Taking the family sailing into the azure blue of the Whitsunday Islands off Australia’s coast is easy; the hard part could be taming them before returning to civilization.
Now and then, a shared moment strikes that just shouts ‘Unforgettable,’ and you know it will stay with you and your child your entire lives. I am in such a time.
Seawater is shooting through the catamaran’s net, spraying my elder son who is sitting on my lap at the front of the boat. It rises and dips in the waters of Australia’s bright blue coral sea, while birds wheel above and islands dot the horizon. Every dip and rise creates more spray, more delighted squeals and causes little fingers to clutch mine in excitement.
We are sailing among the Whitsundays, part of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef on Australia’s east coast, and it is giving our family a sense of shared freedom, hardly experienced on land. Land had been fine as a prelude to this. We enjoyed plenty of water activities including seakayaking, windsurfing, jet skiing and paddleboarding on Hamilton Island, however, sailing was topping it all.
Our family at Sea is a Solo Adventure
Would we be OK? Would we be able to ensure a family holiday full of fun, sun, sea and sand? Would we run aground?
We chose a chartered catamaran, through the long respected company, Sunsail. Our independent little tribe opted to have a whole boat to ourselves. However, all our food is with us. Instead of shopping ourselves and lugging it to the yacht, we opted for Sunsail to provision us, supplying food that lasts the entire trip.
Yachting means that everything travels with you and as any parent knows, being free of the burdens of constantly packing and unpacking is not to be underestimated, as is the convenience of simply strolling to the fridge for a drink or a snack. Just meters away from where son and I sit at the front of the boat, lies four cabins, a kitchen, a lounge, and an outdoor table with seats all making up the compact accommodation.
My eldest son proudly bears the title of “Cabin Boy” and is suffering no one else to supervise the nightly moorings, or be the first out of the dinghy when we reach island shores to play on silky white beaches or walk in the forests. Two-year-old offspring surprises us all by sighting dolphins one day and jumping up on grandma’s lap, pointing and squealing until we all run to the rails to watch these amazing animals leap about. Youngest son sleeps more soundly than any other time in his life. The rocking of the boat has him dozing before the first bedtime story is finished and he spends much of the daytime also sleeping soundly in a cabin. Aaaah, now that is a fond memory to last the rest of one’s sleepless parenthood.
Exploring Sea & Land Within the Sheltered Great Barrier Reef
Though both are a little young for snorkeling, they want to know all about the underwater life, especially where Nemo’s home and school are. We could check into several inhabited islands for doses of civilization, but decide against it. With no one else to look at us and judge, we have the enviable opportunity to go feral. Every family should have a time where they can kick off the shackles of keeping clean, keeping track of time and having to be mindful of the neighbors.
This does not mean we can totally shrug off responsibility. Sunsail has given us pre-charter briefings, we are in regular radio contact with them and know where the onboard first aid kit is stored. Well-prepared, well-stocked and filled with a sense of adventure and freedom, we have left it all behind to enjoy days filled with beautiful scenery, including an ever-moving montage of green, forested islands, some close and beckoning, others far off and mysterious.
We explore forest tracks, being able to take all day if we need (young children are not known for their brisk, focused walks), sailed up inlets to discover rocky cliffs, and floated into little bays. Wildlife seeks us out. Green turtles poke their heads above the water like moving wrinkled periscopes and eagles spiral on the thermals above us.
The kids spend their time barefoot, half-naked and thriving on a wild diet of beachcombing deserted beaches, paddling, swimming and using nature’s toys — sticks, rocks, boulders and trees — as playgrounds.
We adults are finding our untamed sides almost as fast and there is something happening to all of us: an ease together and an emerging of carefree personalities that do not usually get a look in.
Now we are sailing back to Hamilton Island, unsure about draping the garb of civilization back around us, but definitely full of memories of sharing a happy, uncivilized holiday at sea.
Tips for Overnight Sailing with Children
Safety is the first thing that pops into every parent’s mind when boarding a boat, however, your children are safer than we may first think. Various features such as railing and netting create a safe environment for children and the Whitsundays do not present the kind of large ocean waves present further out to sea.
We can keep the following in mind for a fun and safe yachting holiday:
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Always be close to young children when on deck
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A detachable car seat for a baby may make life easy for his comfort and ability to eat at the table
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Children who can swim will find the water a lot of fun
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Make sure everyone wears sunblock and hats (take spares in case any are lost) and stay under the yacht’s sunshades during the hot part of the day
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Young children should wear lifejackets when on deck
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Older children and teenagers thrive when given responsibilities not usually known on shore, including working the radio or steering under supervision, passage planning, cooking and anchoring.
Trip Planning Details for Whitsundays Yacht Charters and Hamilton Island
For information about chartering a yacht in the Whitsundays (or really anywhere around the world as their portfolio is very varied), visit Sunsail.
For information on the Whitsunday Islands region, and other things to see and do there, visit Whitsundays Holiday Information.
Hamilton Island is a large real estate development with holiday homes ranging from big estates to hotel rooms, bungalows to villas along the golfing greens. It is a very popular base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. There’s more information by checking out Hamilton Island online.
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this is a beautiful piece of work!
this is a beautiful piece of work!
