Matador Whitsundays
Matador Whitsundays
5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
For a truly unique experience on-board a legend, Matador Whitsundays provides lifelong memories taking guests on an unforgettable 2-day 1-night sailing tour around the Whitsundays Islands. Stopping off at the very best snorkelling sites and also the World Famous Whitehaven Beach. Enjoy freshly prepared meals cooked for you by our on-board host! All inclusive tour - Snorkel/mask/wetsuit/linen/reef taxes/all main meals and a great time are guaranteed on this tour!
Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles461 reviews
Excellent
409
Very good
30
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
12

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Celina E
Weimar, Germany14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
The trip to the Whitsundays was an unforgettable experience that I wouldn't want to miss! As soon as we left the harbor, we saw dolphins and got really close to them. Then we went to Whitehaven Beach, which we had all to ourselves. Thanks to skipper Dave's perfect planning, we were able to enjoy the white sandy beach to the fullest without the masses of tourists. We then watched rays and small lemon sharks on Whitehaven Beach.
We then went back to the big boat in the small dinghy, where we were able to jump into the water from the boat again and had a fabulous time. In the evening we went to a bay where we anchored and spent the night. We were able to spend the night under a beautiful starry sky and sleep on deck. We woke up in the middle of the night because dolphins were swimming around our boat, which was a really cool experience.
The next morning the day started at 5:00 a.m. to watch the sunrise. Afterwards we went to three incredibly beautiful snorkeling spots and snorkeled with lots of different colorful fish. We also saw turtles and beautiful colorful corals. Finally we went to a turtle bay where we could swim with turtles. That was the highlight of my trip. Then we went back to the harbor. The two-day trip with skipper Dave and the two crew girls was unforgettable and super nice. Unfortunately we didn't go sailing once, which is a bit disappointing for a booked sailing trip.

Nevertheless, it was a really cool trip that I will remember forever!
Google
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Segolenne
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The trip on the matador was absolutely perfect. The spots we stopped off at were wonderful and the crew was so knowledgeable and kind and made sure we all just had the best time.
They made sure we saw all the good spots without the crowds of tourists. Food was great too.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Segolenne, A huge thank-you to you for leaving us this amazing 5 star review! We all love what we do, and sharing memories like that with amazing guests like yourselves really is spectacular! Hope to have you back on-board with us again soon :) ~Matador Team
Written 7 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Juan_dynos
Madrid, Spain10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
I loved the experience. The crew works hard to make sure everything goes well and we enjoy it. Incredible beaches, shark, dolphin and turtle watching. Snorkeling, fish, swimming in the ocean, stars at night. Good atmosphere. I would repeat
Google
Written 5 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lucie H
3 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
Unfortunately, our tour started with pouring rain, which was annoying because you were only protected from the rain below deck, but there was hardly any space below, no seating (only beds) and it rocked quite a bit. There were no benches or chairs on the deck either, you could only sit on the floor.

Luckily, the rain stopped then. We were at Whitehaven Beach in the afternoon, looked at the stars in the evening and went snorkeling in three places the next morning. The activities were great! The food was good too, but there wasn't enough for lunch on the second day, so I only had a small portion.

The night on board was very unpleasant because it was very humid and hot, there wasn't much space and everyone was in a very small space. We also lay next to the toilets, which were for the whole boat, so it was often loud and smelly. Just about bearable for one night, but definitely not for more. The crew was great, but Captain Dave's jokes at other people's expense aren't for everyone. He was also a bit disrespectful to the other two crew members (who have only been there for 2-3 weeks).
Conclusion: If you're lucky with the weather, the tour is really cool in terms of activities, but everything else around it didn't really convince me.
Google
Written 14 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aimee
Ballinluig, UK22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2019 • Friends
After reading a plethora of reviews for Whitsundays we settled on The Matador, without a doubt the right choice! We were able to hoist the main sail, watch dolphins, eagles and manta rays from the boat, snorkel in the best spots, walk Whitehaven Beach and witness the incredible views from hill inlet. The staff were fantastic - relaxed, friendly, knowledgeable - and left the group to socialise naturally. The food onboard was ample and delicious (spag bol, fresh fruit, nibbles...) I was nervous about sleeping on a boat but I felt as if I was on dry land! The bunks were comfy and the chosen spot to stay at night was perfectly still. Best two days aboard The Matador.
Written 12 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Aimee, A huge thank-you for taking the time to review Matador! As you know, our business relies on guests like yourself. We are lucky enough to live in this beautiful part of the world and take guests like you out to the beautiful snorkelling spots! Thanks again for the 5 stars :) ~Matador Team
Written 23 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mae F
Cardiff, UK68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Couples
We are a young couple travelling Aus on a budget but knew Whitsundays was a must. Choosing which of the many tours to take is always a challenging decision but we hit gold choosing Matador. The 5 star reviews helped us decide and they thoroughly deserve their perfect rating.

