The first to be accredited with eco tourism for overnight adventure sailing and still the [...]]]> Tall Ship Adventures, owners of the beautiful SV Whitehaven Eco Adventure Sailing vessel, are responding to guest feedback asking for more time, by offering 3 full days and 2 nights aboard, with the release of their new extended
Eco Adventure Sailing Tour.

The first to be accredited with eco tourism for overnight adventure sailing and still the leader, for over 15 years, Tall Ship Adventures has been hosting fun Eco Sailing Adventure tours in the Whitsunday waters. During that time they have had the pleasure of being recognised as one of the most awarded eco tourism operators in Queensland.

Not only are Tall Ship Adventures giving you an extra full day out on the water, but they are value adding their tours with free kayaks on board and informative guides who will pass on knowledge about the places visited.

Their vessel, the expedition cruiser, the SV Whitehaven was originally built for 3 day, 2 night sailing adventures and with her wide berth, huge deck space, seats for everyone on board and covered aft area, she is the perfect vessel to cruise away the hours on an extended sailing holiday, come rain or shine.

SV Whitehaven

Tall Ships Adventures are different from the competition – they want to share the natural beauty and hidden wonders of the areas in which they sail. They want to share the beauty of the region and have spent many years perfecting their tours to award winning standards, which have been officially recognised, over and over again.

On board the SV Whitehaven you will find two man sea kayaks which are available for all guests to use.  Head off by yourself or tag along on a guided tour which will take you to the fringing reefs of the islands; a fabulous way to get up close to the corals of the Coral Sea that surround the beautiful islands which make up the Whitsundays.

The guided paddle takes you to a meeting point where you can then take to the land; learn about the island’s bush food, aboriginal culture, cave paintings and history of the region.

The SV Whitehaven Eco Sailing Tour has many great features – with more of everything on offer – the “real deal”:

• A sailing vessel, purpose built for 3 day, 2 night adventure sailing.
• Spacious decks with plenty of room to stretch your legs or sunbathe.
• A large covered area for all day relaxation, whatever the weather.
• A seat for everyone on board.
• 5 spacious cabins, with multi share singles and doubles available.
• Your chance to have a go at pulling a sheet or two and moving under the power of the wind.
• An extensive range of snorkelling spots to visit.
• Many destinations within the Whitsundays.
• Free use of onboard kayaks.
• Plenty of bush walks to choose from.
• Many islands and beaches visited on the Tall Ships’ tour.
• Great food.
• Plentiful hot water.
• Snorkelling equipment.

PLUS

• Too many tourism and eco tourism awards to mention.

So for a sailing adventure with a difference, we’d love to see you aboard the SV Whitehaven.

Over the years, Islandive’s Company Directors Keith Roberts and Mike Keyte have avidly supported and been pro-active within local committees in the prevention of [...]]]> Since Skipper Ian Thompson (Thommo) joined Whitsundays Sailing Adventures Islandive, he has always valued the company policy in helping protect and preserve our Great Barrier Reef Park and the marine life within. 

Over the years, Islandive’s Company Directors Keith Roberts and Mike Keyte have avidly supported and been pro-active within local committees in the prevention of waste infiltrating our ocean.  Islandive and its staff continually works in conjunction with the Queensland Marine Park and its environmental program.  

Ian is a participator in Islandive’s Eye on the Reef Program and is well informed and knowledgable on the natural heritage, conservation and the colossal eco-system of the Great Barrier Reef and its environmental threats.

We are proud he is actively going out on his own in April 2010 in his quest to sail around Australia to raise awareness of plastic bags polluting our ocean,  and the devastating effect this has on our marine environment. Ian has Islandive’s full support and we are pleased to be able to contribute to his campaign.

Plastic bags are a true menace to our marine ecosystem.  Non- recyclable, the Australian Government is working with the industry and the community to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags.  Everyone shares some responsibility for this problem as nearly half a million plastic bags are collected on clean up Australia Day each year.  It takes only four grocery shopping trips for an average Australian family to accumulate 60 plastic bags.  Many people are starting to use reusable bags such as the ‘green bags” you buy at supermarkets.

Plastic bags which are made from natural gas or oil, are especially dangerous to turtles who mistake them for jellyfish, their main food source. 86% of all known species of turtles have had reported problems of entanglement or ingestion of marine debris. ,

Our marine creatures are dying and they need our help.  We ask you to support Ian in his determination to break the record of the fastest person to  sail solo around Australia, and to be the voice of our endangered marine creatures.

Islandive  has put on every vessel  a tin can in the hope that passengers touring on an Islandive vessel will donate a gold coin to contribute towards Ian’s food bill over the 50 days he is at sea.   This donation will go directly towards his expenses and his voyage around Australia to save our wonderful marine creatures. 

Anyone wishing to support his campaign should visit the campaigns website at www.sosoceanracing.com