We understand that our marina has a direct impact on the natural environment and the community in which we operate.
Coral Sea Marina Resort is incredibly proud to support a number of community and environmental projects which ensure we operate our business in a sustainable manner. We also aim to consciously connect guests with the Whitsundays lifestyle, welcoming visitors to experience the Whitsundays as their home away from home.
We are committed to creating a community focused recreation hub in which guests can feel part of the Whitsunday’s community and can enjoy the many groups, activities and events on offer throughout the region.
How can guests get involved?
There are many ways in which marina guests can join in with local community and environmental projects. We recommend speaking with the Guest Services team on arrival to find out events or volunteering opportunities are available during your stay in the Whitsundays.
The Coral Sea Academy
The Coral Sea Academy
The Coral Sea Academy is a new initiative that provides a series of innovative events that are designed to educate guests, locals and visitors to the Whitsundays about the environment, the Great Barrier Reef, better boating and sustainability.
The Coral Sea Academy has been created with a desire to provide an experiential travel encounter that educates, engages and immerses guests with meaningful themes relevant to the Whitsunday region. These community events held at the marina resort hope to encourage more people in the preservation of our marine environment so that all can continue to stay, play and explore the heart of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef.
The Last Straw
The Last Straw
The Last Straw campaign is aimed at eliminating plastic straws. The Last Straw Great Barrier Reef campaign aims to eradicate plastic straws completely from business and vessels on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Sea Marina signed up to this great initiative and then set about gaining commitment from all marina dining outlets and commercial tour operators to do the same.
In June 2018, all five marina dining venues committed to becoming plastic straw free, as well as 123 vessels operating from the marina precinct. This made us the first marina in Australia to have all its food outlets saying no to plastic straws, which is a great commitment to the future of the environment. Only stainless and paper straws are now available, and only on request.
Clean Marina Level III
Clean Marina Level III
Coral Sea Marina holds a Clean Marina Level III (ISO 14001 accreditation level) certification which is awarded to marina industry leaders with the highest level of environmental management. The accreditation is awarded through the Marina Industries Association and is based on a set of criteria which are regularly reviewed to ensure continuous improvement through benchmark environmental practice.
Maintaining Clean Marina accreditation strengthens our commitment to conserving our natural marine environment.
https://www.marinas.net.au/industryprograms/international-clean-marina-program
Fish Friendly Marina
Fish Friendly Marina
Coral Sea Marina has attained Fish Friendly Marina status, which recognises our commitment to actively working to improve fish habitats within the marina environment.
https://www.marinas.net.au/industryprograms/industry-programs/fish-friendly-marina-certification
Single-Use Plastic Free
Single-Use Plastic Free
Coral Sea Marina is continuing on the path towards ‘cleaner’ living with the most recent development being the signing of a pledge in 2019 with the Marina Industries Association to fully eliminate single-use plastics from within the marina.
We are working towards removing single-use plastics free by 2025. So far we have:
- We have installed three hydration stations throughout the marina resort precinct and have for sale stainless enviro water bottles at the marina office.
- Plastic water bottles have been eradicated from our resort owned food outlets and events venues and have been replaced with canned water.
- All marina guests receive a reusable shopping bag upon arrival and the marina resort is plastic bag free.
Border Watch
Border Watch
Coral Sea Marina is part of the Border Watch program and is committed to helping protect Australia's border.
If you would like further information on Border Watch, please click here.
Click here to view some common indicators that are of interest to Border Watch, specific to marinas, small craft operators, commercial vessels and sea rescue groups.
SICYC – Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia
SICYC – Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia
Coral Sea Marina is a proud major sponsor of the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club (SICYC). Every August the SICYC host their annual rendezvous in the Whitsundays to raise much needed funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). For last 6 years, Coral Sea Marina has provided major sponsorship specifically for this fundraising event.
Donating considerable time, money and resources to this worthwhile cause and creating a welcoming atmosphere for the cruising fraternity each winter, is part of our commitment to community. The Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club has over 6000 members and over the last 8 years has raised more than $600,000 dollars for the PCFA. Every year attendees at the rendezvous form the Hands Across the Blue to raise awareness for prostate cancer research. Over 200 boats participate every year in the waters of Gloucester Passage.
Voluntary Marine Rescue
Voluntary Marine Rescue
As major sponsor of the Whitsunday Voluntary Marine Rescue (VMR), Coral Sea Marina was instrumental in the purchase of the VMR’s rescue vessel Coral Sea Marina VMR1..
With our sponsorship, the committed team of volunteers have a state-of-the-art rescue and premium berthing allocation at their disposal. The volunteers are now able to respond quicker and more safely to incidents at sea.
Coral Sea Marina has committed to a three-year sponsorship agreement. As the on-water tourism and recreation hub of the Whitsundays, our commitment to this worthwhile organization is focused on ensuring the safety of local and visitors on our Whitsunday waters.
