Charter Chatter

CHARTER CHATTER

The Gold Coast whale watching season starts 30 May and the first humpbacks have been spotted off the coast. Sea World's custom designed $3.4m catamaran comfortably carries in excess of 100 passengers and will operate daily (weather permitting) until November.

Coral Princess Cruises is offering a 25 percent discount on its small-ship, expedition-style, Auckland to Bay of Islands five day voyages for departures between December 2009 and February 2010. The offer is available for new bookings made until July 31, 2009.

A marine biologist, working with Quicksilver Connections in the Reef Biosearch department for nearly 20 years, describes his job taking small groups of people from Cairns and Port Douglas snorkelling on Agincourt Reef at the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=28497

Sunsail turns 35 this year and to celebrate, it's giving holidaymakers at any of their worldwide bases a $35 bonus discount off all new charter bookings confirmed from June 1 until the end of the year.* The $35 discount is in addition to all other discounts including Sunsail's book early discount, the extended stay discount and repeat charterer loyalty discount. www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=28399

The New Zealand based tallship, the 300 ton oak hulled brigantine Soren Larsen, is due to set off across the South Pacific later this month, sailing from Auckland to the Cook Islands on May 29 on the first leg of a seven-month adventure via Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu to Sydney. www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=28397

Virgin Blue will have daily direct flights between Sydney and Hamilton Island from 4 July 2009. The flights will depart Sydney at 10.15am and touch down at Hamilton Island at 12.45pm before departing the Island at 1.15pm and landing in Sydney at 3.45pm.

Book a cruise by 30 June 2009 with Coral Princess to explore the Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia or Across the Top of Australia on selected departure dates and receive a complimentary three or four-night Great Barrier Reef cruise. The second cruise can be taken at any time in the next year, or can be passed on to family members as a gift. www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=28386

In an effort to protect the delicate eco-system of Antarctica, cruise ships with more than 500 passengers are now officially banned from landing sites in Antarctica. The number of passengers cruise lines can bring ashore at a time has also been limited to 100.

The China Cup International Regatta to be held 30 October to 2 November 2009 starts with three days of practice in Hong Kong, followed by a race to Shenzhen in mainland China, and then five days of racing from the Longcheer Yacht Club. Thirty Beneteau First 40.7 yachts will attract competitive one design sailors and Mariner Boating Holidays has arranged the ultimate stay and sail package. http://www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=28328

Sunsail Yacht Charters, based at Hamilton Island, will welcome two flagship Sunsail 44i high-performance cruising yachts to its Whitsunday fleet in June. Sunsail will also take delivery of a new 49i in May, a new 39i in June and a new Sunsail 464 catamaran mid-November. http://www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=28321

The Sydney Whale Watching season starts in late May, peaking around the middle of June. Humpback and Southern Wright whales leave their feeding grounds in Antarctica at the start of winter and migrate to the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef to give birth. To book individual tickets or group bookings contact a charter broker at http://www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=16065

A travel security expert gives five tips that are 'absolutely vital' for those seeking peace of mind while travelling abroad. http://www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=28341

Photograph: Seaworld Whale Watching