Airlie Beach - The Whitsundays
yacht christmas party
Award-winning skipper-yourself bareboat catamaran charters. 6, 13 & 20-day options, no license required.
40% off is only a click away with Anchor Club membership
- TOURISM WHITSUNDAYS GOLD · BEST BAREBOAT OPERATOR
Not Ready To Book Yet?
Secure your ANCHOR CLUB Offer
No obligation. We usually reply within 24 hours.
- TOURISM WHITSUNDAYS GOLD · BEST BAREBOAT OPERATOR
Not Ready To Book Yet?
Secure your ANCHOR CLUB Offer
No obligation. We usually reply within 24 hours.
Key Info You'll Love To Know
NO BOAT LICENSE
Our Award-Winning, pre-departure, Maritime Briefings give everyone the confidence to manage and navigate our catamarans around the 74 islands of the Whitsundays.
7-DAY REFUND GUARANTEE
We know plans can change, which is why every booking comes with our 7-day Change of Mind / Cooling Off Policy. No Hoops to jump through - No Stress, No Fuss Cancellations and Refunds.
6, 13 or 20 Days in Paradise
Choose the adventure that suits you with 6, 13 and 20-day skipper-yourself charters. With 74 islands to discover ask your boss for more time off and ensure a fully immersive, unforgettable sailing experience.
LARGEST CHARTER AREA
Blessed with local connections, state-of-the-art satellite technology, and our role as custodians for Australia's Great Barrier Reef, we have the industry's largest charter area. Discover More, Stay Longer.
Eco-Friendly Experience
Witness our Award-Winning Tomorrow's Reef Today initiatives that ensure a pristine, thriving marine ecosystem for your holiday. By sailing sustainably, you'll enjoy vibrant coral, crystal-clear waters, and exclusive, eco-conscious encounters.
Adventure Your Way
You're the Captain. Your mates/family are Crew. This is the holiday you never knew that you needed. ADVENTURE Simply Done Better.
Portland Roads provide a minimum of 6 days hire to ensure you experience the best of the Whitsundays.
Ready to experience the Whitsundays?
or call 1300 991 474
40% off is only a click away with Anchor Club membership
OUR CATAMARAN FLEET
Choose your vessel
From entry-level classics to our ultra-premium Lagoon 450S – every charter is tailored to your budget and your crew.
ULTRA PREMIUM
SV Whitsunday Freedom
Lagoon 450S · 8 Guests
PREMIUM LUXURY
SV Lawless
Lagoon 42 · 8 Guests
STANDARD
SV Lucy
Lagoon 420 · 8 Guests
STANDARD
SV Portland Roads
Lagoon 42 · 6-8 Guests
CLASSIC ENTRY
SV Ruby Sunday
Lagoon 380 · 8 Guests
CLASSIC ENTRY
SV Due West
Lagoon 38 · 6 Guests
A classic Lagoon 380 – the world’s most popular production sailing catamaran. True to her history, she accommodates up to 6 guests.
ULTRA PREMIUM
SV Whitsunday Freedom
Lagoon 450S · 8 Guests
Huge, stylish and modern, she out-sails the entire fleet with facilities never before available on charter.
PREMIUM LUXURY
SV Lawless
Lagoon 42 · 8 Guests
STANDARD
SV Lucy
Lagoon 420 · 8 Guests
STANDARD
SV Portland Roads
Lagoon 42 · 6-8 Guests
Where it all started. The matriarch of our fleet, designed for world cruising and the best of both worlds in comfort and style.
CLASSIC ENTRY
SV Ruby Sunday
Lagoon 380 · 8 Guests
CLASSIC ENTRY
SV Due West
Lagoon 38 · 6 Guests
WE LET OUR GUESTS DO THE TALKING
720+ reviews. All of it glowing.
The youngest, smallest local company - with five times the feedback.
“If you’re looking for an extraordinary catamaran experience in the
Whitsundays, look no further. Exceptional service, top-tier boats and a genuine commitment to unforgettable vacations set them apart.”
Jamie Starkweather
Catamaran Charter
“Our kids each had a job keeping this awesome cat sailing. Portland Roads is friendly, fun and professional. Due West was immaculate and comfortable for all of us. Can’t wait for the next trip!”
Lauren Meerman
Aboard SV Due West
“Wow! What a beautiful lifetime sail with family. Brad was available at all hours to ensure we were comfortable. If you want a magnificent sail in the Whitsundays, look no further.”
Mark Strobel
Family Sail
“We returned from a fabulous 6-day trip aboard Lucy. Brad gave us daily advice on where to moor according to winds and tides – invaluable. If it isn’t on your bucket list, add it.”
Neil Bone
Aboard SV Lucy
“It was EVERYTHING we could have wanted and MORE. The water was clear, the catamaran had heaps of space, and watching the sunrise and sunsets on the boat is my favourite thing. Planning another trip asap!”
Paige Withington
Aboard SV Lucy
“An absolute must-do for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The team were brilliant right from booking, the briefing was thorough, and the boat was exactly as we had hoped. Just can’t wait for our
next trip!”
