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Relaxing Evening Cruise Around Pioneer Bay with Complimentary Sparkling and Nibbles
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
Sundowner Cruises
Duration:
2 hours
Departure Point:
Coral Sea Marina North Village
Phone:
07 4948 3000
Departure Times:
Varies by season (4:30 PM - 5:15 PM)
Group Size:
Maximum 48 guests
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Coral Sea Marina
Route
Pioneer Bay circuit around Airlie Beach
Points of Interest
Mandalay Point, Turtle Bay, Cannonvale Beach
Departure Location & How to Get There
Meeting Point
Meeting Point B, Coral Sea Marina North Village (near Le Kiosk & Sorrento's)
From Town Centre
200m walk from main street via Bicentennial Walkway (5 min)
From Lagoon
1.5km from Airlie Beach Lagoon (15-20 min walk along waterfront)
Parking
Pay and display parking at southern end of marina
About Sundowner Sunset Cruise
Sundowner Sunset Cruise is a 2-hour evening cruise operated by Sundowner Cruises, departing from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The cruise circumnavigates Pioneer Bay, cruising past Mandalay Point, Cannonvale Beach, and Turtle Bay, offering stunning sunset views over the Whitsunday mountains and the sparkling lights of the Airlie Beach foreshore.
This is the most affordable sunset cruise in Airlie Beach, and it's been a local favourite since 2006. The purpose-built catamaran is designed specifically for socialising - completely different from a yacht. It's got a flat deck with no trip hazards, so you can actually walk around safely with a drink in your hand. High heels are genuinely welcome, which tells you something about how stable this boat is.
The shallow draft means the boat can get up close to the coastline, giving you perspectives of Airlie Beach that bigger vessels simply can't access. You'll cruise past interesting spots like the Whitsunday Magic shipwreck at Cannonvale Beach, and the crew often spot turtles popping up in Turtle Bay. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and friendly - music playing, people chatting, everyone making the most of that golden hour light for photos. It's genuinely one of those experiences where strangers end up making friends and heading out to dinner together afterwards.
What Guests Are Saying
"Rob was a fantastic host! Definitely a beautiful way to see the harbour and Airlie Beach from the water. Complimentary drink and great tunes! Very chill atmosphere and great value for money."
TripAdvisor
"We had a beautiful evening on Sundowner. The guys were fun but still very professional. They made sure everyone was included and enjoyed the cruise. The photos were great. I saw a sea eagle, turtles popping up, and in the marina a school of garfish jumping all around us. Just such a picture perfect part of the world."
TripAdvisor
"My family group ranged from 12-68 years old and we all had a fantastic time. Beautiful views, a rainbow and a stunning sunset! The skipper took us all around the waters in front of Airlie Beach."
Google Reviews
Heads up: The nibbles are a shared platter - think crackers, dip, and simple snacks. It's not a meal, just something light to tide you over before dinner. Also, in winter months (June-August) it can get breezy on the water, so bring a light jacket or jumper.
What's Included
Welcome Drink
Complimentary sparkling or soft drink
Nibbles
Shared platter of crackers & dip
Fully Licensed Bar
Wine, beer, cider, spirits (cash/card)
Stable Catamaran
Flat deck, no trip hazards, covered
Music & Atmosphere
Relaxed social vibe
Photo Opportunities
Crew takes photos & posts to Facebook
Wildlife Spotting
Turtles, dolphins, dugongs
Friendly Crew
Knowledgeable, fun, professional
The Experience
A Sundowner cruise is all about relaxation and soaking up that perfect Whitsunday sunset. This isn't an adrenaline tour or a boozy party boat - it's a genuinely lovely way to spend two hours on the water as the day winds down. The crowd is usually a good mix of couples, families, friend groups, and solo travellers, ranging from backpackers to retirees.
Your Itinerary
Arrival & Boarding: Make your own way to Meeting Point B at Coral Sea Marina North Village. You'll find it at the roundabout near Le Kiosk cafe and Sorrento's restaurant. Board about 10 minutes before departure time. The crew will welcome you with a glass of sparkling wine (or soft drink if you prefer) and show you around the boat.
