Overnight Sailing · Airlie Beach, Whitsundays

The Best Whitsunday Sailing Trips from Airlie Beach

Two nights at anchor off Whitehaven Beach is the trip most people remember from the East Coast. We compared the boats, checked every fare with the operator, and picked the one that suits each kind of traveller.

By GuestTours · Updated October 2026 · 7 trips compared

7
Boats compared
$516.06
Lowest fare, 1 night
8 to 54
Guests per boat
QLD
Local expertise

The 7 Award-Winning Whitsunday Sailing Trips

Atlantic Clipper, Whitsundays
🏆 Best Overall Atlantic Clipper From $799 · 2 nights
Prosail Whitsundays, Whitsundays
⛵ Best Maxi Yacht Sailing Prosail Whitsundays From $699 · 2 nights
Summer Jo, Whitsundays
🤿 Best for Scuba Divers Summer Jo From $695 · 2 or 3 nights
New Horizon, Whitsundays
💸 Best Value Social Sail New Horizon From $750 · 2 nights
Whitsunday Blue, Whitsundays
💑 Best for Couples Whitsunday Blue From $1,115 · 2 nights
Avatar Trimaran, Whitsundays
💰 Best Budget Two-Night Trip Avatar Trimaran From $599 · 2 nights
Prima 2 Day, 1 Night, Whitsundays
🌙 Best One-Night Sail Prima 2 Day, 1 Night From $516.06 · 1 night
Why This Guide Exists

Picking a Whitsunday Sailing Trip
Is Picking Your Crowd

Almost every Whitsunday sailing trip from Airlie Beach visits the same three places: Hill Inlet Lookout, Whitehaven Beach and the fringing reefs around the islands. So the route is not what separates them. What does is the boat, the size of the group, who else is on board and how you sleep.

A solo backpacker of 22, a couple on their honeymoon and a certified diver want opposite things from two nights at sea. On one boat you share a cabin with three strangers and slide off a waterslide at sunset, on another there are eight guests and a private cabin. Book the wrong one and the islands will still be beautiful, but the trip will not feel like yours.

We read every operator's own pages for these seven boats: the fares, the departure days, the age rules, the cabins and what is and is not in the price. Where an operator does not publish something, we say so rather than guess.

How we compared these trips: every fare on this page is the price the operator itself publishes, checked on 9 October 2026. Some operators price by season, so we confirm the fare for your date when you book. Cancellation rules on overnight trips are much stricter than on day tours: 14 days on Atlantic Clipper, New Horizon and Whitsunday Blue, 8 days on Prosail and 30 days on Summer Jo. Each tour page lists the rule for that boat.

Atlantic Clipper, Best Overall in the Whitsundays
🏆 Best Overall

Atlantic Clipper, True Blue Sailing

Best Overall in the Whitsundays

From $799
4.9 / 5 GuestTours Rating

The big social sail: 54 guests aged 18 to 35, two waterslides, a heated spa, air-conditioned cabins and the full Hill Inlet, Whitehaven and reef itinerary.

✓ Up to 54 guests, aged 18 to 35
✓ Two waterslides and a 12-person heated spa
✓ Air-conditioned cabins, 5 hot showers
✓ Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout
⏱ Tue, Thu, Sat 2:30pm👥 54 guests
Check Availability → View Tour →
The Other 6

Award-Winning Whitsunday Sailing Trips

Ranked by our rating. Every fare is what the operator publishes, and each card links straight to the full review.

Prosail Whitsundays, Best Maxi Yacht Sailing in the Whitsundays
⛵ Best Maxi Yacht Sailing

Prosail, Hammer, Broomstick or Condor

Best Maxi Yacht Sailing in the Whitsundays

From $699
4.8 / 5 GuestTours Rating

Three ex-race maxi yachts on the same 2 night loop for $699. Real sailing, three hours on Whitehaven Beach in the sample itinerary, and a departure every day of the week.

✓ Ex-race maxi yachts, 23 to 30 guests
✓ 3 hours on Whitehaven Beach (sample itinerary)
✓ Up to 3 snorkel spots
✓ All meals, diets at no extra cost
⏱ Departs 2:00pm, back 11:00am⛵ Departs daily
Check Availability → View Tour →
Summer Jo, Best for Scuba Divers in the Whitsundays
🤿 Best for Scuba Divers

Summer Jo, Whitsunday Expeditions

Best for Scuba Divers in the Whitsundays

From $695
4.8 / 5 GuestTours Rating

A dive-focused liveaboard: an instructor and Dive Master on every trip, night dives, the Advanced course on board, and the Outer Reef on the 3 night voyage.