Mitchell Evans
Aboard SV Ruby Sunday
What is Bareboating?
You become the skipper
Bareboating simply means hiring one of our catamarans without a crew or captain. We teach you everything you need to know – and yes, no licence or experience is required.
A full pre-voyage briefing covers navigation, safety, boat handling, sailing, anchoring and mooring. So thorough that even complete novices set sail with confidence.
40% off is only a click away with Anchor Club membership
Do I need a license to go bareboating?
No, you do not need a licence or experience. A full briefing is provided to ensure you are at a competent level before departure. The briefing is so thorough that even novices can give this a go!
Your briefing includes Navigation, Safety, Boat Handling, Water Safety, Boat Rules, Sailing, Motoring, Anchoring, Mooring and Emergency Safety Management Systems.
How does bareboating actually work?
The term bareboating (aka bare-boating) simply means hiring one of our extraordinary sailing catamarans without a crew, a captain or any provisions. We’ll be teaching you to do all of this yourself. YES ! – You become the skipper. But don’t worry, we teach you everything you need to know to confidently set sail (or motor) around the glorious and Ancient Ngaro Sea Country of the wonderful Whitsunday Islands.
Do we have to put the sails up?
Many of our guests don’t put the sails up and instead prefer to just motor around – it’s completely up to you.
How long is the charter?
All charters are for 6, 13, or 20 days.
IT ALL STARTS RIGHT HERE
Your next adventure is waiting
Peak season books out months ahead. Reserve your 6 days in paradise with our 7-day cooling-off policy – no hoops, no stress.
or call 1300 991 474
40% off is only a click away with Anchor Club membership
Learn More About yacht christmas party
Excitement and nervousness go hand in hand for many travellers picturing a sailing holiday. If you’ve never been out on the water before, you might worry if sailing is the right choice, especially because bareboat charters might expect you to be more experienced. Building your confidence is what we do at Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays, so you can get the most from your time on the water. For over 20 years, our local, family-owned business has operated from Airlie Beach, and we welcome first-time sailors every single day. No boating licence or previous sailing experience is required for a Whitsundays yacht hire. You’ll be briefed pre-departure by the same people who’ve explored these waters for years, combining hands-on knowledge and local insight to make sure you feel comfortable from the start. Our guests have awarded us more than 700 verified 5-star reviews, and we’ve held a perfect 100/100 Best of Queensland Experience score for 7 consecutive years. So, if you’re interested in ‘yacht christmas party’, you’ll be glad to know that our guests spend time in the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands within the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Ngaro people have called this place home for thousands of years, and the location’s environmental and cultural significance runs deep.
What we offer at Portland Roads is increasingly hard to find: a holiday shaped entirely by your own rhythm. You can explore up to 74 islands across the Whitsundays through our 6 Day skipper-yourself charters, free from fixed schedules and crowded tour groups. You get practical guidance before you depart so you can be confident as you set off, and then the rest of the trip is yours to shape. To make life easier, you can even pre-order from Whitsunday Provisioning to bring food and drinks directly to your vessel. We have a fleet of sailing catamarans to suit different budgets and comfort preferences, including the SV Whitsunday Freedom, a spacious Lagoon 450S designed for style and performance. The SV Lawless also features 4 private double cabins with ensuites and an inviting outdoor dining space, while the fully air-conditioned SV Lucy is a Lagoon 420 suited for laid-back cruising. Every boat in our fleet gives you the same thing, which is extraordinary access to the Whitsunday Islands. If you’re looking up ‘bareboat sailing holidays‘ or ‘bareboat Whitsundays‘, you can also join our ANCHOR CLUB for free, which includes lifetime membership, guaranteed discounts of at least 40%, priority access to peak season dates, early boarding benefits and access to the Luxe Ocean Club.
Scheduling your sailing holiday with Portland Roads is simple from start to end. Simply choose the catamaran that suits your group, review pricing and boat charter availability, gather your family or friends, enter your details and complete your booking. All charters depart on a Friday and return on a Wednesday, giving you 6 unforgettable days to explore the Whitsundays at your own pace. Every guest receives a thorough hands-on briefing before departing Airlie Beach, covering matters like Navigation, Safety, Boat Handling, Water Safety, Boat Rules, Sailing, Motoring, Anchoring, Mooring and Emergency Safety Management Systems. We understand that plans sometimes change, so every booking includes our 7-day Change of Mind / Cooling Off Policy, allowing a full refund of the yacht hire pricing within 7 days of booking, less any payment platform fees. If you need a little more flexibility and want to discuss your options, our Airlie Beach team is just a call away. And whether you have questions related to ‘local yacht charters‘ or ‘private overnight boat charter‘, we’re always ready to chat. No matter if you’re wondering about ‘sail Whitsundays catamaran hire‘ or ‘charter boat rental‘ or have general questions about our charters, call us at 1300 991 474 or 0427 814 553, email sailing@portlandroadswhitsundays.com.au or visit us at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach today.