Matador provides an authentic sailing experience of a maxi boat led by an excellent team. Mark, Matty and Heath were experienced and thorough and made the trip fun from start to finish.

The Whitsundays sell themselves but this trip picks the quietest (best) time to experience it. We felt like we had Whitehaven beach to ourselves as the day trips departed as we arrived.

The evening was very relaxed and we watched the stars. Tip - Bring warm clothes for the evening as it did get chilly once the sun set.

The snorkelling spots showed us great fish and some colourful coral. Some of the group saw a turtle, gutted I missed this!

Finally, just need to say that this trip is great if you’re vegan, like me! I always worry about being snubbed with just salads but Heath cooked up delicious burgers, sausages and veggie bolognese that were all safe for vegan / plant based eaters as alternatives! There was plenty of food at mealtimes and yummy snacks so we were never hungry.

Overall, a fantastic trip and one of the highlights of our travels down the east coast. Would highly recommend Matador to anyone looking for a value price but with top quality experience. Thanks to the crew!!
Written 1 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Mae, Thank-you very much for your kind words about your trip on Matador! We try and give our guests the most memorable experience possible as we tour the beautiful Whitsunday Islands from arriving at those amazing places when the crowds aren't there to providing awesome meals to everyone - regardless of dietary or allergies! We really appreciate you acknowledging us and hope you have had the best possible time whilst in Aus! We hope to see you again soon :) From everyone at the ~Matador Team
Written 2 October 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

peggyp1985
Calw, Germany47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Solo
The 2 day sailing trip was absolutely amazing! The weather wasn't really on uor side but the crew made sure we still had the best time ever. The snorkel stops were stunning, though it makes you realize what an impact a cyclone can leave on the reefs. Snorkelimg with big george and boy george was awesome. Our overnight stop was fun and when we made it early morning to the Whitehaven beach it cleared and the beach showed its beautiful side. I highly recommend the Matador and will definitely do another tour with them!
Written 29 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Peggy :) Thanks so much for taking the time to write us a 5 star review about your time with us. Glad that George and Boy George came out to play for you! I'll pass on your terrific feedback to our crew :) Thanks again ~Matador Team
Written 31 October 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bethany K
Cairns, Australia1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
I am really unsure of how The Matador has a rating average of five stars. I don’t usually do reviews like this but I want others to be aware of what they are signing up for if purchasing tickets.

I travelled from Cairns and went on the boat with my husband and brother who lives in Mackay. We have done many reef trips since we were kids so we thought we knew what to expect.

Firstly, I wish this trip had been cancelled due to weather. It was forecast to storm both days we were on the boat. I wanted to cancel and do something else in Airlie Beach instead but there are no refunds for cancellations. Obviously, the weather cannot be controlled but on this boat we had to sit on the deck which had no shelter or shade (below deck was a nightmare – more on that later) and just had to sit in the rain. When we got to an island we had to go in the rain. Couldn’t take photos because phone would be ruined. All surfaces on the boat were wet for the trip. But trip wasn’t cancelled, I assume because the company would not want to forfeit 21 people x $400 each.

The itinerary was not communicated with the passengers. We had no idea what to expect for the two days or where we were going. There was not much of an introduction with expectations or information. Communication was lacking e.g. we kept having to ask when meals were going to be. Waited ages for breakfast. Turns out it was all set up below deck and deckhand said “Oh I thought people would’ve noticed it and started.” ??? We were all on deck so how could we?

General organisation was lacking. You have to BYO alcohol onto the boat. We had to ask where to store them. It was an esky with no ice. Then we had to ask if there was ice and we were sent to get it out of the fridge and fill the esky. This was out on the unsheltered deck so the ice melted quickly and drinks were not cold. On other tours we’ve done like this fresh water has been provided. There was a tap in the dirty kitchen that we could fill water bottles up with but the water was yucky. My brother did not bring a drink bottle because he assumed water would be provided.

Food provided was below average and I’m embarrassed that it’s served to so many overseas tourists. On the first day we were allowed one sandwich: “Don’t have more because we usually run out.” Well buy more food then? For afternoon tea a tray of biscuits was put out on the wet floor and puddles were sloshing around it. There was no almond milk left for my breakfast so had a slice of bread with peanut butter. Sandwiches the next day didn’t have salad. Was hungry the whole trip. Wish I brought along own snacks.

There was nowhere good to sit on the boat: you were always in the sun, in the rain or in the crew’s way. There were no chairs, you literally sit straight on the deck which is uncomfortable for two days. Below deck was not ventilated and smelled like raw onions and the toilets. It was so hot and stuffy that during the night I had to get up and go above deck to vomit overboard. Everything was damp from the weather. I feel so sorry for the people whose beds were near the toilets – they would’ve been woken up all night from the doors banging and the loud flush… if they could sleep with that smell.

