Mackay to Whitehaven Beach Cruise Review

Mackay to Whitehaven Beach Cruise Review - MV 2001

Fabulous views of the Whitsunday Islands. . Finally the people of Mackay have a cruise operator prepared to go the extra mile and take fabulous day trips from Mackay to Whitehaven Beach. This is a cruise that they can be proud to recommend. The MV 2001, operated by Reefstar Cruises, is a luxury catamaran that can comfortably take up to 200 people, yet the company restricts passengers numbers to around 120 for greater comfort levels. The MV 2001 is 30 meters in length, air conditioned with great sundeck, licensed bar and a helpful and friendly crew

We here at Funtours were lucky enough to be onboard the MV 2001 for the inaugural cruise from Mackay Marina to the beautiful Whitsunday's on 6th September, 2009. We have no affiliation with Reefstar Cruises whatsoever, just excited people taking the cruise as any other normal tourist. So this review is totally unbiased toward the company. What you read here is how we found the day.

Firstly, you couldn't order a more perfect day weather wise. Almost no breeze early and the waters just out from Mackay Marina were like a sea of glass. (One of the crew jokingly said that they did order the weather from the big fella above, but when you are in paradise one day is great and the next day perfect.) Boarding the MV 2001 commenced at 7.30am and all was ready to depart at the advertised time of 8.00am.

Image of humpback whale and calf off Mackay. Just a few minutes out of the Mackay Marina the skipper slowed the MV 2001 to view the first pod of whales that swam along with the vessel. The whales were a mother humpback and her calf. What a way to start the day.

Sailing through the Cumberland and Goldsmith groups of islands, the passengers were delighted with the views and the clear turquoise waters. These islands may not be as famous as the Whitsunday's just a few kilometers further north, yet they are just as beautiful to see.

Morning tea is served while cruising and there is plenty for all. There is also free tea and coffee with biscuits and cake all day as you cruise. Soft drinks can be purchased anytime and the bar opens at 10.00am for those wanting something a little stronger.

As you enter the Whitsunday's the excitement builds. As you pass Hamilton Island and round the point of Whitsunday Island to catch your first glimpse of Whitehaven Beach, you know your at a very special place on this planet. Whitehaven Beach is regarded as the second best beach in the world, with pure white silica sand stretching for seven kilometers. The waters are crystal clear, warm and inviting.

Image of catamaran MV 2001 at Whitehaven Beach. The cruise from Mackay to Whitehaven Beach takes about 21/2 to 3 hours hours. You have approximately 2 hours to spend on the beach before reboarding the MV 2001 for lunch and the return cruise to Mackay. You are transferred from the vessel to the beach by smaller skiffs and you can wander the beach, take a refreshing dip or just enjoy the views. Take your camera, as there are some great memories to take home. Whitehaven Beach is as good as the travel brochures suggest, but you just have to see it for yourself to believe it.

Lunch is a delicious buffet meal with cold meats and salads and your appetite is satisfied as you wave good-bye to Whitehaven Beach for the return to Mackay. On the day, we returned passing close to Hamilton Island and Linderman Island. If you have never seen Hamilton Island, it's quite amazing to look at high rise hotels and an international airport in the middle of such an area that seems so remote.

On the return cruise the crew keeps the kids and the young at heart amused with a disco, those on the sundeck keep a eagle eye out for pods of whales and a few passengers take the time for a quick nanna nap after such an enjoyable time on Whitehaven Beach. Afternoon tea was a yummy desert of cheesecake or apple crumble and custard. We saw around five more pods of whales on the return trip but unfortunately missed taking a good photo of the ones that were breaching.

The cruise sadly ends back at the Mackay Marina around 5.00 PM, but because of all the whale watching, we were a bit late on the day. Of course nobody complained. Everyone we spoke to onboard had an enjoyable day and said that they would certainly take the cruise again. I overheard one gentleman say that he was going to ask his boss for a raise so he could take it every month. You can't get a better recommendation for a day trip than that.

Image as cruise vessel nears Whitehaven Beach. We join with all the other passengers on the day and highly recommend the Mackay to Whitehaven Beach cruise to all. At this stage Reefstar Cruises only operates this particular cruise on selected dates. On other weekends, cruises operate to the closer islands such as Brampton, Scawfell, Keswick and St Bees. Check out the Reefstar Cruises website for more details or pick up a brochure anytime from the Mackay Marina. We have a Mackay cruise schedule posted, but remember this is a guide only and can change at the operators discretion. We will keep it up to date where possible.

Keeping in mind that this was the inaugural cruise from Mackay to Whitehaven Beach, we couldn't fault the service and overall experience. Later cruises may not experience the perfect weather or the amount of whales we saw on the day, but will surely receive the same, if not better, excellent service by the entire crew.

This is really good value and you cruise through an area that can only be described as paradise.