It’s been almost 12 months since Fraser Island Boat Charters launched in the Great Sandy Straits Marina, and owners Scott Whitcombe and Stephanie Foster are now gearing up for a bumper winter season ahead despite the toll that COVID-19 has had on the tourism industry around Australia.
Offering both self-drive [bareboat] and skippered yacht charters, Fraser Island Boat Charters allows Fraser Coast visitors and locals the opportunity to discover the Great Sandy Straits in a unique and intimate setting.
While this experience had been successful in the past in the Fraser Coast area, co-owner Scott Whitcombe recognised it was missing from the current local marine tourism industry in 2019 and there was a need for a yacht chartering experience to be offered from the pristine waters of the Great Sandy Strait.
Scott’s love of the water and years of experience skippering boats around the Great Sandy Strait was the driving force behind a dream of building his own water-based tourism experience in his home town of Hervey Bay with fiancée and business partner, Steph, who also comes from an extensive background in tourism marketing across the region.
The passion and fuel for starting Fraser Island Boat Charters has also made Scott & Steph embark on a mission with other local operators to shine a light on the sailing conditions on the Fraser Coast, to bring a new market of visitors to the region. A love for the Fraser Coast and a want for it to succeed is a key driver for the couple.
Scott and Steph started 2020 by leaving full-time positions in their respective careers in the pursuit of committing themselves fully to
building Fraser Island Boat Charters in its second year of business and creating a memorable experience for those visiting the Fraser Coast region. While the start of 2020 has been shadowed by the effects of COVID-19, they are hopeful that the tourism industry across the Fraser Coast will bounce back with the opening of intrastate travel across Queensland.
Starting with one sailing yacht in the fleet in July 2019, there have been two new yachts to the fleet over the past 12 months with ‘Cattitude’, ‘Indigo’ and ‘Dream On’ now able to be chartered from the Great Sandy Straits Marina in Hervey Bay. All three yachts are now open for business and taking bookings from fellow Queenslanders who want a unique holiday without the crowds.
Charters are available from a day out on the water [skippered] through to 3 weeks, allowing you to take your time and charter your own path in style. To check out how you can embark on a sailing holiday or a day on the bay, visit www.fraserislandboatcharters.com.au.
Article and photos supplied by Fraser Island Boat Charters
