WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS AND AIRLIE BEACH, GREAT BARRIER REEF, QUEENSLAND

Whitsundays: boating safety

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The Whitsundays, off Airlie Beach in tropical Queensland, are Australia's busiest bareboat charter area: a group of islands inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with short hops between sheltered anchorages. Much of the area is national park and marine park with zoning rules.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 000
Call 000 and ask for Police. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Australia: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Coral Sea Marina (Airlie Beach) monitors VHF channel 09 during office hours, call sign "Coral Sea Marina"; boats must monitor channel 09 while moving in the marina, especially at the fuel wharf.

Coral Sea Marina · Coral Sea Marina ▾
coralseamarina.com (2026-10-14): “Coral Sea Marina monitors VHF channel 09 during office hours. Call sign “Coral Sea Marina”.”
coralseamarina.com (2026-10-14): “All guests are required to monitor VHF channel 09 whilst moving around the marina, in particular when using the fuel wharf.”

Weather

In Queensland, small-craft weather and safety information on VHF is broadcast by Volunteer Marine Rescue, Maritime Safety Queensland VTS and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard; most coastal radio stations announce their local forecast times on channel 16.

Bureau of Meteorology · Bureau of Meteorology ▾
bom.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Most coastal radio stations provide regular local weather forecasts on VHF radio, with instructions and broadcast times announced regularly on Channel 16.”
bom.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Queensland Volunteer Marine Rescue in Queensland Maritime Safety Queensland Vessel traffic services (VTS) Australian Volunteer Coast Guard”

Hazards

The Whitsundays are inside Queensland's crocodile habitat (Gladstone northwards). Estuarine crocodiles can be in any waterway and the sea, including beaches and offshore islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Be Crocwise when swimming, boating, camping and fishing.

Queensland Government – Be Crocwise · Queensland Government – Estuarine crocodile ▾
qld.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Crocodile habitat starts near Gladstone and extends north to the Torres Strait, across Cape York Peninsula and in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Estuarine crocodiles can be found in any waterways and the sea in this area.”
qld.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Although most commonly seen in tidal reaches of rivers, they also occur along beaches and offshore islands in the Great Barrier”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Whitsundays?

Call 000 and ask for Police. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Whitsundays?

In Queensland, small-craft weather and safety information on VHF is broadcast by Volunteer Marine Rescue, Maritime Safety Queensland VTS and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard; most coastal radio stations announce their local forecast times on channel 16.

Read before you sail

Ran aground? What to doCold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Gold Coast / Moreton Bay 527 nmSydney Harbour 826 nmNouméa 990 nmPort Phillip (Melbourne) AustraliaPort Vila VanuatuHobart / D'Entrecasteaux Channel AustraliaBay of Islands New ZealandFiji — Port Denarau Fiji

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