Long Island Queensland

Many travellers crave something more memorable than a traditional resort holiday. They want the ability to go on an active and genuinely different adventure on their terms, but sailing can feel intimidating without any experience to draw from. Some people assume a self-skippered charter or Whitsundays yacht hire requires boating qualifications or years of experience on the water, but at Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays, we prove otherwise. We welcome first-time sailors, and no boating licence or sailing experience is required to charter our catamarans. Family-owned and rooted in Airlie Beach for more than 20 years, we know these waters by heart. The same people who conduct your pre-departure briefing have spent their working lives navigating the Whitsunday Islands. That dedication shows in more than 700 verified 5-star reviews, the 2025 Tourism Whitsundays Best Bareboat Operator award and a perfect 100/100 Best of Queensland Experience score we’ve maintained for seven years straight. And if you’ve been researching ‘Long Island Queensland’ or ‘Long Island‘ to find an eco-friendly charter, you can trust that we’re committed to protecting the marine environment, as we support NO FISHING within the Marine Park, and we’re proudly Carbon Neutral, Advanced Eco-certified, Climate Action certified and Recognition of Culture certified.

Every charter we offer at Portland Roads is built around freedom. You can skip the fixed itineraries and crowded tour schedules; instead, you may design your own 6-day adventure exploring across up to 74 islands throughout the Whitsundays. After we walk you through the essential guidance before departing, the rest of the journey is yours to shape. Whether you’re snorkelling vibrant reefs, exploring scenic island trails, seeking out quiet beaches or unwinding aboard your catamaran while surrounded by turquoise water, you can design each day to your preference. Our fleet of sailing catamarans offers a range of options to suit different budgets and comfort preferences without changing access to the experience itself. The SV Whitsunday Freedom can accommodate up to 8 guests, offering generous space, comfort and strong performance, while the SV Lawless brings together private double cabins and a beautifully designed outdoor space for waterfront dining. The SV Due West is designed to offer a more intimate experience, making her ideal for couples on romantic getaways or smaller groups. For those researching ‘Long Island Queensland’, ‘nice rent boat‘ or ‘barrier reef boats‘, our free ANCHOR CLUB membership provides additional value. Members of the club enjoy lifetime access, guaranteed discounts of at least 40%, priority access during peak seasons, early boarding privileges and entry to the Luxe Ocean Club.

The booking process is simple, so you can focus on the adventure ahead. Start by choosing the catamaran that suits your group, select the dates and yacht hire pricing that work best, add your crew details and complete your booking. After that, you’re good to go; every charter heads out on a Friday and returns to port on a Wednesday. Our experienced local team meets you on departure day for a detailed hands-on briefing before your catamaran sets off from Airlie Beach. The briefing will cover Navigation, Safety, Boat Handling, Water Safety, Boat Rules, Sailing, Motoring, Anchoring, Mooring and Emergency Safety Management Systems, ensuring that you are leaving for your trip feeling prepared instead of intimidated, whether you are interested in ‘charter for you‘ or ‘yacht rental cost‘. We acknowledge that your travel plans may change unexpectedly, which is why our 7-day Change of Mind / Cooling Off Policy is included with every booking as standard. This means you may cancel within 7 days of booking and receive a full refund, minus any applicable payment platform fees. For questions about ‘sailing boat Australia‘ or ‘yachts with bedrooms‘, our team can be reached by phone, email or at our Coral Sea Marina office whenever questions arise. Check out our boat charter availability today.