Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays 2021
Be the captain of your own adventure on this incredible bareboat voyage through the Whitsundays. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to charter your own vessel – or upgrade to holiday like royalty with a private skipper, who will guide you through the majestic beauty of this destination onboard the brand-new Whistunday Freedom catamaran.
With luxury catamarans for up to eight guests available, split the cost of this unbelievable experience with family and friends. Glide through crystal-clear waters in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, stroll barefoot across the velvety white sands of untouched islands and delve into the snorkelers’ paradise shimmering beneath the Whitsundays’ waves.
The Whitsundays are a treasure trove of 74 scattered emerald islands best enjoyed at your leisure. From snorkelling and swimming to sunbathing and savouring fresh seafood — this is your holiday, your way. Your sailing adventure takes off from the Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The marina is approximately a 30-minute drive from Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) Airport. You can also fly directly into Hamilton Island: the marina is approximately a 45-minute ferry away. Transfers are not included in your package, please plan accordingly.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements. Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
The Catamaran Experience — Pick your vessel and a destination, and arrive in paradise
The Whitsundays are a treasure trove of 74 scattered emerald islands best enjoyed at your leisure. Picture yourself lazing on the silica-rich beachfront with azure waters lapping the shore, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing as your heart desires. With this incredible package, you’re not restricted to choosing just one island — you can experience them all as your very own skipper.
With self-guided exploration, you can spend as long as you like on each island, sailing your private catamaran to the rock-walled mooring grounds of Caves Cove on Hook Island, watching the sunset over the horizon from the otherworldly Whitehaven Beach or just plunging into the bluer-than-blue waters — perfect for discovering the menagerie of rich marine life.
Regardless of which luxury sailing catamaran you choose, you’ll be treated to the VIP lifestyle with a private dinghy for self-led discovery, shower on deck for that post-plunge cool off, swim ladder to descend into the alluringly turquoise waters and kitchenette with gas stove and oven to prepare all meals.
Your Handpicked Inclusions — Early boarding, access to Ocean Club on the day of arrival and a full maritime briefing
Put down your anchor at Coral Sea Marina early with access to Ocean Club on the day of arrival (prior to embarkation). Exclusively for marina guests, Ocean Club offers a space to relax, including a sea-view deck with BBQ and complimentary coffee. Benefit from 5pm boarding on the day of arrival and an overnight stay onboard at the marina, so you can become acquainted with your new home-away-from-home. On the day of embarkation, learn the secrets of your majestic catamaran and how to skipper it like a true-blue sailor with a full maritime briefing.
The Luxurious Whitsunday Freedom upgrades:
If you won’t settle for anything less than the best, Whitsunday Freedom is for you. This brand-new super spacious, stylish cruising catamaran (for up to six guests) will make any voyage out to sea truly unforgettable. Not only will you feel like royalty on this sleek and modern Lagoon 450S sailing catamaran — complete with four private double cabins, each with its own ensuite, four lounging areas, two dining areas and a water maker — but you’ll enjoy 240V power throughout, air-conditioned cabins and saloon, as well as free-flowing freshwater.
Skipper Upgrade: Enjoy the finer things in life aboard the Whitsunday Freedom with the added bonus of a knowledgeable skipper. This expert guide will guide you through the Whitsundays, so the only thing you’ll have to do is soak up the beauty of the islands. Please note: The Whitsunday Freedom Skipper Upgrade can accommodate six guests across three cabins, with a fourth cabin reserved for your skipper.
Ngaro Upgrade: When you upgrade to the Ngaro experience, you will enjoy a private program three years in the making. Be guided by a private Great Barrier Reef guide-come-marine-biologist, Master 5 skipper, coral restoration expert and rescue diver. This is a unique opportunity to not only meet a Ngaro First Nation Elder on one day of your voyage with a ‘Welcome to Country’ blessing but also to visit cultural sites of significance, including Ngaro caves in Nara Inlet. You will also enjoy the unique opportunity to delve into the outer reef and dive over underwater art installations, including the Migration of the Mantra, Turtle Dreaming, Maori Wrasse and Mantaray. Please note: The Whitsunday Ngaro Upgrade can accommodate six guests across three cabins, with a fourth cabin reserved for your skipper.
Platinum Upgrade: This is the ultimate way to experience the Whitsundays. Your platinum upgrade includes not only the help of a private guide but also all-inclusive meals throughout your stay, a selection of alcoholic drinks to accompany your nightly dinner, return airport transfers for up to six people and all fuel and expenses included – so all you need to do is decide who to take along for the ride. Please note: The Whitsunday Freedom Platinum Upgrade can accommodate six guests across three cabins, with a fourth cabin reserved for your skipper.
Local Tips — Want to know more about Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays?
