Sail x Spearfishing Frothfest | Whitsundays Outer Reefs Adventure
Five days aboard a liveaboard maxi yacht, sailing out through the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands to the outer Great Barrier Reef — spearfishing, freediving and feasting on the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat. Choose your charter: Monday 17th – Friday 21st August 2026 OR Tuesday 25th – Saturday 29th August 2026.
We focus the diving in 0–15m, with greater-depth opportunities (mostly drop-offs and walls) available for experienced spearos. Beginners are well looked after — one guide for every two divers, and a big emphasis on safety. Full froth, no ego.
Shrek won’t be on board in 2026 (incoming baby!), so the charters are led by Eckart from Salt Sessions and a crew of frothy, no-ego instructor guides who’ve run this trip multiple times. You’re in great hands.
Spots are strictly limited and these charters fill fast. Lock in your spot below with a $700 deposit (balance due 30 days before departure), or pay in full.
Come Join Us — Sail x Spear, August 2026
We've teamed up with Eckart from Salt Sessions to welcome you aboard our Whitsundays liveaboard spearfishing charter in August 2026. Eckart leads both charters with a hand-picked crew of no-ego instructor guides.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
For five days and four nights you'll live aboard a maxi sailing yacht, sailing through the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands and out to explore the Great Barrier Reef systems — spearfishing each reef and enjoying the fruits of your labour (seafood).
A few points to consider:
- This is the most cost-effective guided spearfishing charter going — a bit of a backpacker's version! Awesome for meeting like-minded people and epic diving, but if you're more the private-room-with-room-service kind of diver, this trip probably isn't for you (accommodation is bunk-style).
- Great opportunity to learn a bit about sailing — the experienced crew are only too happy to explain the process.
- Hands-on guides in the water with you, giving actionable feedback to help you improve.
- We focus the diving in 0–15m, with greater-depth opportunities (mostly drop-offs and walls) available for the more experienced spearos.
- No-ego, full-froth instructor guides — all of whom have run this trip multiple times.
- Great community vibes! Filleting sessions and debriefs after each day's hunt, magical nights on the outer reefs, and loads of laughs.
- Daily live podcast debriefs from the day's diving.
- A dedicated photographer on board to capture all those special moments.
Safe | Fun | No-ego:
No ego, 200% froth!
WHAT DOES YOUR TRIP INCLUDE?
If you're up for the challenge, your trip fee includes:
- Four nights (5 days) on a fully catered maxi yacht (BYO alcohol)
- All meals provided
- In-water guided spearfishing — hands-on coaching plus on-board discussion and tuition
- Dive weights provided (free, from the vessel)
- Free photos, videos and podcasts to remember the trip of a lifetime (see the photo note below)
- Free access to Spear Ready, our 50-day pre-trip fitness program
A note on photos: our onboard photographer shoots everyone throughout the trip, and you get those images free. The Frother Pack Armband simply bumps you to the front of the queue for priority and dedicated/special shoots on top of that.
WHAT IS THE FROTHER PACK?
For an additional AUD $349, grab our Frother Pack:
- Whitsundays Sail x Spear trip t-shirt
- Windbreaker
- Priority + dedicated photo shoots with Blaze, our trip photographer (everyone gets free trip photos — the Frother Pack Armband gets you to the front of the queue and unlocks special shoots)
Additional information
| Date | 17th-21st August 2026, 25-29th August 2026 |
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What past frothers say
These reviews are from our 2023, 2024 & 2025 charters, which Shrek hosted. In 2026, Eckart and the crew are running the show — same full froth, same no ego.
I booked the Whitsundays pro sail trip to the Great Barrier Reef after listening to the last years Podcast earlier this year. Going into this trip with an open mind on what was going to happen not only did this trip deliver but exceed my expectation making this an 11/10 trip.
Going from diving new depths consistently with Shrek (noobspearo) to the laughter on deck and fun times this trip is something I want to be able to do year in year out with Shrek.
If you’ve been looking at any trips or courses with Shrek (noobspearo) I would highly recommend anyone of his courses to anyone that wants the best of the best from a quality and honest spearo.
Thanks Shrek again on a trip of a life time.
Packed onto a sailboat with 24 legends I went from not being able to use a snorkel to diving, loading my own gun and shooting fish!
The very knowledgeable instructors created a safe environment for us to kick goals and develop skills, as well as the invaluable input from all the frothers on board when trouble shooting after each dive.
