Media release
24 March 2023
New Cruise to help meet demand for Whitsunday Islands
Explore Group is launching new expedition-style cruises to meet the demand for visitors to experience more of the Whitsunday Islands.
Explore Expeditions offer premium small ship voyages onboard the Whitsunday Explorer comparable to owning or chartering a Superyacht, to provide visitors including groups, events and incentive trips with a unique opportunity to really to explore the area.
The size of our cruise vessel provides us with the agility to navigate islands, reefs and shallow bays that bigger ships cannot access.
Explore Expedition Cruises will launch on April 14 with passengers able to take a two-night cruise departing Coral Sea Marina to visit many of the islands that make up the Whitsunday Island group. Later in the year there will be the option of four or six-night cruises added to the schedule.
With the high demand for tourism experiences and accommodation in the region, William Goodfellow, Explore Managing Director, said the company sees this as an exciting opportunity to grow and invest in unique tourism experiences in the Whitsundays.
“There’s currently nothing quite like this expedition-style cruise available,” says Goodfellow.
“With increased demand on mainland and island accommodation, Explore Expedition Cruises offer visitors and locals the chance to experience the beauty of the islands, spot a huge range of sea and bird life, and participate in a range of water and island activities.”
The 45m boat, named Whitsunday Explorer, being used for the venture has capacity for 60 passengers on overnight cruises in 30 ensuite cabins, configured either twin-share or king double. She is purpose-built for overnight cruising with full amenities across four levels.
The cruises enable guests to explore the Whitsunday Islands and experience the beauty and history of the region during the day and relax in the bar, roof deck, dining lounge and private cabins overnight.
Activities during the day include everything from snorkelling, guided walks, visiting historic sites, through to wildlife encounters and sea kayaking.
“We’re focused on helping to grow and enhance the Whitsundays as a tourism destination for locals, as well as visitors from around Australia, and overseas. Book the cruise as a standalone Whitsundays experience or add a cruise on to a land-based stay,” says Goodfellow.
“An on the water experience like Explore Expedition Cruises showcases the beauty and history of the Whitsundays and ultimately entices more visitors to the region,” he says.
The launch of Explore Expedition Cruises is the second stage of Explore Group’s recent expansion in the Whitsundays, following the company’s build of a luxury snorkel/dive vessel in 2021.
Ocean Explorer named “best large tourist vessel of the year”, is based on Hamilton Island and operates daily from Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island to the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Explore Expeditions Cruises Whitsunday Weekend on the Water will sail on a Friday and return on
Sunday and later in the year, the four- and six-night options will operate throughout the week. The cruises are priced from (AUD) $750.00 per person, per night, twin share, including all meals and many daily excursions and water activities.
Visit https://www.exploregroup.com.au/explore-expedition-cruises/
ENDS
For more information contact:
Aimee Jones
Explore Group
022 0282330
aimee@exploregroup.co.nz