Airlie Beach
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Revision as of 14:39, 23 March 2016
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Airlie Beach is the main centre for cruising in the Whitsunday Islands. The town of Airlie Beach is primarily a tourism base, catering mainly to the young backpacker market. The suburb of Cannonvale is the best location for supermarkets, hardware stores and the like. There is a good bus service that runs between Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach and Cannonvale. There is an anchorage available in front of the town and the Abell Point Marina usually has spare berths.
Cruising the Region
The surrounding cruising grounds are very crowded with charter and tourist boats, not to mention many visiting cruising boats. There are many high speed tour boats with the consequent wakes disturbing anchorages. Don't expect much in the way of basic courtesy on the water. Don't assume that road rules are known or understood. Many charterers are competent, experienced sailors, but not all of them. Expect crowded anchorages and make allowance for the anchoring mistakes of others.
There are strong tidal flows in the area, especially in the Whitsunday Passage and these can cause difficult sailing conditions. It is worth taking tidal streams into account when planning boat movements.
Local Weather
See Queensland
Charts
- Australian Hydrographic Service
- Aus252 -- Australia East Coast - Queensland - Whitsunday Group
- Aus253 -- Australia East Coast - Queensland - Whitsunday Passage
- Aus254 -- Australia East Coast - Queensland - Plans in Whitsundays
Radio Nets
See Whitsundays
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Once inside the reef there are no major hazards in approaching Airlie Beach. From the south enter via the Whitsunday Passage between Whitsunday Island and the Molle Islands, or the Molle Channel between the Molle Islands and the mainland. Be aware of Pioneer Rocks north of Pioneer Point but they are well marked. Stay outside these rocks, I have seen even shallow drafted multi hulls ground unexpectedly between Pioneer Rocks and the mainland.
Berthing Options
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Abell Point Marina. This is the main marina in the area. It is cheaper than Hamilton Island, but still very expensive by most standards. The marina has changed ownership recently, and is now no longer owned by Meridien Marinas who were in receivership. It is close to the township of Airlie Beach and has a good range of services on location, including showers, laundromat, a small chandlery, nearby travel lift and restaurants. Some charter companies are based there
- Port of Airlie. This residential and marina complex is half completed and is also in the hands of receivers. No further construction work was occurring in 2012
- Whitsunday Sailing Club. The Club allows use of the dinghy dock and showers for a small fee. Note that the dock is tidal and the small sheltered bay reverts to deep sticky mud at low tide. The food at the club is good, but I didn't like the coffee. There is a small laundromat
Anchorages
Anchorage in front of Airlie Beach can be difficult. There is a huge number of moored vessels in most areas, leaving only limited spots for boats wishing to anchor. The wake from commercial vessels can make the anchorage uncomfortable. Note that although the anchorage is quite shallow and the bottom is mud, the holding can be treacherous.
- Shoal draft boats often can find anchorage near the Sailing Club
- There is a small area near the entrance to the Abell Point Marina. This is convenient, but is particularly troubled by wake
- More comfortable anchorage can be found north of the moorings, in the general vicinity of the VMR.
All these anchorages are completely exposed to the north and potentially dangerous if the wind should shift to that direction. Dinghy landing can be found at the Public Jetty inside the Abell Point Marina.
For a small fee you can land at the Whitsunday Sailing Club dinghy dock. The club has showers and a laundromat. Note that the dock is tidal and not always accessible - you might want to check the tides before paying for access.
There is a small beach suitable for dinghy landing near the VMR launching ramp. This is a useful landing for walking to the Whitsunday Shopping Centre.
Note that Funnel Bay, to the east of Airlie Beach, lives up to its name in strong southerlies, delivering frighteningly strong bullets. It is not a good spot to sit out a strong southerly change
Offshore Islands and Groups
See Whitsundays.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
- Marlin Marine at Jubilee Pocket on the Shute Harbour road. An excellent chandlery with good prices
- Whitsunday Ocean Services specialises in liferafts, inflatable dinghies and outboards. They provide excellent service. They are in Jubilee Pocket, a short bus ride from Airlie Beach on the road to Shute Harbour
- BCF at Cannovale
- There is a small chandlery in the Able Point Marina
- There is a small chandlery at the Hamilton Island Marina
Repairs/Yards
- Travel Lift services are available in Abel Point
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- There is a fuel wharf inside the Abel Point Marina
- Water
- The easiest way to obtain water is from the Public Jetty in the Abel point Marina. Berthing here is restricted to half an hour, but this is adequate to take on water.
- Electricity
- Only available in marina berths.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
List places of interest, tours, etc.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Whitsunday Shopping Centre has a supermarket, excellent vegetable shop, banks and tother such facilities
- Cannonvale Centro shopping centre
Eateries
- Airlie Beach is full of restaurants, mostly aimed at the backpacker market
Internet/WiFi
Free wi-fi (or cheap, for the cost of a coffee and/or a meal) is available at many of the cafes in the town area.
Laundry
- There is an excellent laundromat at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre.
- There is a laundromat at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
- While there is at least one laundromat in Airlie Beach, this is predominantly used by backpackers.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
- There are large bins at the Sailing Club
- There are general rubbish bins around much of the foreshore
Transportation
- Local buses run frequently. Note that the bus route includes the Abell Point Marina - pick up is close to the Public Jetty, just in front of the buildings that service the western half of the marina.
- Airports are at Proserpine and Hamilton Island.
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Airlie Beach on wikipedia
- Airlie Beach on wikivoyage
- Whitsunday Islands on wikipedia
- Great Barrier Reef on wikipedia
- Whitsunday Islands on wikivoyage
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- Pedro - August 2012
- Delatbabel - November 2007
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
Contributors to this page
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Names: Lighthouse, Delatbabel, Haiqu, Pedro |