Charter Chatter

From now until the end of March Whitsunday charter companies are offering great specials on chartering skipper yourself yachts, sailing catamarans and motor cruisers. For example - if you charter for five nights you pay for four, if you charter for seven nights you pay for five and if you charter for ten nights you pay for seven.

The freighter and passenger ship Aranui 3 is sailing from Papeete to Marquesas Islands, departing 29 June 2010 for 13 nights via the Tuamotus islands. The ship will be in the right place at the right time to view the total eclipse in the Southern Pacific Ocean.

One & All will sail from Adelaide on 10 February, arriving in Portland on 13 February. The South Australian tall ship will then leave Portland on 15 February arriving in Melbourne on 18 February. Each leg costs $860 per person all-inclusive, or $1,500 for the eight day voyage including accommodation aboard while in Portland. One & All will return from Melbourne to Portland from 23 March to 26 March, and from Portland to Adelaide from 29 March to 2 April. SA Tall Ships.com.au.

The JJ Giltinan International Championship, known as the 18 footer world championship, will be held on Sydney Harbour from 13-22 February. The spectator ferry will leave from Double Bay Wharf at 2.30pm each day with the exception of February 13 and 20, when it will leave at 3.30pm. Adults cost $15 and children under 14 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the office on race day. For further information, contact the club on (02) 9363 2995 or visit 18footers.com.au.

The Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney is commemorating the 240th anniversary of James Cook's landing in Botany Bay with a series of sailing adventures aboard HMB Endeavour - a replica of James Cook's vessel of discovery.

- The Endeavour Harbour adventure is ideal for families wanting to sail on Sydney Harbour and have an interactive tour of the ship above and below deck.

- On the Endeavour Overnight Experience guests enjoy a sunset tour of Sydney Harbour, eat a hearty 18th century dinner, learn about astronomy, history, navigation and botany, and sleep on board.

- Or learn to sail and live just like Cook and his crew did, on an Endeavour High Sea Adventure for five or six days as a crew member or gentleman passenger. Learn about navigation, meteorology and tall ship sailing. More details.

Port Macquarie NSW offers visitors a range of water activities offshore and on the rivers, estuaries and lakes, including fishing, whale watching, dolphin watching, fast coastal cruises on a jet boat and cruises up the shallow sections of the rivers to the National Park and Wauchope/Timbertown. Sailing catamarans, windsurfers, fishing dinghies and barbecue pontoons are available for hire. See 52things2do.com.au for more info.

Skipper yourself and crewed charters are available for Sail Port Stephens on 12-19 April in non-spinnaker divisions. The sailing and socialising at the event are structured so that participants can join in for a few days or for the whole program. SailPortStephens.com.au.

A romantic overnight boat charter on Sydney Harbour is a popular Valentine's Day indulgence. Skipper a boat yourself or hire a skipper for a twilight cruise before being left alone at anchor overnight with a gourmet dinner. The skipper will return in the morning to take you back to the charter base. Other on water options for February 14 include dining while cruising the Harbour or Pittwater, chartering a boat to take you to a picnic spot or to a restaurant.

Photograph: Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island