Whitsunday Escape has been awarded Gold in the Bareboating category at The Whitsundays Tourism Awards 2026, presented at the awards night on Saturday 24 October.
Operations Director Rhys Bradford and Marketing Manager Beth Sutherland
Operations Director Rhys Bradford and Marketing Manager Beth Sutherland attended the ceremony and accepted the award on behalf of the company.
The award recognises a Whitsundays charter experience built around a simple idea: guests can explore the islands on their own terms, without needing a boat licence. Whitsunday Escape pairs self-skippered modern catamarans with thorough pre-departure training, personalised handovers and on-water support, helping guests feel ready to take the helm.
“We are absolutely buzzing. Our whole team works incredibly hard to deliver an exceptional experience, so to step up from Silver last year to Gold is a true honour. A huge thank you to Rhys and Beth for representing us so well on Saturday night, and to every guest who took the time to leave a review.” said Jaclyn Watson, Managing Director of Whitsunday Escape.
Judged on what guests say
This year’s awards were decided on independent performance measures rather than written submissions. Each business was scored out of 220 points, combining its Best of Queensland score (including positive guest reviews, secure online booking, accreditation and sustainability certification), its Global Review Index (a reputation rating drawn from guest reviews across online sources), and its contribution to regional programs including Whitsunday STARS and The Whitsundays Welcomes You.
Whitsunday Escape scored 219 out of a possible 220 points, making it one of only three operators across the awards to reach that score. With reviews making up most of the scoring, the result reflects the experiences and feedback of the guests who have sailed with the company.
“The team are some of the smartest, funniest and most determined people I know. We all share a love for the Whitsundays and boating, and being able to share this with our guests makes our job feel like fun!” said Ms Watson.
Freedom with confidence
Operating from Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Escape gives everyday adventurers the chance to explore the Whitsunday islands and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park aboard a modern fleet of self-contained catamarans. Guests choose their own routes, anchor in secluded bays and set their own pace, free from fixed schedules.
Behind that freedom sits a strong focus on safety and preparation. Every charter begins with a comprehensive pre-departure briefing and navigation training, followed by a personalised vessel handover, with radio support and full safety equipment provided throughout the trip.
“Skippering your own boat is a truly unique way to experience the Whitsundays. It offers freedom and independence no other holiday can match. Safety is the foundation of the everything we do, so guests are fully supported from briefing to return.” said Ms Watson.
Looking ahead
Whitsunday Escape has also been named a finalist at the Queensland Tourism Awards, to be held on 6 November 2026, after winning Gold for Unique Accommodation at the state awards in 2025.
“For now, our focus turns to the Queensland Tourism Awards with some exciting projects to follow. I invite anyone who has maybe considered bareboating to book the trip. If you ever thought about bareboating, now is the time. We’re taking bookings for 2028, so it’s a holiday you can plan well ahead or give someone a Whitsundays adventure for Christmas. Either way we would love to share the magic with you.” said Ms Watson.
For more information, visit www.whitsundayescape.com