Whitsunday Festival of Motoring
Whitsunday Festival of Motoring
Coral Sea Marina was a major sponsor of the 2019 Whitsundays Festival of Motoring. Hosted 3- 5 May 2019, this festival showcased the very best in motorsport to the Whitsunday region. Competitors from all over Queensland drove some of the most scenic roads in the shire during a round of the Queensland Rally Championships (Rally Whitsundays) on 4 May. With festival headquarters being staged at Bowen, and a welcome event at Coral Sea Marina, this is was an epic event for motorsport and the Whitsunday community.
Coral Sea Marina are passionate about bringing community events to the region, attracting more visitors and partnering with key industry stakeholders to put the Whitsundays on the tourism destination map within Australia.
Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival
Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival
In January 2018 and January 2020, Coral Sea Marina, in conjunction with Tourism Whitsundays, Whitsunday Regional Council and Tourism Events Queensland host the Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival.
This was a two week community event designed to coincide with the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race making their host port stay in Airlie Beach (Coral Sea Marina). With public open days, corporate race days and incredible ticketed events showcasing the region, sailors, locals and visitors alike got to experience the Whitsunday spirit.
With a White on Whitehaven Beach Lunch, a Progressive Cruise Lunch, Rodeo By The Reef and a huge Welcome Party on the foreshore in Airlie Beach, the wondrous Whitsundays came alive for this incredible festival of events. Attracting over 8000 visitors to the region and injecting over $1.4m into the local economy, Coral Sea Marina Resort is proud to be major sponsor of this event and to have spearheaded the initial concept with local government.
Education & Youth
Education & Youth
The team at Coral Sea Marina are committed to the youth of the region and their education.
Our management team have provided information sessions and hosted school excursions from Cannonvale State School and Proserpine High School in the last year, as well as our participation in the Environmental Sustainability Forum held at St Catherine's Catholic College. Teaching the students about the marine tourism industry, running a sustainable business and environmental management practices engage them to be mindful of our marine environment and the community in which we operate.
Coral Sea Marina also provides school workshops through the Coral Sea Academy, Careers Expos at the local high schools and hosts work experience students.
Junior Sporting Club Sponsorship
Junior Sporting Club Sponsorship
We are committed to promoting fitness and wellness in the youth of the community and to encourage our younger generations to become actively involved in sports.
Coral Sea Marina officially sponsors numerous local youth sports teams, including Cannonvale Cannons Swimming, Proserpine Pitbulls Cricket, the Whitsunday Football Club and Whitsunday Junior Rugby Union. We have provided each team with a $1,000 sponsorship grant and are avidly enthusiastic about the development of these clubs and the youths enjoyment of each. Keep an eye out on our News Items and What’s On Guide for further details on events.
Sailing Sponsorships
Sailing Sponsorships
Coral Sea Marina are keen sponsors of both Junior Sailing and Sailability Whitsunday. We are proud to be home to the sailing heart of Australia, where this sport and pastime is fully embedded to the Whitsundays way of life.
We are keen to introduce our youth into sailing and to support the growth of their knowledge, skills and enjoyment. Sailability Whitsunday similarly provides people with disabilities and disadvantages with the fantastic opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy this wonderful activity with support, regardless of age or ability.
Great Barrier Reef Festival
Great Barrier Reef Festival
As a major sponsor of the 2019 and 2021 Great Barrier Reef Festival, Coral Sea Marina Resort is activity involved in the promotion and development of this regional community event.
The annual festival is all about the celebration of life in the Whitsundays, at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. This is the region’s favourite festival and is a fun-filled combination of family time, all-night parties and celebrations, with live music, markets, carnival rides, food stalls and fireworks, to name a few. In addition to this, you can add art and environmental workshops to your itinerary, plus parades and galas and so much more! This is four action-packed days designed for anyone and everyone and invites you all to come and enjoy winter in the Whitsundays.
Image credit: VAMPP photography
Airlie Beach Race Week
Airlie Beach Race Week
Coral Sea Marina is a proud sponsor of the Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing. This exciting and vibrant week of sailing-action is takes place each year just after the Great Barrier Reef Festival in August.
In 2021, our Welcome Vessel acted as a start boat and Coral Sea Marina hosted up to 70 vessels that were booked in for racing.
This incredible week of off-shore racing, plus nights of socializing and entertainment, draws many to come and experience our incredible region and soak up all the Whitsundays has to offer – with both on-shore and off-shore activities, there is so much to enjoy and share in. Coral Sea Marina is passionate about the sailing industry within the Whitsundays as well as community events that not only locals can enjoy and be proud of, but that can draw others to the Whitsunday region and put Airlie Beach on the map as a must-see destination on the Queensland coast.
Big Aussie BBQ
Big Aussie BBQ
In September 2021, Coral Sea Marina will be fundraising for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and is throwing a BIG AUSSIE BBQ.Prostate cancer threatens the lives of 1 in 6 Australian men and Coral Sea Marina aim to raise money for research, nursing and support for those affected.The BIG AUSSIE BBQ will take place on The Gardens in the south marina where all are welcome to grab a burger, listen to the music, and enjoy the usnset.All proceeds are donated to the PCFA.