There was little surprise across the marine industry last week when Joscelyn O’Keefe, Coral Sea Marina Resort’s Head of Marketing & Business Development, walked to the stage to graciously accept the 2026 Superyacht Facility of the Year award at the Marine Industry Awards.
For regular readers of Marine Business News, Coral Sea Marina Resort is a familiar name. Whether through its ongoing investment in marina infrastructure, its support of the local Whitsundays community, its commitment to environmental initiatives, or its continued work in promoting one of Australia’s most spectacular cruising destinations, the marina has built a reputation as one of the most proactive and positive operators in the country.
That reputation was reinforced with its latest national recognition.
Located in the heart of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea Marina Resort is a 520-berth marina offering premium facilities and services for vessels up to 80 metres. It is the only 5 Gold Anchor Platinum and Superyacht Ready marina on the Great Barrier Reef and has the largest superyacht berthing capacity in the Whitsundays.
The award acknowledges not only the scale of the facility, but the depth of service, investment and innovation that has become central to the marina’s position in the Australian superyacht sector.
Coral Sea Marina Resort has been a consistent performer in this space, having previously been recognised as Superyacht Service Provider of the Year in 2017, 2021 and 2024. Its latest award reflects a continued commitment to raising the standard for superyacht facilities in regional Australia.
Key achievements during 2025 included continued growth in both domestic and international visitation, major power infrastructure upgrades, stronger industry partnerships, and further development of the marina’s Platinum Crew Club.
The Platinum Crew Club has become one of Coral Sea Marina Resort’s most distinctive initiatives. Designed specifically for superyacht crew, the program helps ensure crew make the most of their time at the marina and throughout the Whitsundays. It reflects an understanding that servicing the superyacht market requires more than berthing capacity alone. Crew experience, shoreside support, local connections and destination engagement all play a critical role in encouraging vessels to stay longer, return more often and recommend the region to others.
The marina’s superyacht offering includes in-berth high-flow bunkering, in-berth pump-out, concierge services, a gym, crew and guest lounge, security office, private helipads, resort pool, curated events and access to a vibrant marina village.
As Australia prepares for increased superyacht activity in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, facilities such as Coral Sea Marina Resort will be central to how the country presents itself to the international fleet. The Whitsundays already holds enormous destination appeal, but the continued development of world-class marine infrastructure is what helps convert that appeal into a genuine long-term industry opportunity.
For the Coral Sea Marina Resort team, the award is also a recognition of the work taking place across the entire business.
The team says the award acknowledges the contribution every staff member makes to maintaining a strong service focus, delivering quality facilities, and continuing to innovate through upgrades and activations that support the marina’s market position.
In many ways, that is what has made Coral Sea Marina Resort stand out. It is not simply a marina with an enviable location. It is a business that continues to invest, advocate and participate in the broader growth of the Australian marine industry.
Its recognition as the 2026 Superyacht Facility of the Year is therefore both well-earned and well-timed. As the superyacht sector looks toward the next phase of growth, Coral Sea Marina Resort is already helping set the benchmark.
For more information, visit www.coralseamarina.com
