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BYO Sunset Sailing on Airlie Beach Bay Aboard a Luxurious Catamaran
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
Wings Sailing Charters
Duration:
2 hours
Departure Point:
Coral Sea Marina North Village (Meeting Point B)
Phone:
0418 757 088
Departure Times:
Winter: 4:30 PM
Summer: 5:00 PM
Group Size:
Maximum 29 guests
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Coral Sea Marina North Village
Sailing Area
Pioneer Bay, Airlie Beach Bay
Landmarks
Port of Airlie, Mandalay Point, Pioneer Point
Views
Whitsunday Islands backdrop, Airlie Beach township lights
Departure Location & How to Get There
Meeting Point
Coral Sea Marina North Village, Meeting Point B (white umbrellas at roundabout)
From Town Centre
1.5km from Airlie Beach Lagoon (15-20 min walk)
Parking
Pay and display parking at southern end of marina ($10 per 24 hours)
Check-in Time
15 minutes before departure (4:15 PM winter, 4:45 PM summer)
About Wings Sunset Cruise
Wings Sunset Cruise is a sailing tour operated by Wings Sailing Charters, departing from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The two-hour cruise sails the protected waters of Airlie Beach Bay and Pioneer Bay aboard SV Wings III, a luxurious 60-foot sailing catamaran with spacious decks, air-conditioned interior, and premium amenities.
What makes Wings Sunset Cruise different is that it's the only BYO sunset cruise in Airlie Beach. Bring your own drinks and the crew stores them in large cold refrigeration - no need for eskies. The vessel has ice, cups, and wine flutes ready to go. You can even pre-order drinks online and have them delivered to the boat before you arrive.
Wings Sailing Charters is a family-owned business that's been operating in the Whitsundays for 23 years and holds Advanced Eco Certification. The skipper has over 30 years of boating experience and knows these waters intimately. With a maximum of just 29 guests, you get plenty of space to relax - not packed in like sardines. The top sundeck is perfect for soaking up those golden hour views, or you can chill in the air-conditioned interior if it's a warm evening.
The cruise sails at a gentle, relaxed pace around Pioneer Bay towards Pioneer Point, passing Port of Airlie, Mandalay Point, and Cannonvale. The Whitsunday Islands provide a stunning backdrop as the sun sets, and then the twinkling lights of Airlie Beach township create a magical atmosphere as you sail back to the marina. The bay is mostly protected and calm, making it suitable for families and anyone prone to seasickness.
What Guests Are Saying
"Absolutely loved Wings Sunset Cruise. Beautiful catamaran, plenty of space (not packed in like sardines like some of the other operators we saw), yummy charcuterie plate, welcome drink included then BYO, boat moved around and didn't just sit in the one spot, friendly staff. Highly recommend."
Google Reviews
"Had the best time on this sunset cruise. Staff were super friendly and so welcoming. We were sitting on the top deck and were handed our own grazing platter to save us from going downstairs to get a plate of goodies. Desserts were delicious. Catamaran was spacious and when they advertise 'sailing in style' you certainly do."
TripAdvisor
"We thoroughly enjoyed the Wings Sunset Cruise and would recommend it for the following reasons: friendly and professional crew, small group size, quality antipasto platter, welcome drink on arrival, clean and comfortable vessel and facilities, suitable for families. I travelled with my 11 and 14 year old."
Google Reviews
Good to know: This is a family-friendly leisure sailing cruise, not a party boat. The operator has the right to refuse boarding if guests arrive intoxicated, and drunk behaviour onboard will not be tolerated. The tour requires a minimum of 10 guests to depart - if cancelled due to low numbers, guests will need to find an alternative cruise.
What's Included
Welcome Drink
Tropical cocktail on arrival
Antipasto Platters
Freshly prepared grazing boards
Dessert Canapés
Sweet treats made fresh daily
BYO Facilities
Cold refrigeration, ice, cups, wine flutes
Hot Beverages
Tea varieties and coffee machines
Air Conditioning
Fully air-conditioned interior
Music
3-zoned Spotify - connect your playlists
Expert Skipper & Host
30+ years local boating experience
The Experience
Wings Sunset Cruise is all about relaxed, elegant sailing in small group numbers. With a maximum of just 29 guests aboard the spacious 60-foot catamaran, you get plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the experience. The vessel has multiple levels including a top sundeck perfect for sunset watching, shaded back deck areas, and a fully air-conditioned interior if you want to escape the warmth.
Your Itinerary
Meeting & Boarding: Arrive 15 minutes before departure at Meeting Point B at Coral Sea Marina North Village - look for the white umbrellas at the roundabout. The crew will meet you there and help you board SV Wings III. Hand over your drinks and they'll store them in the cold refrigeration with ice ready. Departure times change with the seasons - winter (May to October) departs at 4:30 PM, summer (November to April) departs at 5:00 PM to catch the best sunset timing.
