A bareboat holiday is one of those experiences you’ll remember forever. We know because most of our guests tell us that their Whitsunday Rent a Yacht Charter was one of the best holidays they’ve ever had!
Hiring a beautiful boat, living on tropical waters and sailing around pristine islands at your own pace is an experience which doesn’t need more bells and whistles – it’s already amazing! However, if you want to take things up a notch or love a holiday full of adventure and action, consider adding these extra activities and final touches to your bareboat holiday plans.
The initial costs of a bareboat holiday
The initial outlay for hiring a bareboat with Whitsunday Rent a Yacht is:
- The boat hire. The cost of a boat is on a per-night basis, not per person. The more nights you book, the better the nightly rate. Whitsunday Rent a Yacht has a minimum three-night booking policy.
- Boat fuel is charged based on consumption.
- Insurance, optional but highly recommended – https://www.rentayacht.com.au/services/insurance
- Food and beverages
- Transport from the airport
What’s included on a bareboat
All of the Whitsunday Rent a Yacht fleet boats are equipped with everything you’ll need to live a comfortable cruising life among the Islands. You just need to bring your personal items, food and beverages.
Kitchen appliances, linen, cleaning equipment, safety gear and a BBQ are some of the essentials included.
Extras for the Ultimate bareboat holiday in the Whitsundays
When making your booking, you might like to consider the below extras.
Talk to our reservations team about including extra recreational equipment in your booking and find out the best way to book additional experiences to make the most of your trip to the Whitsundays.
Book a sleep-aboard in Shute Harbour
Spending a night at Shute Harbour is an experience in itself. This tranquil, peaceful harbour is surrounded by National Parks and has water teaming with fish and turtles. Sometimes the whales even pay a visit.
Shute Harbour is where Whitsunday Rent a Yacht is based. We operate from a private jetty and offer guests the opportunity to sleep aboard the night before their charter.
For a fee less than a hotel room, you can stay on your boat, settle in and even do any last-minute dashes into town for extra supplies before your booking begins the following morning.
Holiday Cocktails, bareboat style
Nothing says a holiday like cocktails. Get organised, pack your shaker and surprise your crew with sunset cocktails.
Mojito, Margarita and Pinna Colada are your classic tropical holiday styles. But if you want to get a little more nautical, check out this list of 10 nautical-themed cocktails to add o your bareboat holiday.
Plan to stop at Hamilton Island
Take your pick of things to do on Hamilton Island to supercharge your holiday. From spas to restaurants to golf or simply lying by the free resort pools, you will find many things to do which immerse you in resort life and make you pinch yourself!
You can stay overnight on your bareboat in the marina for a fee. Paying for your marina berth at Hamilton Island gives you access to the resort’s facilities.
Many tour operators run from Hamilton Island. If you want to add tours to your bareboat holiday, consider berthing for more than one night at Hammo and touring from there.
Visit the Outer Great Barrier Reef
The Whitsunday Islands are a part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Many islands have fringing tropical reefs, with diverse corals and fish you can experience while sailing on a bareboat.
The Outer Great Barrier Reef is the part of the reef that gets all the global attention. It stretched 2,300km from Cape York at the tip of Australia to Bundaberg.
Cruise Whitsundays and the Explore Group operate snorkelling and scuba diving tours from Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach.
Fly over the Outer Great Barrier Reef and Heart Reef
Take a helicopter or seaplane tour if you want to experience the Outer Great Barrier Reef from above.
Seaplane tours run from Hamilton Island through Hamilton Island Air and Flame Tree Airport (just near Shute Harbour) with Air Whitsundays.
Please note that it is no longer possible for a seaplane tour to pick guests up from their bareboats when sailing around the islands.
Spa Treatments at Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach
While stopping at Hamilton Island on your bareboat charter, enjoy some pampering at Spa Wumurdaylin. Please ensure you book ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Airlie Beach is home to several day spas. We recommend Vartamana Yoga & Day Spa and Aroma Stone Boutique.
Play golf on Dent Island
The Hamilton Island Golf Club is on Dent Island, just opposite Hamilton. The 18-hole course is considered one of the most challenging courses in the world! If golf is not everyone’s thing, the golf club on Dent Island is an experience in itself.
Hamilton Island Golf Club and Pro Shop are open seven days a week. Bookings are essential. Please call the Clubhouse on 07 4948 9760.
Platters and provisioning
Whitsunday Provisioning and The Prickly Pear provide provisioning for those holidaying on a bareboat charter. You can pre-order your prepared meals and order staples to be delivered to your boat and loaded into your fridge, ready for you to set sail.
A seafood platter is an epic way to begin your adventure of a lifetime. We suggest ordering a platter with Whitsunday Prov or local fishmonger FIshi.
Tip: Add a bottle of bubbles to your provisioning order and have it in the fridge to celebrate.
Add a SUP or Kayak to your booking
Kayaks and SUPS are a fantastic addition to any bareboating adventure. They provide an alternative way to explore the islands and an activity everyone can enjoy.
Kayaks can be a fantastic alternative to fishing from the tender, especially if you’re sailing as a larger group and different crew members want to explore in different ways.
When booking your bareboat, ask for a kayak or SUP to be added to your booking.
For many people, a bareboat holiday is a bucket list adventure, so why not make the most of it?!
Join us for a bareboat holiday in the Whitsundays and enjoy the freedom to explore
Contact us 1800 075 000 or sales@rentayacht.com.au
