The Catamaran the Whitsundays Was Made For
Level sailing, beach-friendly draught and room for the whole crew. Compare sizes, layouts and real seasonal rates.
Built for These Islands
Short passages, shallow bays and beach lunches — the modern sailing cat is the region's perfect tool.
Flat and fast
No heeling means no white-knuckled guests. Cats reach 8–10 knots in the trades without drama.
Park on the beach
Shallow draught lets you nose up to the sand for lunches monohulls can only dream about.
Two living rooms
Huge cockpit for sundowners, trampoline up front, cabins in both hulls — nobody's on top of anyone.
| Size | Cabins | Sleeps | Best for | Low-season rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33–38 ft | 2–3 | 4–6 | Couples, small families | $700–$900/day |
| 40–45 ft | 4 | 8–10 | Two families, groups | $900–$1,400/day |
| 45–50 ft | 4–6 | 10–12 | Big crews, premium | $1,400–$2,500/day |
Indicative fleet rates by season — the full breakdown is in the cost guide.
Your Own Private Bay
With a 1-metre draught, the quiet anchorages the big boats sail past become yours for the night.
Find Your RouteWhat a Charter Cat Includes
- Full galley — Oven, cooktop, fridge and everything for a week of self-catering
- Tender with outboard — Dinghy ashore, snorkel runs and fishing trips
- Water toys on request — Paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear as extras
- Shallow anchoring — Sits in bays monohulls must admire from afar
- Simple sail plan — Furling headsail and slab or furling main — manageable for first-timers
- Twin engines — Marina manoeuvring that monohull sailors envy
Catamarans, briefly
Cats carry big sail area on two light hulls: reef early, sheet progressively, and they're remarkably easy. Under power, twin engines make docking a non-event. First-timers typically feel at home within a day — and there's no licence needed.
Monohull sailor considering the dark side? The honest trade-offs: cat vs monohull. Adding a professional: skippered charters.
Your Questions, Answered
Are cats harder to sail?
Easier in most respects — no heeling, twin-engine docking, simple rigs. Most first-timers adapt within a day.
Can it sit on the beach?
Yes, in permitted zones — a cat superpower. Your briefing covers where beaching is allowed.
How many does a cat sleep?
3–5 double cabins per hull pair, typically 6–10 guests. Comfort peaks at one couple per cabin.
Seasick-prone crew?
Cats are the kindest hull afloat for motion sickness — minimal rolling at anchor, no heeling under way.
Cat or monohull?
For 90% of crews here, the cat. The full trade-off: cat vs monohull guide.
What does a week cost?
$700–$2,500/day by size and season. Per person it beats most resorts: cost guide.
Pick Your Cat, Lock Your Dates
June–August fleets book out 6+ months ahead. Price your week now.
See Catamaran Rates