airlie beach to thursday island / 720nm / 5 - 14 jul 2024

9 days / cat 2 passage / EVENT #2441 / magic miles: CREW full waitlist only

Join us for a relaxing coastal passage from Airlie Beach, along the North Queensland Coast to Cape York at the very top and onto Thursday Island. North Queensland is packed with pristine anchorages and reefs, and encompasses the wilderness of the Great Barrier Reef. Exploring some of the best and lesser-known locations at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, the days will be spent gently reeling off the miles, cruising between selected anchorages that will stop at along the way to break up the passage.

Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.

AUD$5,250
PRIVATE CABIN: AUD$14,175 (INCLUDES 3 BERTHs)

9 days

Join crew

The passage the Thursday Island offers multiple stopover options

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

With each anchorage being suitable to different wind and sea conditions our final itinerary will be driven the weather each day. Fortunately, with a multitude of idyllic anchorages offering crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life we are spoilt for choice.

This 9-day explorers cruise is the perfect chance to enjoy an interesting 720nm cruise north, inside the Great Barrier Reef thats packed with a range of experiences from dreamy anchorages to great food, wine and company, with stunning sunsets as a backdrop. On the stopovers, we’ll anchor in magical bays to relax and unwind after the days sailing and adventure activities.

This adventure cruise will depart Airlie Beach and include a selection of these stopovers;

Herald Cays
Magnetic Island
Dunk Island

Cairns
Lizard Island
Mounty Adolphus Island

Most of the time we will be using visual navigation however, with the large tides driving tidal races of up to 4 knots, uncharted bommies and moving sand bars we will be undertaking daily passage and pilotage planning. This provides the opportunity for you to brush up on your pilotage and navigation skills if you wish to be involved.

HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD

Sailing: Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
Watch duties: Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Weather: Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
Navigation: Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Leadership: Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.

Safety: Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Training: Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Personal wellbeing: Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Passage planning: Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications / customs and sail/motor arrival plan.

Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Itinerary

You'll fly into Airlie Beach (Proserpine) on the 5th of July 2024. We'll have a crew dinner on the night of the 5th at Airlie Beach and complete final preparations for departure the next day. On the 6th of July we'll depart Airlie Beach and head for our first of many island stopovers. You are welcome to stay onboard on the night of the 5th of July, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 5th, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.

The goal is to take in the magic of the North Queensland Coast, stopping at a handful of scenic bays, anchorages, reefs and islands, while managing around the weather to ensure a comfortable and safe 9-day coastal cruise. We’ll aim to be tied up at Thursday Island by 4pm on the 13th of July for our final crew dinner and you can plan to fly out of nearby Horn Island with Qantas to Cairns on the 14th of July (after catching the ferry from Thursday Island) and onto your final destination.

GETTING TO AND FROM THE YACHT

Arrival at the yacht before departure: Airlie Beach - via Proserpine Airport.
Departing from the yacht on arrival: Fly from Horn Island Airport to Cairns via Qantas, then connect to your final destination.
Getting between Horn Island Airport and Thursday Island: Take the 10 minute Thursday Island Ferry between Horn Island and Thursday Island.
Accommodation: If you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard and ashore in Airlie Beach and at Thursday Island, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.

Private Cabins

There are 2 and 3 berth options available in singles in doubles. If you reserve a 3-berth cabin for the use of 2 or less people, the rate is still the 3-berth rate, less a 10% discount. If you reserve a 2-berth cabin for the use of 1 person, the rate is still the 2-berth rate, less a 10% discount.

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.