Charter Chatter

Sunsail Yacht Charters has recently moved its Thailand base to the ground-breaking Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket. Sunsail clients have full access to all the facilities of this spectacular, non-tidal marina, which will include restaurants, shops, a five-star hotel, man-made lagoons and a yacht club. More details.

Non spinnaker twilight racing on Sydney Harbour starts in early October.

During summer you can race on the harbour every evening of the week in a twilight series, and places on yachts are provided by several sailing schools. It's a great way for locals to unwind from a day at the office and for visitors to experience the Sydney lifestyle. See Boating Oz.

John Dyson, skipper of Fantasea Adventure Cruising vessel 'Wonder' sighted Migaloo, the albino humpback whale, east of the Whitsunday Islands at approximately 4pm on August 25 on the way home to Shute Harbour from Hardy Reef. He and the 113 guests on board spent around half an hour observing Migaloo. This was a very rare sighting and is believed to be the first sighting of Migaloo in the Whitsunday waters this season.

Sunsail Yacht Charter's 35th birthday promotion continues with 35 per cent off selected boats and dates, including new and direct last-minute bookings from their base in the Whitsundays, north Queensland.* Hundreds of holidaymakers happy to take their holiday at short notice have already benefited from this deal, and now Sunsail Yacht Charters has released dates through until 18th December 2009. More information.

For the first time, Sydney Harbour's iconic islands will be open to explore, discover and share with an Island Hopper ferry ticket. Sydney Harbour Island Hopping on Saturdays and Sundays between 3-18 October will offer unique and exciting experiences for all ages on four islands, including fine food on historic Fort Denison, fantastic prehistoric and mythical creatures roaming among the picnickers on Shark Island, Aboriginal art and culture on Clark Island, and Sydney's naval history and beautiful gardens on Garden Island.

For a more laid-back day out, grab your mates for the Perfect Picnic on Clark Island on 25 October. Or the Rodd Island Tea Dances on 21 and 22 October will be perfect for lovers of the music and dances of the 20's, 30's and 40's. More details at Boating Oz.

Captain Cook Cruises 'Pink Ribbon Cruises' will help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). Money from each weekend cruise departing October 9, 16 and 30 will go to breast cancer research. To help get the party started every booking of four or more adults will get a free bottle of champagne per cabin. More info.

Holidaymakers are not the only ones to flock to the warm Whitsunday waters during winter. Whales head north to the calm, sheltered waters off the coast of north Queensland to give birth to their calves and, in the process, become quite a draw-card for holidaymakers. More details.

An exploratory cruise along the wild and beautiful Kimberley coast is Coral Princess Cruises' most popular voyage. The company is offering an unprecedented 36 departures in 2010 and an early bird discount of 15 per cent on voyages departing between April 01 and May 17, with a choice of vessels: the 48-passenger Coral Princess or the luxurious 72-passenger Oceanic Discoverer.

Voyages to the deep Antarctic this summer are still available. Usually they are booked out by this time of year. These cruises are for hardy adventurers only as they cross the wild Southern Ocean, but the rewards are great, even life changing. Shop around but expect the cost to start from $18,000 per person.

Captain Cook Cruises releases the 2010 dates for its seven nights Northern Fiji Dateline Discovery Cruise where passengers are taken beyond the Yasawa Islands to very remote and exotic tropical Fijian islands and have the experience of standing on the International Dateline. Early Booking Saver (EBS) fares start from just $1999 per person.

Ipipiri, a 46 metre catamaran, is being built in Hobart and when complete will offer two day one night cruises through New Zealand's Bay of Islands, operated by Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands. The Name Ipipiri (E-pip-e-rey) is the original Maori name for the Bay of Islands, and means to raft up or to bring together. Spread over four levels, the catamaran includes 30 king state rooms, a spacious sundeck with 360 degree views and a 70-seat restaurant and bar.

Nobody was hurt on the Amazon River in Peru recently, when a luxury cruise ship carrying 24 people - including 13 Australians - was attacked by bandits. The group was on board the MV Aqua and despite the ordeal it's understood they're carrying on with their trip which includes visits to iconic South American sights such as Machu Picchu. The government of Peru has reacted swiftly, providing armed coast guard and police escorts for future cruises. Cruise Weekly.com.au.

Photograph: Sailing with Sunsail in Thailand