Can’t recommend this trip enough! Miss the school camp sleepover vibes already 🥲
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What do you get when you drop a group of 20+ spearos, a handful of salty sailors and a couple of fantastic hosts onto a gigantic sailboat in the whitsundays? A freaking awesome trip, that what! Shrek is truly a big kid trapped in the body of a ginger-bearded ogre and the bloke sure knows how to bring out the best in people. This trip rates as one of the best in my life and I couldn’t have hoped for a better group to experience it with. Shrek, you’re a bloody legend mate and this trip knocked it out of the park. If anybody is interested in one of Noob Spearo trips, just do it, you will thank me later.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Whitsundays 2024 was the trip of a lifetime.
I went away with only 6 months experience Freediving and had never fired a shot with a speargun.
The instructors, crew and all everyone who participated were a bunch of legends, everyone was super helpful and keen to pass on their own knowledge and experience.
I’ve learnt new skills from catching and filleting fish, how to behave underwater and made some great new friends.
If you get the opportunity this is a trip not to be missed.
Shrek from Noobspearo was an amazing host with a great energy for the entire week.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have just returned home from the most epic trip with Shrek (noob spearo) from a Whitsundays spearfishing trip.
It was an absolute pleasure to be involved in this charter and I couldn’t recommend it enough.
From the air port until I left was an unforgettable time. The crew from pro sail, the spearo’s and the instructors were all amazing, I will be booking another trip with noob spearo next year.
Thanks for giving me a bunch of tips on my diving and a lot of laughs Shrek
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just finished an epic Whitsundays Sail and Spear trip with Noob Spearo! Stoked to eat fresh caught fish all trip and take home a few kg of fillets after a few days of successful spearing on pristine reef.
Such a good crew we had great vibes the whole time! The instructors were constantly scouting ground and getting us onto good fish and crays. Being around a bunch of great spearos improved my spearing heaps. Stoked to get my first tropical species and keen to land more fish back one the South Coast!
2026 Sail x Spear Info Session + Q&A
Sail x Spear Charter FAQ
Logistics, Travel & Location
Q: Is the nearest major international airport in Cairns? Which airport is closest?
A: Airports: Cairns or Brisbane are possibly the best international airports nearby but then you would connect onto a flight into Proserpine Airport and nearly everyone catches a convenient 1 hour shuttle bus into Airlie Beach from there.
Q: Does this trip leave from Airlie Beach?
A: Yes correct. We fly into Proserpine Airport and nearly everyone catches a convenient 1 hour shuttle bus into Airlie Beach.
Q: Do you arrive on the day of trip departure?
A: No — we recommend arriving the day before we set sail (we often load gear onto the vessel the day prior). Most of the group stays at Bounce Hostel, Airlie Beach — use code NOOB10 when booking. The shuttle bus from Proserpine Airport has a drop-off point just around the corner. We also recommend booking your flights for the day after we arrive back in Airlie, plus an extra night’s accommodation.
Q: How do you get to and from the Marina?
A: The beauty of everyone staying at the same spot — Bounce Hostel, Airlie Beach (code NOOB10) — the night before and the night after the charter is that we can share a Maxi Taxi between the hostel and the marina.
Q: Can we take fish home after the Sail x Spear trip?
A: Yes — within Australia you can travel with up to 10kg of frozen fillets as long as there’s no liquid ice. We organise people to bring their own vacuum-packing machines and bags (and we share the cost), source styrofoam boxes locally, and pack frozen water bottles around the vacuum-sealed fish.
Q: Can you recommend a source that will give us more info on diving and tourism in general in the Airlie Beach/Whitsundays area?
A: The Whitsunday Islands are a bit of an icon in Queensland. You mostly access them through Airlie Beach and it is a cool, small, water tourism style town with quite a few good places to eat and drink.
- https://www.australia.com/en/
places/whitsundays-and- surrounds/guide-to-airlie- beach.html - https://www.queensland.com/au/
en/places-to-see/destinations/ the-whitsundays/free-things- to-do-airlie-beach - https://airliebeachtourism.
com.au/
The Sailing Vessel, Food and Living Arrangements Onboard
Q: Can you tell me more about the Sailing Vessel and Accommodation on the boat?
A: Our charter is aboard an 80’s Maxi Sailing Yacht called the Condor and 21 of us + crew sail from Airlie Beach out through the Whitsunday Islands and head out to the Great Barrier Reef from there. Day 1 is often spent just sailing out and finding a good anchorage on a favourable reef (in 2024 we made time to get in and get wet!). Days 2, 3 and 4 are spent spearfishing 1 or 2 x 2-3 hour sessions on different reef systems. It’s very basic group/bunk style accommodation and lends to a very friendly, no-ego environment with lots of laughs and storytelling.
Q: Is bedding provided?
A: A shillow (our shorthand for a sheet + pillow) is provided — essentially a sheet for the bed and a pillow. The mattresses are fairly firm but comfortable. Night-time temps range 18–24°C and it’s usually quite warm.
