Snorkeling Whitsunday Islands: Camira sailing catamaran
A 7km arc of white sand, a reef full of fish, and a path the Ngaro people walked.
Camira is a full-day sailing tour from Airlie Beach through the Whitsunday Islands, with a guided walk to Hill Inlet lookout, swimming and snorkeling at Whitehaven Beach and a fringing reef, and a cooked BBQ lunch on board. The catamaran carries capped numbers so you have room to move, and the boat serves beer, wine and cider from 10am. Children are welcome from age 4.
Step-by-step itinerary
Sail, hike, snorkel, and relax
- Board Camira sailing catamaran
- Guided hike to Hill Inlet lookout
- Swim and stroll on the beach
- Enjoy BBQ lunch on board
- Snorkel at Whitsundays fringing reef
- Sail back to shore
- Hill Inlet 1h
- Whitehaven Beach 3h
What’s included
- Guided walk to Hill Inlet lookout (weather and tides permitting).
- round-trip sailing through the Whitsunday Islands.
- mooring at Whitehaven Beach.
- snorkeling at a fringing reef with all equipment and stinger suits provided.
- BBQ lunch cooked on board.
- morning and afternoon tea.
- soft drinks, water, beer, wine and cider throughout the day.
- on-board bathroom.
Times
- Every day 07:30
Last departure this season: 31 Dec
Another time? ›Before you book
Operated by Cruise Whitsundays
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The experience
Camira is the largest sailing catamaran in the Whitsundays, which means the deck does not feel crowded even with a full load. The boat leaves Airlie Beach in the morning and sails through the islands toward Whitehaven Beach, a 7km stretch of white silica sand on Whitsunday Island's east coast that shows up on lists of Australia's best beaches. You swim and walk the shore before a crew-cooked BBQ lunch served on board, with soft drinks, water, beer, wine and cider available. Morning and afternoon tea rounds out the day's food and drink.
After lunch, Camira heads to one of the Whitsundays' fringing reefs for snorkeling. The boat provides all snorkeling equipment and stinger suits. The protection matters in these waters. You need to be a confident swimmer. There are no flotation devices in the water. Earlier in the day, weather and tides permitting, a guide leads a walk to the Hill Inlet lookout, a path that follows routes walked by the Ngaro people, the region's traditional owners. From the lookout you look down at the sand patterns the tides carve into the inlet. The full day runs about 10 hours from departure to return to Airlie Beach.
Return coach transfers from most Airlie Beach accommodation are available for a small fee (adults $13, children $7). A bathroom is on the vessel. The boat is licensed to serve alcohol from 10am, which is after the snorkeling stop. Moderate fitness helps. The day includes bushwalking, snorkeling, and climbing in and out of tenders, and the Whitsundays can be hot and humid, especially in summer months.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day combining sailing, hiking and reef snorkeling in one trip: the guided walk to Hill Inlet is steep and the snorkel requires water confidence, but meals and gear are provided on board.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 48 h before the start.
What is the Hill Inlet lookout walk like?
The guided walk follows a path used by the Ngaro people, the traditional owners of the Whitsundays, and leads to a lookout where you see the sand patterns the tides create in the inlet below. The walk is tidal dependent, so it may not run on every departure.
What happens if I'm not a strong swimmer?
Snorkeling at the fringing reef requires confident swimming ability because there are no flotation devices in the water. If swimming is not comfortable for you, you can stay on the boat during the snorkel stop.
Is Whitehaven Beach the only place you swim?
No. You swim and walk along Whitehaven Beach in the morning, then snorkel at a fringing reef in the afternoon after lunch. Both stops are in the water, so bring a swimsuit and towel.
What's included in the price?
The day includes the sailing cruise, guided walk to Hill Inlet, snorkeling equipment and stinger suits, BBQ lunch, morning and afternoon tea, soft drinks, water, and beer, wine and cider from 10am onward. Coach transfers from Airlie Beach accommodation cost extra.
Snorkeling Whitsunday Islands: Camira sailing catamaran
10h · EN
from AU$ 259 per person
≈ US$ 184 in your currency
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