Outer Great Barrier Reef & Whitsunday Flotillas

Would you like to sail to the outer Great Barrier Reef or sail with a group of boats with a lead vessel complete with an experienced Master Mariner onboard? Let us introduce you to our flotilla cruising.

Flotilla Group Cruise

The Whitsunday islands are one of the greatest cruising grounds in the world for a self sail holiday because they lie in the protected waters inside the Great Barrier Reef. As an industry-standard and in the interests of public safety, a cruising area is set for all bareboat charter companies operating in the Whitsundays, meaning it is not possible to see the Outer Great Barrier Reef when you self-sail a charter yacht.

That is, until now...

Here at Whitsunday Rent A Yacht, we are now making it possible for charterers to venture further afield than just the designated Whitsunday islands cruising areas. By joining one of our group cruises, you can visit the outer Great Barrier Reef aboard your vessel in company with other chartered bareboats. This group of boats is what is known as a flotilla.

Flotillas provide you with the confidence of knowing you're guided by an experienced Master Mariner aboard a lead vessel, from the freedom and privacy of your own vessel.

Flotilla cruising is ideal for couples, families or friends chartering as a group

On a flotilla cruise, you will have the peace of mind of greater levels of safety, and experience first hand the opportunities to sail as a group with likeminded people exploring new boundaries together.

Once you set sail, your guide will handle the daily navigation and activity updates, provide on-call support from the lead vessel and open channel radio communications.

Something for everyone

Whether you are new to chartering or an old hand Whitsunday Rent A Yacht Coral Coast & Great Barrier Reef Flotillas offer the next level of sailing experience.  Seldom visited spectacular North Coast anchorages, remote coastal resorts and snorkelling on the outer Great Barrier Reef are just part of the adventure.

Learn more about how our flotilla sailing holiday works on our blog.

Flotilla Routes & Dates

Whitsundays & Gloucester Passage via Hook Reef (Sample Route One  |  Sample Route Two). Please note that the exact route is set when the weather has been forecast.

Experience Requirements & Guided Option

To give you an idea of the minimum sailing experience required for your safety, we require two adults on board to have had previous sailing experience.  The skipper will need to have at least five days of sailing experience, on a similar size vessel and will have an understanding of anchoring, navigation and tides.  The second adult on board will need at least 3 days sailing experience and will need to know what to do in case of an emergency i.e. work the VHF radio, turn the engine on and off and be able to drop and raise the sails.  If you are not yet an experienced or confident skipper and would rather someone to assist you then you can hire a qualified sail guide for the duration of your flotilla holiday… or jump aboard the lead vessel.

Cabins Available Aboard the Lead Vessel

For those who want to journey aboard the lead vessel, with nothing to think about except enjoying the experience, we have berths for singles or couples.

What’s included in the flotilla cruise and what do I need to bring?

On the flotilla cruise, we provide you with:

• Fully equipped cruising yacht for the duration of your holiday
• Lead crew: Skipper & Flotilla Host
• Diesel & outboard fuel
• Dinghy and outboard
• All sailing, navigation and safety equipment onboard
• Fully equipped galley/kitchen (cooking equipment, plates, cutlery etc. not food)
• Fresh linen
• Snorkelling equipment
• Welcome BBQ at our Shute Harbour Base
• Your dinner ashore on day four

You will need to organise:

Provisions for the duration of the cruise, you can either bring this along with you on the day you board or select from what’s on offer online through Whitsunday Provisioning. 

We should note that all meals are included for guests booked aboard the lead vessel. 

Book now

There are limited vessels available for each Flotilla departure so reserve your bareboat now.  Be amongst the exclusive bareboat charterers to venture out to the Great Barrier Reef and explore spectacular and rarely visited bays and islands.  So many people dream of ‘Cruising’ the Coral Coast and visiting the outer Great Barrier Reef.  This is your chance to live that dream.

Email: res@rentayacht.com.au

Phone: 1800 075 000

*Sample Routes - All flotilla routes and programs are subject to prevailing weather conditions which may change daily.  Flotilla participants must understand and accept that plans may have to change in the cause of comfort and safety.  No individual destination is guaranteed.  We recommend that you take out Travel Insurance.
Please refer to our Whitsunday Rent A Yacht Terms & Conditions.