Charter Chatter

- Sydney Harbour Island Hopping cruises will run each Saturday and Sunday from 9 - 24 October giving people access to the harbour islands via a one looped tour, with tailored entertainment and experiences on each. This year the program will include food experiences on all of the islands and a visit to the newly reopened Goat Island. www.harbourislandhopping.com

- Hervey Bay whale watch operators and their guests are enjoying fantastic whale watching conditions, which this year have included a large pod of false killer whales. With the whale watching season finishing at the end of October, families are being urged to make their bookings soon so as not to miss out.

- Orion's eleven night Australian Geographic Photographic Expedition in Papua New Guinea departs Cairns in April 2011. The cruise provides opportunities to test and develop photographic skills - historic World War II sites, tropical islands, exotic bird and marine life, primitive artworks, active volcanoes, the colonial atmosphere of Madang and a rare visit to a remote village near the Sepik River. Under the knowledgeable guidance of photographer Nick Rains and Grand Master of Photography Peter Eastwood, the voyage is designed to appeal to photographers of all levels - while not forgetting their partners.

- Coral Princess Cruises, Orpheus Island Resort and Thala Beach Lodge have put together three tropical experiences in an Australia reef and rainforest package that includes exploring remote coral cays and snorkelling in the clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef on a Coral Princess cruise; a resort stay on Orpheus Island; and relaxing amid World Heritage rainforest at Thala Beach Lodge.

- A Whitsunday Sailing Sale on adventure sailing cruises, eco tallships, sail and dive adventures is available to August 31 for travel before 30 September. www.tourismwhitsunday.com

- Spirit of Tasmania offers Super Saver Ocean Recliners for $74 on the Melbourne-Devonport service departing at 7.30pm, arriving the following morning at 6.00am. You can take your own car on holiday with you from just

$74 each way if booked by 10 September 2010 for travel until 16 December 2010 unless sold out prior.

- The Caribbean islands are blessed with Atlantic breezes almost all year round, so it's no surprise that sailors flock to enjoy the perfect blend of turquoise seas, swaying palms, white sand beaches, lilting rhythms, blue skies, exotic fish and glorious sunsets - not to mention the rum cocktails.

Andrea and Ian Treleaven's book Letters from the Caribbean is now available.

They spent two seasons cruising the Greater and Lesser Antilles, sampling the cuisine, night life and scenic attractions and this journal of their voyages will entice you to cruise or charter in their wake.

- Shortly after a major weather event in the Swain Reef area on 11 August, a charter fishing vessel, Bell Cay, activated two distress beacons and sent out a mayday call over VHF radio. The vessel ran aground on a reef and capsized. Three nearby fishing vessels responded to the mayday call and reported all 21 passengers were in life rafts. Later, all 21 passengers were safely transferred to the fishing vessel Impulse, then to a Yeppoon Water Police vessel. www.amsa.gov.au

- A new day cruise to the Low Isles, aboard the 62 foot luxury sailing catamaran Aquarius, departs daily from Port Douglas with a maximum of 23 guests. Tropical Journey's Lagoon 620 is the first boat of its type in Australia. The Low Isles are famous for their spectacular marine life and the day tour also includes a guided walk of the area to learn more about the history and environment of the isles.

Photograph: Fort Denison courtesy of Sydney Harbour Island Hopping