Day One

From the minute you meet your Summertime crew around 9 am, you enter another world of freedom and wonder in the beautiful Whitsundays. As the brochure says "You're in for a real treat." After getting to know your hostess and dive instructor, it's time to step aboard, meet your skipper and acquaint yourself with your floating home of the next few days. The first thing you'll notice is the old worlde charm and magic of a timber vessel – and the aft deck Jacuzzi! Summertime has a rich history and has been beautifully restored but modern refits have seen her fully equipped with every modern convenience from the huge entertainment system to full air conditioning and luxurious berths. After your crew give you a welcome to the boat and show you to your berth, the lines are thrown and you're underway, heading under full square rigged sails to beautiful Cid Harbour on Whitsunday Island. As the sails are raised, you settle in on the teak decks for the ride. The crew take this opportunity to guide you through some safety and snorkelling briefs as you leave the bustling mainland behind …The magic of sailing begins to set in with the gentle lap of ocean against the hull and a frothy trail in your wake… Morning tea is served as you cross the Molle and Whitsunday Passages and the true splendour of the Whitsundays unfolds. Majestic jewels of green rise above turquoise waters promising three days of awesome exploration. Cid Harbour is one of the Whitsundays most popular anchorages with it’s pretty bays, beaches and fantastic bushwalk. As the anchor drops, a smorgasbord lunch awaits - a cold drink and handcrafted mega sandwich is the perfect start to the afternoon!

 
You're soon refuelled and conditions are perfect for a kayaking expedition! The amazing 2 person Kayaks are put into action and you’re soon paddling leisurely with your buddy around picturesque Lady Islet. The odd turtle escorts you as you take in this tiny garden pretty island in Cid Harbours Dugong Inlet. Your crew fill you in on the green turtles feeding habits as you head towards the Inlets far reaches. Ancient trees and ferns slide by and a sea eagle soars magnificently overhead. As the crystal clear water shallows, all kinds of fish can be spotted below you. A stingray sends a cloud of sand flying as you pass and a crab scuttles towards shore…

Back at the boat a smorgasbord lunch awaits and when you return, a cold drink and handcrafted mega sandwich is the perfect welcome. But soon you're strolling it off, taking in the renowned Sawmill to Dugong Beach walk. Meandering up and around the headland, postcard views appear through gaps in the forest and native flora of all kinds line your path. Crew member, Dave points out a native tree fern or ‘blackboy’ and explains how to figure out their age… often hundreds of years! As you draw closer to pretty Dugong Beach, a cathedral of palms towers around you before the expedtition ends and it’s time for a refreshing swim. Your crew have decided to fast track you home for afternoon tea. Its time to pack up the Kayaks and indulge in a fluffy lamington (sponge cake coated in chocolate and sprinkled with coconut) then grab a cold beer and head to the aftdeck, where fresh water bubbles away in the spa and tranquility rules…

 
As sunset approaches, towel off, grab another cold drink and some nibblies and find the perfect position on deck to take in the magnificence of a Whitsunday sunset at sea... And then some alternate entertainment is in store... A slide show of the days fun is screened in the air-conditioned saloon as dinner’s prepared - tender marinated chicken thigh fillets a succulent Greek salad, garlic butter beans, oven roasted potatoes seasoned with fresh herbs - and mountains of warm herb and parmesan bread.

 
It’s been quite a day and after just managing to fit in a dessert of chocolate cake and custard, your crew treat you to a another slide show of the days kayaking photo’s before you fall contentedly into your bunk and the best sleep you have had in years.