Welcome Drink & Settling In: Once everyone's aboard, the crew serves complimentary tropical welcome drinks. Grab your spot on the top sundeck for those panoramic views, or choose the shaded back deck. The vessel sets sail from Coral Sea Marina, cruising out into the protected waters of Pioneer Bay. Connect your phone to the 3-zoned Spotify if you want to add your own tunes to the vibe.
Sailing Pioneer Bay: The skipper sails the catamaran at a relaxed pace around Pioneer Bay, passing Port of Airlie, Mandalay Point, and heading towards Pioneer Point. The sailing route takes you around Cannonvale with the lush green hills of Airlie Beach on one side and the stunning Whitsunday Islands providing a spectacular backdrop on the horizon. You might spot turtles in the calm bay waters if you keep your eyes peeled.
Antipasto & Dessert Service: The crew brings out freshly prepared antipasto grazing platters - think quality cheeses, cured meats, crackers, dips, olives, and fresh fruit. If you're on the top deck, they'll hand you your own platter so you don't have to climb down. Pour yourself a drink from your BYO stash and settle in for golden hour. Later, dessert canapés come out - sweet treats made fresh onboard each day. The crew accommodates all dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.
Sunset Watching: This is what you came for. As the sun drops towards the horizon, the sky explodes in shades of orange, pink, and gold. The calm bay waters reflect the colours, and the silhouettes of the Whitsunday Islands create a postcard-perfect scene. The top sundeck is prime position for sunset watching and photos. The boat moves around during the cruise rather than just sitting in one spot, giving you different perspectives and keeping things interesting.
Twilight Sail & Return: After the sun sets, the twinkling lights of Airlie Beach township begin to sparkle across the bay, creating a magical evening atmosphere. The skipper turns the vessel back towards Coral Sea Marina as twilight descends. You'll arrive back at the marina around 6:30 PM in winter or 7:00 PM in summer - perfectly timed to head into town for dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The tour requires a minimum of 10 guests to depart - if the operator cancels due to low numbers, you'll be offered an alternative cruise or full refund. Wings Sunset Cruise operates in most weather conditions, but may be cancelled in torrential downpours or extremely windy conditions (can happen in wet season). If weather is marginal, the operator will notify guests up to 2 hours prior. The cruise still proceeds with rain and cloudy skies - sometimes the most dramatic sunsets happen through clouds.
What to Bring
BYO drinks - whatever you fancy! Popular choices include champagne, wine, beer, ciders, pre-mixed drinks, or non-alcoholic options. The vessel provides cold refrigeration, ice, cups, and wine flutes, so no need to bring an esky. You can pre-order drinks online and have them delivered directly to the boat. Bring a light jacket or jumper as it can get breezy on the water once the sun sets. Sunglasses and a hat for earlier in the cruise. Camera or phone for those sunset photos - the lighting is incredible. No glass bottles for safety reasons (excluding wine bottles).
Who Can Come
Wings Sunset Cruise is suitable for ages 5 and up through to grandparents. The operator has correctly fitted life jackets for all ages and sizes. This is a family-friendly leisure cruise, not a party boat. The operator reserves the right to refuse boarding if guests arrive too intoxicated, and drunk behaviour onboard will not be tolerated - the boat will return to port. The calm, protected bay waters make this suitable for those prone to seasickness. No swimming or jacuzzi use on this 2-hour cruise (available on longer private charters).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BYO mean on the Wings Sunset Cruise?
BYO means Bring Your Own drinks - no alcohol is sold onboard, so bring whatever you'd like to drink.
Does the cruise still go if there's no sunset?
Yes, Wings Sunset Cruise operates even with cloudy skies or rain, as dramatic sunsets often happen through clouds.
Where does the Wings Sunset Cruise sail to?
The cruise sails around Pioneer Bay passing Port of Airlie, Mandalay Point, and Pioneer Point with Whitsunday Islands backdrop views.
Can we use the jacuzzi on Wings III?
No, the jacuzzi and swimming are not available on this 2-hour cruise, only on longer private charters.
How is Wings Sunset Cruise different from other sunset cruises?
Wings is the only BYO sunset cruise from Coral Sea Marina, with small group sizes (max 29 guests) and premium sailing catamaran.
More Sunset Cruises from Airlie Beach
If you're looking for more sunset sailing options, check out other sunset cruises departing from Coral Sea Marina or explore all tours in Airlie Beach. For daytime adventures, see our range of day tours including sailing, snorkelling, and island hopping.
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.
Wings Sailing Charters is a family-owned business that's been operating in the Whitsundays for 23 years, holding Advanced Eco Certification. Their skipper has over 30 years of boating experience in these waters. With consistently exceptional ratings on both Google Reviews (4.9/5) and TripAdvisor (4.8/5), Wings Sunset Cruise has earned its reputation as one of the best sunset experiences in Airlie Beach.
The recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
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