Q. If we’re not the best sleepers, is it fine for us to bring a pillow with us?
A. Bring your pillow and use the one provided also. I bring a pillow if I can as the boat pillows are fairly thin. * I also recommend ear plugs
Q. Will there be charging ports for action cams? All for no-phones, but I love filming underwater action. If not, is it cool to bring a charging battery?
A. Yes, there are some limited charging ports available. These are fought over during the night so I’d bring 1-2 spare batteries – many people will also be doing the same
Q. Mobile phone reception?
Equipment and Gear
Q: What equipment should I bring?
A: Warm, waterproof jacket for sailing, beanie, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, sunhat and a hooded towel is great for changing up on deck (see the frother pack below).
Q. Can I bring a fishing rod?
A. 100% yes, this can be super fun off the back of the boat particularly at night time.
Spearfishing Gear we recommend you bring or rent*:
- 110cm-130cm Speargun with 1-2 spare shafts (if you bring a spare speargun, just bring 1)
- 3mm 2-piece wetsuit (water temp usually 22–24°C / 72–75°F)
- Freediving/Spearfishing fins
- Float and floatline (15/20m for beginner, 20-30m for more experienced guys)
- Dive Knife
- Gloves, Booties
- Diving Mask and Snorkel
*due to the nature of shared accomodation with limited space, we highly recommend keeping your gear minimal (just make sure it’s reliable!)
Q. Are we able to rent weights up there?
Q. I’m thinking of upgrading my gun, do you think a 110 Rob Allen Moana will be suitable?? I’m a bit worried I won’t be able to load it haha.. I usually rock a very run down 90 with no issues but haven’t tried a larger gun.
Q. Reelgun Query: I understand that we must use a float and line. Is a reel gun attached to float line acceptable?
Q: Would shorts with a wetsuit top be fine?
A: If you’re a hardcore Tasmanian you might get away with it, but I’d recommend at least 1.5mm pants or stinger pants. Between the sun, jellyfish and touching coral reef over four days, bare skin will cop one of those. We generally recommend a full 2-piece 3mm wetsuit (even a 5mm for those who feel the cold). Water is usually 22–24°C (72–75°F).
Q: Is hire equipment available?
A: Weights are provided by the ProSail vessel crew and Eckart at Salt Sessions can provide rental equipment. This is a great option if you are very new to spearfishing.
In the Water: Spearfishing
Q: What Species are we likely to encounter spearfishing on the reefs outside the Whitsunday Islands?
A: Your guides run a thorough fish ID briefing onboard, and with one guide per two divers in the water, correctly identifying fish is far less of a challenge than on a DIY trip. (There’s also a good species video from the Wettie guys here.)
…then keep the existing species lists, but fix the spelling: “Bluespot Trevally” and “Giant Trevally” (not “Trevaly”).
- A good tip is to learn the no-take species first such as: Queensland Grouper, Barramundi Cod, Red Bass, Chinaman, and Humphead Maori Wrasse.
- Our most common species that are accessible to even beginners are: Coral Trout (multiple species), Parrot fish (multiple species), Mackerel (Spanish and Shark are common), Spanish Flag or Stripeys, Bluespot Trevaly, Giant Trevaly, and Painted Crayfish.
- Going up in difficulty, species include: Mangrove Jack, Red Throat Emperor, Red Emperor, Spangled Emperor, Green Jobfish, Purple Cod, Maori Cod, Coronation Trout, Blackspot Tuskfish, Mu (Large Eye Sea Bream), and more.
*this list is definitely not exhaustive!
Q. I’m very new to spearfishing and I’m a little worried that the diving will be too deep for me, is this trip suitable for me?
A. Absolutely: the charter is perfect for new spearos to intermediate spearos. We try our very best to partner you up with people of similar ability and you have 1 guide to 2 divers in the water.
Q. My mates and I typically love spearfishing in 15-20m and so I want to ask if this trip is a little too beginner level for us?
A: The Sail x Spear charter has awesome opportunities in and around the reef systems in 0–15m, with greater-depth drop-offs and walls available for experienced divers. That said — if you like 8–10 hour days filling eskies to your bag limit, this charter isn’t for you. We aim for each person to take home 5–10kg of vacuum-packed fillets and eat well out there, but this isn’t a slay-style charter..
Q. Pre-spear trip fitness: how do I make the most of this trip?
A. Noob Spearo has a 50 day program called Spear Ready. The program involves cross training and you can engage at a level that suits your lifestyle. This program is FREE for customers who sign up for Sail x Spear. Just email shrek@noobspearo.com to get access.
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