Explore Group Australia Sunset Sail Whitsunday Islands

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A relaxed sunset sail from Hamilton Island on a spacious purpose-built sailing catamaran, with a cold drink and light nibbles as you watch the sun drift below the horizon.

Days

1.5 hours, sunset

Age

8 and over

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Hamilton Island / Hamilton Island

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Sailing catamaran from Hamilton Island; no hotel pick-up

Meals

Drinks and light nibbles

Route

Map of Explore Group Australia Sunset Sail Whitsunday Islands

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Included experiences

Hamilton Island — sunset sail on the sheltered waters
On board — crew commentary on the area's history and ecology
On board — drinks and a shared platter

Explore Group Australia Sunset Sail Whitsunday Islands

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

LATE AFTERNOON: BOARDING AT HAMILTON ISLAND

Meet the boat at the Hamilton Island marina in the late afternoon, with the time set by the season's sunset. Hamilton is the only island in the Whitsundays with a commercial airport, and its marina is the busiest in the group. You sail on On The Edge, a purpose-built catamaran of about 20 metres with a shaded deck and plenty of room to spread out. Children need to be at least 8, so it's a grown-up sort of evening. Find a spot on the deck, take a glass of beer, wine or bubbles, or a soft drink, and the crew cast off.

SUNSET ON THE SHELTERED WATER

For an hour and a half the catamaran sails the calm, sheltered water around Hamilton Island, and the skipper picks the course for the wind and the light. The Whitsunday Islands take their name from the passage Captain Cook sailed through in June 1770, on what he believed was Whit Sunday. There are 74 of them, most of them national park and uninhabited, and as the sun drops their forested ridges turn gold, then purple. The crew talk about the history and ecology of the islands while the platter goes round: cheese, salami, dips and crackers. Drinks keep coming throughout. Want something stronger? Cocktails can be bought at the bar on board.

AFTER DARK: BACK TO THE MARINA

As the sun sets and the first stars come out, the catamaran heads back to the marina, in good time for dinner on the island.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Jetty A3, opposite the Ice Cream Parlour on Hamilton Island, 15 minutes before departure.
Departure time: Between 4:45pm and 6:15pm depending on the time of year; check your voucher for the time.
Minimum age: Children must be at least 8 years old at the time of sailing.

What to bring

Camera
Warm jacket in the cooler months
Flat-soled shoes or thongs (no high heels)

What is included

1.5 hour sunset sail on a sailing catamaran
Beer, wine, bubbles and non-alcoholic drinks
Nibbles including cheese, dips, salami and crackers
Commentary from the local skippers

Not included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

The sunset cruise was well run, with good snacks, good vibes and complimentary drinks.

Kailey Beattie Verified· Travelled 21st March 2026

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(5/5)

We cruised in early August and had an amazing time with an exceptional crew and great value. Of all the options around, the sunset cruise is a clear winner.

Peter Miller Verified· Travelled 8th August 2025

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