Prima Overnight Sailing

Prima - Overnight Sailing Experience of the Whitsundays runs through Explore Whitsundays. Rated 4.4 across 55 reviews. Runs 2 days. From A$582.

Overview

Prima is a two-day overnight sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands, run by Explore Whitsundays out of Airlie Beach. You board at Port of Airlie in the morning, spend the first day sailing the islands with stops at Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, then sleep on board in your booked accommodation type. Day two is given over to snorkelling and beach time across the islands before the boat returns to the same meeting point.

The trip carries a maximum of 12 travellers. Meals are largely handled: two lunches, dinner, breakfast, plus snacks, tea, coffee and tap water are included, along with snorkel gear, a stinger suit, bedding, linen and bath towels. Alcohol and soft drinks are not supplied, but you can bring your own.

It suits travellers with a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for people with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with serious heart or medical conditions, and the boat is not wheelchair accessible. The itinerary covers the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet across the two days.

What's Included

Included

Breakfast
Dinner
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Use of stinger suit
All Fees and Taxes
Toilets on board (Restroom on board)
Services of experienced, friendly crew
Snacks, tea, coffee and tap water
Bedding and bed linen
Bath towels
Lunch (2)

Not Included

Transfers to/from the marina
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (BYO)
Hotel pickup

Itinerary

Meet at Port of AirlieA crew member meets travellers in front of Zorro's Cafe at Port of Airlie, 33 Port Dr, Airlie Beach, at 8:00AM, with the trip starting at 8:30. Transfers to the marina and hotel pickup are not included.
Whitsunday Islands sailingThe first day includes 14 hours across the Whitsunday Islands, with lunch and dinner served on board and an overnight stay in your booked accommodation type on Prima.
Whitehaven BeachA 3-hour stop at Whitehaven Beach, with admission included.
Hill InletA 30-minute stop at Hill Inlet, admission included.
Overnight on boardYou sleep on board Prima in your booked accommodation type, with bedding and linen provided.
Day two snorkelling and beachesThe second day covers 16 hours in the Whitsunday Islands devoted to snorkelling and beach time, with breakfast and lunch included. Snorkel gear and stinger suits are provided.
Return to Port of AirlieThe trip ends back at the original meeting point at Port of Airlie.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing will shape how this trip goes for you.

Getting there. There is no hotel pickup and no transfer to the marina. You need to make your own way to Port of Airlie and find the crew member in front of Zorro's Cafe by 8:00AM, ahead of the 8:30 start.
Food and drink. Two lunches, dinner and breakfast are included, plus snacks, tea, coffee and tap water. Soft drinks and alcohol are not supplied but can be brought on board, so stock up in Airlie Beach before the 8:00AM meet.
Fitness and pace. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness and flags the trip as unsuitable for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with serious heart or medical conditions. Day two in particular involves snorkelling and beach activity.
Group size. The trip is capped at 12 travellers, with an experienced, friendly crew running the boat. That is the group you will share the two days on board with.
What is provided. Snorkelling equipment and a stinger suit are both supplied, so there is no need to rent gear. Bedding, bed linen and bath towels are also included, along with all fees and taxes.
Weather dependence. The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of travellers to run. If it is cancelled for either reason, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Common issues. The honest limits are mostly logistical. There is no hotel pickup or marina transfer, so an early self-arranged start in Airlie Beach is on you, and drinks beyond water, tea and coffee cost extra unless you bring your own. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and the listing specifically discourages booking with back problems, pregnancy or serious medical conditions. The trip also depends on a minimum number of travellers and suitable weather, and cancellations for either reason are reruns or refunds rather than guaranteed sailings.

How To Choose

What is included in the price?

Two lunches, dinner and breakfast are included, along with snacks, tea, coffee and tap water. Snorkelling equipment, a stinger suit, bedding, linen, bath towels, all fees and taxes, toilets on board and the crew's services are also covered. Transfers, hotel pickup and alcoholic or soft drinks are not.

Is food or entry to the islands extra?

No. All the main meals are included, and admission for Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and the islands is part of the booking. The only food and drink costs are anything you bring yourself, such as alcohol, which is byo.

Where does the tour start, and is there pickup?

There is no pickup. The crew meets travellers at 8:00AM in front of Zorro's Cafe at Port of Airlie, 33 Port Dr, Airlie Beach, and the trip departs at 8:30. It ends back at the same point.

How long is the trip and where do you sleep?

It runs two days and one night. You sleep on board Prima in your booked accommodation type, with bedding and bed linen provided.

Is it suitable for people with limited mobility or health issues?

The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and the listing does not recommend the trip for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. A moderate level of physical fitness is expected, particularly for the snorkelling and beach day.

What happens if the weather is bad or numbers are low?

The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of travellers. If it is cancelled for weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund; if the minimum is not met, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.