Explore Whitsundays Summer Jo - 3D/3N

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A 3 night sailing trip through the Whitsundays on Summer Jo, a spacious mega yacht fresh from a $1 million makeover, combining Whitehaven Beach and diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

Days

3 nights on board

Group size

Max 32 passengers

Start / finish

Airlie Beach / Airlie Beach

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

3 nights in cabins on board, including private air-conditioned ensuite cabins

Transport

Summer Jo mega yacht with skipper and crew

Meals

All meals on board, cooked by the onboard chef

Route

Map of Explore Whitsundays Summer Jo - 3D/3N

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Included experiences

Whitehaven Beach
Outer Great Barrier Reef — scuba and night dives (extra cost)
Hook Island
Snorkelling — equipment included

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: AIRLIE BEACH TO HOOK ISLAND

Board Summer Jo at the Port of Airlie marina in Airlie Beach in the late afternoon. She's a big sailing yacht fresh from a $1 million refit, with cabins below, some of them private air-conditioned ensuite rooms, and a chef in the galley. Stow your soft bag, meet the skipper and crew, and head north-east through the Whitsunday Passage, named by Captain Cook in June 1770, as the islands go gold in the evening light. By early evening you're anchored in a sheltered bay on Hook Island, the second-largest island in the group, for dinner on deck and a first night afloat.

Overnight: On board Summer Jo, anchored off Hook Island

DAY 2: BAIT REEF ON THE OUTER REEF

Summer Jo slips anchor before dawn and heads out to the Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed since 1981, arriving at the lagoon of Bait Reef in time for breakfast. Bait Reef is one of the closest outer reef sites to the islands, known for the Stepping Stones, a row of flat-topped coral pinnacles. The whole day is in the water: snorkelling with the included gear, dives for certified divers from early morning, and introductory dives for first-timers (dives are paid on board). Meals and teas come from the chef between swims. After dinner, certified divers can join a night dive to see the reef's night shift, then the instructor runs through the day's dives over dessert.

Overnight: On board Summer Jo, at Bait Reef

DAY 3: OUTER REEF TO BORDER ISLAND

One more morning at the outer reef, with dives and snorkelling, before the yacht sails back towards the islands with lunch under way. Border Island sits on the eastern edge of the group, in the Whitsunday Islands National Park. The afternoon is yours: snorkel the fringing reef in Cateran Bay, join the guided bushwalk up to a lookout over the islands, or stay on the beach with a stand-up paddleboard or a game. Certified divers can add more dives here. Dinner is on board, with a second night dive on offer for certified divers.

Overnight: On board Summer Jo, off Border Island

DAY 4: WHITEHAVEN BEACH AND HOME

An early start takes you round to Tongue Bay on Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the group. The tender runs you ashore for the guided walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout, where the tide swirls white sand and blue water into the patterns on every Whitsundays postcard. Then it's down to Whitehaven Beach, about 7 km of sand that is roughly 98 per cent pure silica, so fine it squeaks underfoot. By mid-morning you're back on board, and Summer Jo sails home to arrive at the Port of Airlie in the early afternoon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Airlie Beach.
Suits: Solo travellers, friend groups or families with older children.
Dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free and dairy or lactose-free meals cost $15 per night extra. Halal and kosher requirements can't be catered for.
Please note: Dives are subject to age, weather, other conditions and the dive instructor's discretion. There is an EFTPOS machine on board. Pack lightly in a soft-sided zipless bag; there is no luggage storage on the vessel or at the marina, so arrange storage for your trip.

What to bring

BYO alcohol (no glass or red wine)
Beach towel
Toiletries
Comfortable clothes
Jacket or jumper for cooler evenings (seasonal)
Swimwear
Comfortable walking shoes
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Reusable water bottle
1 soft overnight bag

What is included

All meals (unless you require gluten-free, vegan or dairy-free meals)
Snorkelling equipment, including masks and snorkels
Linen
Bath towel
Skipper and crew
Marine Park fees

Not included

Dives — decided on and paid for on board
Alcohol — BYO (no glass or red wine)
Soft drinks and bottled water, $4 on board
Torch, $25 per dive or $40 per trip
Underwater camera (including SD card to keep), $99
Special dietary requirements, $15 per night

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)

A blast on the Summer Jo 3 night trip: amazing snorkelling out on the Great Barrier Reef, stops at several islands, great food and a crew with a great vibe.

Rugilė Ivoškytė Verified· Travelled 11th August 2026

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(5/5)

Three days on the Summer Jo with 22 passengers from all over and a crew of cooks, captain, first mate and dive instructors. Lou and James ran the Open Water course brilliantly, and a visit from a humpback whale was the highlight, along with the night dive and three day dives. Our cabin for three was too small, but we came home with wonderful memories.

Bruno Heutz Verified· Travelled 27th July 2026

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