Great Barrier Reef Festival
Date: 31 July 2026 – 2 August 2026
Location: Airlie Beach Foreshore, Airlie Beach, Australia
Organizer: Cruise Whitsundays
The Great Barrier Reef Festival fills the Airlie Beach foreshore and main street with three days of celebration at the sailing gateway to the Whitsundays. The 2026 edition marks the festival's 25th year. It opens with Friday night fireworks over the water, followed by the street parade on Saturday evening and a family fun day on Sunday. On the water, the Recyclable Regatta challenges crews to build rafts from recycled materials and paddle them against each other, while the IMMERSE trail lines the foreshore with reef-themed sculptures. Most events are free or low cost, and thousands of visitors arrive by boat and road each year. Presented by Cruise Whitsundays together with local clubs and sponsors.
View this event on the World Sailing Day map
More sailing events in Australia
- Winter Sailing at Balmain Sailing Club — 31 May 2026 · Sydney, Australia
- World ARC 2026-27 Mackay Arrivals — 24 July 2026 · Mackay, Australia
- Sydney Boat Show — 30 July 2026 · Sydney, Australia
- Airlie Beach Race Week — 6 August 2026 · Airlie Beach, Australia
- Hamilton Island Race Week — 15 August 2026 · Hamilton Island, Australia
- Magnetic Island Race Week 2026 — 27 August 2026 · Magnetic Island, Australia
See all sailing events in Australia, or browse the world map to discover regattas, open days and sailing festivals near you — and explore yacht clubs, marinas and sailing schools along the way.
Sailing nearby
Planning to attend? These clubs, marinas, schools and other sailing places are close to Airlie Beach and worth a visit while you are in the area:
- Charter Yachts Australia — Yacht & Sailing Charters, Airlie Beach, Australia
- Coral Sea Marina — Marinas, Airlie Beach, Australia
- Dream Yacht Charter Australia — Yacht & Sailing Charters, Airlie Beach, Australia
- Edge's Boatyard — Shipyards & Boatyards, Airlie Beach, Australia
- Hawkes Boatyard and Chandlery — Shipyards & Boatyards, Airlie Beach, Australia
- Port of Airlie Marina — Marinas, Airlie Beach, Australia
- Prosail Whitsundays — Yacht & Sailing Charters, Airlie Beach, Australia
- Queensland Yacht Charters — Yacht & Sailing Charters, Airlie Beach, Australia
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