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Paul Darrouzet

Humans of Yachting – Paul Darrouzet

May 22, 2023 |

As featured in thesuperyachtlife.com

You can read the full article HERE. By Julia Zaltzman | 17 May 2023

 

From a chance charter to buying a Great Barrier Reef gateway marina, superyacht owner Paul Darrouzet’s passion for the Whitsundays has delivered a host of economic, community and conservation wins.

A career in construction and mining is not the obvious path to yachting, but for Paul Darrouzet, owner of Coral Sea Marina in Australia’s glorious Whitsundays, it provided the necessary means to satisfy his lifelong love of the sea, both as a marina operator and superyacht owner. “In 1987, a bunch of mates and I hired a Whiting 47 called Kakini and we cruised around the Whitsundays,” he begins. “From that day, I was held captive by the physical beauty of the region.”

Following that first charter, Darrouzet continued to regularly travel to the region. When Abell Point Marina, as it was then called, came up for sale, he recognised a “diamond in the rough” and bought the property in 2013. “I’m a little biased, but my favourite place to cruise is the Whitsunday islands,” he says. “I like to drop anchor in Stonehaven on the northern end of Hook Island where there are great sunsets, a fringing coral reef with an abundance of marine life and stunning views across Hayman Island and Langford Island. I am captivated by the beauty of the Whitsundays every time I am out on the water,” he continues. “The stunning beaches and crystal-clear reefs are as mesmerising today as they were 30 years ago.”

Coral Sea Marina

It has all the markings of a fairy tale story – the boy who grew up to acquire his own slice of paradise – and yet purchasing a marina (and an ailing one at that) is no small undertaking. It’s thanks to the understanding and first-hand experience Darrouzet gained as a yacht owner that he found the confidence and expertise to pursue his dream. In the early days, he owned a Riviera 56 Passagemaker, before moving onto an 80-foot Warren. For the past nine years, he’s owned Norseman, a 98-foot Falcon manufactured in Viareggio in Italy.

While yacht ownership has provided him with the opportunity to take guests to places they have never visited before and provide them with unique experiences, it has also furnished him with a unique perspective on what a yacht owner looks for when choosing a marina. After acquiring Abell Point Marina, he embarked on a decade long transformational journey to its now award-winning status. “Whilst purchasing the marina presented its own set of challenges – the reputation was woeful, the physical infrastructure dilapidated – I saw an opportunity to get into the ‘happiness business’, otherwise known as yachting, and seized it,” he enthuses.

Coral Sea is located at Airlie Beach on the tropical coast of Queensland, an area commonly referred to as the ‘Monaco of the South Pacific’. It’s 260 nautical miles from the large refit yards in the yachting hub of Cairns, and a mere 36 nautical miles from the Outer Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system. With incredible landscapes, great marina facilities and safe, accessible cruising grounds, Darrouzet believes the region is helping to position Australia as yachting’s ‘new frontier’. “Whilst the Whitsundays is in the top four cruising destinations on Earth, we still only have 2-3% of the world’s superyachts visiting Australia,” he says. “The vision since I purchased the marina has been to promote the area’s beauty across the globe, and at the same time create a premium destination for visiting superyachts at the heart of the world-heritage Great Barrier Reef.”

Coral Sea Marina Team Photo

The positive economic impact of the superyacht industry on regions such as the Whitsundays is undeniable, states Darrouzet, who says the average superyacht carrying 12 guests injects more into the local economy in a week than a 70,000-tonne cruise ship with 2,000 passengers. “Superyachts present a high-yielding, high-value, low-impact customer, which for a regional area reliant on tourism has significant effects for the community. From the local florist to the butcher, all these small family owned and operated businesses significantly benefit each time a superyacht visits our region.”

While Darrouzet’s immediate priority was to repair the marina’s physical infrastructure and terrible reputation, his driver was to create a better place for people to visit, a stronger economy for the Whitsundays and to effect positive change for the surrounding community. Key to that vision was a focus on philanthropic efforts, which has manifested in the sponsorship of youth sporting clubs, working with local schools to promote reef conservation, and supporting Sailability Whitsundays, an organisation that provides opportunities for disabled people to get out on the water and enjoy sailing. The Marina also supports major regional festivals and events, such as the Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival, the Great Barrier Reef Festival and its own Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival, while its platinum sponsorship of the Whitsunday Voluntary Marine Rescue provides marina berthing, fuel and the upkeep of the organisation’s rescue vessel.

