Whitsunday Fishing Charters Reef Adventurer - Full Day Fishing Charter

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A full day of reef and open-water fishing out of Airlie Beach on the Reef Adventurer, a 12 metre charter boat that heads for the best grounds the Whitsundays can offer that day. Morning tea, lunch, all the gear and a crew who fillet your catch are included.

Days

Full day, about 9.5 hours

Group size

Shared fishing charter

Start / finish

Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach / Coral Sea Marina
Coral Sea Marina, about 4:30pm

Return

Coral Sea Marina, about 4:30pm

Transport

12 metre charter boat Reef Adventurer

Meals

Morning tea, lunch and cold water

Route

Map of Whitsunday Fishing Charters Reef Adventurer - Full Day Fishing Charter

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Included experiences

Reef fishing — jigging and bottom bouncing for coral trout, emperor, nannygai and cod
Pelagic fishing — trolling and sight casting for mackerel, tuna, trevally and cobia
Yellow Zone grounds — fish areas many other charters can't reach
Catch to keep — fish cleaned, filleted and bagged before you go ashore

Whitsunday Fishing Charters Reef Adventurer - Full Day Fishing Charter

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: AIRLIE BEACH TO THE REEF

Be at the marina in Airlie Beach by 6:30am for the 7am departure, as the boat leaves on time. The Reef Adventurer is a 12 metre custom-built charter boat with a toilet and shade, built for a fast, comfortable ride out to the Great Barrier Reef fishing grounds. On the way the skipper and deckhand give the safety briefing and lay out the plan: what's biting, and where to try first. Morning tea is served on board as you cross the Whitsunday Passage, the channel Captain Cook sailed through in June 1770.

MORNING: BOTTOM FISHING ON THE REEF

The company's Yellow Zone certification opens grounds many other Whitsunday charters can't fish. In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, yellow zones are conservation park zones where only limited line fishing is allowed, so the fish there are less wary. Bottom bouncing and jigging over the reef bring up coral trout, a fish that starts life female and can turn male later, along with red throat emperor, red and spangled emperor, nannygai and cod. The crew help with rigs, and swap spots until the fish come on.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AND THE PELAGICS

Lunch is served on board, with cold water all day and your own drinks in the esky. Then the tactics change. Trolling and sight casting go after the fast fish of open water: Spanish mackerel, which can grow longer than 2 metres, plus trevally, tuna and cobia. When birds start working the surface, it usually means bait fish, and something big is herding them up. Keep your rod ready.

AFTERNOON: FILLETS AND HOME

Release what you like, or keep fish within Queensland's size and bag limits. On the way back the crew clean, fillet and bag your catch so it's ready to cook. The boat is back at the marina at about 4:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach. Arrive 30 minutes before departure.
Departure time: 7am.
Finishes: Coral Sea Marina, about 4:30pm.
Suits: Keen anglers and first-timers alike. No Queensland fishing licence is needed for fishing in tidal waters.
Please note: The boat has a toilet and a half-length canopy for shade. Alcohol is allowed in moderation. Trips do not run when a strong wind warning is in place, and the skipper makes the call on other days.

What to bring

Hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Camera
A light jacket in the cooler months

What is included

Full day fishing trip on the Reef Adventurer with skipper and deckhand
Rods, reels, tackle and bait
Morning tea, lunch and cold drinking water
Ice and eskies
Catch cleaned, filleted and bagged

Not included

Alcohol (bring your own, cans preferred)

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

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.

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.

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 1 review

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)

“Bucket list fish!”

A brilliant full day on the outer reef. I landed the coral trout I was after, everyone on board caught good fish, and we saw whales, turtles and coral. Dave and Tyler were funny and knew their stuff.

Carmen L Verified· Travelled 1st August 2026

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