Can I fish while sailing the Whitsundays?

Only in specific General Use (Light Blue) zones. You must have a recreational fishing permit, and you cannot fish in Marine National Park (Green) zones.

What should I do if I see an injured turtle?

Do not touch it. Call the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) hotline immediately or use the Eye on the Reef app to report the GPS location.

Sailing the Whitsundays Responsibly

Sailing the Whitsundays requires strict adherence to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park regulations to protect the delicate coral ecosystem. You must use designated public moorings, follow all 'no-go' zones, and carry all waste back to the mainland for disposal.

Check your zones. Download the 'Eye on the Reef' app to see real-time Marine Park zoning. Avoid Green (Scientific Research) and Pink (No-Entry) zones, and strictly follow speed limits in yellow-marked 'Go Slow' areas to protect turtles and dugongs.
Use public moorings. Anchoring destroys coral. Always aim for a GBRMPA public mooring buoy. These are first-come, first-served; if one isn't available, anchor only in sand or rubble—never on live coral.
Manage your waste. Do not discharge any greywater (soap, toothpaste) or blackwater within the Marine Park. Ensure your boat's holding tank is sealed and empty it only at designated pump-out facilities at Shute Harbour or Hamilton Island.
Follow the 'Reef-Friendly' sunscreen rule. Only use sunscreens containing non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are toxic to coral polyps.

Can I fish while sailing the Whitsundays?: Only in specific General Use (Light Blue) zones. You must have a recreational fishing permit, and you cannot fish in Marine National Park (Green) zones.
What should I do if I see an injured turtle?: Do not touch it. Call the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) hotline immediately or use the Eye on the Reef app to report the GPS location.