Our insider travel guide includes handpicked places to eat and drink, the best activities in the area, and special experiences to make your trip memorable. If you need inspiration, your chatter could look something like this:
Day 1: Board your private sailing catamaran with your early 5pm boarding and enjoy Ocean Club access included in your package. Once onboard, stay overnight at the five Gold Anchor-accredited Coral Sea Marina.
Day 2: Get the full lowdown on navigation, mooring, anchoring, boat handling and more, so you’re ready for embarkation. Our recommendation? Caves Cove with spectacular sunsets and wildlife spotting.
Day 3: You could plunge headfirst into the crystal-clear depths for a morning snorkelling session, followed by underwater art installations at Langford Reef and Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island.
Day 4: Make Dumbbell Island or the southern coral sand beach of Esk Island your location for lunch. Tide dependent, head to Tongue Bay on Whitsunday Island and pick up a mooring, before making a landing in your tender to tackle the extraordinary Hill Inlet lookouts.
Day 5: A spritely run through Solway Passage could see you greeted by the only island named by Captain Cook, Pentecost Island, as you make your way to Hamilton Island.
Day 6: Leave Hamilton Island and set course for the micro rainforest shoreline of Palm Bay, Long Island. Step ashore beyond the beach lined huts and the sunset bars to the warm welcome of Palm Bay.
Day 7: Begin your morning with a walk on Long Island, keeping an eye out for tawny frogmouth owls, curlews, kookaburras and bush turkeys. Out at sea, you may spot turtles, dolphins and whales. Set sail to Goat Island or Sunlovers Beach on Daydream Island for a leisurely lunch aboard the catamaran. Head back to Coral Sea Marina at 3pm for refuelling and debriefing. Disembark at 5pm.
Free cancellation: You can cancel your booking for Cudo credit up until 45 days prior to the original check-in date. This can be done via self-service in your ‘My Escapes’ account. Your Cudo credit will be valid for 12 months from the date of cancellation. Credits are not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Please note this does not apply to insurance or flights booked with Cudo. Flight fulfilment is provided by the airline(s) selected at the time of finalising the booking. For your air travel, you are bound by the terms and conditions and fare rules of the selected airline(s).
Valid for travel until 31 March 2022 (bookings must be made before 31 January 2022).
UPDATE 21.04.21 5.11pm AEDT: Please note all Whitsunday Freedom Upgrades can accommodate six guests across three cabins, with a fourth cabin reserved for your skipper.
UPDATE 09.02.21 1.25pm AEDT: Please note the Platinum Upgrade is now sold out.
Environment Management Charge: A fee of A$38 per person, per trip, applies and covers all moorings (excluding Palm Bay Long Island and Daydream Island). This can be paid online via the Portland Roads website or at time of boarding.
Blackout Dates Apply. Dates are identified in the Booking Calendar.
Check Availability: To confirm your dates of stay at purchase, click on ‘Check Availability’ and select your preferred package. Use the calendar to browse and select available dates. Dates with a surcharge are identified.
Buy Now, Choose Dates Later: If you want to secure this offer and don’t know when you want to travel please select ‘Buy Now, Choose Dates Later’. This will secure your package and give you the flexibility to choose your travel dates — within the book by and validity period and subject to availability. To select dates post purchase, simply select ‘My Escapes’ under the ‘My Account’ tab and follow the prompts.
7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee: Things don’t always work out. Our 7-day Change of Mind Guarantee is there to help. Bookings (except for Tour bookings and flights) may be cancelled with a full refund provided that cancellation occurs strictly within 7 days from the date of purchase and provided that the cancellation is made no less than 21 days prior to the check-in date.
Feel Like Changing Your Dates? No Worries… If you need to make a change to the date of your booking, please contact the Cudo Customer Service team. Any change to booking dates are subject to availability and at the discretion of Portland Roads.
Please Note:
- Pricing is per package.
- All packages (except for Platinum Upgrade) do not include airport transfers, fuel, fees (marina, mooring berthing), food, provisions, sail guide/captain. All surcharges are payable directly to Portland Roads or local providers.
- Guests will be required to fill out a Hire Agreement and Crew Forms 45 days prior to arrival. Guests will also receive a copy of a hire agreement and pre charter notes 45 days prior to arrival.
- Infants are allowed onboard at Portland Roads’ discretion. Please contact Portland Roads in advance to confirm.
- Cooking facilities are included onboard. BYO food and drinks are recommended.
- Any unused portion of the package is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for other services or cash.
- Guests who have purchased the bareboat packages will board at 5pm the night prior and set sail after a four to five-hour briefing the following day. Guests will disembark on the final day at 5pm.
The property, facilities and dining are subject to government regulations and restrictions. Please check the property website for the most up-to-date information as some of the services may be impacted.
Cudo reserves the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to website’s terms and conditions.