✓ Dive Instructor and Dive Master every trip
✓ Outer Great Barrier Reef on the 3 night voyage
✓ Private ensuite cabins with air-con
✓ Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
⏱ Mon and Wed, or Fri, 4:00pm🤿 Dives extra
Check Availability → View Tour →
New Horizon, Best Value Social Sail in the Whitsundays
💸 Best Value Social Sail

New Horizon, True Blue Sailing

Best Value Social Sail in the Whitsundays

From $750
4.7 / 5 GuestTours Rating

True Blue Sailing's smaller boat: the same Hill Inlet, Whitehaven and reef route as Atlantic Clipper, with 32 guests aged 18 to 35, for $49 less.

✓ Up to 32 guests, aged 18 to 35
✓ Same route as Atlantic Clipper
✓ Waterslide and paddleboards
✓ Air-conditioned shared sleeping areas
⏱ Mon, Thu, Sat ~2:00pm👥 32 guests
Check Availability → View Tour →
Whitsunday Blue, Best for Couples in the Whitsundays
💑 Best for Couples

Whitsunday Blue

Best for Couples in the Whitsundays

From $1,115
4.7 / 5 GuestTours Rating

Eight adults, two crew and four private cabins on a sailing catamaran. The calm, couples-first way to see Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet.

✓ Adults only, 8 guests
✓ Four private cabins
✓ Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout
✓ Sunset platter with sparkling wine
⏱ Fri and Sun, 3:00pm💑 8 guests
Check Availability → View Tour →
Avatar Trimaran, Best Budget Two-Night Trip in the Whitsundays
💰 Best Budget Two-Night Trip

Avatar, OzSail

Best Budget Two-Night Trip in the Whitsundays

From $599
4.6 / 5 GuestTours Rating

The lowest fare of the two-night trips: $599 on a racing trimaran for 26 guests, with Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and reef snorkelling. Back early on day three.

✓ $599 with all meals
✓ Three-hulled racing trimaran
✓ Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
✓ Back 8:00 to 9:30am on day 3
⏱ Tue, Thu, Sat 11:00am👥 26 guests
Check Availability → View Tour →
Prima 2 Day, 1 Night, Best One-Night Sail in the Whitsundays
🌙 Best One-Night Sail

Prima, Explore Whitsundays

Best One-Night Sail in the Whitsundays

From $516.06
4.5 / 5 GuestTours Rating

One night at anchor off Hook Island with Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach and a snorkel on day one. Twelve guests at most, and children from 4 are welcome.

✓ 2 days, 1 night
✓ Maximum 12 guests, ages 4+
✓ Hill Inlet Lookout and Whitehaven Beach
✓ Private cabins available
⏱ Meet 8:00am, back ~4:00pm👥 12 guests
Check Availability → View Tour →

Compare All 7 Whitsunday Sailing Trips

Scroll sideways to compare. Click any row to open the full review.

Trip Award From Nights Departs Guests Ages Boat Highlights Rating
Atlantic Clipper 🏆 Best Overall $799 2 nights Tue, Thu, Sat 54 18 to 35 34 m sailing ship
🛝 Waterslides♨️ Spa❄️ Air-con cabins🍺 BYO
 4.9 View ›
Prosail Whitsundays ⛵ Best Maxi Yacht Sailing $699 2 nights Daily (3 yachts) 23 to 30 18 to 39 Ex-race maxi yachts
⛵ Real sailing🏖 3 hrs Whitehaven🍽 All meals🍺 BYO
 4.8 View ›
Summer Jo 🤿 Best for Scuba Divers $695 2 or 3 nights Mon, Wed or Fri Not published 12+ 100 ft yacht
🤿 Dive crew🚿 Ensuite cabins🌊 Outer Reef (3N)🍺 BYO
 4.8 View ›
New Horizon 💸 Best Value Social Sail $750 2 nights Mon, Thu, Sat 32 18 to 35 21 m sailing boat
🛝 Waterslide🏄 Paddleboards❄️ Air-con🍺 BYO
 4.7 View ›
Whitsunday Blue 💑 Best for Couples $1,115 2 nights Fri, Sun 8 18+ 12 m sailing catamaran
🔒 Private cabins🥂 Sunset platter🏄 Paddleboards🍺 BYO
 4.7 View ›
Avatar Trimaran 💰 Best Budget Two-Night Trip $599 2 nights Tue, Thu, Sat 26 All ages Sailing trimaran
💰 From $599🕸 Trampoline nets🍽 All meals🍺 BYO
 4.6 View ›
Prima 2 Day, 1 Night 🌙 Best One-Night Sail $516.06 1 night Confirmed when you book 12 4+ Charter yacht
👨‍👩‍👧 Ages 4+🔒 Private cabins🤿 Snorkel🍺 BYO
 4.5 View ›

Fares are the lowest published fare per person from the operator. The Whitsunday Blue fare is published by its reservations office. Summer Jo does not publish a guest number. Prima departure days are confirmed when you book. Scuba dives on Summer Jo cost extra.

