weather ****, lets dream

I'd love to cruise the Balearics and having seen some of the trip reports on here makes me want to do it even more. One day!
 
I would love to have my boat over in the west indies for a couple of months , island hopping would be great i would imagine .
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Questor said:
They are nice. Probably the nicest cruising ground in the world. I get yourself out there and find out for yourself. You won't be disappointed :-)
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About 10 years ago I did a 3 day sailing trip on a catamaran around the whitsundays stopping at Whitehaven Beach where we watched Reef Sharks literally swimming a few feet from the shore. Amazing place.
 
matt13 said:
About 10 years ago I did a 3 day sailing trip on a catamaran around the whitsundays stopping at Whitehaven Beach where we watched Reef Sharks literally swimming a few feet from the shore. Amazing place.
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Nearly became a feature on one of those when a turbo charger on a 30,000 ton bulker packed in at full tilt. limped south till we were clear of drifting ashore before stopping to fix the blower :D
 
jhr said:
Yes; I want to.

I've been to Sydney, and I've been to the area round Cairns, but I haven't managed to get to any of the bits in between yet.

I shall do so, one day :)
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Whitsunday cruising is best, weather wise, for the periods around Easter and September.

Fly direct into Hamilton Island and you're only a few hundred metres from the harbour. Most of the staff working on the island are young Brits and the whole island is well run.

Sunsail are the best operators (newest boats and most professionally organised) and if you have previously chartered with them in the UK or Med, you will get a discount.
The other yacht charter operators have good websites with good info, but their boats are often tired and shabby, particuarly out of Airlie Beach.
 
Fly direct into Hamilton Island and you're only a few hundred metres from the harbour. Most of the staff working on the island are young Brits and the whole island is well run.
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I can't say that I was impressed by Hamilton Island, other than it being the gateway to the Whitsundays.

It cost a lot of money to fly (Jetstar) from Brisbane to Hamilton return.

The hotels (only 2 of them, I think) were average at best. There were very few places to eat.

The place needs finishing. There doesn't appear to be a clear goal.

When I was last there, the place was full of Americans.
 
Questor said:
I can't say that I was impressed by Hamilton Island, other than it being the gateway to the Whitsundays.

It cost a lot of money to fly (Jetstar) from Brisbane to Hamilton return.

The hotels (only 2 of them, I think) were average at best. There were very few places to eat.

The place needs finishing. There doesn't appear to be a clear goal.

When I was last there, the place was full of Americans.
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If you go in via Proserpine to Airlie Beach, it's a lot more shabby and takes too long. The only bonus of Airlie Beach is the better optioned food lines and cheaper costs at the local supermarkets, but you can always anchor in the nearby bay to top up. Sixteen miles from Airlie to Hammo.

The new Qualia resort near the yacht club is very flash, but yes the old motels need a re-vamp, as do some of the other islands close by.
The locals lease privately owned apartments, self contained, handled by a management company, there are many available. The standard is generally quite high and better overall value for families.

We were on board in the marina, but were impressed by the polite, well mannered young staff in the local shops.
From memory Sunsail would let you stay on the boat in the marina for the night before the charter, if it were available, free of charge.
 
Yes. Airlie Beach / Shute Harbour were options to ways in, but liked the idea of a couple of nights on H I, and didn't fancy the drive up.

I understand Virgin Blue now fly from Brisbane, so maybe cheaper than Qantas / Jetstar

One of the most fun moments I remember at Hamilton Island was sliding down this mighty steep hill in the pissing rain (stair rods), sideways in a golf buggy heading right for the drink / marina.

Only just stopped in time :-)
 
Questor said:
Yes. Airlie Beach / Shute Harbour were options to ways in, but liked the idea of a couple of nights on H I, and didn't fancy the drive up.

I understand Virgin Blue now fly from Brisbane, so maybe cheaper than Qantas / Jetstar

One of the most fun moments I remember at Hamilton Island was sliding down this mighty steep hill in the pissing rain (stair rods), sideways in a golf buggy heading right for the drink / marina.

Only just stopped in time :-)
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The golf buggies are great fun, and that hill on the northern side of the marina to the lookout is a beauty, the buggies only just get up it :).

The Hamilton Is. flights are a bit dearer, but after all the mucking around coinciding flights going in through Proserpine and back out through MacKay, the extra driving (and car rental) wasn't worth it.

Imo the Whitsunday's is about being on and in the water :)
 
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