On arrival you will need to make your way to the Mantra Club Croc, located just five minutes drive out of Airlie Beach town in Cannonvale. The day is at your own leisure until the meeting with your kayak guide at 5pm at the hotel. During the meeting, your guide will hand out dry bags, show you how and what to pack, confirm the pick up time for the next morning and answer any questions. Luggage not required during the kayak trip can be stored at the hotel. Your dry bags should be packed and ready for your pick up the following morning. Many people choose to arrive in Airlie Beach a day or two before the trip to give them time to relax and enjoy the amazing location. From Cannonvale, there is a boardwalk which leads along the seafront into Airlie Beach town, about a 25 minute walk. Airlie Beach has a large lagoon, with sea views and conveniently situated on the ocean side of the main street. Additionally, there are some amazing, easily accessible walking trails in Airlie Beach and surrounds, plus an assortment of great cafes and restaurants. Overnight; Mantra Club Croc (or similar)

Meals:  Nil

Breakfast is at the hotel before a a transfer to our kayak base at Shute Harbour. Paddlers, along with kayaks and supplies, are transported by fast water taxi from Shute Harbour to stunning Whitehaven Beach located on the southeast of Whitsunday Island. On arrival we set up camp, followed by a picnic lunch on the iconic white-sand beach. After a safety briefing, we launch the kayaks and paddle to nearby Haslewood Island. The snorkelling sites on the island, including Chalkie’s Beach and Windy Bay, are a stunning mix of colourful fringing coral gardens and prolific marine life. Schools of electric blue damsels, delicate angel and exotic butterfly fish are among the sea life that are regularly spotted here. After returning to camp on Whitehaven Beach, we have the opportunity to take a short bush walk to Chance Bay Lookout. The magnificent views over the southern end of Whitsunday Island to the islands beyond is a great reward for the effort. As the afternoon comes to a close, we relax on the beach and enjoy our first island sunset, followed by dinner under the stars. Paddling distance today is approximately six kilometres (1-1.25 hours). Overnight; camping on Whitehaven beach, Whitsunday Island

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we break camp and launch the kayaks to begin today’s adventure. Whitehaven Beach stretches for seven kilometres and its’ white silica sands form a perfect backdrop as we paddle north along the coastline, usually with the assistance of the south-easterly trade winds at our backs. We stop off near the entrance of Hill Inlet for a swim and a walk to the world-renowned lookout with its’ breathtaking views. Green sea turtles and stingrays swim near the entrance to the lookout and are often spotted from the top. After this spectacular land-based break we continue paddling, following the east coast of the Whitsunday Island to the Cairn Beach campsite. We set up camp in the sheltered bushland site, among clusters of fragrant bottlebrush and blissful seclusion. Paddling distance today is approximately 20 kilometres (4-5 hours). Overnight; camping on Cairn beach, Whitsunday Island

Meals:  B,L,D

We start the day with an early morning hike up to Cairn Lookout. The steep walk is well worth the effort with 360° breathtaking views that take in both Hook and Border Islands. We return to camp for breakfast, then pack up and launch the kayaks. As we paddle to Hook Island, we keep a lookout for green turtles and stingrays swimming underneath and beside our kayaks. Our destination is Crayfish Beach on Hook Island, often described as the best campsite in the region, with the sandy beach set against the backdrop of Mackerel Bay. The coral here is world-class and schools of fish can be spotted negotiating the maze of mangrove roots that line the inlet to the north of the campsite. Snorkellers may also be rewarded with the sight of Giant Clams, with their brightly coloured mantles of blues, greens and pinks. After our water adventures, it’s time to settle into camp, relax and enjoy our star-lit dinner. Paddling distance today is approximately nine kilometres (1.5-2 hours). Overnight; camping on Crayfish beach, Hook Island

Meals:  B,L,D

After a hearty breakfast, we hop back into our kayaks and paddle around the north-eastern tip of Hook Island (also called the Pinnacles) to the protected northern waters. We stop at Maureen’s Cove for lunch and a snorkel. Maureen’s Cove is a renowned snorkelling site with easy access from the coral beach. It boasts an array of underwater valleys, caves and abundant marine life including giant Maori Wrasse and Manta Rays. We continue paddling to Steens Beach for our overnight camp. Paddling distance is approximately 13 kilometres (3-4 hours). Overnight; camping on Steens beach, Hook Island

Meals:  B,L,D

On our last day in the islands, we break camp for the final time and paddle west towards Bali Hai (Black Island), a tiny picturesque island surrounded by colourful coral. This area attracts large parrot fish and coral trout swimming throughout the coral gardens. The group then paddles to pristine Langford Island where there is an opportunity to snorkel with turtles. After lunch on the sand spit and perhaps a short hike, our water taxi arrives in the afternoon for the transfer back to the kayak base at Shute Harbour. At the base we unpack, before transferring back to your accommodation. This evening enjoy a final celebratory dinner (own expense) Paddling distance today depends on the tides which in turn affects our pick up time from the islands. Overnight; Mantra Club Croc (or similar)

Meals:  B,L

Meals:  B