The Whitsundays are located in the heart of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, with 74 tropical islands dotting the Coral Sea, and a lively and diverse mainland hub at Airlie Beach.
The beautiful waters provide excellent cruising grounds as they are protected by the natural barrier created by the Great Barrier Reef.
Cruise ships in the Whitsundays have the choice of anchoring at a number of designated anchorages:
- Fizalan (great access to Hamilton Island)
- Funnel Bay (great access to Airlie Beach)
- Cid Harbour
- Hardy Reef
- South Hayman
- Port Molle (great access to Airlie Beach) this is the predominant anchorage used for Shute Harbour access to Airlie beach
- Turtle Bay
- South East Hamilton Island
These anchorages are serviced by high-speed catamarans. This allows passengers access to a range of activities.
There are facilities, known as Reefworld, on the Outer Reef, which provide easy access for passengers to experience this World Heritage area.
Reefworld is Australia's most sophisticated, permanently anchored offshore platform, where guests can see and experience some of the most beautiful coral formations and spectacular marine life on the Queensland coast.
From the anchorage at Cid Harbour, passengers can access Hamilton Island or undertake other tours by catamaran.
Airlie Beach
Transfers by catamarans can be arranged from the anchorages to the mainland. The anchorage at Funnel Bay is the closest anchorage to the mainland and the resort town of Airlie Beach.
A trip to the Whitsundays isn’t complete without stepping foot on world-famous Whitehaven Beach, on the eastern half of uninhabited Whitsunday Island. Jump aboard our half day tour where you can laze in the sun on the beautiful white sands of one of the world’s best beaches. Pure white pristine silica sand and crystal clear waters make this a perfect destination for your day in the Whitsundays!
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a must! There are many ways to experience this magnificent natural wonder. Whether you take a glass-bottom boat ride, visit an underwater observatory or swim and snorkel around the reef, you are in for an unforgettable day.
The mainland also offers a diverse range of experiences - visit Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation, explore the markets in the Airlie Beach main street or relax under a palm tree at the lagoon. There is a relaxed tropical vibe in Airlie Beach that will make it hard to leave!
Hamilton Island
Fitzalan Anchorage allows easy access to the world class tourist destination of Hamilton Island. One of the 74 world-famous Whitsunday Isles, this tropical paradise sits at the southern tip of Australia's magnificent natural wonder, The Great Barrier Reef, and offers stunning scenery and beaches brimming with water sports.
From its original Aboriginal inhabitants, to its sighting by Captain Cook in 1770, and its evolution as a tourist destination in the 1970s and 1980s, Hamilton Island has had a long and fascinating history. Keith Williams, one of Australia’s first island resort developers, owned Hamilton Island between 1975 and 1996 and was behind the development of the Hamilton Island Marina. In 1996, Hamilton Island became a publicly-listed company, and in 2003, the Oatley family bought the island. Since then, the family has spent $350 million dollars, adding the yacht club, the marina precinct and the luxury resort Qualia. Today, Hamilton Island is a world-class tourist destination.
Getting around is made easy on Hamilton Island with free shuttle busses operating regularly throughout the day to your destination. You will find plenty of dining options at Hamilton Island Marina, ranging from fish and chips to high tea. Make it to Hamilton Island’s renowned hilltop lookout and you’ll be rewarded with legendary Whitsunday views, which you can enjoy with a coffee, cocktail or wine and cheese. The climb is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels, so no one misses out on this truly unforgettable experience.
Hardy Reef Anchorage, Reefworld features are:
- two large, moored floating platforms, large enough to cater for up to 900 people in comfort at any one time
- two underwater observatories with seating for 50 people in six semi-submerged snorkelling platforms for easy access to the water
- two separate infants - swimming enclosures
- fresh water showers, toilets and change room facilities
- large, uncrowded open sundeck and extensive shaded areas
- semi-submersible submarines for coral viewing
- a retail and souvenir shop on the reef
- snorkel equipment, including sealed snorkel mouthpiece for each guest is supplied
- informative commentary and presentation by qualified marine biologists en route to the reef
- information brochures are offered in six languages to service international guests
Optional activities at Reefworld - scuba diving - both introductory and certified dives are available with our skilled and experienced dive instructors
- helicopter joy flights over the world famous Heart Reef
- guided snorkel adventures with marine biologists
It is possible to visit both Reefworld and Cid Harbour in the one day by anchoring at Hardy Reef in the morning. Some passengers can then remain at Reefworld while the ship cruises to Cid Harbour. The passengers at Reefworld can rejoin the ship in Cid Harbour by fast catamaran.