Sunset Cruise from Airlie Beach: Which Evening Boat to Choose
3 min read
For a relaxed first evening on the water, the 2-hour sunset cruise with sparkling wine is the easy choice; pick a sailing boat if the sailing itself is what you are after. All four options below are listed at about two hours, so they fit around dinner.
Four evening options
The sunset cruise with sparkling wine. The cruise lasts 2 hours and costs €46.79. The description promises nibbles and a glass of bubbly, turtle spotting and a view of Airlie lit up at dusk. It has 644 reviews at 4.6/5. It runs on the Sundowner, a covered catamaran with a flat deck, from Coral Sea Marina; children can come if they are booked with the adults, and the page calls the boat moderately accessible for wheelchair users with some assistance.
The Providence schooner. The Tallship Sunset Sail is also 2 hours and costs €59.27. It is a classic 62 ft gaff-rigged schooner, and the description promises a glass of champagne and snacks while you sail across the bay. It is rated 4.5/5 from 413 reviews. The page allows children from 4, and the boat is fully licensed: no BYO, card payments only.
The adults-only sail. The adults-only sunset sail costs €65.51, with an Aperol Spritz and a plate of antipasto, on a sailing yacht leaving Airlie Beach. The description says adults only, so it is not for families. It has 127 reviews. It sails on Lady Enid, a 72 ft timber yacht, takes no one under 18 and is not for people prone to seasickness.
The BYO catamaran. The Sunset Sail in Style costs €71.75 on a 60 ft sailing catamaran with a skipper and host. The description lists a tropical welcome drink, antipasto platters and dessert canapés, and says to bring your own drinks onboard. It is rated 4.8/5 from 81 reviews. Children are welcome from 5, the page excludes people over 70, and transfers to the marina are not included.
| Cruise | Boat | Food and drink in the description |
|---|---|---|
| Sparkling wine cruise | Covered catamaran (Sundowner) | Nibbles, glass of bubbly |
| Tallship Sunset Sail | 62 ft gaff-rigged schooner | Champagne, snacks |
| Adults-only sail | Sailing yacht | Aperol Spritz, antipasto |
| Sunset Sail in Style | 60 ft sailing catamaran | Welcome drink, antipasto, dessert canapés, BYO drinks |
A longer way to end the day
If you want the sunset as part of a full day, the Langford sandbar sail costs €122.97 for 8 hours and its description says a sunset sail is included. Drinks are BYO, a buffet lunch is included, and the page excludes children under 12.
Practical points
Check the exact departure time on the booking page for your date, because the sunset time moves through the year. The age rules differ: the Providence takes children from 4, the BYO catamaran from 5 and not over 70, the adults-only sail no one under 18, while the sparkling wine cruise takes children booked with the adults. If you want a swim, a day trip is the better fit: read Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: eco-cruise, sailing boat or raft.
Our recommendation
For most people the sparkling wine cruise is the simple, low-commitment option. Choose the schooner for a classic sailing ship, the adults-only sail for a quiet evening, or the catamaran if you want to bring your own drinks. More choices are under Whitsundays sailing trips.
