• Spend 3 days & 2 nights sailing on a tall ship exploring the Whitsunday Islands region on this beautifully preserved boat
• Visit iconic locations such as Hill Inlet and its swirling sands and Whitehaven Beach 
• The perfect sailing holiday experience for adventurous and sociable guests looking for more time sailing, snorkelling and enjoying the scenery of the Whitsundays.

Sailing the Whitsundays for 3 days and 2 nights on a beautifully preserved tall ship. The perfect experience for visitors looking for more time sailing the Whitsundays, snorkelling and paddle boarding.

What to Expect

Experience the Whitsundays on a 3-day, 2-night sailing adventure aboard the beautifully preserved tall ship, Solway Lass. Perfect for those seeking an extended sailing experience, this trip offers ample opportunities for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands. Departing from Airlie Beach Coral Sea Marina, this fully catered voyage is designed for the fun and adventurous, providing a unique yachting holiday.

Features and Highlights

Solway Voyager Cruises Whitsundays

• Departure and Return: Mondays and Fridays year-round from Airlie Beach Coral Sea Marina.
• Accommodation: Up to 32 guests on board, ensuring a cozy yet adventurous experience.
• Destinations: Visit iconic spots like Whitehaven Beach and other hidden gems in the Whitsunday Islands.

All-Inclusive Adventure

• Catering: Fully catered meals included.
• Activities: Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and beach exploration.
• Community: A great way to meet fellow travelers and form lifelong friendships.

Solway Lass: A Historical Tall Ship

• Age: Older than the oldest living human, Solway Lass has been sailing since 1902.
• Historical Significance: The longest continuously operated tourism vessel globally.
• Sails: Equipped with 11 magnificent white billowing sails.
• Stories: Hear fascinating ghost stories and historical tales shared with passion.

Fun Facts about Solway Lass 

• Original Build: Constructed in Holland in 1902, originally named Stina.
• Name Changes: Renamed Adolf in 1905, and after WWI, sold and renamed Solway Lass by a Scottish shipping company.
• Danish Era: Sold to a Danish shipping company in 1949 and renamed Sundeved.
• Australian Journey: Sailed to Australia in 1983, underwent a major refit, and was restored to the name Solway Lass.

Private Charter Options

• Exclusive Use: Ideal for private events or celebrations for up to 30 guests.
• Flexible Itineraries: Tailored cruising routes for your special event.
• Extended Cruises: Options for 2 nights or more to fully immerse in the sailing experience.

2026 Special Trip - 5 Day 4 Night

Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in one of Australia's most unique adventures - Walk, Sail & Snorkel the Whitsundays‌.

A complete Whitsundays exploration trip.

This is a small group fully inclusive experience for only 24 guests, combine walking, snorkelling and realxing.

There are only two departures in 2026 so book now, don't miss out!

Sailing Holiday Experience

Join us aboard Solway Lass for an unforgettable sailing holiday in the Whitsundays. From snorkeling vibrant reefs to exploring secluded beaches, this adventure promises relaxation, excitement, and a deep connection with the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

Book your spot on our next sailing adventure and discover why sailing the Whitsundays is the ultimate way to explore one of the world's most beautiful natural wonders. 

To read more about the Whitsundays, read our visitor information page and read our blog to learn more about the Great Barrier Reef. 

See all sailing tours and overnight holidays in the Whitsundays. 

Yacht Accommodation

Solway Lass Guest Corridor

The cabins lead off either side of the corridor. When Solway Lass was refitted for Whitsunday sailing adventures, the idea was to create a feel of old-world charm, befitting of an authentic century-old Tall Ship.

We are pretty confident that when you get on board Solway Lass you will feel that you have been transported backwards in time. Note the headroom inside Solway Lass is well over 2 metres. While guest cabins are small, they are comfortable for sleeping.

Double/Twin Cabins Ensuite

Double/Twin Ensuite Cabins have a toilet and shower cubicle. In the cabin area are a hand basin and mirror.

Double Ensuite Cabin can be extended to accommodate a family of four. The top single bed is extended to make another double for the children.  A ladder provides ease of access.

While the cabin is not massive, there is enough room to be comfortable and get a good night’s rest after a busy day on Solway Lass.

Four (4) Share Cabin

Solway Lass has 3 x four share guest cabins and 1 x six share guest cabin.

Beds have reading lamps above them.

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1

9 am Depart from the Coral Sea Marina and set sail to Tongue Bay, the gateway to world-famous Whitehaven Beach. Take a short, guided bush walk up to the Hill Inlet Lookout to take in the 7km stretch of the remarkable Whitehaven Beach sands below you.

