Grand Australia Circumnavigation

Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Islands on board a chartered catamaran. Board your air-conditioned vessel and settle into your seat as you set out for a journey through the Whitsundays. Based on the weather and water conditions at the time of your visit, your knowledgeable skipper will plot the best course to showcase all the islands have to offer. You will pass iconic resorts and stunning natural scenery, as well as the fringe reefs found around some of the region’s 74 islands. Sip on a complimentary fruit punch while listening to your knowledgeable crew point out historic sites, secluded inlets and impressive rock formations. Keep watch for local wildlife sightings as you learn more about the history and heritage of the islands. At the end of your cruise, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Explore the stunning beauty of the largest living organism on Earth—the iconic Great Barrier Reef. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this natural wonder is composed of almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch across 1,400 miles off the coast of Australia. Embark on a scenic cruise past deserted islands, secluded bays and isolated beaches on your way to the outer Great Barrier Reef. Upon arrival at Hardy Reef, transfer to your semi-submersible pontoon platform. Anchored inside the calm, confined waters of Hardy Lagoon, you will have free time to relax as you choose. Easy access to the water from the platform will give you the opportunity to snorkel among the colorful coral and abundant marine life. You may also view the reef from the underwater viewing chamber or relax on deck. Enjoy a buffet-style lunch on board before returning to shore and your ship.

Sail through the Whitsunday Islands on board the elegant and stylish Lady Enid. Walk to your awaiting vessel, a classic two-masted Australian timber yacht built during the 1960s and designed with graceful lines. Meet your experienced crew and set sail for Langford Island, stopping along the way at a scenic snorkeling spot. Here, grab your snorkeling gear and savor an opportunity to swim among the fish and underwater gardens. Upon arrival at the island, transfer to the beach, where you may take a stroll to a lookout point above the stunning coral reef. Enjoy a delicious lunch, then begin your journey back. On the return back to port, enjoy a glass of Australian sparkling wine accompanied by a platter of fresh fruits. You can also help set and trim the sails as the trade winds return you to the pier.

Set out in a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) to the white-sand beaches and hiking trails of iconic Whitehaven Beach. After meeting your experienced crew at the pier, board your vessel and set out on an invigorating ride to the beach, located on the eastern shores of Whitsunday Island. Renowned for its crystalline white sands, Whitehaven Beach is considered one of the best beaches in Australia. Upon arrival, take a guided hike up to Hill Inlet Lookout for sweeping views of the coast and the Coral Sea. Back on the beach, take the opportunity to relax and soak up the sun or take a barefoot stroll along the shore; because the sand is 98% silica, it does not retain heat. Enjoy a packed lunch on the beach before boarding your RIB for the journey back to the pier and your awaiting ship. Note: this tour is not recommended for guests with neck or back problems.

Glide across warm tropical waters on a catamaran and discover life beneath the waves while snorkeling. Located in the heart of the Coral Sea’s Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands are a picturesque archipelago comprised of 74 islands encircled by clear blue waters. These waters are home to thousands of brightly colored fish and a variety of coral. Meet your captain and crew before embarking on a leisurely cruise to a local fringing reef, chosen based upon weather conditions. Upon arrival, don your mask and fins and set out for a swim among the marine life, keeping watch for species such as clown fish, turtles, stingrays and more. After, return to your vessel and enjoy a buffet-style lunch onboard as you set sail for a second snorkeling location. After time to explore the second site, return to your vessel and relax on board as you make the journey back to your ship.

Discover the beauty of the world’s largest coral reef from high above during a scenic flight over Heart Reef. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iconic Great Barrier Reef is composed of almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch across 1,400 miles off the coast of Australia. You will transfer to the airfield, where you will meet your pilot, board your aircraft and sit in your guaranteed window seat. Then, ascend into the sky for a 1-hour flight and a bird’s-eye view of the 74 islands of the Whitsundays. Enjoy pilot commentary as you soar over Whitehaven Beach and picturesque Hill Inlet before heading out to the Great Barrier Reef to experience one of its most photographed locations, the Heart Reef. Admire this striking outcrop of coral bommie that naturally formed into the shape of a heart as you circle from above. Afterward, return to the airfield and then your ship.

Set a course through the picturesque Whitsundays during a scenic kayaking excursion through the inner islands. Australia’s largest archipelago, the Whitsundays are a group of 74 stunning tropical islands, the majority of which are uninhabited and comprise a national park. Transfer to Shute Harbour, where you will receive a safety briefing and your kayaking gear. Then, board your 2-person kayak with your partner and follow your guides out for an approximately 4-mile roundtrip paddle. Your journey will take you over fringing coral reefs as you admire the landscape. Keep watch for the vast array of wildlife that call these waters home, such as sea turtles, eagles and tropical fish. Stop to rest on a beach and enjoy an opportunity to swim, explore or relax while your guides share their local knowledge. After a snack, paddle back to Shute Harbour and transfer to your ship.

Gain insight into important conservation work and learn about sea turtle rehabilitation during a visit to Eco HQ. Begin your journey with a drive to a coastal lookout near Shute Harbour, where you will enjoy views across mangroves, seagrass meadows and reef-fringed waters. Explore shoreline habitats and observe how these environments support marine life, including sea turtles, before continuing to Eco HQ. Here, you will participate in a hands-on demonstration to see how marine debris collected from local beaches move through an on-site recycling process, from cleaning and shredding to reforming into durable, reusable products. Learn about turtle rescue and rehabilitation from experienced conservation staff; if any turtles are currently being cared for, you may also have the opportunity to observe them. After free time to browse the shop for a memento of your visit, return to your ship.

Set out to discover the natural beauty of the Whitsunday Islands during a guided trek through South Molle Island. Nestled in the heart of the Whitsundays, South Molle Island is known for its blend of rainforest, beaches and coastal views. Begin your excursion with a short transfer to Shute Harbour, where you will board a barge for a scenic crossing to the island. On arrival, walk through subtropical rainforest and along sandy shoreline, pausing at elevated lookouts overlooking the surrounding islands and Coral Sea. Your guide will share insights about the island’s history and point out local flora and coastal formations throughout your hike. After, continue to the beach for a picnic lunch, followed by time to relax on the sand, swim in clear waters or explore the shoreline at leisure. Later, return by barge to Shute Harbour and reboard your motor coach for the drive back to your ship.