General Information

A Brief History of the Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday islands take their name from ‘Whitsunday’s passage’, the main waterway among the islands. The name was given by Captain James Cook on June 3rd 1770 in honour of the Christian Festival on the day of its discovery.

While unofficial, the term ‘Whitsunday islands’ refers to some 70-100 islands spread over more than 100 nautical miles. The Whitsunday islands generally include Snare Peak Island north to Gloucester Island and the Cumberland Isles in between.

Where are the Whitsunday Islands?

The Whitsunday islands lie off Queensland’s central north coast, surrounded by the stunningly-blue waters of the Pacific Ocean & Coral Sea.

Situated latitudinally above the Tropic of Capricorn, the Whitsunday islands enjoy an average maximum temperature of 27ºC and a minimum of 21ºC. With similar water temperatures year round, Whitsunday island holidays are popular with sailors, divers, anglers and the generally aquatically inclined.

Whitsunday Island Holidays and Other Attractions

Whitsunday island holidays are anything but short of attractions. The Great Barrier Reef is only a short distance from the Whitsunday islands. This natural wonder spans around 1200 nautical miles and its diverse marine life makes Whitsunday island holidays popular amongst divers.

Whitsunday island holidays are also synonymous with sailing and cruising. However, whitsunday island holidays are more than just a visit to ‘one of the best boating playgrounds in Australia’. Whitsunday island holidays give you access to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches , temperate waters , protected rainforests and luxury resorts.

Book one of our unforgettable Whitsunday island holidays today!

Eco Tourism

“Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation”.

Eco-Certified - Eco-tourism had become an important part of Ozsail  being able to monitor our impact on the environment.  Staff  training and awareness is a everyday part of the business, as we see the  staff and guests as an integral part of the success in the education  of Eco Tourism not only in the Whitsundays and Great barrier reef but everywhere around the world.

Policies and Procedures -As part of our ongoing commitment to Eco Tourism we consistently review our procedures and policy’s with an Eco –Friendly focus.

  • Recycling – We have recycling bins in the office and all our vessels. This waste is recycled at the recycle bins provided at Abel Point Marina. This includes cardboard, paper and cans.
  • Paper Use – printing of bigger documents is done double-sided. and office and vessel notes are also made out of left over scrap paper
  • Vessel Briefs – guidelines in Snorkel and Bushwalking Briefings for guests are preformed every time a location is reached. Fuel -the more we sail the less fuel we use. that’s got to be good! Eco-Training – Education of crew is foremost and Ozsail has developed a consistant method for training staff. Educating Guests – Crew are encouraged to interact with all guests about climate change and carbon foot prints.  Water Conservation – Passengers are restricted to 1 minute showers and toilets are set to flush at a low rate. Sewage Management Plan – .All Ozsail Vessels maintain an onboard sewerage management plan in compliance with local legislation and is held in on board holding tanks.  Compliance - All Ozsail Staff are trained on legislative regulations by Maritime Safety QLD, OH&S , the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and QLD Parks and Wildlife Service, to ensure minimal impact on our region. Minimal disturbance to wildlife – All or vessels and crew assess the locations we visit to avoid disrupting wildlife and minimizing impact on our stunning islands
  • If you require any further information on this program please visit www.ecotourism.org.au or ask for more information by the way of pamphlets and books at our office or the crew while you are on board visiting the stunning Whitsundays.