FAQ's

The benefits of skippering yourself:

•  Freedom to go where you want, when you want
•  No license required, just some basic boating experience
•  Privacy - escape the crowds, just you and your guests
•  Create your own adventures - relaxed beach days, snorkelling reefs or hiking trails
•  Lower cost - no crew expenses

The Whitsundays are calm, sheltered waters - ideal for first-time bare boaters.  Support is also always nearby with a 24/7 number and starlink to keep you connected when out of mobile range.

See 'Do I need a boating license' below for more information.

Whilst it is called a 'bareboat charter' Regina comes fully equipped for a comfortable sailing holiday and make magical memories.  You only need to bring yourselves and your personal belongings (clothes and toiletries) for the duration of your trip, you can organise food and beverages through a provisioning company or shop yourself on arrival.  Please see below for options regarding provisioning. 

We include for your enjoyment:

- Linen including sheets and a bath and beach towel (we even make the beds for you)
- Beach kit - cabana, small beach esky and beach toys
- Snorkelling equipment - masks, fins and wetsuits or stinger suits 
- 2 x quality Standup Paddle boards (not cheap inflatables)
- Portable 2-way radio's for ship-to-shore communications
- Consumables - garbage bags, dishwashing products, paper towel/toilet rolls

Whilst we try and limit add-on's there are some unavoidable fees required to be paid in addition to your charter fees, including:
- the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority environmental management fee/admin fees -  payable 14 days prior to your charter.  
- Fuel you use during your charter - this will be paid on return to the marina.

Regina is an 'all-inclusive' charter so you don't have to worry about numerous add-ons when booking, however there may be some additional items you personally require which we can assist with for an additional fee, such as:
- fishing rods/tackle
- kayaks
- an additional or upgrade to your tender

No! You’ll receive a comprehensive briefing before departure, along with some first timer tips

However, you will need some boating knowledge and experience to get you around the Whitsundays and ensure you have an enjoyable trip.  

We provide a quick guide to the vessel on check-in and a comprehensive briefing on the morning of your departure from the Marina including suggested itineraries.

Our experienced boat briefers will spend approximately 3-4 hours briefing you on: 

1. The Whitsunday islands and GBRMPA rules, safe anchorages, tides, weather and radio procedures 
2. Basic navigation using a chart and compass to ensure your safety during your trip and to build your experience, there is also a GPS onboard. 
3. Safe and secure anchoring and mooring of the boat overnight.
4. We will assess your boat handling skills in the above areas prior to departure. 
5. Sailing procedures - if you have no prior sailing experience we recommend you book a 1-day sailing course before your charter and we can add some additional training into your briefing (at an additional cost of $200). 

Our briefers will also navigate your vessel in/out of the marina at the start/end of your trip and assist with re-fuelling and berthing so no stress involved for you. 

Anywhere within the Whitsundays Marine Park (Charter boat restrictions apply) – we will help plan your route during the briefing!  A copy of the 'Magic Miles' is also onboard to assist with all the cruising information on the Whitsundays you need.

Yes, but within approved GBRMPA zones only.  You can check the 'eye on the reef' app or zoning maps for more information on appropriate zones
https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/access/zoning/zoning-maps

All boats should be securely anchored by 4 PM in the afternoon - just in time to relax and enjoy a nice cold beverage.

The charterer is liable for any damage to the vessel while under their control.

- A security bond of $3500 will be required prior to departure as a pre-authorisation on your credit card, this amount will be frozen so funds should be available to cover it.  Once your boat is returned in the condition it left your pre-authorisation will be cancelled.
- we do offer a damage waiver fee of $150 which will cover any damage up to $1,000.

- We recommend taking out travel insurance which will cover your bond if there are any incidents. 

Airlie Beach is situated between Mackay and Townsville in Northern Queensland and easy to access by plane, car or even bus or train.

-  By Plane - our closest airport is Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine which is approximately 20 mins drive from the Marina.  Flights are available from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Cairns.  Shuttle buses meet each flight and there are various companies who offer transfers including Heart of the Reef Shuttles and Whitsunday Transit.  You can also fly into Hamilton Island and take a ferry with Cruise Whitsundays to Port of Airlie.

- By Car - Cairns to Airlie Beach takes approximately 8 hours, Townsville is 3 hours and Mackay approximately 1.5 hours.  Travelling from further afield?  Sunshine Coast is approximately 11-12 hours, driving through Yepoon and Mackay.

- By Train - Cairns to Airlie takes approximately 11 hours, while sunshine Coast to Airlie is around 14.5 hours. 

- By Bus - the cheapest travel option - Cairns to Airlie Beach is around 10 hours and Sunshine Coast is Airlie 19-20 hours. 

We provide a basic consumable kit which includes your kitchen basics - paper towels, foil, garbage bags, washing up liquid, dish cloths, toilet paper, sanitary bags and hand soap.   Anything else will need to be supplied by the Charterer.  There are many options to provision your vessel and we provide detailed information in our 'Charterer Information' on booking.  Options include:
- General shopping at Coles, Woolworths or speciality stores (information provided with booking)
- Use Whitsunday Provisioning for an all-in-one service delivered directly to your vessel (www.whitprov.com.au) 

- We offer a 1-week hold, to safeguard your dates while we handle the booking enquiries 

- Once the booking is confirmed a 15% deposit is collected to hold your trip, the balance is required 60 days before your charter date. 

- Full payment will be required upfront if you book within 60 days of your trip. 

- Any additional extras will be invoiced 14 days before your trip to be settled before embarkation 

- Cancellations within 60 days of the charter incur full payment 

- Cancellations more than 60 days from the charter will either incur an administration fee of $350 or the deposit can be transferred to another date within the next 12 months