Since Skipper Ian Thompson (Thommo) joined Whitsundays Sailing Adventures Islandive, he has always valued the company policy in helping protect and preserve our Great Barrier Reef Park and the marine life within.
Over the years, Islandive’s Company Directors Keith Roberts and Mike Keyte have avidly supported and been pro-active within local committees in the prevention of waste infiltrating our ocean. Islandive and its staff continually works in conjunction with the Queensland Marine Park and its environmental program.
Ian is a participator in Islandive’s Eye on the Reef Program and is well informed and knowledgable on the natural heritage, conservation and the colossal eco-system of the Great Barrier Reef and its environmental threats.
We are proud he is actively going out on his own in April 2010 in his quest to sail around Australia to raise awareness of plastic bags polluting our ocean, and the devastating effect this has on our marine environment. Ian has Islandive’s full support and we are pleased to be able to contribute to his campaign.
Plastic bags are a true menace to our marine ecosystem. Non- recyclable, the Australian Government is working with the industry and the community to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags. Everyone shares some responsibility for this problem as nearly half a million plastic bags are collected on clean up Australia Day each year. It takes only four grocery shopping trips for an average Australian family to accumulate 60 plastic bags. Many people are starting to use reusable bags such as the ‘green bags” you buy at supermarkets.
Plastic bags which are made from natural gas or oil, are especially dangerous to turtles who mistake them for jellyfish, their main food source. 86% of all known species of turtles have had reported problems of entanglement or ingestion of marine debris. ,
Our marine creatures are dying and they need our help. We ask you to support Ian in his determination to break the record of the fastest person to sail solo around Australia, and to be the voice of our endangered marine creatures.
Islandive has put on every vessel a tin can in the hope that passengers touring on an Islandive vessel will donate a gold coin to contribute towards Ian’s food bill over the 50 days he is at sea. This donation will go directly towards his expenses and his voyage around Australia to save our wonderful marine creatures.
Anyone wishing to support his campaign should visit the campaigns website at www.sosoceanracing.com
Its the Whitsundays Green Season again and that means cascading waterfalls and spectacularly green island scenes as the backdrop for Whitsundays Sailing Adventures.
If it’s raining on the mainland, that does not necessarily mean it’s raining on the Islands. In fact it is often clear out to sea when the mainland is drenched. That’s because the clouds generally hold their rain until they hit the costal ranges. Anyway, it tends to rain in showers and these can clear quite quickly.
The rain won’t stop you diving, swimming, sailing, bush and beach walking or kayaking! It won’t stop our chefs and hosts preparing and serving great meals, nor will it dampen the experience of nights aboard in magnificent, quiet anchorages.
To make your experience even better most of the Whitsundays Sailing Adventures fleet feature air-conditioned cabins and permanent protection from the elements. If they haven’t got permanent deck awnings then they have roll outs and in every case there’s plenty of room for everyone to sit down, whether it be below or above decks to enjoy their meals and social times in comfort. Most of our vessels also have entertainment systems and flat screen HD TV’s so there is always fun to be had, no matter what the weather dishes up.
It’s important to consider your comfort when choosing a Whitsundays Green Season Cruise…Whitsundays Sailing Adventures Owner Operation guarantees quality cruising in comfort come rain or shine!
Thank you very much for all of your help booking the Kiana for my family and me for the sailing on December 25th. We had an absolutely amazing time. It was actually the highlight of our 3 1/2 week trip for me. I was sad to not be able to meet you in person when we checked in for the sailing or when we returned so that I could properly thank you in person for all of your help, but I hope you also had a wonderful vacation over Christmas.
My family and I very much enjoyed the Kiana. The ship was perfect for us, as were our sleeping arrangements. The crew (Brent, Paul, and Paul) was absolutely phenomenal. I can’t say enough about how wonderful they were making us feel welcome with their outgoing personalities. The food that Paul cooked was excellent. The other Paul did a great job with teaching my family how to scuba dive and snorkel and Brent always greeted us with a cheery smile and was more than willing to teach us something new. I doubt if Brent ever has a bad day, he is such a positive and uplifting person.
Anyway, thank you very much for all of your help deciding upon and booking Kiana. I greatly appreciate it and will definitely share this excellent experience with all of my clients travelling to Australia and encourage them to include the Kiana in their vacation as well. Thank you again for all of your help!
Sincerely,
Christina Plesha
STA Travel
The above was received by Lisette in the WSA Reservations Office after Christina’s recent trip on Kiana.
When most of us first start scuba diving it’s the “awesome” stuff that strikes us and dominates our diving stories. Sharks, Manta-rays, Sea Turtles, Maori Wrasse are the centres of our conversations.
But as our diving experience matures we start to notice that the small creatures are much more extensive, diverse and interesting.
