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 do the cruise ships dock in Airlie Beach?
Learn more about our Whitsunday Islands Private tailored Cruise Ship Charters when you visit to enjoy a taste of yacht life!
Where Do the Cruise Ships Dock in Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach cruise terminal and docking area for guests arriving off the large cruise ships is most commonly at the Port of Airlie Marina, and is also one of the departure ports for some larger day cruises to The Whitsunday Islands. The most common and regularly scheduled cruise ship to Airlie Beach are from the Carnival Corporation-owned giants. This includes fleets from Carnival Australia, P&O Australia and Princess Cruises.
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands, the cruise ship industry has been growing rapidly in the region; cruise ships regularly docking in Airlie Beach. If you’re on a cruise that stops off in Airlie Beach, you’ll likely have the opportunity to disembark for the day and experience some of the land-based iconic landmarks of the bustling tropical seaside town.
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 docking in Airlie Beach? Well, cruise ships actually anchor offshore from Airlie Beach, and there are tenders provided to the correct marina, most commonly it is the 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.
Coral Sea Marina, formally known as Abell point marina ( pictured below), is one of the other
main harbours for boat tours. This is a very busy marina and is most commonly used marina for Day
Tours, Private Charters and smaller super yachts. There are 2 sections at this marina which are the
Northern End and the Southern End. If you have a booked tour please be aware which area to meet at
for your departure.
Most tour boat cruises from Airlie Beach to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays depart from Coral Sea Marina. Coral Sea Marina has a resort hotel nearby with classy restaurants and cafes. It has more than 500 moorings that sit in the bay of Airlie Beach. When cruise ships visits they are anchored further out in the bay and tender their passengers ashore into Port of Airlie Marina.
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.
See below picture is Coral Sea Marina- Airlie Beach
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 are the leading private charter operator in Airlie Beach, providing exceptional sailing charters departing from Airlie Beach, Coral Sea Marina every week.
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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!