A man and woman snorkeling with vibrant colourful colour on the Great Barrier Reef

Most significant of all is the Coral Sea Academy, which works to protect and conserve the marine environment. As one of only 58 Clean Marinas and 38 Fish Friendly Marina Level III marinas in the world, its initiatives educate yacht owners on sustainable boating practices, including source reduction programmes and advanced waste management practices. It also partners with key environmental organisations to support scientific research and houses its own seagrass restoration nursery test site at the marina, in partnership with the Reef Island Initiative and CQ University. “We recognise that conservation of our marine environment is essential to the longevity of our business,” says Darrouzet. “Protecting the natural assets that surround us is key to ensuring generations for years to come can enjoy the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.”

It’s a mindset that is shared by the global yachting community, from crew and owners to shipyards and designers, all of whom work hard to develop ways to reduce yachting’s impact and to make the industry more sustainable. Darrouzet’s ethos for “continuous improvement” speaks to a way of life, one that both he and his employees live and breathe.  “Many of the team who started the journey with me in 2013 are still working at the marina and have been through the entire journey with me,” he concludes. “The qualities we looked for at the start of the journey were persistent and unwavering commitment, and they’re the same qualities I value in my key people to this day.”

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Contact us

Shingley Drive
Airlie Beach
QLD 4802
07 4946 2400
marina@csmr.com.au
Mo,Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa,Su 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Coordinates
20° 16′ S 148° 43′ E

VHF:
Channel 09 call sign ‘Coral Sea Marina’