After taking in the breathtaking views, jump back onboard as we head to Whitehaven Beach South for the afternoon.  Head ashore for beach activities or relax as you feel that silica sand between your toes before Anchorage is at Whitehaven Beach for your first Whitsunday Island sunset.

DAY 2

Enjoy breakfast with Whitehaven Beach as your backdrop.  After a hearty breakfast, head ashore for paddleboarding, and beach games.  Or enjoy a walk up to Whitehaven Beach South lookout to take in the views from the opposite end of the beach.  Lunch onboard as you sail north to one of the beautiful bays of Hook Island.  Feeling energetic? Get involved with setting the sails or taking the helm.

You will arrive in time to enjoy an afternoon snorkel before the golden hour as the sun sets over the Whitsundays for your last night. During dinner share your travel conversations with your new-found friends whilst on deck under the stars.

DAY 3 

Enjoy Breakfast on the top deck while the curious marine life swims around the vessel.  After breakfast you’ll kit up with snorkelling gear, ready to jump in and explore the fringing coral reefs. The vibrant, tropical fish will welcome you into their home as they flurry about in the water maybe spot a turtle if you’re lucky.  Choose to walk up to the Langford Island lookout and take some photos of the 120-year-old majestic ship Solway Lass anchorage in the distance or go beachcombing along the sandspit.

After lunch, it’s time to set the sails for the final time to make way across the Whitsunday Passage. Arrive back at Airlie Beach at 4.00 pm.

Sample Menu

Your trip includes all meals and snacks throughout the duration of the trip. We use locally sourced, seasonal fruits and vegetables and our crew freshly prepare each meal for you to enjoy. Usually served buffet-style, meals are a great communal time to get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 1:
Morning Tea:  Assorted Muffins
Lunch:  Cooked Meats, Wraps, Coleslaw and Salad (V: Kofta / Falafel)
Afternoon Snack:  Nachos (V)
Dinner:  Butter chicken with rice (carrot, onion, beans, capsicum) (V: Vegetarian Tofu)
Dessert:  Cheesecake

Day 2:
Breakfast:  Croissants, Cereals, Yoghurt, Spreads, Tea and Coffee
Morning Snack:  Banana Bread
Lunch:  Build your own Burgers with Fried Onions, Cheese, Pesto Pasta Salad and Mesclun Mix Salad (V: Vego Burgers)
Afternoon Snack:  Spring rolls and quiche
Dinner:  Baked Parmesan Fish with Potato Salad and Garden Salad (V: Vegetarian “fish”)
Dessert:  Fruit Cake with Custard

Day 3:
Breakfast:  Cereals, Yoghurt, Fruit Bread, Spreads, Tea and Coffee
Morning Snack:  Lamingtons
Lunch:  Beef Tacos V: TVP
Afternoon Snack:  Sunset Platter – Cheeses, Dips and Crackers, Vegetable Crudités, Kabana, Olives, Onions, Gherkins

Additional Information

Please pack your belongings for your trip in a soft-sided bag.

What to bring: clothes, beach towel, toiletries, hat, swimwear, sunscreen, jacket/sweater, camera, sunglasses, running shoes or sandals for island walks, cash or credit card for onboard purchases.

Best Time of Year To Sail The Whitsundays

Summer, which is between the months of November – April in the Whitsundays, is the most popular time to travel, mainly for international guests. This is mainly as it tends to coincide with the end of the school year leading into the colder winter months. Enough to make anyone want to head for warmer and sunnier destinations such as in Queensland Australia! During these months, this tropical landscape turns it on, the days are hot and the chance of rainfall is higher. The waterways flow and the greenery becomes luscious. 

During the winter season, between the months of May – October, the climate in the Whitsundays region stabilises. This results in minimal rainfall, steady winds, and comfortable temperatures. While the temperature drops compared to summer, it’s still a warm 25°C average and the humidity drops. This makes it a more comfortable sleeping temperature, and everyone can be more active during the day. With less rain, comes more frequent beautiful, blue skies, and more predictable weather. During these winter months, the region is quieter and less crowded. This means often you’ll feel like it’s just you that’s experiencing the beautiful islands at that time. You’ll often have scenic lookouts to yourselves, and a whole stretch of beach for your group!

There is abundant marine life year-round, including some absolute favourites – turtles, dolphins and Nemo fish. During the months of July – Sep, the sheltered waters of the Whitsunday Islands become the temporary home of migratory Humpback Whales. As they raise their calves with needed protection from predators, they can often be seen from the boats, breaching and diving. A truly spectacular sight. 

