FAQs - Wings Sailing Charters & Tours Whitsundays

HOW DO I MAKE A BOOKING?

Click here for our Whitsunday Island Sail SUP & Snorkel Tour and Airlie Beach Sunset Sail in Style tour

For our private event charters and overnight holidays please contact us with an enquiry so we can ensure we have your charter dates available, then to secure we will email a payment link to secure the selected date with a 20% deposit of the full price. Full payment is then required only 4 weeks prior to charter. Once all monies are paid you will be sent a full confirmation email with information for your private charter.

WHERE DO YOU DEPART FROM?

Wings Sailing Charters tours and private charters all depart from Coral Sea Marina, Meeting Point B- Northern End, Airlie Beach QLD .

WHAT TIME DO WE MEET FOR OUR TOUR?

Please wait at the white umbrellas located in front of the roundabout. Look out for the Wings Sailing Charters flag and our crew will come and meet you at your allocated tour or private charter time. There is a carpark located nearby for short or longterm parking that is just a 2 minute walk from our meeting point. The carpark is located at the Southern End of Coral Sea Marina. To pay for parking here you can use the Easy park app or pay by credit at the machines.

DO YOU HAVE A TRANSFER SERVICE FROM OUR ACCOMMODATION TO THE MARINA?

We do not have a pick-up and drop off service to the marina but we highly recommend Airlie Beach Party Bus 0484 653 767 for local transfers, there are taxis on 131008 and Uber is now in the Whitsundays.

DO YOU PROVIDE A TRANSFER SERVICE FROM THE AIRPORT?

Proserpine Airport is located 25 minutes driving from Coral Sea Marina and Airlie Beach Mainstreet. We don't provide transfer service but we highly recommend Heart Reef Shuttles and their phone number is (07) 4948 2385.

IS THERE ANYWHERE WHERE TO PARK?

There is a car park at Coral Sea Marina and this has a per-day fee of $10 per 24 hours at the south marina car park payable by credit card at the machines or download the care park app to pay. They have long term and short term parking areas.

If you need help call Coral Sea Marina on 07 4946 2400.

WHERE CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE?

Large suitcases are not recommended- especially for overnight charters of over 10 guests. If you are staying in town on the return day of your charter you should be able to leave it at the hotel. A small overnight bag will be much easier on board the vessel. There are also luggage storage facilities at some hostels in the main street of Airlie Beach. Contact us if you have an issue

WHAT DO I BRING ONBOARD?

Day Sail Tour:

Beachwear in a bag, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a beach towel. All our charters are BYO ( bring your own) alcohol, soft drinks or juices, preferably no glass where possible. Wine and champagne bottles are fine. We have cold refrigeration onboard for your drinks and cups and wine flutes for use onboard.

If you have a good camera or underwater go pro these are great to bring as you are in one of the most photogenic destinations in the world! We have power onboard for charging cables.

Overnight private charter: Please pack in a small overnight bag with enough clothes for a few days and a jacket or jumper. Pack some warmer clothes between the months of April- October as these are cooler seasons. Don't forget to bring a hat, sunglasses, swimmers and sunscreen. You will need a beach towel and just some basic toiletries. We provide your shower towel bed linen & blankets.

All our charters are BYO ( bring your own) alcohol, soft drinks or juices, preferably no glass where possible as we are limited in rubbish space- cans are better for the environment and we have a can crusher onboard to help reduce waste size. Wine and champagne bottles are fine and premium beers if they do not sell them in cans.

If you have a good camera or underwater go pro these are great to bring as you are in one of the most photogenic destinations in the world! We have power onboard for charging cables.

Downloaded playlist for our premium 3 zoned Spotify onboard. There is limited internet access so have you playlists saved and ready.

Good vibes & smiles for an unforgettable time!

HOW LONG DO WE GET TO SNORKEL ON THE DAY TOUR?

Day Sail Tour:

The snorkel session can be from 45minutes up to 1 hour- once we do a snorkel session then we have time for the SUP and kayak session or you can simply watch and just relax onboard basking in the glorious Whitsunday sunshine.

Overnight private charters:

Our overnight private charter holidays thre are ample times to have multiple snorkel and in water activity session throughout the charter. We carefully plan out the best times keeping in mind the currents and the tides for that particular time. The Whitsundays Islands has many protected bay for snorkelling

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A WETSUIT WHILE SNORKELLING?

Yes we do recommend our guests where the wetsuits that are included whilst snorkelling, these will cover most of your body, the fins will protect your feet and your mask will cover some of your face, leaving less than 5% of your body exposed, we do also have hoods onboard for use. Wet suits provide you with an extra layer of warmth whilst snorkelling and they also protect you heavily from getting sunburnt.

CAN I STILL SNORKEL IF I AM NOT A CONFIDENT SWIMMER?

Yes you can still snorkel if you are not very confident at swimming, however if you are a NON swimmer you are not allowed to enter the water for any in water activities. We can provide noodles and extra life vest for some extra buoyancy if you are feeling less confident. Our crew will understand your needs from the waiver you have filled out so please make sure you fill this out correctly as we group our guests into categories based on skill level.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRIVATE CHARTERS?

