Community Events To Do During Clipper Race Arrival

As Host Port Sponsor, Coral Sea Marina will provide a wide range of experiences which will be delivered for Clipper Race crew, supporters and organisers, showcasing the very best of the Whitsundays.

The Race 6 Prize-giving will be held at Coral Sea Marina on Monday 12 January, welcoming more than 300 race crew, officials and supporters to celebrate the leg concluding in Airlie Beach.

Supported by Whitsunday Regional Council, the evening will feature a cultural welcome, official prize-giving, live music and refreshments, all set against a sunset backdrop over the marina and yachts.

Crew and visitors will also be invited to a 'Meet the Whitsunday Wildlife' experience in the Coral Sea Marina Gardens, where keepers from Whitsunday Wildlife will introduce international guests to a range of iconic Australian animals through an interactive encounter.

Sustainability and science will be highlighted through an engaging talk hosted by the International Seakeepers Society, focusing on Great Barrier Reef citizen science and how sailors can contribute to marine research.

In addition, Reef Catchments will offer a Seagrass Nursery Tour and Talk for selected crew, providing insight into research being conducted at the marina’s seagrass nurseries, followed by a guided exploration of the seagrass meadows at Cannonvale Beach.

Adding a touch of adventure, Pioneer Adventures will take one sailor from each boat on a glass-bottom boat tour, offering a unique view of the underwater environment in Shute Harbour.

Throughout the stopover, The Garden Bar Bistro will host daily ‘Golden Hour’ from 3–5pm, welcoming Clipper Race crews and supporters to unwind with cold drinks, waterfront views and relaxed Whitsundays hospitality.

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