Pacific Sunrise History

Pacific Sunrise Great Barrier Reef Cruise

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Pacific Sunrise Whitsunday Islands

Boutique Whitsunday Island

Great Barrier Reef Sailing Vessel History

History

Pacific Sunrise was built in 1979 by Charles Whippy & Co in Suva Fiji, launched in 1981, she was the 5th and largest ship of this design built and the only one still sailing. Pacific Sunrise is also the largest and last timber boat of this size built in the south pacific in the prior 50 years at the time of she was built.

Initially spending a few years as an island trader taking small cargo from island to island in Fiji, Pacific Sunrise was then taken to the United States of America to be sold in 1983 where the vessel was featured in both movies and a television series.

In 1987 Pacific Sunrise was sailed to Vanuatu where she spent some years as a private yacht before sailing to New Zealand where she was sold to a company who commenced a refit to put her back into commercial survey. Once complete Pacific Sunrise was relocated to Tonga working as a charter vessel around the northern islands and then later returned to New Zealand.

Dan Baker undertook the massive task of restoring Pacific Sunrise to her former glory. It took 7 months and large amounts of money to restore Pacific Sunrise and a further six months to refit Pacific Sunrise to the level of luxury she now offers.

The passion of Dan Baker is evident the moment you set foot on Pacific Sunrise, not just from the attitude of your hosts but also in the level of luxury, the polished wooden decks and interior give an old world charm not found on most boats.

Many boats this size accommodate up to 40 guests but Pacific Sunrise has only eight ensuited, air conditioned cabins, most the size of a motel room and all but two with double or queen sized beds. Air conditioners are split system keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter (not that it gets that cold in winter here).

Cabins are tastefully decorated with artefacts collected on voyages throughout the South Pacific. Accommodating so few guests there is plenty of room to move and soak up the Whitsundays sun. There is a library and DVD room, a large dining room finished in polished timber and a comfortable aft deck for lounging around, observing dolphins or even Humpback Whales when in season.

Pacific Sunrise is now sailing the Whitsundays providing boutique cruises around the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. With several million dollars being spent on Pacific Sunrise over the past few years she has now been restored to a level where she can offer guests the comfort one would expect of such a magnificent sailing ship.

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