The Local View

How to Choose a Whitsunday Sailing Trip

Start with your age and your crowd

Age rules decide more than people expect. Atlantic Clipper and New Horizon are strictly 18+ and designed for 18 to 35. Prosail is normally 18 to 39 and Whitsunday Blue is adults only. Summer Jo starts at 12, Prima at 4, and Avatar is open to all ages. If you are travelling as a family, that narrows the list to Prima, Summer Jo and Avatar before you look at anything else.

Then decide how you want to sleep

The cheaper boats save money below deck. Prosail sleeps everyone in open, shared dorm-style sections, and Avatar sells a share single. Atlantic Clipper has air-conditioned cabins for 2 to 4 people, with private doubles and twins from $88 extra. Summer Jo has private ensuite cabins, and Whitsunday Blue has four private cabins for eight guests. If a good night's sleep matters, pay for it.

One night, two nights or three

Two nights is the classic trip, and most boats run it. With only one night, Prima fits Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach and a snorkel into day one. With three nights and a love of diving, Summer Jo's Friday voyage goes out to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, which most boats never reach. Note that some "two night" trips return early: Avatar is back between about 8:00 and 9:30am on day three.

Read the cancellation rule before you pay

This is where overnight trips differ most from day tours. Cancel inside 14 days on Atlantic Clipper, New Horizon or Whitsunday Blue and the fare is gone. Prosail refunds in full up to 8 days before, and Summer Jo keeps the full fare inside 30 days. Travel insurance is worth it for these trips.

Solo backpackers

Atlantic Clipper for the biggest social group, New Horizon for the same route with 32 guests, or Prosail if you want to sail.

Couples

Whitsunday Blue: adults only, eight guests, private cabins. For a day trip instead, Lady Enid.

Divers

Summer Jo: an instructor on every trip, night dives, and the Outer Reef on the 3 night voyage.

Families

Prima takes children from 4 on a one-night sail with 12 guests.

Tight budgets

Avatar at $599 for two nights, or Prima at $516.06 for one.

Practical Questions

Whitsunday Sailing Trip FAQs

What travellers ask us most before booking.

How much does a Whitsunday sailing trip cost?

Two-night trips in our comparison start at $599 (Avatar) and $699 (Prosail), and run to $799 for Atlantic Clipper and $1,115 per person for the adults-only Whitsunday Blue. A one-night trip on Prima starts at $516.06.

Do all sailing trips go to Whitehaven Beach?

Every boat in our comparison visits Whitehaven Beach and the lookout over Hill Inlet. How long you get there varies. Prosail's sample itinerary gives three hours on the beach.

Which Whitsunday sailing trip is best for backpackers?

Atlantic Clipper for the most social trip, with 54 guests aged 18 to 35, or New Horizon for the same route with 32 guests for $750. Prosail is the choice if you want an ex-race yacht at $699, and Avatar if budget comes first.

Is there an age limit on Whitsunday boats?

It depends on the boat. Atlantic Clipper and New Horizon are strictly 18+ and designed for 18 to 35, and Whitsunday Blue is adults only. Prosail is normally 18 to 39, Summer Jo starts at 12, Prima at 4, and Avatar is open to all ages.

Can I bring alcohol on a Whitsunday sailing trip?

On every boat we compared, drinks are BYO. Most ban glass and red wine, and some set a limit, such as 40 standard drinks per person on Atlantic Clipper.

Which boat goes to the outer Great Barrier Reef?

Of the trips we compared, only Summer Jo's 3 day, 3 night voyage. The others snorkel the fringing reefs around the islands, which sit inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Can I scuba dive on an overnight trip?

Summer Jo is built for it, with a Dive Instructor and Dive Master on every trip, intro dives, certified dives, night dives and courses. Dives are paid per dive on top of the fare.

Where do the boats leave from?

Most leave from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. Summer Jo leaves from Port of Airlie, and Prima meets at Port of Airlie too. Your exact meeting point is on your confirmation.

What should I pack?

A small soft bag, not a suitcase: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, a warm layer for the evening and shoes for the bushwalk to Hill Inlet. Most Airlie Beach accommodation stores luggage.

What is the cancellation policy on sailing trips?

Much stricter than day tours: 14 days on Atlantic Clipper, New Horizon and Whitsunday Blue, 8 days for a full refund on Prosail, and 30 days on Summer Jo. Each tour page lists the rule for that boat.

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Before you book

Planning guides from our team in Cairns

We live in Cairns and we book these tours every week. These are the guides we send guests before they choose.

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50 km offshore against 105 km. The numbers.

Read the guide → JellyfishStinger Season in Cairns

November to May, and what it changes.

Read the guide → SafetyIs Snorkelling the Reef Safe?

Flotation vests, age limits and the rules on board.

Read the guide → By sailSailing to the Reef

Fewer passengers, fewer sites, a better day.

Read the guide →