Known for its calm blue waters, diverse marine life, and stunning white sand beaches, the Whitsunday Islands are the perfect place for a tropical getaway. Located near the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea, this magnificent archipelago is teeming with tropical marine life, and Whitsundays cruises are undoubtedly the best way to explore its many wonders. However, with so many sailing adventures to choose from, it can be difficult to know which trip is the right option for you.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with choice, Backpacker Deals has got you covered! We’ve put together the ultimate guide to the top cruises in the Whitsundays to help you find the perfect sailing adventure. This comprehensive guide contains all the essential information you need to choose your cruise, from tour prices and duration to age limits, room types, and much more. We’ve even researched what kind of travellers are best suited to each cruise to ensure your chosen trip flawlessly matches your vibe!
Take a look through our extensive list of Whitsundays cruises below and find the perfect sailing adventure for your needs with Backpacker Deals today!
Explore Our Top Whitsundays Cruises
1. Spank Me Whitsundays Sailing & Camping Adventure
Price: $529
Duration: 2 days/2 nights
Perfect For: Friend groups, solo travellers, and couples looking to relax and make new friends.
Okay yeah, the name of this sailing tour is a little odd, but trust us when we say the experience you’ll have is anything but! “Spank Me” is an 82-foot ex-racing yacht that sleeps 27 guests and 3 crew members and has been decked out to cater to adventurers of all ages. If you’re looking to have a fantastic time at sea and get social without the party boat vibes, this is the trip for you!
Visit iconic spots like Hook Island, Hayman Island, Border Island, and Whitsunday Island, sunbathe on deck, stroll along Whitehaven Beach, snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef, and catch stunning sunsets over the water. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can even spend your second night away from the boat to camp on one of the beautiful islands in the area. If that’s not holiday relaxation at its finest, we’re not sure what is!
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals included (BYO alcohol and snacks)
Age Limit: All ages
Max Group Size: 27
Included Activities: Snorkelling, 1-night island camping (optional), island hopping, and whale-watching (June - October)
Room Type: Share-single and share-double open-plan bunk rooms with shared facilities
2. Atlantic Clipper Whitsundays Sailing Tour
Price: $649
Duration: 2 nights
Perfect For: Young solo travellers and backpackers looking to make new friends and have fun day and night!
Looking for something that’s a little less relaxing and a lot more upbeat? We’ve got you! If you’d prefer to spend your sailing trip enjoying action-packed experiences with other young, fun-loving travellers, this is one of the best Whitsundays tours you could pick. Equipped with an 8m inflatable waterslide, water chute, diving platform, and a 12-person hot spa, this boat is essentially just one big playground for adults!
Spend your days splashing about in the water and snorkelling with the local marine life before dancing the night away with your fellow travellers, crisp beer in hand. With its spectacular vibes, fun-loving crew, and endless thrilling activities to try, this sailing tour is every backpacker’s dream.
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals and snacks included (BYO alcohol)
Age Limit: 18-35 years old
Max Group Size: 54
Included Activities: Whale-watching (July - September) and snorkelling
Room Type: 4-person and 3-person share rooms OR private twin and double rooms
3. Matador Snorkel & Sail
Price: $450
Duration: 2 days/1 night
Perfect For: Families, couples, and friend groups looking to relax on the beach and see some wildlife.
If you’re searching for the best overnight cruise in the Whitsundays for families, easygoing friendship groups, and cosy couples alike, a sailing adventure aboard the Matador is the ideal choice! Escape the mainland for one night and spend your time at sea exploring everything that makes the Whitsunday Islands so special.
Go snorkelling above vibrant reefs filled with colourful fish, spot manta rays, whales, dolphins, and turtles while you sail, and drink in stunning postcard-worthy views. This sailing trip includes a visit to the iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout, with plenty of opportunities to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy quality time with your loved ones.
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals included (BYO alcohol and snacks)
Age Limit: 12 years and above
Max Group Size: 21
Included Activities: Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, snorkelling, and whale-watching (June - October)
Room Type: Open-plan bunk rooms with shared facilities
4. Avatar Whitsundays Sailing Adventure
Price: $589
Duration: 2 days/2 nights
Perfect For: Luxury travellers looking to sail in style aboard the only Trimaran in the Whitsundays.