 

2026 SPECIAL - Walk, Sail & Snorkel the Whitsundays - 5 Day 4 Night

Why This Tour Is Truly Extraordinary

This is more than a liveaboard experience, this is an an active adventure filled trip exploring the very best of the Whitsundays creating unique and unforgetable memories.

Over 5 days and 4 nights, you'll get to sail aboard a historic sail boat, feeling the wind in her billowing sails as you navigate through 74 tropical islands.

Explore exclusive walking tracks through pristine national parkland.

We have sevearl walks planned just for you:

• The breathtaking Whitsunday Cairn (5-hour walk with panoramic views of all 74 islands)
• Hill Inlet Lookout for those Instagram-worthy swirling sand shots
• Ancient Nara Inlet sea caves featuring Aboriginal rock art
• Whitsunday Peak and Spion Kop for stunning island vistas

A trip to the Whitsundays would not be complete without snorkelling the vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

And because it all can't be "go, go, go" we have include some relaxing time as well. Relax on the world-famous Whitehaven Beach with the silica sands quite often just for yourselves before day-trippers arrive.

Highlights

✓ Exclusive Access – The only Walk the Whitsundays experience in the region
✓ Small Group – Maximum 24 guests for a personal, intimate adventure
✓ Expert Guide – Knowledgeable walking guide shares insights about the islands, history, and wildlife
✓ All-Inclusive – All meals, snacks, snorkelling gear, paddleboards, and national park fees included
✓ Historic Vessel – Sail aboard one of the Whitsundays' most iconic tall ships
✓ Perfect Season – Winter tours offer clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and warm waters

Our carefully crafted 5 Day 4 Night trip is a perfect fir for active guests 30+ travelers who share a passion for the outdoors, adventure, and authentic experiences. If you love bushwalking, appreciate small-group travel, and want to explore the Whitsundays in a way few others do, this tour is for you.

2026 Departures

Trip #1 - departs Airlie Beach 26th June 2026 at 4.00pm, returns 30th June 2026 at 12.00pm

Trip #2 - departs Airlie Beach 22nd September 2026 at 4.00pm, returns 26th September 2026 at 12.00pm

With only two departures for 2026 and only 24 guests per trip, make sure you book now.

Sample Itinerary

• DAY 1

Welcome to the Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP). Your complimentary Airport Transfers will take you to your accommodation (if arriving earlier) or direct to the marina if arriving the day of departure. 

3.30 pm Cruise check-in, Please meet our team at Coral Sea Marina South, at Meeting Point ‘C’ at 3.30 pm where you will be checked in for your cruise.

4 pm depart on Solway Lass for your Sunset and Dinner Cruise.  Enjoy a welcome platter and complimentary drinks during your sunset cruise through the Whitsunday Islands, before dining under the stars on the top deck.  A great way to meet your fellow walkers and crew.  Your first night’s anchorage will be at Cid Harbour, which is positioned perfectly in front of your first-morning walk.

• DAY 2

Wake up in your cosy cabin, before making your way up to the top deck where you will enjoy breakfast surrounded by inquisitive marine life and breathtaking island scenery.  After a hearty breakfast to fuel your day, we transfer over to Whitsunday Island for the Whitsunday Peak walk.   You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Whitsunday Islands.

After taking in the stunning views of the Whitsunday Islands we start making our way down to explore some of the surrounding beaches.  Back on board to enjoy a hearty lunch as you cruise south down through Fitzalan Passage sailing past Hamilton Island Catseye Bay.  We then sail around the bottom of Whitsunday Island around Turtle Bay in search of your very own private beach for sunset drinks on a beach.  Back onboard for dinner under the stars and anchor in Chance Bay for the night. 

• DAY 3

The next day, enjoy breakfast on board with your morning coffee before being transferred to the beach.  We start the day by walking the Chance Bay track which meets up with the Solway Circuit walk.  They then lead to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach (you will most likely have the beach to yourselves before the day-trippers arrive).   Here you will have plenty of time for beach activities including standup paddleboarding, swimming in the aqua blue waters.

Back onboard to refuel with a hearty lunch before we set sail over to Chalkies Beach on Haselwood Island for a snorkel, standup paddleboarding or enjoy a short walk to a quant lookout.  Up anchor to set sail North to Tongue Bay for a short bushwalk up to world-famous Hill Inlet lookout for your Instagram worthy shots of the swirling sands.  Back on board as we sail further north for overnight anchorage in Hook Passage, the perfect position for the Cairn walk in the morning.

