If you want to take a sailing trip through the Whitsunday Islands and see the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, this cruise is ok. The rooms and the crew were exactly that: ok. Nothing special, but not bad either. The food was reasonable, budget but good. Which totally appalled us was the dive experience. We are quite experienced scuba divers ourself. When we checked in, no one had a clue about the diving on board. No one could tell us what kind of valve system they would use, etc. they did not inform you that you are not allowed to take any bag which has a zipper anywhere, so we had to repack everything in there office and take plastic bags on board. Our dive guide was inexperienced and arrogant, refusing any advice and making a lot of mistakes under the water as well as above it. We had one licensed, but inexperienced girl with us, and he did nothing to help or insure her. He never gave a proper briefing, did not listen to her problems and tried to force her under water when she had problems breathing due to nervousness. This resulted in her not going on any dive after the first check dive. And for the guys that went for discover dives, it was a totally rushed thing, they just tried to get as many people as possible and as often as possible under water, disregarding a lot of safety procedures and with no personal attention, teaching or learning. We thought it was dangerous and in that way I could imagine, that people will never dive again after such a horrible experience.

OK, so I live here, but there's so much to do! See a sample of some of my photos of things we get up to in Airlie and around the islands.

Airlie Beach is the place to catch your boat for your Whitsunday sailing cruise, but that's about it. There's not much else to do there. There's a main strip (Shute Harbour Road) and an Esplanade - this is where the restaurants, shops and hostels are. We spent two nights prior and two nights post-sailing trip, I wish we had only spent one night on either end, as there's not much to do. No beach to hang out on, only a man-made swimming lagoon. It's not a terrible place at all, but I would only recommend it as a launching pad for your sailing trip, then move on to other areas of the country.

Airlie beach is nothing more then restaurants, bars, souvenirshops and travelagencies. Young people like it here very much cause it’s a real party place. As a single mum not my cup of tea.
I like the boardwalk to the town centre very much. Amazing view!
There is a beach in Airlie Beach (what’s in a name ;)) but there is also a salt water lagoon.
Airlie Beach is the base for the Whitsundays so you can choose from lot’s of trips.