Where Do the Cruise Ships Dock in Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach is a beautiful coastline port town in the Whitsunday region, North Queensland. If you’re planning a cruise ship holiday in the tropics this year, you’ve likely got Airlie Beach at the top of your list. Considering it is one of the main port of calls for the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands regions, you’re probably wondering “where do the cruise ships dock while in Airlie Beach?”
And for good reason! Where your cruise ship docks in Airlie Beach will help you decide what you can do in the time you have in the Whitsunday and Airlie Beach area. With a population around 5000 in Airlie Beach township & 59000 in the Whitsunday region the beautiful Whitsundays thrives off the domestic and international travellers. Tourism visitors from all backgrounds including cruise ships, backpackers, families, luxury resorts and grey nomads brings thousands of visitors to the region every year.
The perfect spot to stop off, leisurely browse the bustling main street shops and cafes, listen to live music at a bar, go for a swim at the Airlie Beach man made lagoon, enjoy a bush walk in the national parks nearby and explore the tropical rainforests. Airlie Beach is known as a vibrant seaside town that you won’t forget on your cruise vacation and may one day choose to come back holiday in this piece of paradise
So, where is the Airlie Beach Cruise ship terminal?
Learn more about our Whitsunday Islands Private tailored Cruise Ship Charters when you visit to enjoy a taste of yacht life!
Where is the Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Terminal?
Airlie Beach cruise terminal and docking area for guests disembarking from the large cruise ships is most commonly at the Port of Airlie Marina, and is one of the centrally located departure ports for some larger day cruises to The Whitsunday Islands. The most frequently scheduled cruise ship arriving in Airlie Beach are from the Carnival Corporation-owned giants. This includes fleets from Carnival Australia, P&O Australia and Princess Cruises.
Airlie Beach township is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands and the famous Whitehaven Beach. While the cruise ship industry has been growing rapidly in the north Queensland region; cruise ships are regularly docking in Airlie Beach.
If you’re on a cruise that stops in Airlie Beach, you’ll likely have the opportunity to disembark for the day and experience some of the land-based & island based iconic landmarks of the bustling tropical seaside town.
Check out the Whitsunday Islands Sail SUP & Snorkel Day Tour for a shorter on water Whitsunday experience without the large crowds. A yacht sail and snorkel adventure on a 60ft sailing catamaran. This day tour is one of only a small group of island tours that fit in with some cruise ship schedules- please refer to your disembarking and embarking cruise times to be sure that it works.
Book a Whitsunday Islands Private tailored Cruise Ship Charter before your arrival to enjoy a taste of yacht life! Call 0418 757 088 or email info@wings.com.au to discuss your private shore day charter with us!
Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Terminal
So, where are the cruise ships stop in Airlie Beach? Well, cruise ships actually anchor offshore from Airlie Beach, and there are tenders provided to Port of Airlie Marina. This is also the same port area for the larger ferry companies like Cruise Whitsundays.
Port of Airlie Marina is a short 5 minute walk into the main street of Airlie Beach with shops and restaurants and a hotel you will pass by on your way into town. Shute Harbour marina also has a few Cruise Ship schedules but this newly refurbished precint is a further 25minutes out of the main township of Airlie Beach.
Coral Sea Marina Resort, formally known as Abell Point Marina ( pictured below), is one of the main harbours for boat tour departures. This is a very busy marina and is the most commonly used marina for day tours, private charters and smaller super yachts. There is 2 sections at this marina which are located at the Northern End and the Southern End. If you have a booked tour please be aware which area to meet at for your departure.
Coral Sea Marina has a stunning resort hotel right next door with classy restaurants and cafes. It has more than 500 moorings that sit in the bay of Airlie Beach.
From the Coral Sea Marina, visitors have easy access to a stunning coastal walk with waterfront scenes along the Bicentennial Walkway; the famed Airlie Beach man-made lagoon, local waterfront markets and multiple exceptional restaurants & cafes.
When cruise ships visits they are anchored further out in the bay and tender their passengers ashore into Port of Airlie
Marina. If you need to get to Coral Sea Marina from Port of Airlie Marina it is a short walk of 20 minutes through the main street and along a beautiful boardwalk. Some guests would catch a quick taxi that will get you there in 5 minutes if you are shorter on time.
See below picture is Coral Sea Marina- Airlie Beach
Book a Whitsunday Island Sail SUP & Snorkel Tour departing 10am - 4pm to indulge in a shorter tour to the Whitsunday Islands with only 25 guests maximum.
Book a Whitsunday Islands Private tailored Cruise Ship Charter before your arrival to
enjoy a taste of yacht life! Call 0418 757 088 or email info@wings.com.au to discuss your private
shore day charter with us!
Airlie Beach Excursions
Cruising to and around Airlie Beach, you’ll be in the presence of some of Australia’s most
beautiful coastline and beaches. Both marinas in Airlie Beach have an abundance of local
restaurants, boutiques, and markets accessible when cruise ships are docked. Airlie Beach
excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach and Conway National Park
depart every day from the town.
If you’re docked in Airlie Beach and want to experience the best of the township on an Whitsunday Island excursion, Wings Sailing Charters have got you covered. Wings Sailing Charters have a Whitsunday Islands Sail SUP & Snorkel Day Tour that is 6 hours from 10am- 4pm which works well for most cruise ship schedules ( New time coming 1st January 2025- 9:30am- 3:30pm)
Wings Sailing Charters
are the leading private charter operator in Airlie Beach, providing exceptional private sailing charters
departing from Airlie Beach, Coral Sea Marina every week.
Check out our NEW Cruise Ship Charters here:
Call 0418 757 088 or email info@wings.com.au to discuss your private shore day charter with us!
Getting to and From Airlie Beach in case you decide to come
back and holiday here!
If you’re not on a cruise ship for the day or you did just visit our amazing region, there are a few options for getting to and from Airlie Beach. The Whitsunday Coast airport is only about 30 kilometres away and about a 25 minute drive. Hamilton Island also has an airport but requires an hour ferry to get to from Airlie Beach mainland. There is the opportunity to take a train to Airlie Beach – the Queensland Rail train station is only about a 20-minute drive from Airlie Beach’s town centre.
So now that you know where do the cruise ships dock in Airlie Beach, you should have the information needed to plan your holiday in Airlie Beach. Whether you plan to spend a day frolicking in Airlie Beach, swimming in the man-made lagoon, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef or island hopping in the wonders of the Whitsunday Region, Airlie Beach is the ideal place to begin your holiday of a lifetime. Learn more about our Whitsunday Islands Private tailored Cruise Ship Charters when you visit to enjoy a taste of yacht life!
