6 DAY GUIDED WHITSUNDAY KAYAK TOUR

TYPICAL TRIP SCHEDULE

Day 1:

Today is your day to arrive and settle in to our group hotel. You will meet your guides and we will hand out any required equipment and provide a briefing on the upcoming adventure.

Day 2:

After your pick up from our group hotel in Airlie Beach we are transferred directly to our Shute Harbour base. Kayakers, kayaks and supplies are then transported by fast water taxi to iconic Whitehaven Beach – on the southeast of Whitsunday Island. Camp is set up and the rest of the day is spent exploring nearby Haselwood Island. The snorkeling here is simply brilliant with colourful fringing coral gardens and prolific marine life. Schools of electric blue damsels, delicate angel and exotic butterfly fish are amongst the fish that are regularly spotted here.

After returning to camp, the group has the opportunity to take in a short bushwalk to the Chance Bay Lookout. Stunning views over the southern end of Whitsunday Island to the islands beyond is a great reward for the effort.  As the afternoon comes to a close, sit on the beach and enjoy the tranquility brought on by the setting of the sun.

Day 3:

The white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach form a perfect backdrop as the group paddles north – following the coastline –usually with the assistance of the following south-easterly trade winds.  Kayakers stop off near the entrance of Hill Inlet for a swim and walk to the world-renowned lookout with its breathtaking views. Green sea turtles and stingrays swim near the entrance to the lookout and can be spotted from the top.  After a well-earned break, paddlers continue north following the east coast to the Cairn Camp Site.

Day 4:

An early morning walk to the Cairn Lookout makes for breath taking views across Hook Island and Border Island. After breakfast, the next leg of the journey ends at the stunning Crayfish Beach on Hook Island. This is often described as the best campsite in the region and is set against the backdrop of Mackerel Bay. The coral here is world-class and schools of fish can be spotted negotiating the maze of mangrove roots that line the inlet to the north of the campsite.

Day 5:

The group kayaks around the north-eastern tip of Hook Island (also called the Pinnacles) to the protected northern waters. After a snorkel at one of the many bays, the next stop is Maureen’s Cove where the groups set up for the night. Maureen’s Cove is a renowned snorkelling site with easy access from the coral beach.  It boasts an array of underwater valleys and caves and abundant marine life including giant Maori Wrasse and Manta Rays.

Day 6:

Paddlers pack up their gear one final time and head west towards Bali Hai a tiny picturesque island surrounded by colourful coral. This area attracts large parrot fish and coral trout that can be spotted swimming throughout the coral gardens.  The group then paddles towards the pristine Langford Island where there is an opportunity to snorkel with turtles. In the afternoon, the water taxi arrives and takes the group back to our base at Shute Harbour.

NOTE: The exact route for the 6 day expeditions will depend on a number of factors such as weather, paddler’s ability, tides and barge availability and may change before or during the trip.

NOTE: Kayakers must be in good health and proper physical condition, to safely engage in this activity. You and/or your doctor will need to confirm that you are sufficiently fit and healthy to participate in this activity. Salty Dog Sea Kayaking reserves the right to refuse a booking on medical grounds, if it is considered to be detrimental to the safety of any participants and staff and smooth running of the activity. Suitable for people over 16 years old with the ability to understand english.