Hamilton Island Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes

Hamilton Island is the ideal departure point for exploring the Whitsunday archipelago – 74 islands, the Great Barrier Reef and some of the most spectacular anchorages in the Southern Hemisphere. These itineraries are designed for luxury motor yachts, superyachts and catamarans departing from the Coral Sea Marina.

Day Charter Routes from Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island to Whitehaven Beach: The Signature Day Out

Depart the Coral Sea Marina mid-morning and cruise 10–12 nautical miles north-east through the Whitsunday Passage to Tongue Bay, the sheltered anchorage adjacent to Whitehaven Beach. Tender ashore to seven kilometres of 98.9%-pure silica sand – so fine it was once used to polish the lenses of the Hubble Space Telescope. Walk the trail to the Hill Inlet lookout for photographs of the swirling turquoise sand patterns at low tide. Your crew sets up a private picnic on the beach: champagne, Moreton Bay bugs, tropical fruit. After lunch, snorkel the fringing reef at the northern end of the beach before cruising back to Hamilton Island in the late afternoon. This is the single most requested day charter in the Whitsundays.

Hamilton Island to Blue Pearl Bay and Langford Island

Cruise north-west to Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island (15 nautical miles) for some of the finest reef snorkelling in the inner Whitsundays. Entry directly from the beach into a coral garden dense with giant clams, parrotfish, butterflyfish and the occasional reef shark. After morning snorkelling, cruise south to Langford Island – a sandy spit surrounded by reef that is submerged at high tide and emerges as a pristine sandbar at low tide. Swim, paddleboard and snorkel around the spit before returning to Hamilton Island via the eastern side of Hook Island.

Hamilton Island to Nara Inlet: History and Shelter

A short cruise of 8 nautical miles north to Nara Inlet on the southern coast of Hook Island. This deep, sheltered inlet is one of the safest anchorages in the Whitsundays – protected in virtually all weather conditions. Aboriginal rock art is visible in caves above the waterline, dating back thousands of years. Swim in the calm, glass-clear water, kayak along the inlet walls and enjoy a chef-prepared lunch at anchor. Return to Hamilton Island in the mid-afternoon with a detour past Dent Island for views of the championship golf course.

3-Day Hamilton Island Yacht Charter Itinerary: Inner Islands and Whitehaven

Day 1: Hamilton Island to Nara Inlet, Hook Island

Depart the Coral Sea Marina after a morning briefing and provisioning. Cruise north through the Whitsunday Passage to Nara Inlet (8 nautical miles, approximately 45 minutes). Drop anchor in the deep, sheltered inlet and explore the Aboriginal rock art in the caves above the waterline – Ngaro people have used this inlet for thousands of years. Afternoon swimming and kayaking in the calm, protected waters. As the sun drops behind Hook Island’s peaks, your chef serves dinner on the aft deck: barramundi with native lemon myrtle, Barossa Shiraz, tropical fruit pavlova. Overnight at anchor in one of the most peaceful anchorages in the Whitsundays.

Day 2: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet

Cruise south-east from Nara Inlet to Tongue Bay and tender ashore to Whitehaven Beach. Walk the bushland trail to the Hill Inlet lookout – the panoramic view of swirling white sand and turquoise water at low tide is one of the most photographed vistas in Australia. Spend the morning on seven kilometres of pristine silica sand: snorkelling the reef at the northern end, paddleboarding in the shallows, and a private picnic set up by your crew. In the afternoon, cruise south to Butterfly Bay on Hook Island’s northern coast. Snorkel the fringing reef directly from the beach and enjoy the absence of light pollution – the night sky here, far from any settlement, is extraordinary. Overnight at anchor in Butterfly Bay.

Day 3: Blue Pearl Bay and Return to Hamilton Island

Cruise west to Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island for a final morning of world-class snorkelling. The coral coverage here is among the best in the inner Whitsundays: giant clams, Maori wrasse, reef sharks patrolling the drop-off, and clouds of tropical fish. Dry off and enjoy a farewell brunch on the sundeck as your captain sets course south through the Whitsunday Passage. Pass Daydream Island and Dent Island’s championship golf course before arriving back at the Coral Sea Marina by early afternoon. Disembark in time for a late lunch at Bommie or Coca Chu before your transfer to the airport.

4-Day Hamilton Island Yacht Charter Itinerary: Outer Reef and the Northern Whitsundays

Day 1: Hamilton Island to Hardy Reef and the Outer Great Barrier Reef

Depart the Coral Sea Marina at first light and cruise east into the Coral Sea toward Hardy Reef (approximately 40 nautical miles, three hours by motor yacht). This is the outer Great Barrier Reef – dramatic coral walls dropping into deep blue water, visibility exceeding 20 metres, and encounters with manta rays, reef sharks, giant trevally and barracuda. Snorkel from the pontoon facility, explore the underwater observatory, or dive the coral canyons of Bait Reef nearby. Heart Reef – the naturally heart-shaped coral formation – is visible from a helicopter scenic flight that can be arranged from the pontoon. Return toward the Whitsundays in the late afternoon and anchor overnight in Butterfly Bay, Hook Island.

Day 2: Hook Island and Hayman Island

A morning exploring Hook Island’s western coast. Snorkel at Manta Ray Bay – named for the seasonal visits of reef manta rays to the cleaning stations on the reef – before cruising north to Hayman Island (15 nautical miles from Hamilton). Anchor off Blue Pearl Bay and spend the afternoon snorkelling the pristine fringing reef. Tender to the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort for afternoon tea or cocktails on the terrace, overlooking the Coral Sea. As the sun sets, your chef prepares a multi-course dinner on the aft deck: Hervey Bay scallops, coral trout with finger lime, Margaret River Chardonnay. Overnight at anchor off Hayman Island.

Day 3: Whitehaven Beach and the Southern Whitsundays

Cruise south-east from Hayman to Whitehaven Beach. Arrive early – before the day boats from Airlie Beach – for the beach at its most pristine. Walk to Hill Inlet, snorkel the northern reef, and enjoy a private beach picnic. In the afternoon, continue south to Cid Harbour on Whitsunday Island for a sheltered overnight anchorage. The waters here are deep and calm, backed by dense tropical forest. Dinner on the aft deck beneath a sky undimmed by light pollution.

Day 4: Dent Island Golf and Return to Hamilton Island

A leisurely morning cruise from Cid Harbour south through the Whitsunday Passage. Arrive at Dent Island for a round of championship golf – eighteen holes designed by Peter Thomson on a private island with 360-degree Whitsunday views. The ferry returns you to Hamilton Island, or your captain can collect you by tender. A farewell lunch at anchor off Catseye Beach before returning to the Coral Sea Marina by mid-afternoon. Disembark at the marina and transfer to the airport for an evening flight.