Whitsundays Sailing Trips: 2 & 3 Day Overnight Boats

2D/1N, 2D/2N or 3D/2N: what each format is actually like

Two days, one night: sail out on the morning of day one, snorkel, anchor and sleep aboard, Whitehaven and Hill Inlet on day two, back at the marina by late afternoon.

Two days, two nights is the backpacker classic: you usually board late afternoon, so you wake up already out there with two full days ahead. Three days, two nights adds a third full day. Every boat here visits Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, includes snorkel gear and feeds you; drinks are BYO, no glass.

Which Whitsundays overnight boat to book

Two days, one night: Habibi 2 Day 1 Night Whitsunday Sailing from $449 an 18m steel ketch with private cabins for everyone and a 14 to 45 crowd. Waltzing Matilda Sailing from $509, max 15, private cabin available. Summertime, 2 Day Whitsundays Ketch from $469 a refurbished 70-year-old ketch with kayaks for every guest and a freshwater jacuzzi, max 17. Prima (Adventure Sailing) from $579, the small-group one, max 12, private and shared cabins, Starlink wifi.

Two days, two nights: Avatar, Whitsundays Racing Yacht, 2 Days 2 Nights from $669 one of the fastest racing yachts ever chartered in Australia, up to 26 aboard. Hammer Maxi Sailing, 2 Days, 2 Nights in the Whitsundays from $689 a genuine ex-racing maxi for 18 to 39s with yoga mats to sleep on deck. Spank Me Sailing Adventure from $639 sleeps 27 in bunk rooms. Atlantic Clipper from $689 is the social one: a tall ship for up to 54 with a 12-person hot spa, two waterslides and a walk-in cold room. Powerplay (2 Day / 2 Night) from $699 a fast, air-conditioned powered catamaran with private cabins and a heated jacuzzi, max 16. Whitsunday Blue 2D/2N from $1,039, small-group luxury with private en-suite cabins, SUPs and underwater lights at night, 18-plus.

Two-day boats: New Horizon from $669, a 21m traditional sailing vessel for up to 32 with air-con and an 8m slide. Eureka from $679, a 60ft ex-racing maxi for up to 10 with private cabins. Sailing Catamaran 'O-Nice' from $739, up to nine in private en-suite cabins, with SUPs and a glass-bottom kayak.

Three days, two nights: Apollo 3D/2N from $689, an ex-racing maxi for up to 27, 17-plus. British Defender, 3 Days, 2 Nights from $699 the most modern maxi in the fleet, up to 27, 18 to 30s crowd. Blizzard from $689, the slow-paced small boat: private en-suite cabins for ten, plus snorkelling at Mantaray Bay and Butterfly Bay.

Stinger season, seasickness and what to bring

Stinger season runs roughly November to May and the boats supply suits; wear them. Seasickness tablets go in before you board. Pack light in a soft bag: swimmers, a beach towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a warm layer, drinks in cans and a dry bag.