Captain Cook named the main island of this group and the passage between it and the mainland on the Whitsunday of the year 1770.
Aboriginal people roamed the islands to collect food and to fish. In the 19th century the first white settlers appeared to get timber out of the dense tropical rainforest on some of the islands. The 20th century brought tourism to this area, which is - with a view exceptions - mostly national park now.
The first three days of our cruise we spent on a sail boat, the "Coral Trekker", which gave this part of the trip a more adventurous touch. The last three days we were on a motor boat, the "Reef Odysee", which was more on the luxurous side with airconditioned cabines and plenty of space. Either way, we really enjoyed cruising through this beautiful part of Australia.