Shaolin Port Douglas
ProHighlights
- Timber Chinese junk with red sails, built in 1969 and sailing from Port Douglas since the late 1980s
- Whole-boat sunset charters for up to 24 guests, with yum cha canapés and a drink included
- Private day trips to Low Isles with snorkelling, a guided reef tour and a buffet lunch
About Shaolin Port Douglas
Shaolin is a timber Chinese junk with deep red sails, one of very few of its kind still working. She was built in 1969 as a modified copy of a Ming-era ship, spent years as a private cruising yacht, and has run charters out of Port Douglas since the late 1980s. A local brother and sister who grew up taking day trips on her bought the boat in 2016 and now run it as skipper and sales lead. Groups can take the whole boat. The private sunset sail runs for an hour and a half with up to 24 guests and is pitched at corporate events, birthdays, weddings and relaxed get-togethers. It heads through the marina, down Dickson Inlet and along the town waterfront, then out onto the Coral Sea for views of Four Mile Beach, the coastal ranges and the islands. Yum cha canapés and a first drink are included, and there is a licensed bar for anything more. For a daytime option, the private seafood lunch sail takes up to 16 guests for 90 minutes, with a box of local tiger prawns after homemade spring rolls filled with barramundi and crocodile. Non-seafood meals can be arranged. Groups wanting a full day can charter Shaolin to Low Isles, where the crew hand out snorkelling gear, lead a guided swim over the coral and leave time to walk the island and see its lighthouse. Guests sit on the teak deck or in a cushioned saloon that seats around a dozen people when it rains. The boat is not suited to prams or guests with limited mobility because of steep boarding steps.
Inclusions & amenities
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Frequently asked questions
How many guests can charter Shaolin privately?
The private sunset sail takes up to 24 guests and the private seafood lunch sail up to 16. The Low Isles snorkelling charter is priced for 10 guests, with extra guests added individually up to 22.
What food is served on a private Shaolin charter?
Sunset charters include yum cha canapés and a drink. Lunch charters start with homemade spring rolls of barramundi and crocodile, then local tiger prawns with bread and sauces, and the Low Isles day includes morning tea, a buffet lunch and afternoon tea.
Can guests buy more drinks during the sail?
Yes. Shaolin carries a licensed bar, so after the included drink guests can buy more on board, paying by card or cash.
What happens if it rains on the day?
The boat has a sheltered saloon seating roughly 12 to 15 people, and the crew hand out umbrellas to anyone keen to stay on the open deck. In rough conditions the lunch sail can stay in the calm water of Dickson Inlet.
Is Shaolin suitable for guests with limited mobility?
Not really. Boarding involves steep steps and the deck has limited hand railing, so the operators say the boat does not suit prams, frail guests or anyone with restricted mobility.
Suitable occasions
Greg Smith
a month ago
Fully recommend the experience of the Shaolin Sunset cruise, partnered with the team on the Lady Douglas. Had a brilliant cruise on both the boats and it really made our holiday sensational. I recommend booking them both…
Cody Leah
3 months ago
We had such a great day on the Shaolin lunch cruise in Port Douglas! The staff were all really friendly and welcoming, the prawns were super fresh and the cold beers went down perfectly 🍻🦐 Such a relaxing way to spend…
Jodi D
3 months ago
Impressive, memorable, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable cruise on the fabulous 56 year old boat. Such history! Captain Dave and the lovely young lady that ran around looking after everyone with drinks and snacks were bo…
Lynne Pryor
5 months ago
A great way to experience Port Douglas from the water. This boat is a delight to see up close and to sail on. Seeing the sunset from the deck was relaxing, quiet and beautiful. Service was friendly and the small number o…
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