Portland Roads - Sailing the Whitsundays - Airlie Beach, QLD

mark D.

We've just returned from an unforgettable week sailing on Whitsunday Freedom, and we can’t recommend Portland Roads highly enough to anyone planning a Whitsundays adventure.

The boat was absolutely perfect for our group of eight — four spacious bedrooms, four bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, BBQ, and even a bonus ice machine on board (seriously, a total game-changer!).

Brad was fantastic to deal with, and we’re already thinking about our next trip. A huge thanks to Brad and the entire Portland Roads team for making it such a memorable experience.

One small suggestion: having stand-up paddle boards on board would make it even more epic!

One of the most unforgettable moments was hitting Manta Ray Bay and experiencing some of the best snorkeling you’re ever likely to see. There were hundreds upon hundreds of fish—everywhere you looked. We swam alongside George, the big Blue Wrasse, massive GTs, Tusk fish, the occasional turtle, and so many other species I lost count. It felt like snorkeling in an aquarium, not the ocean. Truly surreal, with phenomenal coral experiences that made it even more magical.

Mark & Melanie Darby

Will F.

We recently finished a 6 day cruise on Freedom. We were a group of 6 adults and two children - 14 and 11 - and I was skippering. We had mixed weather with strong wind warnings three of the days, some heavy showers and also some champagne conditions towards the end of the trip. The boat handled it all brilliantly. She rode some fairly short, steep, high waves at the North of Hook island with no problem, which gave us all a lot of confidence.

She’s a lovely boat. Sails really well, we hit 8 knots with headsail alone one day and again on the final day with the main up when the wind dropped to 10-15kt. She’s super easy to handle with all the lines coming back to the helm station and some rather luxurious auto winches, which I’ve never used before and are pretty awesome. It’s clear she’s exceptionally well maintained and, unlike on some other boats I’ve chartered, I had full confidence in all the gear.

It was my first time skippering a catamaran and those dual engines made mooring and anchoring pretty straight forward. We stayed on a combination over the various nights and felt very confident on anchor.

As others have said in these reviews she’s super well equipped. It’s luxurious in comparison to most boats I’ve been on. A coffee machine, nutribullet and even an ice machine (we want one for home now!). The salon and outside areas are lovely. The cabins are all very spacious and a few of us also enjoyed sleeping outside under the stars a couple of nights.

Finally I just want to say that John has been awesome throughout the booking and preparatory stages. Super responsive and helpful and we all love the ethos of the company, caring about the reef and the local indigenous communities. Brad briefed us and looked after us whilst on the water and he was just as awesome. Very thorough and struck a great balance of providing information without being overly directive. Throughout the cruise he was on hand via the excellent sat comms they use to provide weather and tide info, a few tips and suggestions and answer any questions.

We had no dramas with the boat despite some high winds - gusted to 40kts one evening. Which I think is testament to Brad, John and the Portland Roads crew and of course Freedom herself. We had an epic time and will definitely be back, planning our next trip to coincide with whale season. If you are considering booking with them then I really would not hesitate and if you have a big enough crew it’s hard to think of a better boat than Freedom. Thanks John, Brad and the team… you rock!

Daniella R.

Our yacht charter experience with Portland Roads in the Whitsundays was truly fantastic, and we cannot recommend it highly enough! It was a wonderful opportunity for both sides of our family to come together for our first blended family holiday, accommodating everyone from experienced boat owners to first-timers. As a family of nine spanning three generations, from ages 8 to 78, we experienced the perfect blend of relaxation, bonding, adventure, and exploration on our yacht charter. The spacious accommodations ensured everyone was comfortable.

From the very beginning, the Portland Roads team was incredibly helpful, ensuring we were well-prepared for our adventure. We greatly benefited from Brad’s extensive knowledge and experience of the Whitsundays. His valuable insights and tips during a thorough briefing set a positive tone for the trip.

We started our journey with lovely weather and were treated to stunning sunsets that Brad positioned us perfectly to enjoy. One of the highlights was snorkeling at Manta Ray Bay, where we were captivated by the vibrant marine life swimming around us. We also had a memorable encounter with a curious turtle at Chalkies, adding a special touch to our experience.

Although the last few days brought strong winds and rain, Brad's guidance helped us make the most of our time. He skillfully found us sheltered spots for snorkeling, allowing us to continue enjoying our adventure despite the stormy weather.

