• Private luxury yacht charter from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea with fully tailored single and multi-day itineraries.
• Overnight accommodation for up to 8 guests in four ensuite cabins with chef-prepared meals and professional crew service throughout your charter.
• Guided snorkelling, scuba diving (extra cost) and water sports at remote outer reef sites and secluded sand cays with all equipment included.
• Cairns yacht charter for up to 18 guests on 1 day charters

Discover the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea on a private luxury yacht charter departing Cairns. Designed for guests seeking exclusive access to remote reef systems, coral cays and outer reef with the flexibility of a fully tailored itinerary.

What to Expect

Whitehaven departs from Cairns for custom Great Barrier Reef yacht charters crafted around your interests, time frame and preferred pace. Single and Multi-day itineraries are popular, allowing flexibility to navigate to outer reef locations, untouched snorkelling sites and remote sand cays in the Coral Sea.

Each day is shaped by weather conditions and guest preferences. You may spend the morning enjoying guided snorkelling over vibrant coral gardens, followed by scuba diving on selected reef systems, fishing in productive blue-water grounds, or enjoying water sports directly from the yacht.  Beach picnics on secluded cays and seasonal wildlife encounters can all be incorporated into your itinerary.

Onboard, a professional crew comprising an experienced skipper, first mate, chef, deckhand and stewardess ensures smooth operations, safety and attentive service. Meals are prepared fresh onboard and tailored to dietary requirements, while the crew manage all marine park permits, navigation and anchoring logistics.

We can cater to up to 18 guests onboard a 1 day charter and sleep up to 8 overnight.

Minke Whale Season – Extended Charter Opportunities

Between June and August each year, the northern Great Barrier Reef becomes one of the only places in the world where swimmers and divers may encounter Dwarf Minke Whales in their natural environment. These curious, fast-moving whales are known for approaching vessels voluntarily, creating rare in-water viewing opportunities under strict marine park guidelines. During Minke Whale season, daily whale interaction permits can be secured for extended private yacht charters, allowing guests to incorporate authorised whale swim experiences into their customised Cairns itinerary. All interactions are conducted in accordance with Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority regulations to ensure both guest safety and wildlife protection.

Ultimate Sportsfishing – Mothership Experience

For serious anglers seeking extended range and variety, Whitehaven can operate as a fully supported mothership for a dedicated sportsfishing expedition on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. In addition to the main yacht’s facilities and crew, three specialist vessels — Kiama, Ghost and Contender — can be chartered alongside to maximise fishing opportunities across multiple reef systems and offshore grounds. This configuration allows guests to return each evening to the comfort of their luxury yacht, with chef-prepared meals, spacious accommodation and full service, while spending each day chasing pelagic and reef species in purpose-built fishing boats guided by experienced crews.

1 Day Charter - Sample Itinerary

Your private Great Barrier Reef yacht charter commences with boarding from 8:00am at Cairns. As the yacht makes its way offshore, guests are served a freshly prepared breakfast by the onboard chef, setting the tone for a full day on the water.

While cruising toward the Outer Great Barrier Reef, the crew conduct comprehensive snorkelling and diving briefings, outlining site conditions, safety protocols and marine life awareness. Transit time to the reef is generally between two and three hours, depending on sea conditions and the selected location.

Guests who enjoy a touch of sportfishing may choose to set lines between reef sites, trolling for species such as Spanish mackerel or tuna when conditions are suitable.

Common outer reef destinations include Hastings Reef, Thetford Reef, Milln Reef and Flynn Reef. These established reef systems are known for consistent visibility, structured coral formations and diverse marine life. Final site selection is based on weather patterns and guest water confidence to ensure optimal comfort and conditions.

Upon arrival, guests can swim or snorkel prior to lunch, or remain onboard to relax. A light lunch is prepared and served at your preferred time. The afternoon allows for a second snorkel or dive session before departing the reef by approximately 3:00pm.

The cruise back to Cairns is steady and unhurried. Drinks and canapés are served as the yacht returns toward the marina, with arrival scheduled for approximately 6:00pm.