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📣 JOB VACANCY 📣 We are searching for a cas 📣 JOB VACANCY 📣  We are searching for a casual Guest Services Agent to join the team here at Coral Sea Marina for our upcoming peak season...  The role of a Guest Services Agent is to provide the highest level of customer service to all marina guests whilst maintaining a friendly, professional and positive attitude 🌞  Does this sound like the job for you?  APPLY NOW -->email People and Culture Manager: laura@csmr.com.au  #coralseamarinaresort #stayplayexpore #jointheteam
🌏Happy #WorldEnvironmentDay🌏 Today is a glo 🌏Happy #WorldEnvironmentDay🌏  Today is a global reminder to #BeatPlasticPollution and to encourage efforts to protect the environment.  There are plenty of ways that we can all make a difference!  ♻️Use reusable water bottles and coffee cups 
♻️Use reusable shopping bags 
♻️Ditch the Flick and dispose of cigarette butts correctly
♻️Reduce, Reuse and Recycle where possible
♻️Pick up any debris or litter you find whilst exploring the #lovewhitsundays  Let's look after our beautiful backyard!  #coralseamarinaresort #stayplayexplore #saynotoplasticDay🌏
🎉We are proud to be once again named a “Best 🎉We are proud to be once again named a “Best of Queensland Experience” for 2023!🎉  The Best of Queensland Experiences Program identifies and recognises tourism businesses that consistently deliver high-quality and transformational guest experiences!  Thank you to all of our wonderful guests and visitors for your continued support, your reviews and feedback! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐  #coralseamarinaresort #stayplayexplore #thisisqueensland
Searching for something different to do? Why not u Searching for something different to do? Why not unleash your inner creativity with an 🎨ART CLASS?🎨  Capture moments from your day and lift your spirits through art!  ✅All materials provided, no experience necessary 
✅Suitable for all ages!
✅This WEDNESDAY 17th May - ONLY $49.99 per person  BOOK NOW ---> via Whitsunday Tickets  @trueheartconnections  #coralseamarinaresort #lovewhitsundays #stayplayexplore
Who doesn't love being out on the #whitsundays wat Who doesn't love being out on the #whitsundays water!? ⛵  Discover more about what you can expect when exploring the Whitsunday Islands and learn about what you can do to help protect the Great Barrier Reef! 🐠  FREE Event - Saturday 20th May
10am - 12.30pm at The Lookout Lounge, Coral Sea Marina  All visitors and locals are welcome to attend!  #coralseamarinaresort #stayplayexplore #lovewhitsundays
We have been announced as a FINALIST in the 2023 A We have been announced as a FINALIST in the 2023 Australian Marine Industry Awards for Superyacht Industry Service Provider of the Year  The Australian Marine Industry Awards are presented annually to acknowledge the achievements of Australian businesses in the marine export, superyacht and commercial sectors. We are proud to be once again listed alongside some incredible businesses within the industry!  Winners to be announced later this month 🤞  #ASMEX2023 #coralseamarinaresort #stayplayexplore
Join us for a 🔥 Fire Safety Info Session 🔥 Join us for a 🔥 Fire Safety Info Session 🔥  Learn more about Prevention, Equipment and First Response for on board your vessel and in the marina!  This is a FREE community event where all are welcome  TODAY (Thursday 4th May) 
6pm - 7.30pm 
At The Lookout Lounge (above Whitsunday Jet Skis), Coral Sea Marina  #coralseamarinaresort #coralseaacademy #stayplayexplore
Soaking up those marina views from the Ocean Club Soaking up those marina views from the Ocean Club sun deck ⛵🌞
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#coralseamarinsresort #lovewhitsundays #stayplayexplore
We hope you are out enjoying the #whitsundays this We hope you are out enjoying the #whitsundays this long weekend! 🌞
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One of our favourite spots at #whitehavenbeach - where will you be exploring this weekend?  #coralseamarinaresort #stayplayexplore #lovewhitsundays
Autumn Whitsundays showers 🌈 . . . #coralseama Autumn Whitsundays showers 🌈 
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💙Heart Reef looking picture-perfect💙 . . The 💙Heart Reef looking picture-perfect💙
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There is nothing quite like seeing the #greatbarrierreef from the air! Why not take to the skies from our very own marina helipads with HeliReef Whitsunday and tick it off your bucket list 🙌  #coralseamarinaresort #lovewhitsundays #thisisqueensland #heartreef #stayplayexplore
Soaking up our Whitsundays sunsets 🌅 . . . #cor Soaking up our Whitsundays sunsets 🌅
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From lunch with a view to a trip on the water, com From lunch with a view to a trip on the water, come and experience the #Whitsundays with us this weekend ☀️  #coralseamarinaresort #lovewhitsundays #stayplayexplore
🐰𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓔𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻🐰.
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From our family to yours #lovecsmr  #coralseamarinaresort #lovewhitsundays #stayplayexplore
Hop off your wheels and get on your heels this Eas Hop off your wheels and get on your heels this Easter holiday! 👣  During the school holidays, there is an increase of foot traffic throughout the marina precinct. This is a friendly reminder that we are a Pedestrian Only Zone - so hop off your wheels and enjoy the view when travelling through the marina ⛵  #coralseamarinsresort #stayplayexplore
Coral Sea Marina celebrates a decade! The past d Coral Sea Marina celebrates a decade!  The past decade has seen a total transformation from a tired, run-down marina in receivership into Queensland’s first 5 Gold Anchor Platinum Marina, a world-class destination and the beating heart of the Whitsundays.  Thank you to all of our marina tenants, operators, guests, industry partners, suppliers and contractors for your support over the last 10 years.  #coralseamarinaresort  #stayplayexplore  #lovecsmr
🔟 Celebrating a decade! 🥳🍾 Last week we 🔟 Celebrating a decade! 🥳🍾  Last week we celebrated 10 years since CSMR owner, Paul Darrouzet, purchased the marina back in 2013!  We were joined for sunset drinks at the @coralsearesort by our commercial operators, tenants, industry partners, friends of the marina and our dedicated marina team to celebrate the achievements of the last decade. Thank you to all who were able to join us.  #10yearanniversary #coralseamarinaresort #timetocelebrate
Searching for your next sunny Sunday session locat Searching for your next sunny Sunday session location? 
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Pop down to Sorrento Restaurant and Bar Airlie Beach in the north marina village to soak up the last of the weekend 🍹  #coralseamarinaresort #lovewhitsundays #stayplayexplore
We're ready for another sunny weekend in the #love We're ready for another sunny weekend in the #lovewhitsundays 🌞
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Come and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the north marina!  🍻 Grab a bite and soak up those views 
⛵ Hop on a tour and jet out to the islands 
🚁 Or take to the skies from our private helipads  #coralseamarinaresort #stayplayexplore
Today we celebrated our 10 year anniversary!! 10 Today we celebrated our 10 year anniversary!!  10 years since Coral Sea Marina Resort’s owner, Paul Darrouzet, purchased Abell Point Marina and set out to develop the ‘Monaco of the South Pacific’ in the heart of the Whitsundays!  We celebrated with a wonderful evening at the @coralsearesort with our Marina team, operators, tenants, industry and friends from far and wide. Thank you all for attending - what a night!!  Here’s to the next 10 years!!  #coralseamarina #marina #superyachtmarina #10years #lovewhitsundays #thisisqueensland
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