Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays

Adventure, Simply Done Better

As the Whitsunday Tourism Awards draw near, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays has earned a well-deserved nomination, an achievement that owner John Linton says reflects not just their exceptional guest experiences, but a deep respect for the Whitsundays’ cultural and natural heritage.

For 20 years, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays has charted a unique course through Ancient Ngaro Sea Country, offering travellers the freedom to skipper their own vessel while sailing responsibly through the turquoise waters of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

“We are a bareboat, self-skippered charter company offering immersive experiences in Ancient Ngaro Sea Country”, John said.

“We sought permission 20 years ago to sail in their wake, and everything we’ve done has been formed around working with the original custodians. We are passionate partners of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.”

That passion is reflected in the business’s long list of eco credentials; Advanced Eco Certified, Climate Action Business Certified, and Recognition of Culture Certified. Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays is also proudly Carbon Positive, partnering with Carbon Neutral Australia to measure and offset its footprint at five times its annual emissions.

“Everyone talks about being carbon neutral, we are carbon positive,” John said.

“We measure our carbon footprint every year, and then we multiply that by five and offset five times more than we are meant to. That’s quite a deliberate strategy.”

This philosophy aligns with the company’s wider mission: supporting “Tomorrow’s Reef Today”, protecting both the reef and the cultural stories that belong to it.

The business’s eco-conscious focus extends to every guest experience. Before setting sail, guests receive world-class maritime and environmental briefings from qualified Master 5 skippers.

“We give our guests credible and practical maritime briefings so they can set sail with confidence,” John added.

“Everything from mooring in the right areas, managing waste, using desalinated water, and encouraging recycling. We’ve trialled biofuels in our engines, we’re trying everything we can to minimise our footprint.”

Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays’ operations are grounded in care. They employ a Marine Biologist and a Master Reef Guide to continually improve reef stewardship practices.

For John, the real reward comes from guest stories, especially those that recognise and respect the local culture.

“When guests use the words Ngaro or Ancient Ngaro in their reviews, that shows there’s respect,” he said.

Each voyage begins with a simple welcome: Wodda Moolie, Naana Naana Dook, Mununandu, and Welcome to Ancient Ngaro Sea Country.

Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays also gives back to the community as Platinum Sponsors of WOW – Whales of Whitsundays, the Major Sponsor of SICYC (prostate cancer research), and Sponsors of SONY Foundations’ YOU CAN events (housing for cancer patients), Their charter guests are even rewarded for helping protect the reef with gifts given to those who return with marine debris or assist in reef clean-ups.

For those seeking a meaningful escape, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays offers six or 13-day self-skippered charters throughout the Whitsundays, with extended journeys available via satellite-supported communication.

John describes it as Adventure, Simply Done Better.

One of the vessels available from Portland Roads. Photo sourced: Facebook

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