Whitsundays 6 Days Base Camp

ITINERARY The following itinerary should be seen as a guide only as it can vary due to weather, sea conditions, tides, paddlers’ ability and transport logistics. Our guides have excellent knowledge of the area and will plan the best alternative route if necessary. Please note paddling distances and times are approximate only. 

DAY 1: Make your way to the group hotel accommodation, Mantra Club Croc, located just five minutes drive out of Airlie Beach town in Cannonvale. Room check in is from 2pm. The day is at your own leisure until the meeting with your kayak guide at 5pm at the hotel. During the meeting, your guide will hand out dry bags, show you how and what to pack, confirm the pick up time for the next morning and answer any questions. Luggage not required during the kayak trip can either be stored at the hotel if you’re returning for a stay post trip, or at our base in Shute Harbour. Your dry bags should be packed and ready for your pick up the following morning. Many people choose to arrive in Airlie Beach a day or two before the trip to give them time to relax and enjoy the amazing location. From Cannonvale, there is a boardwalk which leads along the seafront into Airlie Beach town, about a 25 minute walk. Airlie Beach has a large lagoon, with sea views and conveniently situated on the ocean side of the main street. Additionally, there are some amazing, easily accessible walking trails in Airlie Beach and surrounds, plus an assortment of great cafes and restaurants. NO MEALS INCLUDED / OVERNIGHT MANTRA CLUB CROC 

DAY 2: You’ll be picked up from your Airlie Beach hotel this morning (the exact time will be confirmed closer to departure as it is tide-related) and transferred to our kayak base at Shute Harbour, about a 15-minute drive. At the base your guides who will organise equipment and prepare you for the expedition. Paddlers, kayaks and supplies are then transported by water taxi to stunning Whitehaven Beach, on the southeast of Whitsunday Island. On arrival we set up our first base camp, followed by a picnic lunch on the scenic white-sand beach. After a thorough briefing we launch the kayaks and paddle to nearby Haslewood Island, where the snorkelling sites of Chalkie’s Beach and Windy Bay offer a stunning mix of colourful fringing coral gardens and prolific marine life including schools of electric blue damsels, angel and butterfly fish. Returning to camp, we relax on the beach for our first island sunset, followed by a delicious dinner. Paddling distance today is approximately six kilometres (1–1.25 hours). B • L • D / CAMPING ON WHITEHAVEN BEACH, WHITSUNDAY ISLAND 

DAY 3: After packing what we need for the day, we launch the kayaks and paddle through the Solway Passage to Teague Island, south of Haslewood Island. Here we explore a range of snorkel sites including Teague Reef, where brain corals and giant clams (with their brightly coloured mantles of blues, greens and pinks) may be spotted. If conditions permit, we may paddle a full circumnavigation of Haslewood Island, approximately 22 kilometres. Once back at camp, and if time allows, we stretch our legs on one of the walking trails from the Whitehaven Campground: the 1.2km Solway Circuit climbs through grass trees, cycads and rock ferns with sensational views over Solway Passage; the 3.6km Chance Bay Walk winds through forest and woodlands to a secluded white-silica bay and the newer Headland Track offers stunning views across Whitehaven’s 8km shoreline. We return to camp for dinner under a multitude of stars. B • L • D / CAMPING ON WHITEHAVEN BEACH, WHITSUNDAY ISLAND

DAY 4: After breakfast we launch the kayaks for today’s adventure. Whitehaven Beach stretches for seven kilometres and its white silica sands form a perfect backdrop as we paddle north along the coastline, usually with the assistance of the south-easterly trade winds at our backs. We stop off near the entrance of Hill Inlet for a swim and a walk to the world-renowned lookout with its breathtaking views (search for green sea turtles and stingrays). After an early lunch we return south to the campground to pack up for our transfer aboard the fast water taxi to Maureen’s Cove on Hook Island’s northern coast — our second base camp. The campsite is known for its natural beauty and peaceful setting, with a small creek meandering to the bay and pandanus and beach gardenias providing shelter. On arrival we set up camp, and if time and tide permit we may snorkel the reef edge before a delicious meal prepared by the guides followed by a tranquil Whitsunday sunset.Paddling distance today is approximately 14 kilometres (4–4.5 hours). B • L • D / CAMPING AT MAUREEN’S COVE, HOOK ISLAND 

DAY 5: After packing what we need for the day, we set out westward to explore two remarkable sites — Baia Hai (Black) Island and Langford Island. Black Island is renowned for its striking volcanic landscape and vibrant fringing reef, which attracts large parrot fish and coral trout throughout the coral gardens. Langford Island is a sparkling jewel of the Whitsundays, famed for the long sand spit that stretches into the turquoise sea — a perfect spot for a picnic lunch, with coral gardens and nearby seagrass beds that often attract turtles. If time allows, we take the short walking trail to the Langford Island lookout, where native Whitsunday bottle trees frame spectacular views across Black Island, Hook Island and the Langford sand spit. We return to Maureen’s Cove in the afternoon to relax and enjoy dinner under the stars. B • L • D / CAMPING AT MAUREEN’S COVE, HOOK ISLAND 

DAY 6: After breakfast we launch the kayaks and explore the northeast coast of Hook Island, including Luncheon Bay, Mantaray Bay and the Pinnacles — a region known for its coral diversity and calm, sheltered waters. Luncheon Bay features rocky outcrops covered in beautiful soft corals, black coral trees, gorgonians and sea whips, while Mantaray Bay is dubbed ‘the Aquarium’ for its abundance of fish life, from Maori wrasse and giant trevally to batfish and thousands of yellow-tail fusiliers. Returning to camp, there’s time for a short hike through Butterfly Valley or a last snorkel before packing up for the return journey. A fast vessel collects the group, kayaks and gear for the trip back to Shute Harbour, where we unpack and collect any stored luggage. For those heading back to Airlie Beach, a complimentary transfer is included. Accommodation and dinner tonight are not included in the trip cost. B • L / END OF TRIP ARRANGEMENTS

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: Sea kayaking is an activity that anyone with a moderate level of fitness can enjoy and it’s often compared to brisk walking or cycling. While previous kayaking experience isn’t necessary, it is important to have a sound level of fitness and, most importantly, a sense of adventure. The degree of difficulty on any trip will depend on weather conditions, so flexibility and a positive attitude are key. Our trips cater to both frequent paddlers and those new to the sport, and we take pride in introducing people to the joy of paddling. To ensure the highest safety and to maximise the experience of the group as a whole, we primarily use double kayaks. Single kayaks are offered on request, subject to approval and demonstration of experience appropriate to the trip; the overall configuration of the group is at the discretion of the guide.