We did face a challenge when our anchor pulled due to strong winds at 4 a.m., resulting in a minor collision with another boat. The owner of the company came on board calmly to assist us and handled the situation with remarkable professionalism. We are immensely grateful for the team’s support and encouragement throughout this process; not all companies or owners would be so kindhearted and generous.

Overall, I can’t recommend enough that you listen to Brad and the Portland Roads team. His insights on timing and locations were spot-on, and his years of experience are an invaluable resource for anyone looking to make the most of their journey.

If you’re not experienced in sailing, hiring a captain through this company is a fantastic choice. Their expertise ensures a smooth and enjoyable adventure on the water. Be sure to pack a wind jacket and jumper for those unpredictable weather changes, and take your boat handler’s advice seriously regarding timing and destinations while remaining open to adjusting your plans as needed. Above all, dive into the adventure and let yourself have fun—your experience will be as rewarding as your mindset and willingness to embrace the journey!

In conclusion, our yacht charter was a delightful fusion of adventure and family bonding. We genuinely appreciated the guidance from Portland Roads and Brad’s extensive local knowledge, which made all the difference. We returned with cherished memories and wholeheartedly recommend Portland Roads to anyone seeking an unforgettable experience in the stunning Whitsundays!

Ben K.

We have just returned from our 5 day sail.on whitsunday freedom ( April 2025) and are already planning our next trip. What an experience. The boat was great and surprisingly comfortable. Brad provided great training and was always available via the communication app if we had any questions or to provide advice on places to visit. Weather was not great at start of journey but the islands were still amazing and next level beautiful.
Facilities on thr boat are great. We had 6 adults and 2 kids and there was plenty of room. Kitchen is standard for a boat so plan meals accordingly - small oven and gas stove top along with a outdoor BBQ. While small it is easy to create some great meals.

What a great experience and one we will do again.
Thank you Brad and the team

Jessica B.

A very special week aboard PORTLAND ROADS made all the more special with our exceptional (family) crew! John, Danny and the team at Portland Roads really take very seriously their custodianship of the great Ngaro Sea Country and go above and beyond to ensure you have the best possible trip. Every contingency is planned for an mitigated so whilst you are at sea you have 100% piece of mind. The fleets is lovingly maintained and cared for and you could not want for anything more whilst you are away. Our welcome to country by John was both touching and educational. The brief by Danny was thorough and took us to places we have never visited before, seeing the absolute best Ngaro Sea Country has to offer! The coral, sealife and wildlife we saw on this trip was sensational and all can be attributed to Danny's recommendations. From booking to the day we disembarked nothing was too much trouble. Thanks team for another amazing trip - we will see you again some time soon. Jess, Shane and family 💙

Kylie B.

We have done quite a few bareboat trips with different companies in the past, but we will always return to “Portland Roads Whitsundays” every time now!!! The communication & patience from John regarding booking, & re booking thanks to cyclones (we got there in the end 😂😂) was amazing. Our week aboard ”Lucy” was incredible, she is such a fantastic & beautiful boat with everything you need, plus some luxury items. Must give the biggest thank you to the amazing Brad “our everything contact” while aboard Lucy for all his knowledge, suggestions & advice. Our trip was always going to be amazing, (how can it not be in the beautiful Whitsundays!) but Brad made it even better than we could have ever dreamed! Portland Roads Whitsundays you gave us the best holiday, we can’t wait to book again with you…thank you!!!

Riley R.

This was easily one of the best experiences of my life. Sailing around the incredible Whitsundays on a luxury boat with some of my best mates. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. Brad was amazing, an absolute top bloke who prioritised us having a ripper time. He made the briefing experience so easy to understand. Throughout the week he was continuously checking in with us each day and using his expertise to ensure we visited the best places and had the best experience. Brad you are an absolute legend!!

Sam S.

We booked Whitsunday Freedom for 6 nights and John was incredibly easy and thorough in all of his emails regarding the boat. Couldn’t speak higher of the booking process.

When we arrived, Brad was on top of everything. Even with a cyclone pending - his highest priority was us having a good time. He would send fresh recommendations each morning dependant on weather conditions and didn’t miss a beat. Great experience, can’t wait for next time - 11/10 recommended