2D/2N Atlantic clipper Itinerary - Locations, Activities, Inclusions
As any local will tell you, an overnight sailing tour is undoubtedly the best way to experience the Whitsunday Islands – and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better option than the 2-day 2-night Atlantic Clipper.
If you’ve got your sights set on the Atlantic Clipper, but want a closer look at what the tour covers, this guide has everything you need to know about the locations, activities, and inclusions for your Whitsunday adventure.
Atlantic Clipper Itinerary Overview
Day 1 (Half Day)
- Boarding at Coral Sea Marina
- Bauer Bay, South Molle Island
- Overnight at Hook Passage
Day 2
- Tongue Bay
- Whitehaven Beach
- Lunch
- Snorkelling/Diving at Luncheon Bay
- Langford Island Beach Party
Day 3
- Last Swim and Snorkel
- Return to Airlie Beach
Day Before Departure
All guests must check in the day before the start of the tour – check-in will be at the Whitsunday Sailing Office (402 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach, open 7 am to 5 pm).
The Atlantic Clipper tours depart on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, so plan your bookings accordingly. Make sure that you arrive in Airlie Beach at least one day before the tour to allow enough time for checking in.
Atlantic Clipper Itinerary Day 1
Boarding at Coral Sea Marina
The Atlantic Clipper will depart from the Coral Sea Marina between 12-2pm. Boarding will commence about an hour before.
There’ll be a short safety briefing and an official welcome to kick off the tour. Then, it’s time to say goodbye to Airlie Beach and head out onto the beautiful Whitsunday waters.
Bauer Bay, South Molle Island
First stop, Bauer Bay. The Atlantic Clipper will cruise towards South Molle Island where this bay is located. The waters in Bauer Bay are calm, making it a perfect site for a swim.
The crew will set up everything from waterslides to swimming equipment – including stinger suits to ensure everyone is well protected in the water.
After a dip in the water, hop into the onboard heated spa to soak in the tropical holiday vibe.
Overnight at Hook Passage
From Bauer Bay, the tour will make its way to Hook Passage where it will spend the night. Hook Passage has some of the best vantage points for watching the sunset – which is exactly what you can look forward to. Grab a drink and a spot on the deck to watch the golden sunset over the Whitsunday Islands.
After freshening up after a shower, you’ll be treated to a chef-prepared dinner. Dinner will be accompanied by good company, great music, and a friendly game or two to get everyone acquainted.
Wild dolphins have been known to play around the spotlight of vessels in Hook Passage, meaning dinner may include a show!
After dinner, the crew will invite guests to retire to the air-conditioned cabins for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Atlantic Clipper Itinerary Day 2
Tongue Bay
Day two of the adventure starts bright and early with a hearty breakfast. After fueling up on coffee and tea, we’ll arrive at Tongue Bay, where the iconic Hill Inlet lookout is located.
The crew will guide everyone to the Hill Inlet lookout for a stunning view of the silica swirls and turquoise coloured waters of Whitehaven Beach. There’ll be plenty of time to snap photographs with your new mates before heading down to the beach.
Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach is consistently ranked the best beach in Australia, and one of the top beaches in the world. As the highlight of the tour, you’ll experience what gives Whitehaven Beach its reputation – soft white sand that stretches for over 7km.
How you spend your time at Whitehaven Beach is completely up to you, whether it’s soaking in the sun, swimming, or playing beach games.
Around noon, the crew will invite guests back to the vessel for a buffet lunch. The cruise will continue on to the next destination as you enjoy the food.
Snorkelling/Diving at Luncheon Bay
Luncheon Bay is where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the underwater denizens of the Whitsunday Islands – it’s also one of the best snorkelling destinations in the Whitsunday Islands! As the crew sets up snorkelling and diving equipment, you’ll also be given an informative overview of the marine life in the region and the do’s and don’ts to ensure the reefs can continue thriving.
All snorkelling equipment including masks, stinger suits and fins are provided. Diving expeditions area available at an add-on cost of $99.
Luncheon Bay is not far from the next stop, so there’ll be plenty of time allocated for snorkelling and diving.
Langford Island Beach Party
Once everyone is back on board, the Atlantic Clipper will cruise over to Langford Island while guests enjoy a hot shower.
Langford Island has the perfect setup for a beach party – it has a sandbar that appears only at low tide. Guests are invited to wear their best white outfit for a sunset beach party with delicious food, drinks, and dancing.
As the party goes on, the crew will make preparations for overnight anchorage at Blue Pearl Bay.
It won’t be an early night, but lights will be out at 12 midnight to ensure everyone gets enough rest for tomorrow.
Atlantic Clipper Itinerary Day 3
Last Swim and Snorkel
It’s the final day of the cruise – but there’s still time to get in the water for a swim or a snorkel.
Following some breakfast, the crew will set up the waterslides, hot spa, and snorkel equipment for everyone to enjoy a refreshing morning.
Return to Mainland
All good things must come to an end, and as the Atlantic Clipper makes its way back to Airlie Beach, you’ll likely be reminiscing about the memories made over the past two days.
But wait, the crew has one last surprise – we’ll throw an exclusive after party on the mainland with VIP discounts for everyone to get together one more time.
