Testimonial

No words can describe our holiday, but I will try. Despite sailing into a headwind most of the time, we accomplished our plan to circumnavigate the Whitsundays from as far south as Lindeman Island and north as Hayman Island. Within hours of sailing out from Abel Point Marina we were thrilled to see a pod of humpback whales heading south. From there the holiday just got better! Over the 8 days we chartered we caught glimpses of a reef shark, whales, a (huge) manta ray, heaps of turtles and too many fish to count. Including a friendly Bat fish that was hanging out under the Lavezzi while anchored at Blue Pearl Bay. Not to mention the bird life, the sea eagles catching fish metres off the stern was great to see. We constantly found ourselves on deck looking at the stunning scenery, not saying a word to each other for hours at a time. Its so hard to pick a highlight from the trip because all the Whitsunday Islands are so picturesque, but the fact that we all decided to spend 2 and a half days at Whitehaven Beach might be some indication of our favourite location. In saying this I wish that we had spent more time snorkelling up at Blue Pearl Bay and around the north of Hayman island, 1 day just wasn't enough!! I must also give a mention to Esk Island just east of Hill inlet. If you are lucky like us and get the only available mooring after 2pm you get the entire island to yourself for the night. The beach here consists of dead coral that washes ashore with the tides. Thanks to the entire area around Esk Island being a marine conservation zone, the island is surrounded by reefs easily visible from the surface at low tide. We took over 100 photos from Esk Island alone, every one perfect. Then again its hard to not take a good photo in the Whitsundays. Thanks to all the Cumberland crew for a great holiday that is going to be hard to beat.... but don't worry, I will be back next year to try and top it you can count on it!!!

No words can describe our holiday, but I will try. Despite sailing into a headwind most of the time, we accomplished our plan to circumnavigate the Whitsundays from as far south as Lindeman Island and north as Hayman Island. Within hours of sailing out from Abel Point Marina we were thrilled to see a pod of humpback whales heading south. From there the holiday just got better! Over the 8 days we chartered we caught glimpses of a reef shark, whales, a (huge) manta ray, heaps of turtles and too many fish to count. Including a friendly Bat fish that was hanging out under the Lavezzi while anchored at Blue Pearl Bay. Not to mention the bird life, the sea eagles catching fish metres off the stern was great to see. We constantly found ourselves on deck looking at the stunning scenery, not saying a word to each other for hours at a time. Its so hard to pick a highlight from the trip because all the Whitsunday Islands are so picturesque, but the fact that we all decided to spend 2 and a half days at Whitehaven Beach might be some indication of our favourite location. In saying this I wish that we had spent more time snorkelling up at Blue Pearl Bay and around the north of Hayman island, 1 day just wasn't enough!! I must also give a mention to Esk Island just east of Hill inlet. If you are lucky like us and get the only available mooring after 2pm you get the entire island to yourself for the night. The beach here consists of dead coral that washes ashore with the tides. Thanks to the entire area around Esk Island being a marine conservation zone, the island is surrounded by reefs easily visible from the surface at low tide. We took over 100 photos from Esk Island alone, every one perfect. Then again its hard to not take a good photo in the Whitsundays. Thanks to all the Cumberland crew for a great holiday that is going to be hard to beat.... but don't worry, I will be back next year to try and top it you can count on it!!!