FAQs-for-sailing-trip

Plan Your Experience

We’re excited to welcome you aboard for a magical time on the water!

Below, we’ve collected the most frequently asked questions about our experiences.

Book-sailing-cruise

Before You Book

Have questions before booking? Our FAQ provides useful information to help you book your Pilgrim Magnetic Island experience with confidence.

  • Where do we go on the Sunset Cruise?
    The route of the 90-minute sailing cruise in Cleveland Bay will depend on the wind (strength and direction) and the skipper will ensure that it is the most comfortable ride for the prevailing conditions. Please note we do not anchor on our sunset cruises.

    What if I don't drink wine (sparkling, white or rose) or beer?
    We also have soft drinks available onboard, however, if you want to bring pre-mixes, that's fine. Just let us know at the time of booking. We do not permit spirits or red wine on board.

    Can I bring my children* on a Sunset Cruise?
    We generally say that the Sip & Sail Sunset Cruise is adults-only. However, we do make an exception during school holidays when kids are welcome. During the school holidays, we will arrange special child-friendly drinks and snacks to be on board.

    On our Private Sunset Cruises, kids of all ages are welcome - it's your event after all!
    *see below for our child policy.

  • How long do we spend at anchor on the Lunchtime Sailing Cruise?
    Generally, we spend around an hour and a half at anchor - just enough time to have some fun, relax and have lunch.

    Which Bays do we visit on the Lunchtime Sailing Cruise?
    ​Our favourite bays to visit on a Lunchtime Sailing Cruise are Radical Bay, Florence Bay or Arthur Bay. Where we go depends on the wind/swell conditions on the day.

    Please note that commercial operators are not permitted to visit Florence Bay and Balding Bay on weekends.

    Can we go snorkelling?
    We do not offer snorkelling tours, however when the weather permits (i.e. light winds), guests may be able to snorkel on our Lunchtime Cruises and Private Charters. Please note we do not provide snorkel gear, so please bring your own.

  • Is the boat suitable for children?
    Yes, definitely. Pilgrim is large and stable with two deep cockpits, which are safe and most kids love being on board.

    ​We recommend our Lunchtime Sailing Cruises or Private Charters for kids.

    Our Sunset Cruises are more tailored to relaxation and adults with alcoholic drinks served and generally will only take children during school holidays.

    What is your child policy?
    Child prices apply to children up to 14 years, inclusive. If you have an infant, please enquire at time of booking.

    I have a baby, is there somewhere from him/her to sleep?
    Yes, we have had heaps of babies sleeping on one of the beds on board. It's safe and close by to the skipper so we can keep an ear/eye out on your little one at all times.

  • Can I bring my own food ?
    We strongly recommend against it. Our charters are all about relaxation and enjoying the day. Our crew will do everything for you while you're on board, prep your lunch, pour your drinks etc. If you BYO, that takes away from the experience as you'll be prepping before you leave home, lugging bags and eskies to the boat and then having to wash it up and put it away when you get home. If you still want to BYO please contact us to discuss.

    Our Sip & Sail Sunset Cruises & Lunchtime Cruises are all-inclusive - no need to bring any food or drink. If you have special dietary requirements, please advise us in advance and will let you know what we can provide.​

    Can I bring my own drinks?
    Again we recommend making use of our complimentary bar with premium beverages. However if you don't drink wine or beer and  wish to bring your own pre-mix drinks, you are welcome to bring a few with you. When you board the vessel please hand them to the crew who will keep them chilled for you and serve along with the other drinks. NO SPIRITS, RED WINE OR LARGE ESKIES PLEASE!

    ​Can special dietary requirements be accommodated?
    Yes, in the majority of cases, although notice is required. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

    Do you have drinking water on board?
    Yes. We have sparkling and still water available onboard, however, if you wish to bring a reusable water bottle, we can refill this for you with filtered water. 

    Please note we are trying to reduce our impact on the environment and would appreciate it if you didn't bring single-use plastic bottles on board. 

  • Is there a toilet onboard?
    Yes, down below, we have one toilet for your use.

    Is there any shade on the boat?
    There is an awning on board which we will put out when we are at anchor. However, we cannot use the awning when we are sailing; generally, there are some areas of shade created from the sails.

  • We don't pick up from Townsville, as takes over 1.5 hours to sail from Townsville to Magnetic Island once we have picked you up. We believe this "commute" takes up too much of your precious time onboard rather than spending it cruising the waters surrounding Magnetic Island.

