Barefoot Cruises
:: 2008/2009 Rates & Schedules
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Whitsunday sailing... Great Barrier Reef cruises and charters, magnificent tropical islands, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, sheltered coves plus idyllic calm water sailing and cruises.
Whatever your preference, be it the slap of sail and creak of timber of a classic tall ship or the pleasures of luxury cruising, Barefoot Cruises have vessels offering the very best of Whitsunday sailing and Great Barrier Reef cruises.
The Whitsunday Islands are one of the most beautiful sailing and cruising destinations in the world. The scenery is spectacular beyond words, the marine life is teeming with vivid colours and magnificent corals are waiting to be explored.
This the world of Barefoot Cruises where unrivalled local knowledge and impeccable safety standards are combined with fun-filled holidays emphasising a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
Barefoot Cruises would like to invite you to this paradise to join one of their voyages of discovery.
The Whitsundays
Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays share the same idyllic climate as the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Tahiti. Nature has left a collection of islands - actually what remains of submerged mountains - rising from a bright turquoise sea.
The fringing coral reefs, tropical rainforests, pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, largely untouched by man, make this one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
World Heritage listed, the Whitsundays form part of the world's largest National Park. Comprising some 74 islands the Whitsunday Group is primarily uninhabited. However if you pine for civilisation there is always one of the internationally renowned island resorts from which to choose.
The warm aquamarine waters range between 20 and 25 deg. C allow year round snorkeling and diving opportunities and provide a glimpse into the magic of these Great Barrier Reef Islands.
The Whitsundays with its safe anchorages and coves, sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the world's finest cruising areas and will undoubtedly capture your heart and imagination. Lying in the tropics close to 20 deg south the Whitsundays has an enviable climate year round. The Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea protect the waters of the Whitsundays from the ocean seas with most islands being surrounded by a fringing reef system.
Summers are warm with frequent rain showers. Winters, considered perfect by many, are warm by day and cool by night. July is the coolest month and January the warmest. Cyclones if they do occur at all are most likely between February and March.
Getting To the Whitsundays
Domestic airlines Jetstar and Virginblue have daily flights from all major cities into the Whitsunday Coast airport at Proserpine and the Great Barrier Reef airport at Hamilton Island . Qantas has a daily flight from Cairns to Hamilton Island and return.
There is a shuttle bus that will meet every flight into Proserpine. Transfer time is approximately 45 minutes to Airlie Beach and 60 minutes to Shute Harbour. Taxis are also available and takes 30 minutes
If you are arriving into Hamilton Island, there are ferry services to both Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach.
