Whitsundays Sunset Sailing: Schooner Cruise from Airlie Beach

Sail a working schooner while the sun sets over the bay

Whitsundays sunset sailing cruise departs from Coral Sea Marina North on a 62-foot gaff-rigged schooner replica, a traditional American Bluenose design. You board with a complimentary glass of champagne and snacks, then spend two hours sailing across the bay as the light fades. You can help the crew hoist the sails or sit back and watch. The guide speaks English and the boat suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset sailing and champagne cruise

• Meet at Coral Sea Marina North
• Board 62ft gaff-rigged schooner
• Enjoy welcome glass of bubbles and snacks
• Help hoist the sails or relax
• Sail across the bay at sunset
• Sip champagne and enjoy nibbles

The experience

The boat leaves Coral Sea Marina North at Meeting Place B and heads out across the bay. You arrive with a glass of bubbles and nibbles already waiting, and the crew welcomes you aboard the 62-foot schooner. From there, the choice is yours: help hoist the sails if you want to be part of the work, or settle in and let the crew handle it while you watch the tropical sunset unfold. The champagne and snacks stay with you the whole two hours.

The schooner is a gaff-rigged topsail design, a replica of the Grand Banks fishing boats that worked the waters off Maine. That means real canvas and real rigging, not a motor boat dressed up as a sailboat. The Conway Circuit frames the sail, and the bay itself is the backdrop: Airlie Beach recedes as you move out onto the water. Children travel free as long as they're with an adult, and infants sit on a lap. Service animals are welcome.

The cruise runs two hours and includes the champagne, snacks, and all taxes and fees in the price. Alcoholic drinks beyond the welcome glass are available to purchase if you want them. There's no hotel pickup included, so you'll need to make your own way to Coral Sea Marina North. Public transport options are nearby. The boat departs in the late afternoon so the sunset happens while you're still out on the water.

What’s included

• Complimentary glass of champagne.
• snacks.
• all taxes, fees and fuel surcharge.
• English-speaking guide for the two-hour sail.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 17:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Whitsunday Sailing Ecotours

Is this one for you?Small groups and couples work well here. The boat holds everyone together on the water, so you're sailing with other travelers rather than alone. It's built for a relaxed evening rather than an active day, so if you want to be part of the sailing work, you can help. If you'd rather unwind with a drink and watch the sunset happen, that works just as well.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

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 24 h before the start.

What is the Conway Circuit and what will I see sailing through it?

The Conway Circuit is the sailing route across Whitsundays Bay from Airlie Beach. You'll see the tropical shoreline and the light change as the sun sets over the water, with Airlie Beach visible from the bay side as you sail.

Can I help sail the boat or do I just sit and watch?

You can help hoist the sails if you want to be part of the work, or you can sit back and let the crew manage the rigging while you enjoy the view and your champagne. Either way works.

What's included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes a glass of champagne, snacks, all taxes and fees, and the two-hour sail itself. Alcoholic drinks beyond the welcome glass cost extra if you want them.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the marina?

Yes, hotel pickup is not included. Coral Sea Marina North is your meeting point, and public transport options are available nearby if you don't have a car.