    We can arrange ferry tickets for you to get to Magnetic Island in 20 minutes with Sealink and we are located 2 minutes walk from the ferry terminal.

  • There is a car park a very short walk away at the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal (near IGA). Please allow time to park as finding a spot can be tricky at times.

Sailing-cruise-activities

Plan Your Day

Planning your day with us is easy! Find all the essential information to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience with Pilgrim Magnetic Island.

  • We meet all of our guests on the Peppers Blue on Blue deck outside the Boardwalk Restaurant & Bar, Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island.  Link to Google Map of meeting spot here.

    If you have selected our ex-Townsville option (or added a ferry as an optional extra) which includes Sealink ferry tickets from Townsville, please see Getting to Magnetic Island and Sealink Ferry times for more information.

  • Magnetic Island is just a short 20–25 minute ferry ride from Townsville. We recommend catching the Sealink Ferry, which departs from the Breakwater Terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive in Townsville City.

    Important Info:

    • See below section for our recommended ferry times. We suggest checking the official timetable prior to travel, in case of changes to the times listed below.

    • Please arrive at the ferry terminal at least 20 minutes before departure — parking and traffic can sometimes cause delays.

    • You’re more than welcome to arrive on the island earlier or leave later to explore and enjoy more of beautiful Magnetic Island.

    • Unfortunately, we can’t offer refunds or reschedules if you miss your ferry.

    Ferry Tickets:
    If you selected the ex-Townsville option or included ferry tickets with your booking, we’ll email your tickets to you a few hours before your cruise.

    Travelling earlier than that? Just send us a quick text, and we’ll get your tickets to you sooner.

  • Please double check the ferry times below before you travel, as there do change from time to time: Sealink Ferry Timetable

    LUNCHTIME SAILING CRUISE

    ·       Townsville departure at 9.30 am  | Depart Magnetic Island: 3.00 pm after the cruise


    SIP & SAIL SUNSET CRUISE

    ·       January | February | March:  Depart Townsville: 4.30 pm before the cruise |  Depart Magnetic Island: 8 pm after the cruise

    ·       April | May | June| July | August | September:  Depart Townsville: 3.50 pm before the cruise |  Depart Magnetic Island: 6.35 pm after the cruise

    ·       October: Depart Townsville: 3.50 pm before the cruise| Depart Townsville: 8 pm before the cruise

    ·       November | December:  Depart Townsville: 4.30 pm before the cruise| Depart Magnetic Island: 8 pm after the cruise

    ​
    PRIVATE CHARTERS

    ·       Ferry time will depend on the start time of your charter. Please check the ferry timetable and note the ferry takes approximately 25 minutes to get to the island from Townsville.


    PILGRIM ADVENTURES

    ·       Morning departures (8.15 or 8.30 am):  Depart Townsville: 7.45 am | Depart Magnetic Island:  1.35 pm.

    ·       Afternoon departures (2 pm):  Depart Townsville 1.00 pm | Depart Magnetic Island: 6.35 pm after the experience.


    GOURMET PICNIC ON A REMOTE BEACH

    ·       Depart Townsville: 9.30 am |  Depart Magnetic Island: 1.35 pm after the experience​

    Our cruises will wait for these ferries, so if the ferry is delayed we will wait for the ferry to arrive before we depart.

     

  • We recommend you wear comfortable clothes and shoes with light-coloured soles and no heels. Please advise your guests of this. 

    During the summer months during the day the decks can get hot, so we recommend bringing a pair of thongs or similar, which are easy to slip on and off. 

     

  • For our daytime experiences we suggest bringing:

    ·       swimmers

    ·       towels

    ·       a hat

    ·       sunscreen (preferably reef-friendly)

    ·       reusable water bottle (ideally non-single-use). Chilled drinking water is available on board.

    During winter we recommend bringing something warm after swimming.

    We will provide stinger suits during stinger season (November to May).

    For our sunset experiences we suggest bringing:

    ·       something warm in the cooler winter months (June - September).

  • While Cleveland Bay is generally protected, there can be some swell depending on the wind strength & direction. If you’re prone to seasickness or think you might be, we recommend taking precautions before the trip.

    A popular option is Travacalm (the blue one) — we suggest taking half to one tablet about an hour before your cruise.

     

  • Snorkelling may be an option during your cruise, but it’s not guaranteed. It depends on the wind and sea conditions on the day. Please note that our lunchtime sailing cruise is not a snorkelling tour.

    If you’d like to snorkel:

    • You must be a confident swimmer and have previous snorkelling experience — for safety reasons, we cannot allow snorkelling if you can’t swim or have never snorkelled before.