One of the most interesting, cute, and often overlooked is the humble Goby. Gobies are the largest group of marine fishes, fresh and salt combined, and the dominant element in small-fish bottom fauna on tropical reefs.
Goby at Bait Reef
This little guy was photographed by the dive instructor from Kiana at Bait Reef. He has made himself a home in the coral and curiously watches as the photographer approaches.
Whitsundays Sailing Adventures’ Eco Tallship Safaris was recently awarded the Whitsundays Tourism Steve Irwin Award for best Eco Tour in the Region.
Eco Tallship Adventures operates two and three day live aboard sailing safaris in the Whitsunday Islands Region of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. They are the only sailing charter operator in the Region that offers tours with a focus on reef, rainforest and wildlife eco interpretation by formally trained crew.
Eco Tallship Adventure Crew have received formal specialised training from Queensland Parks and Wildlife and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, qualifying them to lead these interpretive tours.
Eco Tallship Adventure Crew have received formal specialised training from Queensland Parks and Wildlife and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, qualifying them to lead these interpretive tours
Warren & Jo Ladd are the owner operators of this multi award winning Adventure and Eco Tourism operation. A feature of these cruises is a high level of reef, rainforest and wildlife eco interpretation by formally trained crew. A commitment to sustainable practices and minimal impact on the pristine areas visited helps ensure that the spectacular beauty of the Whitsunday Islands and The Great Barrier Reef can be enjoyed by generations to come.
Captain Ladd has owned and operated charter vessels in the Whitsundays for the last 15 years.
After a leisurely breakfast at Beaches Backpackers and a little last minute shopping around Airlie Beach, we arrived at the dock in the afternoon. The crew were all smiles as they welcomed us on board and we set off sailing! After quite an entertaining run down about living on board and what to expect during the trip we were split into groups: those wanting to snorkel, then certified and intro divers and we geared up for our first dive.
It was my first attempt ever at diving so I was excited and a little nervous but Richi my dive instructor was amazing, on our first attempt he made sure we were comfortable with our equipment while we were still at a spot where we could touch the sand with our toes and any nerves I had dissolved in the sea, Richi made it all so easy and I always felt safe.
He said…if you loved that, the next one will blow your minds… WOW!! It absolutely did!! My favourite was the dawn dive when the fish were still a little sleepy and Manta Ray Drop Off where I got to hang out with a sea turtle and see white tip reef sharks!
After a big day on the reef, Tanya cooked us a spectacular dinner, it was great food, meals like steak and chicken with salads and lots of fruit for breakfast, just what’s needed to start a big day. Our hostie with the mostie was Tanya such a cool chick and looked after me really well especially with lots of yummy gluten free food.
Playing silly buggers on the amazingly beautiful White Haven Beach was a heap of fun and all the girls enjoyed a natural beauty treatment, exfoliating with the powdered sand made and making our legs silky smooth. After a stunning sunset, we’d watch the shooting stars from the deck at night.
Our captain Mike was easy going and great to chat to about life on the reef, Stu our hilarious first mate helped keep us on course and laughing at all times, Dylan showed the certified divers around the reef and from looking at the photos we saw in the slide shows at night, they had a blast, (and just watch me smile with a regulator in my mouth)!
To the amazing Richi, I will be ever thankful for introducing me to the reef and for ’holding my hand’ on the first of many more dives to come. Diving for me was such a peaceful amazing experience and I’m so keen now I’ve booked in to become certified so I can do a night dive on my next trip!
Thank you so much Emperors Wings!!!!
Amber Pitt
Travel Adviser
STA Travel Gold Coast Uni
With sixty years working under sail behind her, the 90-foot, Walter Wilson-designed, gaff-rigged topsail schooner, Derwent Hunter, is claimed to be the last Australian vessel designed and built to work under sail. Her decades of adventuring cover everything from fishing and trading, oceanographic research, movie roles and even the odd spot of gun smuggling. And her story continues as she makes her mark as a charter vessel in the marine tourism industry.
Derwent Hunter under sail
Derwent Hunter is owned by Tall Ship Adventures, a charter company offering award-winning eco sailing adventures in the Whitsundays. The successful marine tourism operation uses Derwent Hunter and another traditional vessel, Alexander Stewart, to combine a love of the Whitsunday Islands with Australia’s traditional vessel maritime history. Founder and director, Warren Ladd, is an owner/operator with enthusiasm for his company’s concept. Guests combine discovery of the rich heritage of Australian seafaring with exploration of one of the world’s most magnificent island chains – the Whitsundays. Warren Ladd’s attitude is reflected in the crews, which not only sail the boats but maintain and even help restore them.
Whitsundays Sailing Adventures Islandive was a winner at the recent TNT Golden Backpack Awards. They won Best Queensland Adventure Tour Operator for their Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays Islands Sail and Dive Adventures. Take a look at he video and see who else was a winner.
