Wings Whitsundays Day Tour
Tour overview
The Wings Whitsundays Day Tour is a sail, snorkel and paddle day on Wings III, a 60ft sailing catamaran built for the job, with a spa on the foredeck, a cushioned sundeck up top and air-conditioned lounges inside. Numbers are capped at 29 guests, so there is room to spread out and it never feels like a crowd.
From Coral Sea Marina the boat heads for the northern end of Hook Island, usually to the operator's own mooring at Langford Island, for a snorkel over the fringing reef, time on the stand up paddle boards and clear bottom kayaks, and a tropical buffet lunch on board. It is a BYO boat with plenty of fridge space, so you can bring your own drinks for the sail home. This tour does not go to Whitehaven Beach.
Comparing boats? See our guide to Whitsunday sailing tours for how the maxi yachts, catamarans and classic yachts compare.
Tour Highlights
- Six hours on a 60ft sailing catamaran with a maximum of 29 guests
- Snorkel the fringing reef around Hook Island, Langford Island and Hayman Island
- Stand up paddle boards and clear bottom kayaks to use at anchor
- Foredeck spa, cushioned top sundeck and shaded back deck
- Morning tea platters and a tropical buffet lunch with meats, salmon and salads
- BYO drinks, with fridges, cups and wine flutes supplied
- Wetsuits, masks, fins and flotation provided
Itinerary
*Example itinerary only. The order, timing and stops may change on the day due to weather and operating conditions.
Coral Sea Marina, Meeting Point B
Meet the crew at 8:50am under the white umbrellas at the northern end of Coral Sea Marina, and look for the Wings flag. Morning tea platters come out as the tour gets underway.
Sail To Hook Island
Cruise and sail across the Whitsunday Passage towards the northern end of Hook Island. Time to find a spot on the sundeck, in the spa or in the shade on the back deck.
Snorkel The Fringing Reef
The usual stop is the operator's private mooring at Langford Island, weather permitting. In other conditions the boat anchors at Cockatoo Point, Stonehaven Bay or the fringing reef near Hayman Island. Turtles are often seen, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Paddle Boards, Kayaks And Lunch
After the snorkel there is time on the stand up paddle boards and clear bottom kayaks, or just a swim off the back. A tropical buffet lunch is served on board once everyone is out of the water.
Sail Home
A relaxed sail back across the passage, with BYO drinks from the fridge and music through the boat's sound system.
Coral Sea Marina
Back at Coral Sea Marina, a short walk along the boardwalk from the main street of Airlie Beach.
Good to know
Drinks: The boat is not licensed and nothing is sold on board, so bring your own alcohol and soft drinks already chilled. Filtered water, tea and coffee are supplied.
Is This Tour Suitable For You?
This is an easy going day that suits couples, friends and families with children aged 5 and over. Guests need to be reasonably mobile to board and to use the stairs and walkways, and the boat is not wheelchair accessible. Anyone who would rather stay dry is welcome to relax on board while others snorkel.
What's included
Included
- Six hour sailing tour on Wings III
- Professional skipper and host
- Snorkelling on the fringing reef
- Masks, fins, wetsuits and flotation noodles
- Stand up paddle boards and clear bottom kayaks
- Morning tea platters, sweet and savoury
- Tropical buffet lunch
- Filtered water, tea and pod coffee
- Fridge space, cups and wine flutes for BYO drinks
- Marine park fees
Not included
- Alcohol and soft drinks (BYO, none sold on board)
- Transfers to Coral Sea Marina
- Parking at the marina
- A visit to Whitehaven Beach
What To Bring
Pack light for a day on the water. There is no need for an esky, as the boat has large drinks fridges.
- BYO drinks, already chilled (no glass, no red wine)
- Reusable water bottle
- Swimwear and beach towel
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- A jacket or warm layer from April to late September
- Seasickness tablets if you are prone to it
- Camera or GoPro
About Wings III
Wings III is an 18 metre (60ft) sailing catamaran with an 8 metre beam, custom built for touring the Whitsunday Islands. It is laid out over three levels: air-conditioned lounges inside, a shaded back deck at water level and a cushioned sundeck with sun lounges up top.
On the foredeck there is a saltwater spa that seats 6 to 8 people. The boat has two toilets inside and one on the back deck, a hot shower on the back deck for rinsing off after a swim, and a three zone sound system that takes song requests.
Wings Sailing Charters Whitsundays is a family owned business that has been running out of Airlie Beach for more than 20 years. The skipper has over 30 years of sailing experience.
Snorkelling, Paddle Boards And Kayaks
Where the tour snorkels: The tour works the fringing reefs around the northern end of Hook Island, Langford Island and Hayman Island. Langford Island, with its long sand spit, is the first choice and the operator has its own mooring there. If the weather does not suit, the skipper picks a more sheltered spot such as Cockatoo Point or Stonehaven Bay.
Snorkel gear: Masks and fins are supplied, along with wetsuits in a wide range of sizes. Wetsuits are used in place of stinger suits and are recommended all year. Noodles and life vests are on hand for anyone who wants extra flotation.
On the water: There are stand up paddle boards and clear bottom tandem kayaks to use at anchor, which are a good way to look over the reef without getting wet.
There is more on where and when to snorkel on the Whitsundays snorkelling information page.
Food And Drinks On Board
Morning tea: Sweet and savoury platters are served soon after boarding.
Lunch: A tropical buffet of cold meats including ham, chicken, roast beef and salami, plus salmon, salad platters and wraps. There is a vegetarian option, and other dietary requirements are catered for at no extra cost when the operator is told before the day.
Drinks: Cold filtered water, a selection of teas and pod coffee are supplied. Everything else is BYO. The crew stock the drinks fridges with what guests bring, and cups and wine flutes are provided. Glass bottles and red wine are not allowed on board.
Getting To Coral Sea Marina
The meeting point is under the white umbrellas at Meeting Point B, at the northern end of Coral Sea Marina. It is a short walk from the main street of Airlie Beach along the Bicentennial Boardwalk.
Transfers are not included. Local buses, taxis and Uber all run to the marina, and there is paid parking in the marina car park.
Cruise ship visitors: The tour only suits cruise ship guests when the last tender leaves after 3:45pm, so check ship times before booking. There are more options on the cruise ship visitors page.
Tour Departure Point Map
The tour departs from Meeting Point B at the northern end of Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach QLD 4802.
Tour Video
Wings Whitsundays Day Tour Reviews On Google
Terms and Conditions Of Travel
Cancellation policy: Bookings made through Viator can be cancelled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour starts. Cancellations inside 24 hours, and guests who miss the tour on the day, forfeit the full fare.
Weather: The tour runs in rain and wind. The back deck is fully under cover, and in windy conditions the skipper anchors in protected areas. Tours are only cancelled for gale force or cyclonic winds, and there are no refunds for rain or grey skies.
Minimum numbers: The tour needs a minimum of 10 guests to run. If numbers are short, the operator makes the call by 3pm the day before.
Health & safety: Guests declare their swimming ability on a waiver before the tour. Non-swimmers cannot take part in water activities, and weak swimmers use flotation. The tour is not recommended for guests over 70, who should contact the operator before booking. Travel insurance is recommended. Full terms and conditions are available from Wings Sailing Charters Whitsundays.
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