DAY TWO
There’s nothing like waking at sunrise to a continental breakfast in a pristine bay… As you leisurely wake up with the first coffee, the crew raise the anchor and set the sails as you kick back on deck and take in the ever changing 360 degree views of paradise. What a way to eat breakfast! After a beautiful sail on the seaward side of the islands you soon arrive at beautiful Tongue Bay - The gateway to Whitehaven and home to one of the worlds most spectacular views from the Whitehaven Lookout. It's an easy walk through some stunning native flora and keep an eye out for the odd goanna ambling by and gigantic green ants nests above. Reaching the lookout you're met with the awesome view - a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed … Crystal clear water so blue it is almost unbelievable, the ever swirling shallows of Hill Inlet and spectacular Whitehaven Beach . This is one of the worlds most photographed scenes and no two images are ever alike as the weather, tide and sands adopt ever changing moods. It is a very inviting scene and you are soon down on the beach squelching your toes in the super fine sand and marvelling how it isn't hot on your feet! (Silica sand has the pleasant characteristic of not absorbing heat but due to its fine nature, it does have a tendency to find its way EVERYWHERE. Be careful with your camera, or better still, leave it on the boat and let your crew take the photos!) Some indulge in a game of beach cricket or a spot of kite flying, others relax with a swim or a sunbake but you choose a long stroll along the beach to take in the amazing views. All kinds of marine life can be spotted in the shallows and the odd dip to cool off is pure bliss.

 
After morning tea back on board, it’s time for a dive and your skipper knows the perfect spot. As your crew prepare a gourmet lunch of creamy tuna and asparagus pasta, crisp Caesar salad and oven baked foccacias bursting with sun dried tomatoes,chicken, tabouli, avocado and cheese, beautiful Border Island looms larger in the distance. Border Island is one of the Whitsundays outlying islands and Cateran Bay one of everybody's favourite dive spots. The underwater views here are world class with some spectacular wall drop offs and amazing coral gardens. Although you can't wait to get ashore and experience your very first dive, the aromas of lunch take priority... delish! After lunch settles, your crew are piling you and the dive gear into the dinghy and after your intro brief in the shallows, you're soon exploring a new world with your instructor by your side...

 
Afternoon tea is a delectable sugar hit of fluffy sponge roll filled with cream and chocolate.... and you need it! While some dive, others sprawl on the warm decks with a good book, let the cake settle and bask in the warm rays of a Whitsunday afternoon in paradise... Sunset from Cateran Bay is a panorama of exotic hues spreading slowly across a never ending horizon before you. As the snorkellers and last group of divers return to the boat, a huge platter of cheese, dips, crackers, crudites and kabana arrives from the galley to resounding applause from all aboard.

 
The jacuzzi fires up, music plays softly and another gorgeous sunset unfolds as you sip your chilled drink in a warm bath of bubbles and share the days adventures with new friends... "What could top this?" you wonder. Well how about an evening feast of tender marinated scotch fillets with mediterreanean pasta bake, oven baked vegies and tomato pesto bread? And to top it all again? Homemade chocolate and caramel slice... And maybe a movie in air-conditioned comfort... or another jacuzzi ... Heaven. Entertainment tonight is another slide show of all the days dive photos ... and some secret Summertime games that will have you bending like never before....!!!???

DAY THREE
You climb from your heavenly airconditioned berth to the aroma of bacon and eggs and freshly popped toast - the Summertime Deluxe Brekkie - celebrated worldwide!

 
Your skipper has a special morning in store and you're soon underway to soak up the unique beauty of Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island, a majestic bay surrounded by lofty peaks and a wonderful place to explore with a morning dive. Around the corner is opulent Hayman Island Resort, playground of the rich and famous - who are probably not having as much fun as you are aboard Summertime!

 
Not far away from Blue Pearl Bay is gorgeous Bali Hai. This amazingly pretty sandspit reaches from Langford Island in a streak of unblemished sand and offers hundreds of photo opportunities, along with some snorkelling and outright lazing options! A morning of diving, snorkelling or just being drenched by the view is a flawless way to farewell paradise and a BBQ lunch of gourmet sausages, creamy potato salad and crunchy coleslaw is the ideal farewell gesture from your crew. Sailing back to Airlie Beach you feel as if you've been at sea far longer than three days ... You're tanned, contented and full of wonder at all you've experienced. Your Summertime voyage in the Whitsundays has been your best holiday ever and as Jacques Cousteau says, your eyes have truly been "Opened by the Sea".