Cruising Out: The catamaran motors out from Coral Sea Marina into Pioneer Bay as the golden hour light starts painting everything beautiful. Music's playing, the bar's open, and nibbles are being passed around. The crew aren't doing formal commentary - it's not that kind of cruise - but they're happy to chat and answer questions about what you're seeing.
Circumnavigating Pioneer Bay: The route takes you around the entire bay, cruising close to shore past Mandalay Point and along the Airlie Beach waterfront. The shallow draft of the catamaran means you can get right up close to interesting spots - like the Whitsunday Magic shipwreck at Cannonvale Beach, which makes for dramatic photos.
Turtle Bay: You'll cruise through Turtle Bay where the crew often spot sea turtles popping up for air. Sometimes you'll also see dolphins, rays, or even dugongs. No guarantees on wildlife - this is their home and they do what they want - but chances are pretty good, especially at dusk.
Sunset: The timing is calculated so you're out on the water as the sun drops behind the Whitsunday mountains. Everyone migrates to whichever side of the boat has the best view. The crew are usually taking photos of guests with the sunset behind them - they post these to the Sundowner Facebook page the next day, so you can download them.
Twilight Return: As darkness falls, the lights of Airlie Beach start twinkling along the foreshore. The view from the water is genuinely beautiful - all those restaurants and bars lit up, people walking along the Bicentennial Walkway. You'll cruise back to Coral Sea Marina under the stars, arriving about two hours after you left. Perfect timing for dinner - and Sorrento's is right there if you want to upgrade to the Cruise & Dine package.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Tours run in most weather conditions - the boat is fully covered so you won't get rained on. Cancellations due to severe weather are rare, but if the operator needs to cancel, they'll offer alternative dates or full refunds. Departure times change with the seasons to match sunset timing, so check your ticket for exact departure time.
What to Bring
Camera or phone for photos, cash or card for bar purchases (drinks are reasonably priced), and a light jacket in cooler months. The boat is stable and has a flat deck, so wear whatever you're comfortable in - seriously, high heels are genuinely fine if that's your thing. Sunglasses for the golden hour glare. The boat is fully covered, but you might want sunscreen if you're sitting near the edges.
Who Can Come
This cruise is suitable for all ages - infants to grandparents. The stable catamaran design makes it accessible for people who don't normally do well on boats. The flat deck means it's wheelchair accessible, though you'll need to be able to step on and off the boat at the marina. Maximum 48 passengers, which keeps it feeling social without being crowded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Sundowner cruise depart from?
The cruise departs from Meeting Point B at Coral Sea Marina North Village, just a short walk from the main street.
Is food included in the sunset cruise?
You get a complimentary drink and shared nibbles platter, but it's not a meal - just light snacks before dinner.
Can I buy drinks on board?
Yes, there's a fully licensed bar on board with wine, beer, cider, and spirits at reasonable prices.
Will I get seasick on this cruise?
The stable catamaran design and calm bay waters make this suitable for most people, including those prone to seasickness.
What time does the sunset cruise depart?
Departure times vary by season (4:30 PM to 5:15 PM) to match sunset timing - check your ticket for exact time.
More Sunset & Evening Experiences
If you're looking for other ways to experience Airlie Beach at sunset, explore sailing tours from Coral Sea Marina or check out our full range of day tours that return in time for sunset.
Why Trust This Guide?
We're Airlie Beach locals who've called the Whitsundays home since 2001. Over more than two decades living and working in this stunning corner of tropical North Queensland, we've personally experienced the tours, walked every street, and know which operators genuinely deliver on their promises.
Sundowner has been running sunset cruises since 2006 and remains the most affordable option in Airlie Beach. We've been on this cruise ourselves multiple times, and it's genuinely lovely - the kind of experience that sets the tone for a great holiday. The crew are friendly without being over the top, the boat is comfortable and stable, and the sunset views over Pioneer Bay are consistently stunning.
The recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
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