For those preferring a more leisurely itinerary centred around relaxation rather than multiple reef locations, the charter can instead cruise to Vlasoff Cay.

Situated around 1.5 hours from Cairns, this sand cay experience offers extended time in calm, shallow water. Guests can swim, snorkel directly from the beach, unwind on the sand or remain onboard enjoying the privacy of this isolated reef setting before returning to Cairns later in the afternoon.

2 Day 1 Night - Sample Itinerary

Day 1 – Outer Reef Exploration

Your private yacht charter departs Cairns Marlin Marina at 8:00am (departure time is flexible). As the yacht cruises toward the Outer Great Barrier Reef, guests are welcomed onboard with a chef-prepared breakfast served in the open-air deck spaces or saloon.

During the passage across the Coral Sea, the crew provide detailed snorkelling and diving briefings, covering site conditions, marine life awareness and safety procedures. Guests may relax on deck, take in the ocean views or settle into the shaded lounge areas as the reef approaches.

Reef sites are selected according to weather and guest preferences. 

Between reef locations, there is the option to troll for species such as Spanish mackerel or tuna, introducing a light sportfishing element to the day without interrupting the relaxed pace.

A fresh lunch is prepared onboard by your private chef and served at leisure. The afternoon may include additional snorkelling or diving at a second reef site, or simply time spent relaxing on the aft deck or sun lounges.

As the afternoon light softens, the yacht moves to a protected overnight anchorage on the Great Barrier Reef. If conditions permit, guests may enjoy a casual sunset fish from the vessel before gathering for canapés and drinks while the sky shifts to evening tones.

Dinner is prepared by the onboard chef and served alfresco beneath the open sky. After dinner, guests retreat to air-conditioned cabins for a quiet night anchored on the reef.

Day 2 – Reef Sunrise & Further Exploration

The day begins with sunrise over the Great Barrier Reef, followed by a freshly prepared breakfast served onboard.

The morning offers further snorkelling and diving at selected reef sites, with locations again chosen to suit sea conditions and guest experience levels. This flexible structure allows for either active exploration or a slower pace.

Guests may choose to paddleboard, swim, fish or simply relax on deck while surrounded by the reef environment.

A relaxed lunch is served before the yacht commences the return cruise to Cairns. The journey home is unhurried, offering time to enjoy the final ocean views and reflect on two days exploring the Outer Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea by private yacht.

Arrival back to Cairns Marlin Marina is approximately 5:00pm on Day 2.

All charters can be tailored to accommodate special occasions, family travel or activity-focused itineraries across the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.

 

Accommodation & Comfort

Whitehaven accommodates up to eight guests overnight across four private ensuite cabins. The layout includes a spacious master suite, two double cabins and a bunk room, ideal for families or mixed groups. Select cabins can be configured as twin singles to suit different group compositions. All cabins feature smart televisions, excluding the bunk room.

For day charters from Cairns, the yacht comfortably hosts up to 12 guests. Larger groups may be considered on request with additional crew engaged to maintain safety and service standards.

The vessel is purpose-built for relaxed island cruising and reef exploration, offering generous indoor and outdoor living spaces. The light-filled saloon provides a calm retreat between activities, while the expansive aft deck is arranged for alfresco dining. Forward sun lounges beneath shade umbrellas offer space to unwind, and the elevated top deck is ideal for sunset drinks overlooking the Coral Sea.

To enhance comfort underway, Whitehaven is equipped with active stabilisers when cruising and deployable stabilisers at anchor, delivering a steady and smooth experience even in open-water conditions.

A rigid inflatable tender supports snorkelling, diving and transfers to remote sand cays. For extended adventures such as dedicated fishing excursions or exploring further afield across the Coral Sea, larger centre-console vessels can be arranged.

 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

As per private charter agreement

Destinations

• Fitzroy Island
• Great Barrier Reef
• Green Island
• Lizard Island
• Port Douglas

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

As per private charter agreement

Available for Purchase / Hire

• BYO Alcohol - Online Orders can be picked up by Crew
• Scuba diving

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Personal items in soft bag

Children are to be supervised at all times by the private charter guests and their personal carers