SAILING THE WHITSUNDAYS
Top Rated - Award Winning
6 Day Bareboat Skipper Yourself Yacht Charters
We offer more than just the best yachts for hire in the Whitsunday Islands.
We let our guests do the talking! And they have given us a Shout-Out with over 340 Google Reviews at a very grateful 4.9 Stars out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
To say we are overwhelmed is an understatement! When you set sail with our team, you set sail with custodians of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in an immersive experience like no other.
Whether you’re after an incredible holiday with friends, or the ultimate family trip – It All Starts Right Here – Where we offer ADVENTURE – Simply Done Better!
Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays: Local, Family Owned, Passionate Sailors who for the past 15 years have brought the world of sailing and the islands of the Whitsundays into everyone’s reach. With 6 Catamarans to choose from, all of our Self-Skippered yacht charter experiences are tailored to suit any budget from entry level to premium.
We offer more than just the best yachts for hire in the Whitsunday Islands.
One of life's most memorable holidays...
Could this be your next adventure?
One of life’s most memorable holidays…
Could this be your next adventure?
Now is the time to experience one of life’s most memorable holidays – self-skippering your own luxury catamaran. Departing from the Coral Sea Marina at Airlie Beach, we invite you to an unforgettable experience in Australia’s tropical paradise.
At Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays, you choose the prefect adventure and itinerary tailored just for YOU! This experience is a world away from any other holiday on the planet. Ancient Ngaro Sea Country and the Wonderful Whitsunday Islands will take your breath away; Every day. Bringing you sun-kissed shores, reefs and nature’s best, all well within your reach. Luxury and adventure awaits.
Facts About Your Big Adventure
You can pre order provisions or book our popular platinum experiences.
we'll do everything except drive the boat.
All charters are 6 Day skipper-yourself experiences.
We teach you everything you need to know in your pre-voyage briefing.
split the bill across your crew and it's cheaper to have a luxury bareboat adventure than a resort holiday.
Real Reviews
OUR CATAMARAN FLEET
SV Whitsunday Freedom
ULTRA PREMIUM CATAMARAN
If doing it in style is your thing, nothing can compare to our Lagoon 450S - SV Whitsunday Freedom. She is huge, stylish, modern, comfortable and has the ability to out-sail all of our fleet, with facilities never before available on charter boats. Perfect for 8 guests in 4 double cabins. ⚓
SV Lawless
PREMIUM LUXURY CATAMARAN
A very welcome addition to our fleet, SV Lawless comes complete with 4 private double cabins, each with their own private ensuite. She has a gorgeous teak cockpit with a delightful outdoor dining setting for absolute waterfront dining all day everyday. ⚓
SV Lucy
HIGH END CATAMARAN
SV Lucy is a sister ship to our forefather SV Portland Roads. She is another superb Lagoon 420 Sailing Catamaran, with ease of handling and comfort at her core. She's ideal for 8 guests in 4 double cabins. She has an air-conditioned Saloon, and all cabins are also air-conditioned. ⚓
SV Portland Roads
HIGH END CATAMARAN
And this is where it all started, the matriarch of our fleet. When it is all about doing it in style, SV Portland Roads offers the best of both worlds. She is a Lagoon 420 Sailing Catamaran designed for world cruising and is ideal for 6 to 8 guests. ⚓
SV Southern Man
ROOMY COMFORTABLE CATAMARAN
SV Southern Man is an older model Lagoon 410 Sailing Catamaran. He accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 double cabins with 4 small en-suites. The Lagoon pedigree started with this model; And with its recent fit-out of new engines and heads, this classic vessel is ready to set sail through Ngaro Sea Country. ⚓
SV Ruby Sunday
CLASSIC ECONOMY CATAMARAN
SV Ruby Sunday is a classic Lagoon 380 Sailing Catamaran, built with economy in mind. With 2 double cabins and 2 forepeak cabins, she can cater for up to 8 guests with 4 double cabins. This is where most people start their cruising dreams. ⚓
SV Due West
CLASSIC COMFORTABLE CATAMARAN
SV Due West is a classic Lagoon 380 Sailing Catamaran. The world fell in love with the L380 as it quickly became the most popular production sailing catamaran in the world. She holds true to her history and accommodates up to 6 guests. ⚓
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS
Where the Marine Park comes first.
From Reef Restoration Projects to our support for NO FISHING in the Marine Park.
We are proudly Carbon Neutral, Advanced Eco-certified, Climate Action certified, Recognition of Culture certified, and a High Standard Tourism Operator.
WHAT IS BAREBOATING?
SKIPPER YOURSELF!
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.
Facts About BARE BOATING
You DO NOT REQUIRE A BOAT LICENSE TO SELF SKIPPER.
WE HELP GUIDE YOU SO YOU FEEL SAFE & CONFIDENT.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE PRIOR BOATING EXPERIENCE TO SELF SKIPPER.
So how does bareboating work?
We provide a world class boat, you choose to become the skipper, you select your crew (family / friends), and you provision the vessel for the charter holiday and experience of a lifetime – In doing so you charter the boat under a Bare-Boat hire agreement and take our yachts out sailing yourself. An inspiring experience. Our Skipper Yourself Bare-Boating option, is our most popular.
Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays offers the industry’s leading boats at the best price for those wanting to ‘do it themselves’ in paradise.
Bare-boating is perfect for the experienced sailor or repeat customers to the amazing Whitsundays.
A full briefing is provided (and included in you charter pricing) to ensure you are at a competent level before departure.
Additional training can be given if you are a bit rusty…
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. After your briefing, if you are still not 100% confident, we offer additional sail training, which many of our novices pre-book to maximise their holiday enjoyment and safety.
Do I need a license to go bareboating?
No, you do not need a licence or experience.
We are so excited and very committed to helping anyone new to sailing get out and onto the water.
Adventure Still Lives.
We are passionate – We are professional.
In our caring hands, anyone can respectfully learn to handle any of our extraordinary sailing vessels.