Going away for a holiday at Christmas may ruffle a few family feathers. However, it is something to consider if you want to try a new experience or set a slower pace throughout a hectic time of year.
A fuss-free Christmas on a bareboat is becoming increasingly popular with our guests. It’s easy to see why when you think about the perks of going away at Christmas and what you can do to ensure that Christmas day is still festive and fun.
Keep reading to discover why it’s worth going away for Christmas and how you can bring some Christmas magic to your bareboat holiday. We also have some Santa tips and Christmas lunch meal-planning ideas to share.
The perks of going away for Christmas
Going away for Christmas isn’t strictly traditional, but here’s why it’s something to consider:
- You’re celebrating your way by doing something really special without the stress and obligations that many people feel over Christmas.
- You can escape the pre-Christmas rush and mayhem.
- You get to spend Christmas day as a close family unit.
- You’ll unplug and relax, rejuvenating yourself for the New Year.
- You get to stay in a tropical climate and spend Christmas day on the beach.
- A holiday for Christmas will be one to remember.
- You won’t have to do the Christmas Day runaround & sit in Christmas traffic.
- There will be a limited number of presents and waste, with the gift of presence & experience taking centre stage.
- In the Whitsundays, many people have family commitments before and on Christmas Day. This means fewer crowds and access to the best beaches without tourists.
How to keep the magic alive while on a Holiday for Christmas in the Whitsundays
Pack your Christmas playlist!
Get the kids’ eyes rolling by cranking some Michael Buble and belting out some Elvis while you rock around the palm tree.
Make sure you download your Christmas playlist before your trip, as Wi-Fi is limited in the islands.
Some of our boats have USB connections to built-in speakers, which can be played inside and outside the boat. Ask about the sound system when making your reservations.
Have a White Christmas on Whitehaven Beach
The famous white sand found on Whitehaven Beach is probably the closest thing you will find to snow on an Australian Christmas. Yes, you can build a sand-snowman!
Tip – If the conditions don’t suit anchoring at Whitehaven, check out Chalkies Beach on Hazelwood, where you will find the same silica white sand.
Keep some family Christmas traditions going
Do you always have a family walk after Christmas or a game of cricket – there is no reason you can’t do these things in the Whitsundays. Beach cricket on Langford Island or any of the Island beaches will be a hit and probably the best backdrop your Christmas Match has had.
There are many different walking trails and hikes to take around the Islands. Take your pick and walk off some of that Christmas lunch.
Or, start some new Christmas day traditions.
Christmas on a bareboat gives you the chance to create new traditions. Instead of the usual routine, you can mix things up by incorporating the best of both worlds—celebrating Christmas while embracing the tropical lifestyle of the Whitsundays.
You might start Christmas morning with a refreshing swim or snorkel, followed by a leisurely breakfast on deck. Decorate the boat with festive touches (think string lights, mini trees, and stockings hung in the cabin) and spend the afternoon kayaking or paddleboarding around your chosen anchorage. For lunch or dinner, fire up the onboard BBQ and enjoy a seafood feast with a view of the islands.
Book a berth at Hamilton Island
If a resort-style Christmas is more your style, you can take your bareboat to stay at the Hamilton Island Marina.
When you berth at the Marina, you’re given access to the Island Resort facilities, including three swimming pools, Catseye Beach, and sunset drinks on One Tree Hill, for a fee.
Note that you will need to book well ahead, especially if you plan on having Christmas lunch at one of the restaurants on the Island.
Santa can still come on a Christmas Holiday!
Packing for a sailing holiday needs to be light, so what should you do about the kids and Santa?
If your children still believe, you can write letters to Santa explaining that you are going away and won’t be able to carry all of his gifts on the return trip. Ask Santa to leave big presents at home for when you get back.
Bring an elf on the shelf – they love to travel!
Take stockings for your children and gift them smaller items and things they can use on the trip, such as an underwater camera, books, colouring, travel games and new swimmers or summer clothes.
Santa sleigh can also convert to water skies, just like a water plane, so make sure you leave out something for the reindeer.
Bareboat Christmas Lunch Ideas
Christmas Lunch needs to be something special. We’ve got you covered.
Drinks
Make your own Christmas cocktails, or get some inspiration from our Nautical-themed cocktail ideas.
Pack extra pasta, garlic & lemon to make up a Boxing Day leftover carbonara.
Nibbles
Fridge space is limited. Look at purchasing pickles, sundried tomatoes, preserved fish, olives and crackers for nibbles.
Hard mature cheese and some salami can be stored outside of the fridge for a short time.
Check out this Tapenade recipe for something a little more substantial.
Entree
You can arrange delivery of fresh seafood and platters to your boat on arrival, through local provisioning companies. Prawns for the BBQ or fresh shellfish and calamari can all be arranged.
Even better, catch your own fresh fish and serve as sashimi.
Main
Cold meats will be the way to go for a Christmas holiday lunch. You can order cold turkey, smoked ham, or salmon from the local supermarket in Airlie Beach or Cannonvale and collect it on your way to Shute Harbour.
If you want something warm, think about what you can do on the BBQ.
Salads using mostly preserved ingredients are also a trick to catering on a boat.
- Carrot salad with anchovies
- Caesar salad can be made using ingredients you will also use for breakfast. Just pack a pre-made Caesar dressing.
- Canned brown lentil and beetroot salad with rocket & pumpkin seeds. Use Balsamic dressing.
- Potato salad with bacon
Dessert
For dessert, pre-make and bring mince tarts or plum pudding.
This no-bake festive fridge cake from Ottolenghi is a Christmas crowd-pleaser.
Or grab some pre-made meringues and simply add Dollop cream with fruit
What is the weather like over Christmas in the Whitsundays?
The Whitsundays is a subtropical climate. This means summer is hot and humid, with showers passing quickly. The waters are mostly calm due to light winds.
Summer is stinger season, so wear a protective suit when in the water.
Some of our boats have air conditioners. However, due to battery capacity, they are limited in their use on the water. When berthed at a marina, however, the air conditioner can be run.
Learn more about bareboating in summer.
Book your Holiday for Christmas ahead of time
We have noticed that more people book their second, third and sometimes fourth Bareboat Christmas day celebrations year after year. Going away for a tropical Christmas seems to be a family tradition for some.
To avoid disappointment, we suggest booking your Christmas Holiday months ahead so that you secure the boat and dates you want. Also, make sure you arrange Hamilton Island early.