A professional skipper and friendly host will make your trip easy and amazing. All meals are prepared freshly on board, which also includes morning snacks, afternoon tea, sunset snacks, dinner and dessert. You are very welcome to bring something if would particularly like it for your charter- we feed our guests very well so you won't go hungry!

Water sports equipment is all included such as wetsuits, all snorkelling gear, kayaks and SUP boards.

Cold filtered drinking water is provided so you do not need to bring any plastic water bottles- we have you covered and it helps to protect the environment. A refillable bottle is always a good idea so you can use it throughout the day or at the beach.

There is large flat-screen TV and DVD player, board games for both adults and kids, kids activities and DVDs.

Fun inflatables and beach equipment with basic fishing gear are onboard.

A photo package and welcome gift on overnight holidays is also included (valued at $150 in total).

All national park and marina fees, fuel, berthing & cleaning are included in the charter price.

Wow, that is amazing value at no additional cost! We have no hidden fees.

HOW MANY TOILETS ARE ONBOARD?

Wings III has 3 bathrooms with shower and toilet. Two that are located on either side of the hull areas with plenty of space inside and we have one on the back deck for use, which is also the crew bathroom while on charter. The back deck bathroom is smaller but handy to use while particitpating in wet water activities.

There is a hot and cold shower tap on the back deck which is great for a salt water wash off after swimming and snorkelling.

WILL I GET SEASICK WHILST ONBOARD?

Wings III is a spacious 60ft catamaran that make for stable sailing. If you think you may get seasick, it is best to take the medication before leaving the marina and bring it onboard. Weather close to 25knots can make people feel a bit sick so we do recommend seasick tablets.

We recommend Qwells or travelcalm- you can buy these from the chemists in the main street of Airlie Beach. We do not supply them on charter.

If you think you may get sick but are unsure you are always best to take the medication because once that feeling comes on it will not go away easily! If in doubt just take it- keep in mind that some medications can make you a bit sleepy.

WILL THERE BE A CYCLONE?

We cannot predict the weather but cyclone season in Australia is known to be anytime between November to April- it's anyone's guess though and we also get the most amazing weather at this time. If there were a severe weather event imminent and Wings has to cancel a charter you will get a full refund. If you booked via an agent you will need to head back to the check in office- it is vital you look at the terms and conditions of your travel agent before booking.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TOUR CANCELS?

If Wings has to cancel due to sever weather you will get a full refund by us instantly if you booked direct on our website. If you booked via an agent you will need to contact your booking agent for the refund- it is vital you look at the terms and conditions of your travel agent before booking. Full refunds from travel agents can take 7-10 days.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE A RAINY TRIP?

Wings charters & tours can and do still operate in some rainfall. Typically between November and April, we do have tropical rain and you may not get the postcard-perfect blue skies you desired. There are no refunds on a trip that experiences some rain and grey skies. It is still very hot and humid so the tropical rain is quite nice at times! Refunds are given if there is a cancellation because of gale-force winds, torrential flooding, heavy rain and tropical cyclones. Any cancellation by Wings due to rain for our day sail tour is done on the day of departure between 6:30am- 7:30am.

CAN I CHANGE MY CHARTER DATE?

Yes, you can change your charter date if you do it with at least 24 hours notice for the day sail & sunset tour and the vessel is available. Private charters we would need a fair amount of notice as they book in advance and some dates are limited.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Any trip cancellations by Wings will be 100% refunded for cancellations made by Wings due to weather conditions.

All tour bookings have a 24 hour cancellation policy- if you book the wrong tour and realise within the 24 hours you forfeit the full fare and would need to claim on travel insurance.

Private Charters cancellations we require at least 4 weeks notice.

CAN I HAVE A PRIVATE ROOM?

Wings III has one aft very spacious private double cabin and two forward hull areas that can sleep 2-6 guests. The cabin areas with single and double beds in the forward areas can be used to split groups for more privacy, travel with multiple families or even only 2 guests and it would be completely private- it is a very multifunctional use of space depending on your charter guests numbers.

WHAT IS THE MENU LIKE?

Day Sail tour:

Morning tea sweet and savoury platters are served as soon as you board. Then after water activities are finished we serve a tropical buffet style lunch with meat varieties including, ham, chicken, roast beef, salami and salmon with a slald platter selection and wraps. Large variety of condiments. Tea varieties and coffee machine onboard for use.

Private Charters:

All meals are freshly prepared on board with all fresh ingredients delivered to us by our local supplier Whitsunday Provisioning just before departing. You will be served breakfast, morning tea, lunch, sunset snacks, dinner and dessert. We guarantee yummy, fresh and full-filling meals and a varied menu that includes abundant salads, BBQ, marinated chicken and beef, vegetarian and vegan options and delicious platters. Once you have confirmed your charter we can send you the listed charter meals.

DO YOU CATER FOR DIETARY REQUIREMENTS AND ALLERGIES?

