15 Sailing Trips in Australia to Build a Day Around

1.Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,567 reviews · 9 hours · from $190Our pick

Review of Cairns’ 9-hour Great Barrier Reef catamaran cruise, with two outer reef stops, snorkeling, lunch, guides, and practical tips.

“Incredible and an amazing experience with Passions of Paradise. If you ever have to do Scuba or Snorkelling, highly recommend Passions of Paradise. Everything starting from crew, to instructors, to diving sites, to food, to snacks, to washrooms, to space and to top it all - the fabulous big catamaran, you will be in good and safe hands with them. Top notch quality team and they will ensure that you will the best time of your time at Great Barrier Reef. Much Thank You to Simon (legend-1) and Roberto (legend-2) who were my guides and instructors and their communication was always a huge help while diving. Always kept the customers…”

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2.Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,564 reviews · from $192Top rated

Review of Passions of Paradise, a full-day Cairns catamaran cruise to two Great Barrier Reef sites with snorkeling, scuba, lunch and marine talks.

“The Passion Crew were accommodating, courteous and lots of fun to be around. Harry was very patient with me as inexperienced snorkler”

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3.Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,307 reviews · 10 hours · from $183

Sail from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet on Camira, with BBQ lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and a full day on the Whitsundays.

“A good day’s sailing/snorkelling in the Whitsundays although disappointing that we were not able to get to Whitehaven Beach due to tide/weather conditions. Good lunch. Excellent, knowledgeable, very helpful staff who ran the trip, particularly with the snorkelling.”

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4.2-Night Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Trimaran Avatar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 771 reviews · from $466

Spend two nights aboard Avatar sailing the Whistundays, with Whitehaven Beach, reef snorkeling, meals, and simple onboard sleeping.

“All of it it.was the best trip ever Alex and Ella where the best ella was a awesome cook and helpfull and we had good chat Alex was very professional and nogalagble took us to all the top spot and definitely interested doing it again thank again alex and Ella from matt dillon”

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5.2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 752 reviews · from $466

Spend two nights sailing the Whitsundays aboard Spank Me, with Whitehaven Beach, reef snorkeling, meals, and bunks included.

“The snorkelling spots were all incredible, as well as Whitehaven beach which was unreal. The food was delicious, the crew were really sociable and knowledgable. Would 100% recommend this to anyone wanting to tour the Whitsundays.”

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6.Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 565 reviews · from $243

Sail from Port Douglas to Low Isles for small-group snorkeling, turtle sightings, a glass-bottom tour, lunch, and four hours on the reef.

“Everything was wonderful. They may need to get a few bigger sized flippers as they weren’t able to provide a larger size for my brothers”

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7.Sunset Sailing Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 558 reviews · from $67

Sail Port Douglas at golden hour on a 1.5-hour catamaran cruise with wine, canapés, Coral Sea views, and a sunset setting.

“Staff were friendly and funny, served food and made you feel welcome. Would recommend this to couples”

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8.Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 547 reviews · from $99

Review the Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise, with sunset views, local seafood, live music, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Thoroughly enjoyed our night, great food, wine and entertainment. 5 stars to the crew, would go again”

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9.Whitsunday Islands 2-Day Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 452 reviews · 2 days · from $350

Spend two days sailing from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach and Great Barrier Reef snorkel sites aboard the small-group Matador yacht.

“The cruise was amazing ! Really nice crew, really good food and insane activities !!!”

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10.Camira Sailing Adventure through Whitsunday Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 452 reviews · from $185

Review of the Camira sailing trip from Airlie Beach, with Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, snorkeling, barbecue lunch, drinks, and practical tips.

“Had a fabulous day. Crew were great, food was great, location for snorkelling was great. Couldn't fault the experience.”

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11.Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 408 reviews · from $179

Sail from Cairns to Upolu Reef on a small-group Great Barrier Reef trip with snorkeling, guided reef time, lunch, and marine life.

“I had an amazing day, the spots on the outer reef were great and the staff is really nice and friendly.”

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12.Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 402 reviews · 2h 30m · from $63

Sydney whale watching by fast catamaran, with open-ocean sightings, two viewing levels, onboard photos, and a free return voucher if no whales appear.

“Saw 4 whales - came close to a boat. Brilliant experience”

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13.Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 398 reviews · 9 hours · from $183

Review of Cairns’ small-group sailing tour to Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef, with snorkeling, scuba, lunch, and sunset treats.

“Blair, Luke and Kelly were amazing! Thank you do today!”

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14.2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Trip with Meals

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 389 reviews · 3 days · from $460

Sail the Whitsundays for two nights with snorkeling, Whitehaven Beach, reef wildlife, fresh meals, stargazing, and open-plan yacht sleeping.

“Amazing snorkeling, chilling on the boat and great time at Whitehaven beach. Our skipper Alex made sure we are the first ones on the beach which was really nice!!”

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15.2 Day & 2 Night Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Condor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 302 reviews · from $501

Sail two nights through the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach, with Whitehaven Beach, snorkeling, meals, hammocks, and an active social crew.

“The passengers and crew were amazing and as a solo traveler I felt so embraced and comfortable sooner than I would’ve ever expected. I had a lovely time even though we didn’t catch the best conditions. Everyone’s attitude and williRead more”

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