expect reef snorkeling, an early visit to Whitehaven Beach, fresh onboard meals, stargazing, and a relaxed social atmosphere. Crews such as Tony, Chris, Dave, Ruby, and others are known for friendly service and strong local guidance.

“I had an amazing time on the Matador with Kate, Ash and Arron!! Literally would not change a thing. The boat was really nice and I slept pretty well. I usually get sea sick but didn't feel sick at all on this trip. We were the first on Whitehaven Beach which was really nice before all the other tour companies came in. We saw sharks, sting rays, turtles and dolphins, went snorkelling twice and swimming which was so much fun. We event we on a little sunset walk which was so pretty. Everything is exactly like the pictures so would definitely recommend.”

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6.Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 451 reviews · from $63Best value

Meet at Campbells Cove in The Rocks for a twilight dinner cruise aboard a restored historic tall ship. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, and more while enjoying dinner and live commentary. Hosts such as Howard and Ruth add local stories, and adventurous passengers can pay extra to climb the mast.

“It was a lovely and calm experience. We felt safe and taken care of throughout the 2 hours. The guide and crew both were friendly, knowledgeable, and assuring. Food was also plenty and fresh. Would recommend it.”

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7.Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 398 reviews · 9 hours · from $183

Spend nine hours aboard a 16-meter schooner with a small group of up to 25 people. You will snorkel an exclusive reef site, join a marine naturalist, enjoy a generous lunch, visit Green Island, and sail back to Cairns with fruit, cheese, cake, and wine. Optional scuba sessions are available.

“Amazing! Would really recommend this tour! We got some sailing done (no engine), the guides / crew were super friendly and knowledgeable! Good snacks and many places to relax on the boat. It’s not a very big boat so there is plenty of space in the water (and on the boat) and the crew helps you out snorkelling and points out all the amazing fish!”

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8.2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Trip with Meals

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

Sail from Coral Sea Marina for two nights aboard a maxi yacht, with reef snorkeling, Whitehaven Beach, island views, sunsets, stargazing, and crew-cooked meals. Expect open-plan bunk rooms, shared bathrooms, and an active, social trip led by an English-speaking skipper and crew such as Alex, Kate, Max, or Chloe.

“Absolutely unreal trip with Oz Sail! Had the best time with Alex, Meg and the team on the Spank Me boat - we saw turtles, dolphins, so many fish and amazing coral. Getting to see Whitehaven beach so early in the morning was a highlight of the trip!! Would 100% recommend!!!”

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9.Providence Whitsundays Tallship Sunset Sail

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

Spend two hours sailing across Airlie Beach aboard Providence V, a 62-foot gaff-rigged schooner built from North Queensland timber. You’ll receive a welcome drink, share bread, cheese, fruit, and dips, and can help raise the sails. Crew such as Oscar, Katie, Luke, and Adrian have been praised for friendly stories and practical help. Bring warm clothing and expect to go barefoot.

“The tour guide and the boat are the Providence. We didn't realise this until our name was called out, we were looking for the Tailship sunset sail. Other than that confusion, I would recommend wearing shorts, the boat does require a little bit of chambering around. Otherwise great relaxing evening which I recommend”

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10.Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 342 reviews · 2 hours · from $77

Spend two hours on Sydney Harbour aboard the Southern Swan or Soren Larsen. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, and Luna Park while a friendly English-speaking crew serves dinner. You can help raise the sails, steer the ship, or pay extra to climb the mast.

“Good trip. Nice food presented in a buffet style. Good team onboard the ship.”

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11.Sunset Sailing Cruise on Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 342 reviews · 1h 30m · from $66

Settle aboard Sailaway Port Douglas’s luxury catamaran for a 90-minute sunset sail from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. You’ll receive a beer, wine, champagne, or soft drink, plus hot and cold canapés, while the crew sails along the Coral Sea and Daintree coastline. Small numbers, polished service, and a smooth ride make this an easy evening outing.

“The sunset cruise was excellent with great crew awesome food cold drinks and a location to die for. What more would you want. The boat was spotlessly clean. 10 out of 10.”

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