    • Please bring your own snorkel and mask — we don’t carry any snorkelling gear (snorkels, masks, or fins) on board.

    • You’ll also need to complete a snorkel waiver form before joining us. Everyone who plans to snorkel must be listed on the form (you can include multiple people on one submission).

    We kindly ask that you fill out the waiver before your cruise day to help everything run smoothly.

  • We monitor the weather and forecasts at all times with your safety, comfort and enjoyment in mind.

    We know weather forecasts can be a bit unsettling at times, but they’re not always reliable far in advance.

    If we cancelled every time rain or wind was predicted, we’d miss out on many beautiful sails that turn out just fine! That’s why we make the final decision much closer to the sail time — sometimes just a few hours before — when the forecast is clearer and more accurate.

    If we have any concerns about the cruise going ahead, we’ll be in touch as soon as we have a better picture of the conditions. Otherwise, you can assume your sail is going ahead as planned.

    Thanks so much for your understanding — we really appreciate it!

     

  • We welcome everyone and are committed to making your time on board enjoyable, comfortable, and safe. As Pilgrim is a 58-foot classic sailing yacht, there are some physical limitations due to the vessel’s design, but our crew is always happy to assist wherever possible.

    General Considerations

    • Boarding the Yacht: There are steps to get on and off the vessel. Our friendly crew will be there to assist you.

    • Moving Around on Board: There are a couple of small steps to access the main seating area. Again, assistance is available.

    • Toilets: The bathroom is located below deck and is accessed via a steep staircase.

    • During the Cruise: We go sailing, so the yacht will lean (or "heel") while under sail. We also share important safety information throughout the journey, which we will communicate in the most appropriate way for each guest.

    For more details on accessibility information click here

  • We cater for most dietary needs. Please advise at the time of booking in the special requirements field or send us an email with all the details.

Sailing-boat-accessibility

All Aboard - Accessibility

We are committed to making our experiences as inclusive and enjoyable as possible. Pilgrim is a 58-foot sailing yacht, which naturally comes with some accessibility challenges—but we’ll always do our best to provide support and make you feel welcome and comfortable on board.

    • Our usual pick-up point is Magnetic Island Marina, which has ramp access to the boat.

    • There are a few steps to board Pilgrim, and our friendly crew are always available to assist.

    • On board, there are a couple of small steps to reach the seating area—again, assistance is provided.

    • We are a sailing vessel, which means the boat may lean or tilt while underway.

    • Safety briefings are provided throughout the cruise—we communicate clearly and check in with guests to ensure everyone understands and feels safe.

    • The toilet is located below deck and accessed via a steep staircase, which may be difficult for some guests.

    • On our lunchtime sailing cruises there is an opportunity to swim, however access to the water is via a ladder which may not suit some guests with limited mobility. If you have limited mobility and would like to swim, please contact us and we can discuss the options.

Accessibility for Specific Needs

  • Yes we cater for allergies and intolerances, please let us know at the time of booking so we can tailor the menu for you.

  • Yes, we welcome guests with cognitive and developmental disabilities on all our cruises except our small boat adventures, which requires higher levels of physical and mental alertness.

    s, we welcome guests with high support needs.

    We ask that a carer or support person accompany the guest, due to the nature of being on a moving vessel.

  • Yes, we welcome guests who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

    We’ll assist you on board and ensure you're comfortably settled for the cruise.

  • Yes, we’re happy to assist guests with vision impairment.

    We can help you board the yacht and get you seated in a comfortable and secure spot.

    • Our marina has a ramped access point to the boat.

    • There are some steps involved in boarding Pilgrim, but our crew can assist.

    • A small amount of mobility is required to safely get on and off the vessel.

    • If you have specific needs, please contact us and we can discuss options as we have successfully assisted double amputees and wheelchair users on board in the past.

    • The marina is wheelchair accessible, but there are steps to get onto the boat.

    • Our crew can assist with boarding, but some mobility is necessary unless the guest is small and light enough to be safely carried (e.g., a child).

    • If you have specific needs, please contact us and we can discuss options as we have successfully assisted double amputees and wheelchair users on board in the past, it just requires case-by-case planning.

  • Yes, we welcome guests with high support needs.

    We ask that a carer or support person accompany the guest, due to the nature of being on a moving vessel.

If you have any questions or want to check whether a cruise is right for you or your loved one, please get in touch with us—we’re more than happy to chat and help you plan a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.