Elite Traveler September-October 2016

elite traveler SEPT/OCT 2016 110

From top right: sea planes are everyday transport here; a kookaburra

“We were at Manta Ray Bay (on Hook Island) yesterday with 40 people on board, swimming with giant grouper and trevally,” says Mark Richards, captain of the Oatleys’ race-winning sailing yacht Wild Oats XI. “The fish are rubbing against you in crystal-clear water. It’s so special.” The reef that fringes Orpheus Island throngs with more than 1,000 species of fish, and nearby is a garden of giant clams – swimming above their shells feels like some Captain Nemo adventure. Lady Elliot Island is turtle territory. Loggerhead and green sea varieties are often curious enough to paddle right up to swimmers, but if you want to see hatchlings scuttling down the beach, come between November andMarch. The roll call of natural wonders between the 74 islands runs from the tiniest rainbow-colored fishes to reef sharks, six-foot-long potato cod and an embarrassment of whales. “Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands are home to ‘the great eight’, these being whales, turtles, sharks, clownfish, giant clams, rays, cod and grouper and the Maori wrasse,” says dive pro David A plume of white a couple of hundred yards off signals the presence of a humpback whale. Nature steals the show Stielow, owner and founder of Explore Group on Hamilton Island. “Our location at Bait Reef frequently has all of the great eight – whales being July to September – and our resident Maori wrasse, Wally, swims among our snorkelers daily. Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles are found on the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays.” Yachts up to 210ft can berth at Hamilton Island’s main marina – larger ones can anchor off Qualia and you can explore more freely in a mid-sized yacht. There are 17 anchorages for superyachts in the Whitsunday Islands, and vessels over 115ft are generally restricted from fringing reefs and beaches, so guests must tender in. However big you go, yachts open up a social scene and for sailors, competition on the pristine waters around the islands is key. Motor boats follow the fleet out to watch the action and I’ve snagged a spot on the bow of a motor cruiser Andiamo with her owner Sandy Oatley (son of Bob, father of Nicky). A plume of white a couple of hundred yards off signals the presence of a humpback whale, and then a great tail slides up from the broiling surf. Nature steals the show again.

THE DETAILS GO... Air Hamilton Island Air, +61 749 699 599, hamiltonislandair.com

STAY... Hamilton Island Beach House at Qualia from $4,000 per night. +1 424 206 5278, enquiries@ qualiabookings.com, qualia.com.au Lizard Island The Villa costs from $4,350 per night. Two nights of exclusive island use from $172,000. JanelleWilson, director of sales, +61 3 9413 6200, lizardisland.com.au One&Only Hayman Island Resort Three-Bedroom Owner’s Penthouse costs from $9,000 per night, inclusive of breakfast, in-room bar, non-motorized watersports, tennis, squash, croquet and golf putting and chipping. The cost of a sole-use buy-out of the resort is possible. From $375,000 inclusive of accommodation, all meals and beverages. Scott Williams, general manager, +61 2 9308 0500 or +1 866 552 0001, oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only- hayman-island-australia

Sea Hamilton Island Marina offers high-flow diesel, provisioning, dry cleaning and a VIP marina concierge service. Berths must be booked in advance. +61 7 4946 8353, hamiltonisland.com.au Abell Point Marina at Airlie Beach is the major superyacht facility for the Whitsundays. Fresh from a $9m facelift, it offers three-phase power up to 125A, berthing up to 229ft, concierge services, high-flow bunkering, 24-hour security, on-site storage and deep-water berths to 16ft LAT. Concierge services include courtesy cars and a helipad. +61 7 4946 2400, abellpointmarina.com.au For more on large yachting in Australia, contact superyacht-australia.com

Heron Island The Beach House costs from $630 per night, which includes breakfast. JanelleWilson, director of sales, +61 3 9413 6200, heronisland.com Haggerstone Island This resort’s top villa is House Mawu, a three-bed clifftop villa with ocean views. All activities and meals are included. Costs from $656 per person, per night. Exclusive use of the island costs from $5,250 per night. Anna Turner, +61 740 603 399, haggerstoneisland.com.au PLAY... For sailing, diving, sunset cruising and wildlife encounters, contact David Stielow, Explore Group, +61 7 4946 9664, exploregroup.com.au