RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026

Day 1 – A Great Start in Gloucester

The RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026 adventure got off to a great start as seven Riviera luxury motor yachts departed Airlie Beach at 8:30am and cruised to Gloucester. Three more Rivieras joined them, bringing the fleet to 10 boats, with more joining throughout the trip. After dropping anchor, the afternoon was all about catching up with mates, checking out each other’s boats and enjoying time on the water before heading ashore to Monte’s at 3pm for drinks, nibbles and dinner together. It was a relaxed start filled with good company and great boating, setting the tone for a memorable journey through some of the Whitsundays’ best destinations before the fleet made its way south to the Gold Coast.

Day 2 – Pirate Fun and Good Times at Bona Bay

Day two of RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026 brought a bit of pirate mischief to Bona Bay, Gloucester Island! With sunny skies, light winds and ideal boating conditions, the group headed ashore for a pirate-themed afternoon filled with great food, drinks and plenty of laughs. Everyone got into the spirit, arriving in their best pirate outfits and enjoying a delicious spread of fresh prawns, natural oysters, salads and a selection of skewers, including lamb, beef, chicken and pork. The margarita slushies were a crowd favourite, keeping the good times rolling throughout the afternoon. As the costumes came off and the festivities wound down, everyone settled in for a relaxed evening by the water, soaking up the beautiful surroundings and enjoying each other’s company. Another fantastic day of boating, great company and memorable moments in the Whitsundays!

Day 3 – Cruising Into Cid Harbour

After the pirate fun at Bona Bay, day three of RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026 was a chance to kick back, enjoy the ride and take in more of what makes the Whitsundays such a favourite boating destination. The Riviera fleet cruised from Gloucester Island to Cid Harbour, with beautiful island views and plenty of time to enjoy the journey. Once anchored, the afternoon was all about relaxing aboard, catching up with fellow Riviera owners and heading ashore to Dugong Beach for sundowners. With no packed schedule or major plans, everyone could simply unwind, enjoy the stunning surroundings and make the most of life on the water. A laid-back afternoon turned into a peaceful evening aboard, recharging the batteries before the next stop at Hamilton Island for a planned fleet luncheon.

Day 4 – A Cracking Day Out at Qualia, Hamilton Island

After a couple of days spent cruising, anchoring and enjoying the laid-back island life, day four of RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026 turned things up a notch with a special outing to Hamilton Island! The crew swapped the boats for a bit of island luxury, arriving at Qualia by luxury shuttle for a long lunch with a view. Perched on the island’s northern tip, the resort offered cracking views across the Coral Sea and surrounding Whitsunday Islands. The Long Pavilion was the perfect spot to settle in, with an impressive spread of fresh local seafood and produce, including spanner crab, Whitsunday prawns, seared tuna, Moreton Bay bugs, scallops and reef fish, alongside barbecued beef tenderloin, fresh salads and truffle fries. Eton Mess with seasonal berries and a selection of cheeses rounded out the feast. With a top-notch feed, spectacular views and plenty of good company around the table, it was a real highlight of the trip. A big thanks to the team at Qualia for making us feel so welcome and looking after the group so well!

Days 5 AND 6 – RELAXING AND SHARING GOOD TIMES at Turtle Bay AND NARA INLET

After the special luncheon at Qualia, it was time to swap the fine dining for a bit of downtime on day five of RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026. Turtle Bay was the perfect spot to take it easy, with beautiful sunshine and calm conditions setting the scene for a proper day off. Some Riviera crews tried their luck with a fishing line, while others kicked back aboard, enjoyed the views and made the most of having nowhere in particular to be. With no set plans or schedules to follow, it was all about relaxing, catching up with mates and enjoying the simple pleasures of life on the water. Sometimes the best days are the ones with nothing on the agenda, and Turtle Bay delivered just that!

From a relaxing day at Turtle Bay to one of the Whitsundays’ most picturesque anchorages, day six of RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026 brought the fleet to Nara Inlet for a catch-up with fellow Riviera owners. The boats made their way to the far end of the inlet before coming together for a raft-up, setting the scene for a laid-back afternoon of good food, cold drinks and great company. With everyone bringing a plate to share, there was plenty to go around, along with plenty of conversation and a few laughs along the way. It was a simple way to spend the afternoon, bringing everyone together to enjoy the trip beyond the cruising and make more great memories with the RMC Circle crew.

Day 7 – Island Exploring and Ngaro History at Hook Island

A leisurely breakfast, a bit of exploring and a chance to discover the Whitsundays beyond the water — day seven of RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026 offered a great mix of relaxation and adventure. With the Riviera fleet still rafted together in Nara Inlet, the morning started with coffee, breakfast aboard and a catch-up with fellow owners before the crew headed ashore to tackle the Ngaro Cultural Site Track on Hook Island. At just 340 metres return, the track was short but steep, providing a decent workout as it wound through the bushland to an important Indigenous cultural site featuring ancient Ngaro rock art. The group also took the opportunity to explore by tender, making the most of their time around the island. It was a rewarding day that combined a little exercise, local history and a deeper appreciation of the Whitsundays, adding another memorable experience to the Circle adventure.

Day 8 – Hill Inlet to Sundowners at Whitehaven Beach

Day eight of RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026 took the fleet from Nara Inlet to two of the region’s best-known destinations. After breakfast aboard, the Rivieras cruised to Hill Inlet, where the group launched their tenders to explore the famous swirling sandbanks and turquoise waters up close. From there, it was a short cruise to Whitehaven Beach, where the fleet anchored for the night. The afternoon brought time for a swim and a chance to relax before everyone headed ashore at 4:45pm for sundowners on the beach. With its brilliant white silica sand, clear water and good company all around, Whitehaven provided a fitting spot to enjoy another memorable stop on the Circle Whitsundays journey.

Circle Whitsundays 2026 – A Memorable Farewell at Elementa

After a week of cruising the Whitsundays, exploring new destinations and sharing plenty of laughs along the way, RMC Circle Whitsundays 2026 wrapped up with a fantastic final evening at Elementa Whitsundays in Airlie Beach.

Perched high on Mount Whitsunday, Elementa provided a stunning backdrop for the farewell, with sweeping views across the Coral Sea as guests gathered on the rooftop for canapés, drinks and live music. As the evening rolled on, everyone headed downstairs for a memorable dinner, sharing stories from the week and enjoying one last get-together before the fleet went its separate ways.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us, from familiar faces who have shared many Circle adventures over the years to those who came along for the first time. The friendships strengthened, new connections made and experiences shared are what make these trips so special.

With the final celebrations behind us, some owners have started their journey south towards the Gold Coast, while others are squeezing in a little more time in the Whitsundays before heading home. Wherever the journey takes them, we hope everyone carries home some great memories from the trip.

Ready to join the next adventure? We’d love to welcome more Riviera owners to a future RMC Circle trip. Get in touch with the R Marine Crawley team to find out what’s coming up, and join us for more great cruising, new destinations and good times on the water. See you out there!

Relive the Whitsundays Adventure.

Explore the full event gallery and take a look back at the boats, destinations and memorable moments shared throughout Circle Whitsundays 2026.