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To be honest, I have no idea. I don't imagine that the local sailing industry would be too keen on hiring out their craft if there it was at all common for mishaps to occur, though. Sorry I haven't been much help with your questions, but I'm a bit of a land-lubber and don't wish to give you any incorrect advice.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful - and safe - visit!

Thanks Philip. I will have a good look at the links you have provided. Out of interest, do you have any idea how many people who take a bareboat charter end up in trouble? Gordon

Hi Gordon - welcome to the forum!

As you have probably already discovered, you have a few options.

With a Bareboat Charter, you will have the boat to yourselves and be able to get around as you like - that's got to be appealing. Technically, you don't "need" experience for a  bareboat charter and as you already have some it is a possibility to consider. It just depends on how confident you are with your abilities.

With the Whitsunday tour boats, the trick is finding one more family orientated - especially if you are doing a multiple-day tour and sleeping onboard. As a general rule, the more expensive the package the less young backpackers are likely to be aboard. Of course, this is no guarantee of how your fellow passengers will behave.

Chartering a boat with a crew is another option, but obviously a much more expensive one...

A good compromise may be to choose the bareboat charter, but take a skipper with you for the first day to refresh your skills - some companies offer this option.

Have a look at some of the local businesses to give yourself a better idea of what is available and the pricing: http://whitsundayssailingadventures.com.au/, http://www.whitsundayescape.com/ and http://www.sailing-whitsundays.com/ are a good start.

Hope this helps!

I am planning a trip to Aus for Mar 13 and want to include sailing around the Whitsundays for 3/4 days.  I have limited sailing experience, the family has none (kids are 7 and 9) and I would like to know what might be a good option for us to experience this beautiful place, arranged tours or charter? Any guidance would be great, but I do want to avoid the party boats!

Hi Collin - welcome to the forum.

While I can't offer you any leads, I would recommend you Google all the sailing and boating companies that operate out of Airlie Beach (on the mainland) - there are quite a few. It's definitely worth sending out an email to them to test the waters - excuse the pun.

As for meeting people, I'm sure you will have no trouble: Airlie Beach is a busy - and friendly - place full of young travellers such as yourself.

Good luck with the job, and let us know how you get on!

  Hey there ! I am leaving Canada january 23rd ! I want to know if anyone knows anywhere to get a job working for a sailing company !? I have been a deckhand here in Canada and a sail instructor for smaller racing dinghys!

 Well also if anyone wants to hang out I am going there by myself ! so feel free to message me ! Have a wicked awesome day

Cheers

Collin

Hi Jammer, welcome to the site.

You don't mention what your qualifications/skills are: if you are looking for general hospitality work I think that you would be pretty lucky to have something arranged before you arrive.

On the other hand, if you are a chef or anything else that is more specialized it should be quite possible.

That said, even if you just want some basic hospitality work it is worth contacting the island resorts if you are willing to commit to working for a set period. I think your odds of arranging a job before you arrive are better on the islands than in Airlie Beach (on the mainland), although there is nothing stopping you emailing places in Airlie too.

Good luck with it, and let us know how you get on.

Hi there, I had plans to work on the Whitsunday Islands this coming January after my school studies were finished in Canada, but the agency I was with didn't pull through. Is it possible to secure a position now before I leave my home country?
Thanks!!!

Rob

Agreed : )

Lol, couldn't they have come up with a better title though?