Crew were not knowledgeable about the surroundings e.g. a German asked about a turtle they saw and the deckhand said that the turtle’s breeding season is all year round (it’s not). Going to a snorkel spot the skipper said he hadn’t been to this area in ten years, he didn’t know if the fish or coral would be there and it might’ve been wrecked by a cyclone a few years ago but “This is an experiment” – NO we did not pay to be an experiment, take us to places you know have coral and fish.

At the end of the trip the boat couldn’t get in because the tide was low and we needed to be escorted in small groups in a dinghy to shore. All of our belongings got wet and we had to sit in wet clothes for the two our drive back from Airlie to our accommodation in Mackay.

PROS: Liked that a wetsuit was used instead of stinger suits.
Places we saw were nice – just wish we went with a different company.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear valued guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us regarding your recent trip on Matador. We appreciate your comments and would like to provide some explanations regarding the points you raised. Firstly, we understand your concerns about the weather conditions during your trip. As a responsible tourism operator, we closely monitor weather conditions through the Bureau of Meteorology and make decisions based on their forecasts and recommendations. While we strive to provide the best possible experience for our guests, there are times when weather conditions do not reach the level of cancellation. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Secondly, we would like to clarify that we do not provide itineraries based on weather conditions, water levels, or water clarity. As conditions can change rapidly in the Whitsundays, we commit to attempting to provide the best experience possible, but cannot always predict or control the outcome. We acknowledge that there may have been communication gaps on board regarding the day's plans, and we will review our communication techniques to ensure our guests have a better understanding of the processes and activities for the day. Regarding the issue with water, we do provide fresh tap water on board. We understand that tap water may not be to everyone's liking, but it is what we can best provide in the Whitsundays. We apologize if this did not meet your expectations. We will also take note of your feedback regarding the availability of ice, and will make efforts to add more ice on board to ensure that drinks remain cold. We strive to provide accurate information to our guests. We apologize if there were any inaccuracies in the information provided by our crew. Turtles lay their eggs on Whitsunday Island beaches from November through to February. Their tracks are often seen on beaches the following morning. If you visit the beaches late a night you may be able to see them. Their eggs hatch from January onwards. & we apologise if this information was mixed up during the conversation process, We will ensure that our crew members are well-informed about the local wildlife, including turtle breeding seasons in the Whitsundays, to provide accurate and up-to-date information to our guests. We will also look into conducting additional training for our crew to enhance their knowledge and expertise in providing accurate information to our guests. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the low tide during disembarkation, resulting in wet belongings and discomfort during your journey back to your accommodation. However, Matador does encounter tide issues which is out of control, unfortantely in order to ensure we provide a full experience we sometimes need to tender our guests back so they don’t have to wait around on the vessel during low tide times. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience you felt you experienced during your trip with us. We value your feedback and will take your comments into consideration as we continuously strive to improve our services. We hope that you will consider giving us another opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future. Sincerely, Matador Team
Written 20 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lisa S
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
Starting with the only good thing: the Crew was amazing and the Whitsundays itself are beautiful!
Unfortunately we cannot recommend going with that ship though. We are very upset that we have relied on the good reviews (questionable where they come from...)
First of all, really everyone on the boat was shocked about the cabins. It was one big room with bunkbeds which seemed to be a hundred years old. They were dirty and it was not even possible to sit in bed. Furthermore, the toilets with half-open doors were in this one bedroom. You can imagine how it feels to sleep next to the toilet, which has an open door. Moreover, this tour does not offer any drinks as mentioned. However, it is not even usual tap water that they offer, but the boiling water from the toilet.
Further, all the other boats had one guide with them on the island, who told them about the history,... - we did not have anyone with us.
The mentioned stinger suits have not been real stinger suits but wetsuits which were extremely thick and hot in comparison and didn't cover hands, feet and neck.
I personally was also very upset about the fact that they can call themselves eco-friendly. It is very important to me to protect nature and I do know that doing such tourist activities are not contributing to that. Therefore, I wanted to at least choose an eco-friendly boat. There was not one aspect that was eco-friendly though. Obviously it is not possible to sail there, as there is no wind, so we have used the engine the whole time. Moreover, the rubbish from the toilet goes straight into the ocean. When I have asked why they are classified as eco-friendly and what they are doing in that aspect, no one could provide me an answer.
All in all, it is definitely not worth that amount of money. You can get so much better boats for that price that seem to take the money in order to enable visitors to have a nice boat. Do not waste your money for this "eco-friendly" scam.
Written 11 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kim Q
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Solo
Captain Mark and Sammy were absolutely amazing with their experience and education. I got hands on and was able to assist in hoisting a sail. We saw turtles and whales and even got to hand feed eagles that came right to our ship!! Must do experience! Couldn't upload photos to show you guys as they only allow 5MB! Seriosuly! Book in and do it!
Written 2 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey Hey! Thanks for your kinds words about our tour and for recognising both Sam and Mark :) Learning to sail in the Whitsundays is pretty special so thanks for choosing to do it with us! All the best onward to your next adventure. I hope we can see you on-board again soon! ~Matador Team
Written 2 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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