Meals
All vessels include all meals while on board. Vegetarians are very well catered for on virtually all vessels as are most other special dietary requirements. All meals are freshly prepared on board. Salads, Vegetables, Pasta, Meat, Chicken, that sort of thing.

What is a shared room?
Means you share with someone else. Like your friend or family if they are on board or a fellow traveller if not

Does the tour make any stops?
Yes. You will stop at islands and get time to explore them. Trips Usually includes Whitehaven Beach weather depending, Whitsunday Island, Hook Island and many others.

Alcohol
Nearly all vessels are Bring Your Own Alcohol. This is easily available in Airlie Beach and there is also a bottle shop at Abel Point Marina which is open at 8:00 am before the vessels leave for the Whitsunday Islands. It is advisable to purchase your alcohol in cans if buying beer or spirits and in casks if buying wine. Bottled wine is usually acceptable.

Sailing Itineraries
As you will be sailing (and to a certain extent at the mercy of the wind) there are no sailing itineraries that are set in concrete. Vessels will go to the best locations in the Whitsunday Islands depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Most vessels visit Whitsunday Island which has Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet as two of it's major destinations. From there Nara Inlet, a deep fiord like cut in the South Western side of Hook Island is a great overnight anchorage. Then to the Northern end of Hook Island where Butterfly Bay, Manta Ray Bay and Maureens Cove are perfect anchorages with superb snorkeling locations. From there Bali Hai, Black Island (a little island of 5 acres nestled between Hook Island and Hayman Island) or Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island may be the next destination. Both these locations offer excellent diving and snorkelling.

Insects
The Whitsunday Islands are relatively free of Mosquitoes with just the occasional one being reported however Sand flies can be a problem if you are on a couple of selected beaches at sunset. These are tiny insects about the size of a grain of pepper and if they land on you the resulting effect can be painful. The pain (feels like a sting) is the result of the little buggers urinating on you. Any normal insect repellant will stop these insects from peeing on you but a brand called "Rid" seems to be particularly good. A home made mixture of Dettol and Baby Oil also works very well.

Scuba Diving
Other than the dedicated Whitsunday Scuba Diving Vessels most sailing vessels will be able to provide at least 1 dive during your trip. While sailing vessels don't traditionally carry scuba gear because of space limitations they do meet up with a smaller vessels in the Islands and offer a dive for certified divers and also a introductory dive for guests who have never dived before. This will generally cost $65.00 - $75.00 Aud and is payable to the dive operator direct. If you wish to dive please let your Captain know as soon as you are underway from Abel Point Marina or Shute Harbour. Seasation is one of the vessels that will gladly take you on a scuba dive.

Rough Weather
Weather is not really a problem inside the Whitsunday Islands but can be cause for concern if your vessel is going outside the Islands to the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsunday Islands offer numerous secure anchorages so even if the weather is up your Captain will be able to find a nice, snug and secure anchorage. It is extremely rare (almost non existent) that a Captain will cancel a cruise due to rough weather.

Marine Stingers
Marine Stingers are jellyfish that occur during the warmer months of the year and are found mainly along the mainland coast but are found among the islands occasionally. Stingers first turn up in late November or early October and are then present until the following May

During the summer of 2004 I think there was only one sting in the Whitsundays. The chances of you getting stung without a stinger suit are remote but it is prudent to wear protection.

Chironex Box Jellyfish and the Irukandji, are classed as dangerous tropical jellyfish but by taking a few simple precautions you can minimise risks associated with these two types of potentially dangerous jellyfish. Stings are prevented by wearing Lycra Stinger protection suits while snorkelling or diving. These suits are very comfortable (in and out of the water) and also offer great u/v protection from the hot sun. These suits (if not supplied by the vessel) are available for hire in Airlie Beach for around $18.00 for 3 days. For more information on marine stingers please go to http://www.marinestingers.com.au