The overnight bus arrived very early morning and we dropped our bags off and went to find breakfast while we wait for hostel to open so we can grab a shower before we go to meeting about Whitsundays sailing trip. Our group had about thirty people in and everyone seemed cool which was good. After the briefing we grabbed our bags and brought some beers for the trip before heading down to the marina to get on the boat. The weather was (once again...) gorgeous and boiling hot for our trip so we had an early beer sitting by the marina chatting and getting to know the group whilst we waited for the boat to be ready.
It was a long wait in the midday sun but the beers made it easier and we finally got to board our boat (a catamaran) 'The Pride of Airlie'. The boat had massive ice coolers at back to keep our beers cool which was great! We then set sail and headed straight to the island where we would be spending both nights of the trip which has a hostel with good facilities. We spent the trip over there all soaking up the sun, chatting and enjoying a beer (or two!). We then all headed to dinner which was really good (as was all the food on the trip) before having a party at the on site bar in the evening.
We had an early start and breakfast was served from half six and the boat was leaving at seven whether we were there or not! Pretty much everyone made it to breakfast (John didn't though!), although most were moving a little gingerly and feeling a little worse for wear! Everyone made the boat though and we set sail for the famous Whitehaven beach, which has really white sand, apparently 98% silica! Before going onto the beach itself we walked to the viewpoint where we had to queue up to take a picture of Whitehaven! We then headed down to beach itself. We only had two hours which was a little disappointing and the negative fact about having everything arranged for you on a trip, you go when they say go (unlike Fraser Island). Still the beach was beautiful and we chilled out in the crystal waters after playing a bit frisbee. Afterwards we headed back to the bay on the other side of the island to get back on the boat and head to our first snorkeling site.
We had been told about wearing stinger suits to protect us from deadly jellyfish stings but as it was not the season for them most of us went in without. We jumped straight off the boat and swam out to the coral which was close to the shore. Once I got past the panic of feeling like I wasn't taking on enough air I really enjoyed snorkeling. The coral was so close to you and there were loads of fish swimming right past your mask. After about forty minutes or so we were all pretty tired (it had been a long day) so we all rested up on the boat and enjoyed sailing back to the island with a cool beer in hand (again!). When we got back to the island a group of us decided to play golf on the free nine hole course and rushed around it before it got dark which was a good laugh! We all then headed for dinner before another party and more beer! It was a good laugh and there was a limbo contest (which I came joint first in)! Most people called it an early night as they were all tired but we stayed up late again as we had a later departure time in the morning than the previous day!
Our final day came around quickly and also finished quicker than we would of liked as we would arrive back at Airlie beach mid afternoon. Unlike the Fraser Island trip Whitsundays was one full day and two half days so the time goes much quicker unfortunately. We went to do some snorkeling for a second time and this time it was much easier as the coral was a little deeper so you were not panicking about touching it like the previous day where some people had cut themselves quite badly. After forty minutes or so of swimming about we all got back on the boat and enjoyed our last beers sailing on the boat in the sun as we set sail for the marina. Once we had picked up all our stuff from the boat we headed to the man-made lagoon at Airlie (as the beach is really a tiny harbour) and all stayed there drinking what was left our beers and chatting enjoying the sunshine before we had to get the overnight bus to Mission Beach.
