01
Sorrento's
Casual-smart Italian on the boardwalk — wood-fired pizza, fresh seafood pasta, and a long aperitivo menu. The seven-day lunch is one of the best in town.
Airlie Beach · Dining · Sailing departures · Sundowners
Coral SeaMarina
The working harbour at the edge of town — sailing charters leave from here, super-yachts park up, and at sunset it's the best free show in the Whitsundays.
520+ berthsCharter hubWaterfront diningSunset views
- Location
- Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach
- From town
- 1.8 km / 20 min walk
- Hours
- Always open
- Cost
- Free to wander
- Best time
- Late afternoon onward
- Dining
- 10+ venues
Where the Whitsundays head out from.
If Airlie Beach is the front door to the Whitsundays, Coral Sea Marina is where the keys hang. Almost every sailing charter, snorkelling boat, sunset cruise and Whitehaven day trip departs from one of its 520-odd berths — which means the marina runs on its own particular rhythm of early-morning departures and golden-hour returns.
Originally Abell Point Marina, the precinct was rebranded as Coral Sea Marina after major redevelopment in 2018. It's now one of the largest marinas in the southern hemisphere, with deep-water berthing capable of taking super-yachts up to 80 metres — which means you'll routinely see boats here that wouldn't look out of place in Monaco.
But it's not a gated, members-only place. The boardwalk is open to anyone, the restaurants and bars sit right on the water, and the precinct is genuinely one of the nicest places in town for a meal or a sundowner. The drive between the lagoon and the marina takes five minutes; the walk along the boardwalk is closer to twenty.
If you've booked a Whitsundays day trip or sailing tour, this is almost certainly where you'll be told to meet. Arrive thirty minutes early — there's good coffee, the views are excellent, and finding your boat among the dozens at the marina can take a few extra minutes the first time.
Departure tip: most charter companies use Marina Office check-in points at the head of each pontoon. Confirm pontoon number with your operator the night before, especially during peak season.
What's at the marina
Eat, drink, set sail.
02
Hemingway's Brewery
Microbrewery and casual restaurant right on the water. Sample paddles of their craft beers and order the fish & chips. Sunset is a religion here.
03
Whitsunday Provisioning & deli
If you're chartering a bareboat, this is where you load up. Even if you're not, the deli does excellent takeaway picnic boxes.
04
Sailing & cruise departures
Cruise Whitsundays, Ocean Rafting, Camira, Lady Enid, Whitsundays Crocodile Safari — they all leave from here. Allow time to find your pontoon.
05
Coral Sea Marina Resort
Four-star hotel right on the marina, plus the rooftop bar — pricey but a serious sundowner spot.
06
Sundowner walk
Stroll the full marina boardwalk at golden hour. The light on the boats and across to the islands is hard to beat.
What to know before you go.
A few quick logistics for marina visits.
Getting there
20 min walk along the foreshore from town, 5 min drive, or jump on the free shuttle bus that loops the precinct.
Parking
Free at the eastern end of the marina; multi-storey paid parking at the western end if it's full.
If you're sailing
Arrive 30 min before departure. Day-pack only on most charters; secure parking inside the marina for multi-day trips.
Dining bookings
Sorrento's and Hemingway's both book up Fri–Sun in peak season. Reserve a day or two ahead.
Pair it with
A perfect Airlie afternoon.
1.8 km west
Airlie Beach Lagoon
Cool off pre-marina dinner; the boardwalk links the two end-to-end.
AdjacentBicentennial Boardwalk
Walk from the marina all the way to Cannonvale Beach (5 km one way).
15 min driveConway National Park
Pre-marina morning hike up Mt Rooper — the lookout faces back over the marina and islands.