Hoping to spend Easter break in the Whitsundays - based on prices for flights, it looks like we will have 8 days total in the area.

Would love to do a multi-night sailing trip, but am absolutely overwhelmed by all the boats available (and have heard there are some to avoid). Any recommendations? We're students in our mid-20's (so on a budget), non-divers (but love snorkeling), and not looking for a party atmosphere.

Also would appreciate suggestions on where to stay in the area (Airlie Beach? Hamilton Island?) for a few days before and after a sailing trip. Thx.

I have been on a couple of multi day sailing trips around the whitsundays. Most of the racing style boats have more of a party style type of atmosphere. If you are looking for Something a bit less rowdy then try one of the tallships. With regards to ones to avoid, I did here from the crew a few bad stories on particular boats , but can't remember which ones.
One thing I was advised , was to make sure the company is a member of the whitsunday charter boat association.
http://wcbia.com/ord_members.php

good luck and ring as soon as you can/

Just to add
The boat I sailed on last year was called Providence. Assuming it has the same owner and under same management (Southern Cross Sailing), I can recommend this boat, the skipper was the owner of the boat and therefore looked after it, food was good and slept about 13 people.
You could also call the travel agency in Airlie beach for recommendations/bookings if you like.
http://www.whitsundaytravel.com.au/
enjoy

http://www.soxsail.com.au/

click on " Brochure download" to the right and page 5 shows providence, if you are interested!

I've sailed with Sunsail in Sydney & in the Whitsundays & always had a great experience.
www.sunsailsydney.com

Amazing that this has just popped up when the original message was dated 26 Feb 07.

I guess if it was too late then, it will be seriously too late now for Easter.

But useful to me, as am also planning a quick trip up to the Whitsundays start of May.

I know what I am looking for, and have a shortlist of boats - but it would be great to get some feedback from you about the boats you have taken.

It's such a glorious place I am surprised there aren't more posts about it.

All stories gratefully received - be as longwinded as you like!!

Cheers.

Providence is no longer offered by Sox Sail. It is best to contact a specialist who is up to date with the boats as the boats disappear and chop and change companies.

I was on the Ron of Argyll recently (the past month). I would not recommend it. Since it's a very old boat it rocks from side to side. There was one night all 14 passengers got sick and were up the entire night because of the rocking. There was no shower either and with 14 people on board, most of us girls, this was a major hassle. On top of it all the dingy broke down and we could not snorkel the last day. Oh, and did I mention the bathroom stunk to high hell?

One afternoon we were all so seasick that none of us could stand up to help the skipper with the sail.

On a positive note, the captain and skipper were competent and nice, especially considering all the bitching by the female passengers (myself included). But all in all it was not the relaxing, comfortable adventure I envisioned.

If you go on a Whitsundays sailing trip pick a newer boat and make sure there are working showers!

Thx astrelle.

Just the sort of thing I was after, and I'm sure it will help others too in the future.

The Ron was a long odds choice on my shortlist, so can now be removed.

Looking at Providence, Enid, Madison and Pacific Sunrise.

There are 2 Madisons which confuses the issue. The one on my list is the ketch not the Beneteau sloop, which is outside my budget.

Pacific Sunrise is very popular on Tripadvisor - but has anyone sailed on her on the lower desk where I suspect there are no windows?

I set off thinking 3 day/2 night but for that I would have to sail Wed/Thurs - so maybe I need to expand possibilities to 2 day/1 night.

Just keep those reviews coming!

kiwi canadian

We sailed a few years ago on the restored tallship Solway Lass and loved it. There are both shared and private cabins, we enjoyed the privacy of a private. Great crew and cruise mates

AndrewDavid ( Victoria BC)