***This post is part 12 of a full trip report. The index can be found here***
Choosing an overnight Whitsunday Islands sailing vessel was probably the most frustrating part of planning this trip. Strangely enough, it was very similar to the dilemma I faced while researching different ships for the
Halong Bay overnight cruise when I visited Vietnam in 2011.
What it all boils down to is this: anytime there is an overabundance of operators, none of whom have a solid, user-friendly online presence, partnering with dozens of third-party travel agents who are all hawking identical tours at a mind-numbing variation of prices, what you get is an absolute cluster#&^*.
While the Whitsunday tour operators are slightly more tech-savvy, many of their websites are still primitive and informational only. Most still depend heavily on travel agents, who aggregate dozens, if not hundreds, of different day tours, overnight tours, adventure tours, diving tours, etc., all on an even wider variety of sailboats, ferries, catamarans, rafts, etc. Take a look at this
website and see if you can make any sense of the options!
My first task was wading through all of the fragmented reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet. Gradually, I narrowed down my options. I then emailed a few online travel agents for quotes. If a specific tour operator has their own website, my first choice will always be to book directly with them, not only because they typically have the best rates, but also because changes and cancellations are much easier when dealing directly with the source.
There are Whitsunday Islands tours at just about every price point, but I had a few requirements that I knew I wouldn't deviate from:
- Diving at the Outer Great Barrier Reef
- Smaller, non-party boat with fewer passengers
- 3 days/2 nights to maximize my time in the area
- Preferably a sailing tour
I finally settled on the
Kiana, a smaller sailboat with a maximum capacity of just 14 passengers. It was fully equipped for scuba-diving, and even included the first dive in the price. A second dive cost $70 AUD, a third was $50 AUD, and any additional dives were $30 AUD. They set sail every Monday and Friday for 3 days/2 nights, and the Outer Great Barrier Reef was part of the itinerary.
The primary reason why the Great Barrier Reef is typically not included in most Whitsunday Islands tours is distance. As you move south along the chain, its proximity from shore stretches further and further. From the Whitsunday coast, it takes approximately two hours to reach the reef, depending on conditions.
The Kiana itinerary
Since September 2013, Kiana has increased the shared room price from $649 to $669 AUD per person, while private rooms now cost $719 AUD. When I reserved my spot, I received a 10% discount for booking directly with them online, but I don't know if this discount still applies. There is also an additional 2% credit card fee (many merchants in Australia charge this).
While it was not even close to being the cheapest option available, I felt that for this specific itinerary, low-density layout, and scuba-dive inclusion, the Kiana was worth it. On the day prior to departure, all passengers were required to check in at the Whitsunday Sailing Adventures office in Airlie Beach by 5:30 pm. The next morning, I walked to Abel Point Marina and arrived at the meetup point at 8:00 am sharp.
Abel Point Marina
Remarkably, there were only seven of us total. I think we were all were extremely happy with the low number of passengers (and luckily, seven people was the minimum required to set sail). After turning in our dive forms and going through a few more formalities, we walked to the Kiana and boarded our home for the next three days.
The Kiana
There are a few rules that apply while on board the Kiana. First of all, no shoes are allowed, not even flip flops. They are collected when you step on the boat, and given to you whenever you step off. No backpacks or luggage of any kind are allowed. At check-in, you are given a linen bag, and all of your belongings for the next three days must fit in the bag (this is mostly a health precaution again bed bug infestations). Finally, you may not bring your own alcohol, as the Kiana is a licensed vessel and has drinks for sale on board.
I would highly recommend bringing bottled water, as the tap water on board has an unappetizing taste. The other passengers were none too pleased about this, but luckily, I had brought my own liter jug. Definitely bring a beach towel. If you forget, one can be rented at check-in. Nights on the water can be a little chilly, so be sure to carry a light jacket and perhaps a pair of long pants.