Explore the beauty of the Whitsundays aboard Avatar and make the most of the minimal lean while sailing and extra wide deck space that this large, luxury trimaran affords. Spend your time sunbathing on the yacht’s comfortable nets, go snorkelling along the fringes of the Great Barrier Reef, and stop off at several islands for relaxing beach walks and stunning views.
Avatar welcomes guests of all ages, sleeping up to 26 guests and 3 crew members who are dedicated to making sure you have the best trip possible. Boasting both open-plan bunks and private double rooms, this yacht is perfect for all luxury travellers, whether they’re looking to make new friends or simply enjoy a relaxing time with loved ones.
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals included (BYO alcohol and snacks)
Age Limit: All ages
Max Group Size: 26
Included Activities: Snorkelling, whale-watching (June - October), and island hopping
Room Type: Open-plan bunks and private doubles with shared facilities
5. Siska Whitsundays Sailing Tour
Price: $469
Duration: 2 days/1 night
Perfect For: Backpackers, friend groups, and solo travellers aged 18-35 looking for a budget-friendly adventure where they can party with new friends.
If you’re a young, fun-loving traveller keen to experience the beauty of the Whitsundays with a group of new friends and a cool beverage or two, this is the tour for you! Hop aboard Siska, a classic sailing yacht, and explore crystal clear waters and vibrant reefs by day before partying with your group or unwinding with a quiet drink by night.
With so much to explore, endless stunning vistas to see, and a friendly, knowledgeable crew to guide you on your adventures, this is easily one of the best Whitsundays cruises out there for young backpackers. Once you’re back on shore, you’ll also have a chance to enjoy Airlie Beach’s vibrant nightlife at an electrifying afterparty that promises delicious food, refreshing beverages, and awesome live music. It’s the perfect way to say bon voyage to an unforgettable sailing experience!
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals and snacks included (BYO alcohol)
Age Limit: 18 years and above
Max Group Size: 24
Included Activities: Snorkelling, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, and Airlie afterparty
Room Type: Open-plan cabins with single and double beds and shared facilities
6. Reefsleep Great Barrier Reef & Whitsundays Experience
Price: $670
Duration: 2 days/1 night
Perfect For: Families, couples, and friends looking to enjoy a unique Great Barrier Reef experience and sleep under the stars.
If you’re after a boating tour that’s a little different to your typical Whitsundays cruises, this may just be the bucket list adventure you’ve been searching for! Reefsleep is more than a fun cruise trip; it’s a wholly immersive experience perfect for avid adventurers young and old. Relish striking sunrise and sunset views, enjoy exclusive access to the Great Barrier Reef before the daytrippers arrive, and sleep under the stars in unique and comfortable Reefbeds.
Throughout your adventure, you’ll discover countless ways to explore the reef, from Reefsleep’s magical underwater viewing deck, semi-submersible tours, and snorkelling trips to optional dives, helicopter rides, and much more. Whether you’d prefer to jump right into the Coral Sea’s turquoise waters or observe its underwater beauty from afar, this trip has something for everyone.
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals and some alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) included
Age Limit: 6 years and above
Max Group Size: 24
Included Activities: Snorkelling, underwater observatory, and semi-submersible guided tour
Room Type: Private single and double swags under the stars
7. Summer Jo Whitsundays Sailing Adventure
Price: $899
Duration: 3 days/3 nights
Perfect For: Solo travellers, small friend groups, and families with older children looking for a luxurious action-packed island adventure.
Keen to add a little luxury to your Whitsundays sailing trip? We get it! After all, every adventurer needs a good amount of rest and relaxation if they’re going to spend their days exploring. Thankfully, Summer Jo offers exactly that! With its attentive crew, spacious decks, and various luxury cabin options, this high-class sailboat is the perfect place to recharge after a long day of adventuring.
Explore the many highlights of the Whitsundays and enjoy thrilling trips to some of the Great Barrier Reef’s finest locations before relaxing in luxury back on deck. This trip offers a number of water activities, including paddle boarding, snorkelling, and diving experiences for both certified and non-certified divers. Keen explorers can even enjoy diving around the reef at night to experience its underwater world from a truly unique perspective.
