Airlie Beach sailing tours take you out under sail for a day, an evening or two nights on board. You trade speed for time on deck, and the overnight boats let you sleep among the islands.
Eight and a half hours on a sailing catamaran to a fringing reef, a lookout walk and a sandbar, back at sunset. Snorkel gear and a stinger suit are in the fare; ages 12 and over.
From $142 per person
Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
A 60-foot sailing catamaran for up to 29, with paddle boards, a clear-bottom kayak and snorkel gear at the reef off Langford Island. It does not go to the famous beach, and the drinks are yours to bring.
From $174 per person
Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
A full day on a big sailing catamaran from the cruise terminal, with lunch, drinks, about three hours at the northern end of the beach and a snorkel. You check in at 7:30am.
From $187 per person
Free cancellation up to 3 days in advance
Two nights on a sailing trimaran for up to 26, with all meals, park fees and a toilet on board. About three hours on the beach, and a refund up to 24 hours before.
From $434 per person
Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Two nights on the 82-foot sailboat 'Spank Me', with breakfast, lunch and dinner, snorkel gear and park fees in the fare. Ages 16 to 80, and four days' notice to cancel.
From $471 per person
Free cancellation up to 4 days in advance
Two nights on the maxi yacht Hammer for up to 23, in a bed with linen, with meals, snorkel gear and a snorkel suit in the fare. You bring the drinks, and the fare is non-refundable.
From $506 per person
Non-refundable: no refund if you cancel.
Two nights on the maxi yacht Condor for up to 30, with the lookout walk and the beach on day two. Three crew sail and cook, the drinks are yours to bring, and the fare cannot be refunded.
From $506 per person
Non-refundable: no refund if you cancel.
Two and a half hours on a private yacht for up to eight, with champagne and canapés as the sun goes down. You can take the helm, and a swim off the stern is allowed.
From $87 per person
Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Ten hours on a big sailing catamaran, with lunch and drinks in the fare, about three hours at the northern end of the beach and a reef snorkel.
Check availabilityA sailing tour takes you out under sail rather than engine. That makes it slower, and it is meant to be. You get time on deck, a crew that works the sails, and a pace that feels like a holiday rather than a transfer.
It comes in three lengths. A day sail runs six to ten hours to the beach or the northern reefs. The sunset sail spends two and a half hours on the bay in the evening. The overnight boats spend two nights among the islands, with meals and bunks on board.
What you see depends on the boat. Camira and the overnight yachts reach Whitehaven Beach. Tongarra and Wings III sail to Langford Island to snorkel instead.
On a raft you hold on. Under sail you sit on deck and watch the islands pass. On the sunset yacht you can even take the helm.
Camira's fare includes lunch and drinks, with alcohol from 10am or after the snorkel. The sunset sail pours champagne with canapés. Most powered boats sell their drinks.
The two-night boats are the only way to sleep among the islands without your own boat. You eat on board and wake up at anchor, while the day boats all go home.
The sunset yacht takes up to eight, private. Wings III takes up to 29 and the Prosail Hammer up to 23, fewer than the big powered catamarans.
Here are the sailing boats beside the rafts, catamarans and speedboats, from the listings' own figures.
| Day sail | Two nights under sail | A powered boat day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How long | 6 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours | Two nights | 7 to 8 hours |
| Whitehaven Beach | Camira only | Yes | Yes, on most |
| Drinks in the fare | Camira only | No, bring your own | No, on most |
| Youngest age | Varies; Tongarra 12 | 16 or 18 | Most take children |
| Fare, per person | $142 to $187 | $434 to $506 | $172 to $181 |
| Free cancellation | 24 hours; Camira 3 days | 24 hours, 4 days or none | 24 hours |
If you want the beach in the fewest hours, a raft or catamaran is quicker. Compare the Airlie Beach boat tours for the powered options.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, snorkel gear and park fees in the fare, for ages 16 to 80, with four days' notice to cancel.
Check availabilityWeighing the sail against a fast boat? Our guide to choosing a tour sets them side by side.
Would a faster boat suit you better? Every kind of trip is compared on Airlie Beach Tours.