We went to Crown Paradise Cancun on 22nd Aug 09, a family of two kids age 9 and 3. It was the best experience. I have been to Maui, Hawaii in the summer of 2006, it beat that up. Couple of steps from the club to one of the best beach so you don't have to go exploring the place for beach fun. Take fresh cooked warm meals to the beach along with drinks, it is so convenient. You can never be hungry as room svcs is 24 hrs. 5 fancy restaurants you can dress up and go in the evening. Child care facilities all included. The perks are endless and the people are friendly.
Would love to go back in a heart beat
Really nice post. Thanks for sharing us.
Great article! It's good to know that there are lots of arts and athletic activities for kids to do at these lighthouses
Great article! It's good to know that there are lots of arts and athletic activities for kids to do at these lighthouses.
here is new information about the Alashan Desert in Inner Mongolia that listed in the UNECO, I think.
I love the grassland, horses, sheeps, clean and blue sky, red sun and silver moon, …
My husband and I are looking to host a family reunion in June, 2010 for about 25 family members – we would need lodging for all (8-10 bedrooms) and meals. All coming from Maryland – need travel information; driving distance and nearest airport. Thanks you
Pick this one Claudie!
According to a report by Channel 6 in Wilmington, Bald Head Island was named for a geographical feature, not an anatomical one. In sailors' terms, the "head" of an island is its highest peak, the landmark most visible at distance from the sea.
When first seen, this island next to the Cape Fear River (and a very important navigation point) could be spotted by its highest point, a sand dune at the river's mouth. A high point or 'head' covered in sand was known as a 'bald head' therefore the island's name.
let us know how your visit goes!
I already know Puerto Plata, I visited it last year when some friends and I went to pick my big brother up at charlisangels Caribbean vacations, he was spending an single vacations there. I have to admit this city has beautiful places.
hi
This is a beautiful island. I was there with my 5 year old just before Hurricane Wilma damaged the reefs, and I hear that it's all come back nicely. It's a great beach for kids cause it's very clean sand, with shallow warm water. No surf either…
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What is the origin of the name, "Baldhead Island"?
Need a form traveling with my daughters and my dog to Canada
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We had a terrible time with the dot2dot service. When we arrived at St. Pancras we were not able to find the van. We called for assistance but were put on hold for 15 minutes. Unfortunately, there is only a fifteen minute window to catch the van. Even so when we finally got through the agent directed us out the wrong door and the call was disconnected. When we called back we were on hold for another 9 minutes when we saw a dot2dot van drive by us and ignore our attempts to wave it down. We ended up catching a very expensive cab to Heathrow. When we contact dot2dot about this thinking we could get at least a partial refund we were told to kiss off. They claim there service is good, but 15 minute holds and wrong directions under these circumstances is not good service.
Other than that this is a good article.
What kind of form need kid to have to travel with no parents. Parents will met him(her) at distanation aeroport.
Thanks.
Skiboards are not just for kids.
A very nice overview of the city with lots of great information (And thanks for mentioning the CVB, Positively Cleveland, as a resource for travelers.) I'd just add two points–for those who haven't been to Cleveland in years, there are some new downtown dining/nightlife districts in addition to the west bank of The Flats that include Gateway, East Fourth Street and the Warehouse District. And, in addition to nearby Geauga Lake, there is what has been repeatedly voted the greatest amusement park in the world–Cedar Point. Also, travelers looking for discounts might want to try the Cleveland Plus Pass, a multi-attraction discount ticket that gives admission to 10 major attractions at a savings of 30% or more.
What's more fun for kids than camping?
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wow…very nice views and good adventures,and everything there were look like morning pearl bright lighting,and it's seems to me that was very happy family enjoying them happily and freely as their desires appeared on each them own faces,mates.I ask you might add any other interesting views like those above available .
THANK YOU
Sue Morse: Please see the form at the end of the article. Fill it out with the proper informatin and the forms will be sent to you. Thanks!
please email me a travel permission letter and also a medical permission letter.
Thank you
My name is Mercedes Abreu I was a Teachers' Assistant at John Young Elementary School.I love children! During the summers I would babysit kids whos parents had to work during the day.I have also worked whith many diffent age groups,ranging from new born to school aged children.
i like 2 job there what i can do
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parisattitude was indeed hepful during our stay in Paris on june 2009.
nice hotel to stay
i'm feeling watch envirment
It is an interesting experience to find prejudice you thought never existed. Great story!
This is awesome. You set the scene really well.
I love how you only focused on the greeting. Very memorable.
Wow, what a privilege! Twelve private accesses per year!
You guys really need to add a place to click on for the prices because i 39 and was hoping to take my ten kids up there camping but i do not know the prices… and i actually thought about being a regular camper there. your gonna loose alot of money since no one even knows how much we are supposed to pay!!!!
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dear you
we want to travel to your country but we can't.we need visa for it and visa need to invitation and invitation letter need to your kind attend.
please inform me.
sincerely yours
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Hello,
This is a nice and valuable article. Thank you very much.
I like to work beside the beach such as having shop, ship, and selling sea shells
I like to work beside the beach like have shop ,ship or sea shels
Great title, great story.
Amen. Terrifying. It’s amazing that you got to travel there, though.
Wow, what a great opportunity!