The only one of the ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World’ that is aquatic, a charter on the Great Barrier Reef is the ultimate way to experience this stunning landmark. As well as the obvious attraction of the reef, there is plenty to keep you entertained ashore, too.
A yacht charter of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef ticks all the boxes of an adventurous luxury vacation. Extending some 2,300km off the country’s north-eastern tip, there are over 2,900 distinct reefs to explore. Head below the surface on some of the most spectacular dive sites in the world, swim with migrating minke whales or land a prize catch at one of the many deep-sea fishing sites. There are attractions on the mainland, too, including the World Heritage-protected tropical rainforest of the Wet Tropics and the port city of Cairns with sophisticated dining and entertainment
The obvious attraction of the Great Barrier Reef is its extraordinary aquatic life. Keen scuba divers will relish the prospect of heading along the Ribbon Reefs to explore some of the world’s best dive sites, including Pixie Pinnacle, The Clam Gardens and the Temple of Doom.
Take the plunge at Steve’s Bommie – an isolated pinnacle that is home to both hard and soft corals as well as pelagic fish in abundance – or the bravest will want to stop by the Snake Pit to see the serpentine inhabitants; try it as a night dive for extra kudos!
The Ribbon Reefs aren’t just a draw for scuba divers. Deep sea fishing fanatics will be keen to get out into the nearby open water to troll for prize-weight billfish or wrestle with a giant trevally.
Dwarf minke whales pass through the Great Barrier Reef in June and July, so it is worth keeping an eye out for these beautiful sea mammals, as they will allow you to jump right in with a snorkel and swim with them.
Many of the Ribbon Reefs offer protection from the waves of the Coral Sea, for smoother experiences at anchor. Be sure to stop by the Watson’s Bay anchorage at Lizard Island (which Captain Cook named for its plentiful population of reptilian inhabitants).
Here you will find 24 powder-fine sandy beaches and some great hiking trails ashore on this relatively large land mass, including up to ‘Cook’s Look’ (the highest point of the island) and over to the Blue Lagoon off the further shoreline
Spend a day on the mainland starting from the quaint country town of Cooktown, where Captain Cook first set foot on Australia here in 1770, after HMS Endeavour sustained significant damage on the Great Barrier Reef (on what is now the Endeavour Reef). After soaking up the town’s atmosphere, head out to the World Heritage site of the Wet Tropics of Queensland, tropical rainforests that extend 450km along the coastline.
With enormous plants that will make you feel like you’re on the set of Jurassic Park, you will be in awe of the marsupials and singing birds. A visit to the protected park provides a unique insight into the evolution of life in Australia.
Over on north-west coast, the vast Kimberley offers some of the most staggering scenery on the planet. This is where Outback Australia meets the sea, a place of stark jagged cliffs, semi-arid savannah, towering gorges and waterfalls. Explore the Mitchell River and waterfalls and take a breathtaking scenic helicopter flight over the elevated Mitchell Plateau.
A city break in cosmopolitan Sydney offers the perfect introduction to the continent, with the sails of the Sydney Opera House glinting in the sun alongside Harbour Bridge and the promise of stellar dining opportunities and shopping. Just a short cruise north will transport you to the quiet hill-lined bays and the Hawkesbury River, perfect for tender rides into the national parks or to start a helicopter tour of the Blue Mountains further inland.
In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, in central Queensland, lie the 74 volcanic landmasses that make up the magical Whitsunday Islands. With a devoted following of fans who fall in love with the pristine natural beauty, big-sky sunsets and unrivalled diving, it’s easy to see why a Whitsunday Islands yacht charter is on the Bucket List of the elite.