Whitsunday Sailing Adventures Apollo 3D/2N

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Three days and two nights sailing around the Whitsundays on Apollo, an ex-racing maxi yacht, with more destinations than many of the other Whitsunday trips.

Days

3 days, 2 nights

Age

16 and over; under 18s with a guardian

Group size

Max 27

Start / finish

Airlie Beach / Airlie Beach

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

On board Apollo in shared dorm-style cabins, 2 nights

Transport

Ex-racing maxi yacht with 3 crew

Meals

2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners

Route

Map of Whitsunday Sailing Adventures Apollo 3D/2N

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Included experiences

Whitehaven Beach — north and south end lookouts
Hill Inlet Lookout
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park — snorkelling
Fringing reefs — paddle boarding
Coral Sea — sailing a racing maxi yacht

Whitsunday Sailing Adventures Apollo 3D/2N

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: AIRLIE BEACH TO THE CORAL GARDENS

Meet the crew at Coral Sea Marina in the morning and board Apollo, a 23 m maxi yacht built for ocean racing. She has raced around the world and won the Sydney to Hobart, and with 27 guests and three crew there's always someone to help trim the sails. After the safety briefing the trip starts at full speed, Apollo heeling hard as she races across the Whitsunday Passage, the channel James Cook sailed through in June 1770. By afternoon you're snorkelling the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which covers about 344,000 square kilometres, among parrotfish, wrasse and clouds of tropical fish.

Overnight: On board Apollo

DAY 2: WHITEHAVEN BEACH, NORTH AND SOUTH

Today is Whitehaven, from both ends. A bush walk on Whitsunday Island leads up to the northern lookout over Hill Inlet, where the tide swirls white sand through turquoise water. Then it's down onto the sand. In the inlet shallows, look for stingrays, baby lemon sharks and armies of blue soldier crabs. Whitehaven Beach runs for about 7 km and is 98% pure silica, so fine it squeaks underfoot and stays cool even in the midday sun. Later Apollo sails round to the southern end for another lookout and a swim. Back on board, there's dinner from the galley, a drink on deck and sleep in the beds below.

Overnight: On board Apollo

DAY 3: LANGFORD SPIT AND HOME

The last morning takes you to Langford Spit beside Hayman Island, a curving bar of sand that shrinks and grows with the tide and has clear water on both sides. Swim, snorkel the coral at its edge or just lie on the sand. After lunch Apollo crosses the Whitsunday Passage one last time under full sail, and you're back at Coral Sea Marina in the afternoon, around 4pm.

Map

Good to know

Minimum age: 16 years. Guests under 18 must be with an adult guardian.
Fitness: Moderate.
Dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free and dairy-free can be catered for. Halal and kosher can't be.
Accommodation note: Shared single bedding; double beds can be requested but aren't guaranteed.
Please note: Each guest completes a waiver no later than 48 hours before departure; you'll get an email with instructions.

What to bring

Your own drinks — no glass and no red wine
A small soft-sided, zipless bag with no wheels
Clothes and a jacket or sweater
Beach and bath towel
Toiletries
Hat, sunglasses, swimwear and sunscreen
Camera
Runners or sandals for island walks

What is included

2 nights on board in shared cabins, with bedding
Air-conditioning
All meals except breakfast on day 1
Snorkelling equipment
Paddle boards
Filtered tap water, tea, coffee and Milo

Not included

Alcohol, soft drinks and bottled water — BYO, nothing is sold on board
Towels
Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals — $10 per night surcharge, paid at check-in

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

4.0

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.

(4/5)

We did three days on Apollo with a friendly crew and a relaxed vibe, and the meals were better than I expected. We visited both ends of Whitehaven, great snorkelling spots and a couple of other islands. With 26 aboard it got busy at showers and meals and warm at night, but it was a great couple of nights sailing.

Jay Swatman Verified· Travelled 24th April 2023

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