• DAY 4

Wake up and enjoy breakfast on the top deck surrounded by the Whitsunday Islands and prepare for The Whitsunday Cairn walk, a five-hour walk rewarded with stunning views of the 74 islands that the Whitsundays is famous for.  Back on board for lunch before sailing over to Hook Island to a magical inlet called Nara Inlet, home to leisurely walk up to the Narago ancient sea caves where to this day you can view ancient cave paintings.  Anchoring in Nara Inlet for the evening.

• DAY 5

Wake up to your last day and enjoy breakfast on the top deck surrounded by islands.  Then head ashore to South Molle Island, where you will have your last walk up to Spion Kop.  This stunning track also passes an ancient Ngaro stone quarry, an area of shattered rock high on the hillside and spilling toward the sea.  Before finishing at a stunning lookout that looks back at the Molle group of islands and the mainland.

The time has come to set the sails for the final time and as we head back to mainland Australia arriving back at 11.00am / 12.00pm

Sample Menu

All meals are included over your 5 Day 4 Night exploration trip and includes snacks throughout the duration of the trip. We use locally sourced produce freshly prepared by our crew on board.

We chose to serve buffet-style meals as they work best on these trips and you can eat anywhere on the boat.

Meal time is always a great time to get to know your fellow passengers and share your stories.

Breafast is continental style and you can also expect hearty lunches.

You will never go hungry as we have plenty of snacks available throughout the day as well as tea and coffee.

• DAY 1

Afternoon Tea: Welcome Drinks, Sunset Platter – Dips and Crackers, Vegetable Crudités, Kabana, Olives, Onions, Gherkins

Dinner: Baked Parmesan Fish, Potato Bake, and Garden Salad (Vegetarian Option: Vegetarian “Fish”)

Dessert: Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free)

• DAY 2

Breakfast:  Croissants, Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast, Spreads, Scrambled Eggs, Tea, and Coffee

Morning Tea: Walking snacks provided (Fruit, Muesli Bars, Nut mix)

Lunch:  Build your own wraps, rolls or sandwiches With a Selection of Cooked Meats & Salads and Coleslaw (Vegetarian Option: Kofta/ Falafel)

Afternoon Tea: Nachos (Vegetarian)

Dinner: Chicken Sundried Tomato Pasta (Vegetarian Option:Tofu )

Dessert: Sticky Date Pudding

• DAY 3

Breakfast: Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast, Spreads, Tea, and Coffee

Morning Tea: Walking snacks provided (Fruit, Muesli Bars, Nut mix)

Lunch: Build your own wraps, rolls or sandwiches With a Selection of Cooked Meats, Salads and Potato Salad (Vegetarian Option: Falafel/Kofta)

Afternoon Tea:  Mini Quiches and Corn Fritters (Vegetarian)

Dinner: Shepherd’s Pie with Salad (Vegetarian Option: TVP Shepherds Pie)

Dessert: Cheesecake

• DAY 4

Breakfast: Croissants, Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast, Spreads, Scrambled Eggs, Tea, and Coffee

Morning Tea: Walking snacks provided (Fruit, Muesli Bars, Nut mix)

Lunch: Build your own wraps, rolls or sandwiches With a Selection of Cooked Meats & Salads, Pesto Pasta Salad (Vegetarian Option: Kofta/ Falafel)

Afternoon Tea: Bruschetta (Vegetarian)

Dinner: Green Chicken Curry with Jasmine Rice (Vegetarian Option: Green Tofu Curry with Jasmine Rice)

Dessert: Chocolate Cake

• DAY 5

Breakfast: Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast and Spreads, Scrambled Eggs, Tea and Coffee

Morning Tea: Selection of Cakes, Biscuits, Tea and Coffee

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Airlie Beach

Departure Time

Departs 9.00am - Returns 4.00pm

Departure Instructions

Departs and returns from the Coral Sea Marina

Destinations

• Hill Inlet
• Whitehaven Beach
• Tongue bay
• Hill Inlet Lookout
• Hook Island
• Langford Island Lookout

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Monday, Friday

Duration

3 Day 2 Night

Fitness Level Required

Active

Additional Information

BYO vessel

• Please pack your belongings for your trip in a soft-sided bag. Store hard luggage bags in Airlie Beach storage facilities.
• Clothes, beach towel, toiletries, hat, swimwear, sunscreen, jacket/sweater, camera, sunglasses, running shoes or sandals for island walks, cash or credit card for onboard purchases.

Minimum age 18