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals, snacks, and some non-alcoholic beverages included (BYO alcohol)
Age Limit: 12 years and above
Max Group Size: 32
Included Activities: Snorkelling, diving, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet Lookout
Room Type: Shared single or double rooms OR private double, twin, or queen cabins, all with ensuite facilities
8. Whitsundays Sailing Experience on New Horizon
Price: $629
Duration: 2 days/2 nights
Perfect For: Couples, solo travellers, and friend groups aged 18-35 who want to party with new friends.
Are you ready to hop aboard an epic sailing adventure, meet incredible people from around the world, and have the best time exploring the highlights of the Whitsundays together? If you answered “yes”, then New Horizon is the place to be! Led by an amazing crew who are dedicated to providing the best experience possible, this sailing adventure promises the trip of a lifetime for young travellers looking to live it up.
Stroll along the iconic Whitehaven Beach, visit the Hill Inlet Lookout for stunning island views, spot various marine animals, and go snorkelling or paddle boarding over colourful coral reefs. Then, after the day is done and the sun has set below the horizon, you can spend your nights getting to know your group over a cool beverage on deck.
The fun doesn’t end once you’re back on shore either, as this is one of the few Whitsundays cruises that also offers an exclusive afterparty! Hosted at one of Airlie Beach’s liveliest nightclubs, this unforgettable party is the perfect way to round off this thrilling adventure.
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals and snacks included (BYO alcohol)
Age Limit: 18 years and above
Max Group Size: 32
Included Activities: Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, snorkelling, paddle boarding, and exclusive afterparty
Room Type: Air-conditioned single and double share cabins
9. Hammer Whitsundays Sailing Adventure
Price: $620
Duration: 3 days/2 nights
Perfect For: Sociable young travellers looking to take each day as it comes, make new friends, and explore the highlights of the Whitsundays together.
If you like a little flexibility thrown into your adventures and are keen to explore the Whitsundays on a cruise that celebrates spontaneity, Hammer is the right sailboat for you. With no set itinerary, each trip aboard this maxi yacht is planned around the daily weather conditions, tides, and group preferences. Not only does this allow for more freedom, but it also means you’ll get to experience the Whitsundays in the best way possible every day!
This Whitsundays cruise offers a range of possibilities, with the chance to enjoy multiple snorkel sites, scenic lookouts, bushwalks, island visits, match races, sunset beach hangs, and much more! Oh, and there’s no need to worry about missing out on the highlights either; every trip includes a visit to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout, and you’re guaranteed to go snorkelling and bushwalking at some point during your adventure!
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals, snacks, and some non-alcoholic beverages included (BYO alcohol)
Age Limit: 18 years and above
Max Group Size: 23
Included Activities: Snorkelling, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, and bushwalking
Room Type: Single and double beds in shared dormitory-style cabins
10. Entice Whitsundays Sailing Adventure
Price: $669
Duration: 2 days/2 nights
Perfect For: Couples, families, and small friend groups seeking a relaxing and fun sailing experience with a small group of people and no set itinerary.
Much like the Hammer sailing adventure, a trip aboard Entice also has no set itinerary to allow for maximum flexibility as you make your way around the Whitsunday Islands. With a maximum capacity of just 10 people and countless exciting activities for all ages, Entice is ideal for families, couples, and close friends looking to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.
Explore the water by snorkelling along the Great Barrier Reef, traversing the Coral Sea on a paddle board or glass-bottom canoe, or spotting countless marine animals from the boat. You can also enjoy time on land by relaxing on Whitehaven Beach, taking a guided walk through Whitsunday National Park, or admiring the picture-perfect vistas from Hill Inlet Lookout.
However you choose to spend your time, this trip is sure to deliver a truly unforgettable adventure, making it one of the best Whitsundays cruises out there.
The Finer Details:
Meals: All meals included (BYO alcohol)
Age Limit: 6 years and above
Max Group Size: 10
Included Activities: Snorkelling, paddleboarding, glass-bottom canoe and sea scooter trips, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, and Whitsunday National Park guided bushwalk
Room Type: Shared single rooms with shared facilities OR private double, twin, or triple cabins with shared or ensuite facilities
Book Whitsundays Cruises Online With Backpacker Deals!
Ready to make your dream cruise a reality? Book online with Backpacker Deals today and receive an exclusive 10% cashback voucher to use on the next tour or experience you book through our website! Still haven’t found a tour that’s quite right for you? No problem! Browse our entire range of Whistundays cruises and sailing trips or contact our team to discuss your needs and allow us to help you find your perfect match today!
