As we wrap up 2023, it’s time to reflect on the year’s achievements and challenges.
Marina occupancy is at an all-time high, as is demand for marina berthing. Visitation to the Whitsunday region has been consistently strong since CoVid and boat ownership in this region is certainly on the rise influenced by an influx of residents from the southern states. All these factors, teamed with a greater number of boat owners choosing to stay with us annually and commercial operations running at peak levels means 2023 has been quite the year for our team!
It was a platinum start to the year, as we were once again awarded 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accreditation. After a stringent assessment process, January marked the time to celebrate Coral Sea Marina once again being one of only two marinas in Queensland to hold this prestigious accreditation.
In March, we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Paul Darrouzet’s acquisition of Abell Point Marina. The past decade has seen a total transformation from tired, run-down marina in receivership to Queensland’s first 5-Gold Anchor Platinum marina. To mark the milestone, the Coral Sea Marina team were joined by industry colleagues, guests, operators and tenants, for sunset cocktails at the newly renovated Coral Sea Resort.
In May, we were awarded ‘Best Community Support’ award at the 2023 Marina Industry Association awards, for our Coral Sea Academy initiative. The Coral Sea Academy was developed to provide an event platform to educate guests, locals and visitors to the Whitsundays on topics related to our marine environment, the Great Barrier Reef, better boating practices and sustainability.
By June the Coral Sea Academy events were in full swing, with the Better Boating series receiving the highest attendance since launch a few years back. From Radio 1-0-1 to Basic Navigation marina guests and the local community were offered expert training for free in the comfort of the marina’s private guest lounge.
July saw us commit to a further 3-year Platinum sponsorship deal with Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsundays. The importance of the service that VMR Whitsundays provides our boating community is inarguable and as the region attracts more boats every year, the marina’s commitment to VMR Whitsundays is focused on ensuring a better boating experience for all.
The CSMR Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival took place in July over two days. This successful event was supported by many local competitors as well as a handful of elite athletes who travelled to the region to compete. Congratulations to the volunteers and Tri Festival committee on a great event this year!
August brought the annual Great Barrier Reef Festival which we love to support. Highlights for us were CSMR Lantern Parade and a new event we sponsored this year “Immersive Reef Stories”. Immersive Reef Stories was hosted by Master Reef Guides Crystal Lacey and Jonny Gaskell and was both entertaining and educational – we are looking forward to seeing how this event continues to evolve in 2024.
Early September we announced a new partnership with the International Seakeepers Society with a shared vision to work together to educate and engage our guests and vessel owners on ocean conservation programs. Look out for the introduction of our co-branded Sustainable Boating Kits in 2024!
August, September and October we hosted our biggest Marina Mingles to date with well over 120 guests attending each. These events were supported by our industry partners Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, The Boatworks and Sanctuary Cove Marina. Our Marina Mingles offer the perfect platform for our guests to get to know each other and for us to develop a sense of community at the marina which keeps people returning year after year.
November saw many of our marina operators attend the Queensland Tourism Awards with Ocean Rafting taking out a double gold in Adventure Tourism and Major Tour and Transport. Our partnership with Whales of the Whitsundays was announced this month with us coming onboard as a Platinum Sponsor in the community-led initiative for the Whitsundays to become the first Whale Heritage Site in a World Heritage Area.
The marina team had an early Christmas celebration with a night of barefoot bowls at Airlie Beach Bowls Club. Joined by partners and family, it was a great opportunity for our hard-working team to enjoy some good food and Christmas cheer together before the school holiday mayhem began!
Early December was all about extreme weather preparation and securing the marina as the threat of TC Jasper loomed. Our region was largely unaffected as the cyclone tracked further north but the preparations were well managed and a timely reminder that advanced preparation is key to mitigating the risks that extreme weather events present. Our thoughts are with those affected in Northern Queensland and their recovery effort.
Late December saw us implement a No Fishing Zone campaign throughout the marina. This campaign comes as a timely reminder to guests and visitors that we are a Clean Marina Level III/ Fish Friendly marina and fishing is not permitted anywhere within the marina precinct.
As we near the end of December, the marina team are still hard at work preparing for the arrival of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The 11-strong fleet of Clipper 70’s are due to arrive mid-January for a week’s stopover before heading off on their next race leg to Asia. This will be the fourth visit for the Clipper Race and we look forward to giving them a warm Whitsunday welcome.
2024 is set to be just as busy with new developments and projects on the horizon. We look forward to another year of creating the very best marina experience for our guests, affecting positive change in our community, engaging with projects that protect our natural environment and seeing the Whitsundays continue to thrive.
We hope you will join us on the journey!
