Matador Whitsundays Two Day One Night Tour
Tour overview
Matador Whitsundays is a 2 day, 1 night sailing tour that runs through the Whitsunday Islands aboard the maxi yacht Matador. The trip departs from Airlie Beach and covers the spots most people come up here to see: Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and a handful of the best snorkelling reefs the inner islands have to offer. Two days on the water is enough time to do it properly without feeling like you have rushed through it.
Most guests are in the 20 to 40 age bracket, but the boat is open to anyone 12 and over. Families come aboard, couples come aboard, and plenty of solo travellers do too. The vibe sits on the social side without tipping into a full party boat, which is why it works for such a broad mix of ages.
The other reason people choose Matador is the boat itself. The yacht was built by Eric Goetz, the American boatbuilder behind some of the most successful ocean racers of his era, using carbon fibre construction that was cutting edge at the time. The hull is both stronger and lighter than the timber and aluminium maxis it lined up against on the racecourse. Under previous owner Anton Starling, Matador went on to compete in 52 races and 8 regattas, including two World Maxi Yacht Championships, with 31 race wins, 5 second places, and 6 third places to her name. At one stage she held the title of the largest ocean racing yacht in the world.
Stepping aboard Matador is not the same as boarding a generic tourist catamaran. You are sailing the Whitsundays on a piece of competitive yachting history.
Tour Highlights
- Visit world famous Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet Lookout
- Snorkel at least 2 coral reef locations on the fringes of the islands
- Sail aboard Matador, a true 85 foot carbon fibre racing maxi yacht
- Sleep on the boat under the Whitsunday stars
- Small group sailing with a maximum of 19 guests
- All meals, fresh linen, snorkel gear and stinger suits included
Itinerary
*Example itinerary only. The order, timing and stops may change on the day due to weather and operating conditions.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
Check in at Meeting Point C at Coral Sea Marina ahead of the 8am departure, then settle in aboard Matador and sail out into the islands.
Sailing & snorkelling the islands
Sail through the Whitsunday Islands with snorkel stops in the coral filled bays along the way. Across the two days you get at least 2 snorkelling opportunities, with turtles, Maori wrasse, batfish, parrot fish and clown fish all regularly spotted.
A night at anchor
Dinner is served onboard before a night at anchor among the islands, with fresh linen provided for your bunk. On clear nights, many guests take their bedding up and sleep out on the deck under the stars.
Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Lookout
Around 2 hours at Whitehaven Beach, including the bush walk from Tongue Point at the northern end. The walk takes around 15 minutes, and from the viewing platform at the top you can see all 7km of the beach and the world famous swirling sands that form the inlet.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
Sail back through the islands to Airlie Beach, arriving at Coral Sea Marina at around 4pm.
Good to know
Check-in: Check in at Meeting Point C, Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, ahead of the 8am departure on day one. For any questions before you travel, Matador Whitsundays can be reached on 0417 158 838.
Is This Tour Suitable For You?
What's included
Included
- All meals across the two days
- Fresh linen for your bunk
- Snorkel gear
- Stinger suits
- Local fees
- A knowledgeable, fun crew
Whitehaven Beach
The Matador Whitsundays tour visits Whitehaven Beach for around 2 hours. During this time you embark on a bush walk from Tongue Point (the northern end of Whitehaven). The walk takes around 15 minutes, and once at the top you will experience Whitehaven Beach from above on the viewing platform. The breathtaking view from here lets you see all 7km of the beach as well as the world famous swirling sands that form the inlet.
Snorkelling Coral Reefs
During your 2 day tour, you will get at least 2 opportunities to snorkel the coral filled bays on the coastal fringes of the islands. Here you can see turtles, Maori wrasse, batfish, parrot fish, clown fish (Nemo) plus plenty more! In most bays the coral starts close to shore and is easily accessible by the small tender boats. For non confident swimmers, there are noodles and flotation devices available for safety.
Matador Whitsundays By The Numbers
Racing record: 52 yacht races, 8 regattas and 2 World Maxi Championship races, finishing with 31 wins, 5 second places and 6 thirds.
On tour today: around 156 trips and 3,120 guests per year, with roughly 650 main sail hoists and 468 snorkel stops annually.
ECO certified: Matador Whitsundays is an ECO certified operator.
About The Operator
Matador Whitsundays is operated by OzSail, with the yacht crewed and managed by experienced sailors who have worked in the industry around the world. The crew are trained to know what guests want to see and to make sure everyone gets the most out of their two days in the islands.
The operator keeps prices down by selling most seats directly to guests rather than through layers of agents, and passing those savings on. Your booking goes straight to the tour operator, and travel dates can be changed in line with the terms and conditions below.
Tour Departure Point Map
The tour departs from Meeting Point C at Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach QLD 4802.
Matador Whitsundays Reviews On Google
Terms and Conditions Of Travel
AP Vessel Management Pty Ltd ABN 45086439198 t/as Matador Whitsundays operates the vessel known as Matador. All prices are shown in Australian dollars and are inclusive of GST.
Weather and itineraries: departures and itineraries are subject to weather and may be changed or cancelled at Matador Whitsundays’ discretion, including in circumstances that pose a safety risk such as severe weather or cyclones. Matador Whitsundays reserves the right to substitute vessels without notice at any time and for any reason. If a trip is cancelled by the operator prior to or on the scheduled departure date, you will be referred back to the travel agent through which you booked. If your trip duration is reduced during the trip due to unforeseen circumstances (such as inclement weather, vessel issues or a medical emergency), you may be offered a future trip on Matador at no cost, depending on how much of the original trip was lost and subject to availability.
Cancellations and date changes: cancelling your travel less than 21 days before the trip departure date results in forfeiture of the full trip price. A transfer of departure date requested at least 72 hours before the day of scheduled departure incurs a $30 transfer fee; no transfers are accepted inside that 72 hour period.
Liability: travel with Matador Whitsundays and the recreational services provided (including all in-water activities, sailing and bushwalking) involve risk, including the risk of being stung or bitten by jellyfish, other marine creatures or native fauna. Matador Whitsundays excludes liability for personal injury, aggravation of existing conditions, mental injury, disease, loss or death resulting from its recreational services to the maximum extent permitted by law, including under section 64A of the Australian Consumer Law and section 139A of the CCA. Taking out travel insurance is recommended. The agreement is subject to the laws of Queensland, Australia.
Health & safety: At certain times of the year dangerous jellyfish inhabit these waters. Guests entering the water do so at their own risk and are advised to wear a stinger suit at all times while in the water; stinger suits are provided.
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Author: Nath J
Nath J is a Whitsundays Tourism expert with over two decades of industry experience, beginning in 2001. Key roles have included Operations Manager at Tallarook Sail and Dive and founder of Ripple Effect Online. Nath J has delivered workshops on direct tourism bookings and authored the ebook, "Whitsunday Islands: A Journey through Paradise." Certifications include "Whitsundays Tourism Hero" and "Respecting First Nations Cultural Protocols in Australia" from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. Testimonials from regional tourism businesses highlight a unique and genuine approach to tourism marketing.