Australian Time Out #14: You Can Choose Your Boat, But You Can't Choose Your Cabin Mates

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14: You Can Choose Your Boat, But You Can't Choose Your Cabin Mates

Airlie Beach actually doesn't have a beach, but it does possess a lovely man-made lagoon. This was a bit of a shock - but the actual size of Airlie Beach was - it's really only a strip of cafes, restaurants, hostels and loads of pubs. People mainly live around the jetty area which is out of town.

Our purpose for visiting Airlie Beach wasn't the pubs (though we did sample them), but to take part in a popular East Coast experience, sailing around the Whitsunday Islands.

There are literally hundreds of companies offering boat trips in Airlie Beach, mainly three day, two night, fully-catered sleep aboard tours. The size and the amount of passengers on board vary greatly (one boat had forty-five passagers!) and the kind of tourists it attracts; one extreme (boozy 18-30) to another (five star luxury). We had pre-booked our tour in Sydney so we were feeling slightly apprehensive, especially as we had heard some horror stories from people trapped with boring or insane people for three days and no-where to go...

Dreamcatcher

Our boat, the Dreamcatcher, had been recommended to us by mates, and the twelve passenger restriction sounded good to us. Arriving at the jetty we met our tour mates - two other couples, one of which had brought both set of parents along (??!!) and two women in their fifties. Desperately seeking drinking partners, we spotted Donald and Maya, both our age and good fun - sorted!

Soon enough we were all on board and sailing amongst the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, surrounded by clear crystal blue water and white beaches. The most famous of all the islands is Whitehaven Beach, where all the tours stop to have a look, and Whitsunday Island itself. The view from the lookout on Whitsunday Island must be seen to be believed.

Some of the islands are developed, but the majority are untouched and even prohibit camping. There are many pockets of reef scattered around the islands, the largest of which is just off Hook Island. Make sure your tour takes you snorkelling, or you can try a resort dive if you haven't scuba dived before. This is one of the most popular areas to experience the Great Barrier Reef.

All in all we found the tour relaxing and peaceful - a day mainly consisted of eating (food prepared by the crew), lazing around/sunbathing, maybe a short stroll around an island, then mooring somewhere off-shore to watch the sunset and then hitting the alcohol to stave off cabin fever. Sleeping was below deck (but Donald overdid the red wine, passed out on deck and the crew had to nurse him all night while he was sick at regular intervals). Apart from us 'young-uns' everyone went to bed at 9 pm and were thoroughly pissed off by the noise we made (even though they were too polite to say anything). Choosing a tour is such a lottery as the boat could be perfect but you just can't pick your cabin mates!

Whitsunday Island Lookout

The best part of our tour was donning our snorkels and wetsuits and getting close up to the coral. (First time snorkeller!) Swimming from the boat amongst dark water, suddenly you are surrounded by thousands of multi-coloured coral outcrops and rainbow fish. Discovery Channel, eat your heart out!

After three days of relaxation and sunbathing during the day, and drinking wine on a softly rolling boat in the middle of the sea in relative darkness, we all agreed it had been a wonderful trip. We didn't have anything in common with the majority of our group - but they were friendly, and more importantly, sane - and we had two other people we could talk rubbish and have a laugh with.

A trip up the East Coast isn't complete without the must-do Whitsundays sailing, and most coast package deals include both Fraser Island and Whitsundays tours. Be sure to take a look at the brochures and ask around before booking a tour - keep in mind the amount of passengers and who the brochures are aimed at. Are you interested in a party/pulling trip, or a relaxed tour? (Or both!)

If you are travelling alone, perhaps wait until you get to Airlie Beach before booking your tour - perhaps you'll have met a group of people you like by then and you'll be guaranteed a great time.

And I'll leave you with something I learnt on the trip - how to deal with someone who is annoying you:

You: 'That's what I love about you.'
Annoyer: 'What's that?'
You: 'F*** all.'

Always handy.




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