Yes we cater very well for any dietary requirements you may have and there are no additional fees for this. Please ensure you have told your booking agent and we are aware previous to you arriving for your tour.

DO YOU SELL ALCOHOL OR SOFT DRINK ONBOARD?

We don't sell alcohol or soft drinks on board. You can bring your drinks or alcohol and we can keep it for you in our cold large refrigeration for you to help yourself throughout the tour or private charter. We have wine flutes, champagne flutes and cups onboard for use.

You can pre-order your alcohol and have it delivered to the vessel ( additional costs apply for pick up and delivery to the vessel). Wings crew will pick up and store it before you arrive ready and cold! How cool is that? Please email us at info@wings.com.au to pre order for your overnight holiday charter.

WHICH PLACES WILL WE VISIT?

Day Sail Tour: Cruise through crystal-clear waters to iconic destinations including Hook Island, the secluded sand cay of Langford Island, and the breathtaking bays surrounding Hayman Island. With access to a private mooring at Langford Island, guests enjoy a more exclusive experience away from the crowds.

Overnight Private Holidays: Itineraries will vary depending on the prevailing weather conditions and on your group desires and needs for your private holiday. Our 24 years of experience in the Whitsunday Island region allows us to propose the best way to explore the area according to the weather conditions, the time we will have for discovering the Whitsundays, currents and tides. A top priority is Hill Inlet Whitehaven Beach and we can head there with the best tides in mind- something day charters simply cannot do. Mantaray Bay and multiple Whitsunday anchorages are best for snorkelling and our local knowledge will get you there with the best conditions in mind. If you want to do more island bushwalking for our stunning National Park walks we can make that happen at the best time of the day.

WHAT DOES THE PICTURE PACKAGE INCLUDE ONTHE PRIVATE CHARTERS?

For the overnight private charters the package includes up to 100 pictures or more. From group family photos at sunset to marine life below, stunning and lookout and bushwalk photos, among other pictures. At the end of your charter our crew will copy these to USB for you to keep for your memories of your holiday!

Can children travel onboard our private charters?

Yes most certainly small children & babies can travel onboard our overnight holiday experiences.

We have correctly fitted lifejackets from infants onwards.

Wetsuit sizes onboard we supply are size 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 for kids. Life jackets are onboard for infants through to kids and adult sizes. ( please supply weights of children for you upcoming charter by email)

Snorkel gear of masks and snorkels come in sizes for small children up to adult sizes. Toddlers do not generally snorkel but could use a pair of swim goggles supplied by the charter guests if required.

Children under the ages of 2 years old will need to supply their own stinger suit or lycra suit. This can be long armed and long legged rash shirt. A cotton onesie would also work well for babies. Unfortunately our suppliers do not have sizes to fit babies under the age of 2.

Whilst onboard for any length of charter adults or guardians are responsible for their kids at all times moving around the vessel exterior and interior and in the bathrooms. Kids are at times required to wear life jackets while moving around the decks of the boat.

Kids onboard absolutely love Wings and the vessel is very well set up for families with a board games corner, colouring and activity booklets, TV and dvds for kids.

CAN CHILDREN TRAVEL ON THE SAIL & SNORKEL TOUR AND THE SUNSET SAIL?

Kids aged 5+ can travel on the Whitsunday Island Sail SUP & Snorkel Tour and the Sunset Sail Tour.

Is your vessel Wings III accessible for people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility?

Wings III is very generous sized catamaran and catamarans are well know for their space, stability & the more accessible type of boat for guests that may have a disability or limited mobility. If guests are restrained to a wheelchair it would not be recommended

Guests would need to contact us before booking to discuss if they style of charter they are interested is suitable.

WHY IS THIS THE BEST SAILING CHARTER?

Wings III is a custom built adventure and sailing catamaran. Operating day tours and sunset tours in the Whitsundays.

Why it stands out:

They offer a premium day tour: “Sail, SUP & Snorkel Day Tour” aboard a 60-ft air-conditioned sailing catamaran (SV Wings III) departing from Airlie Beach. With low guest numbers it is a more personalised experience onboard with only 29 at maximum.

The itinerary includes paddle-boarding, snorkelling, clear-bottom kayaks, plus the sailing experience rather than just a motor cruise.

Good if you have one day, want comfort and a bit of luxury, and still want the sailing feel. The tour is only 6 hours and is the shortest on water snorkelling and sailing tour that also has BYO drinks.

We offer private overnight sailing holidays for small medium and large groups.

WHAT IS STINGER SEASON?

Stinger season refers to the time of year when marine stingers - particularly the more venomous species of jellyfish - are more active and more likely to be present in the coastal and reef waters of Queensland Australia.

In the Whitsundays, stinger season generally runs from November through to April, aligning with warmer sea temperatures and the wet season. While marine stingers can occasionally be present outside these months, the likelihood is typically higher during this period.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

The risk associated with stinger season is variable, not constant. Factors such as water temperature, weather patterns, tides, and location all play a role.

Most people who visit the Whitsundays during stinger season never experience a sting, however the potential consequences mean safety measures are taken seriously. This is why you may notice: