Whitsunday Fishing Charters Afternoon Half Day

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An afternoon on the water out of Airlie Beach on the Reef Adventurer, a 12 metre fishing boat that runs about 20 nautical miles out towards the reef. Rods, bait, afternoon tea and a crew who fillet your catch are all included, so it suits first-timers and young families as well as keen anglers.

Days

4 to 5 hours

Group size

Shared fishing charter

Start / finish

Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach / Coral Sea Marina

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

12 metre charter boat Reef Adventurer

Meals

Afternoon tea and cold water

Route

Map of Whitsunday Fishing Charters Afternoon Half Day

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Included experiences

Reef fishing — jigging and bottom bouncing for coral trout, red emperor and nannygai
Pelagic fishing — trolling and sight casting for Spanish mackerel and trevally
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 Afternoon Half Day

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY AFTERNOON: BOARDING THE REEF ADVENTURER

Meet the boat at the marina in Airlie Beach half an hour before the 1pm departure, because she leaves on time. The Reef Adventurer is a 12 metre custom-built charter boat with a toilet and a half-length canopy for shade, and the eskies are already full of ice. As you clear the marina, the skipper and deckhand run through safety and the plan for the afternoon: which fish to chase and where the boat might go. Pop your own drinks in the esky, cans rather than glass, and settle in for the run.

OUT TO THE FISHING GROUNDS

The boat runs about 20 nautical miles, roughly 37 km, out from Airlie Beach across the Whitsunday Passage and past the islands towards the reef. The company's Yellow Zone certification opens up grounds that 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 see far fewer hooks.

AN AFTERNOON ON THE LINES

The crew switch methods to suit the spot: jigging, bottom bouncing over the reef, trolling, and sight casting when fish show on the surface. Down deep, the prize is coral trout, a fish that starts life female and can turn male later, along with red emperor and nannygai. Up top, Spanish mackerel can grow longer than 2 metres, and giant trevally and queenfish hit hard. First-timers and kids get help with rigs and technique. Afternoon tea and cold water keep everyone going.

LATE AFTERNOON: FILLETS AND HOME

Release what you like, or keep fish within Queensland's size and bag limits. Before you step off, the crew clean, fillet and bag your catch, ready for the barbecue or a restaurant that will cook it for you. The boat is back at the marina late in the afternoon, at the time confirmed when you book.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach. Arrive 30 minutes before departure.
Departure time: 1pm. The exact return time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: 4 to 5 hours on the water.
Suits: Beginners, young families and experienced anglers. 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

Afternoon fishing trip on the Reef Adventurer with skipper and deckhand
Rods, reels, tackle and bait
Afternoon tea 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)

“Great fishing experience”

Their bus picked us up from the hotel and we headed out to Double Cone Island. The crew baited lines, explained everything, sorted snags and moved us when the bites slowed, and everyone caught something. Afternoon tea was supplied and they filleted our catch to take home for dinner.

Chelsea Horvat Verified· Travelled 1st November 2024

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