Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Cruise
A full day by catamaran to the most famous beach in Queensland: seven kilometres of dazzling silica sand on Whitsunday Island, with the Hill Inlet lookout on the same trip.
Queensland, Australia
Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays
The Whitsundays are a cluster of about 74 islands strung along the inner edge of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and Airlie Beach is the lively little waterfront town that everyone uses as the gateway.
This guide starts with the headline days: the blinding white silica sand of Whitehaven Beach, the swirling tidal patterns of Hill Inlet, and a reef pontoon or snorkel cruise out on Hardy Reef. It then adds the sailing trips that define the region, from a half-day sunset sail to a two-night voyage, the scenic flight that shows Heart Reef from the air, and the adrenaline options from jet boats to a tandem skydive. Inland, the rainforest around Airlie has waterfalls, platypus at Eungella and kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough. Eight places to stay cover the main strip, the marina end and Hamilton Island, and six guides cover timing, sailing, the reef, families and getting there.
Don't miss
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Cruise
A full day by catamaran to the most famous beach in Queensland: seven kilometres of dazzling silica sand on Whitsunday Island, with the Hill Inlet lookout on the same trip.
Heart Reef and Whitsunday Islands Scenic Flight
An hour in the air over the islands, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and the heart-shaped coral formation on Hardy Reef that can only be seen from above.
Great Barrier Reef Full Day at Hardy Reef
A full-day catamaran to a floating reef platform on Hardy Reef, with snorkelling, diving options, a semi-submersible and time to spend in the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Kangaroos on the Beach at Sunrise, Cape Hillsborough
An early-morning eco tour to Cape Hillsborough, where wallabies and kangaroos feed on the sand at dawn with the sun rising over the Coral Sea.
Things to do in Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Hill Inlet Lookout and Snorkelling Cruise
The tidal swirls of Hill Inlet seen from the Tongue Point lookout, paired with Whitehaven Beach and a snorkel stop on a day cruise from Airlie Beach.
Whitehaven Beach Ocean Rafting Adventure
A fast, open inflatable raft to Whitehaven Beach, the Hill Inlet lookout and a snorkel stop, for a splashier and smaller-group version of the classic island day.
Heart Reef and Whitsunday Islands Scenic Flight
An hour in the air over the islands, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and the heart-shaped coral formation on Hardy Reef that can only be seen from above.
Great Barrier Reef Full Day at Hardy Reef
A full-day catamaran to a floating reef platform on Hardy Reef, with snorkelling, diving options, a semi-submersible and time to spend in the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Outer Reef Snorkel Cruise from Shute Harbour
A full-day cruise from Shute Harbour to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelling in clear water, with a shorter drive than Airlie and a more relaxed pace than a pontoon crowd.
Camira Sailing Adventure through the Whitsunday Islands
A day under sail among the islands, with snorkelling stops, a beach landing and the unhurried rhythm of a boat that moves with the wind.
Two-Night Whitsundays Sailing Adventure on Trimaran Avatar
Two nights aboard a sailing trimaran among the islands, with Whitehaven Beach, snorkelling stops and the chance to see the bays when the day boats have gone home.
Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise
A couple of golden hours on the water off Airlie Beach, with the islands turning to silhouettes and a drink in hand as the sun goes down behind the mainland ranges.
Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour
A short cruise over the fringing reef near Airlie Beach with a see-through hull, for coral, fish and turtles without getting wet.
Airlie Beach Jet Boat Thrill Ride
A short, fast, spinning ride around Airlie Beach waters, with 360-degree turns, high-speed runs and views of the coast for a quick burst of adrenaline.
Tandem Skydive over the Whitsunday Islands
Freefall over the Whitsundays with a tandem instructor, then float down under canopy to a beach landing with the islands spread out below.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Airlie Beach Hotel
Airlie Beach Town Centre
A traditional hotel in the middle of Airlie Beach, handy for the main strip of bars and restaurants, the waterfront and the marina departures.
Check rates →Club Wyndham Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach
An aparthotel-style stay in Airlie Beach with room to spread out, a good fit for families and longer visits built around day trips.
Check rates →Peninsula Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach
A modern-feeling apartment stay in Airlie Beach for travellers who want more comfort and space than a basic hotel without leaving the town.
Check rates →The Boathouse Apartments
Airlie Beach
A self-contained apartment complex in Airlie Beach, handy for couples and families who want a kitchen and a quiet retreat near the waterfront.
Check rates →Shingley Beach Resort
Shingley Beach
A resort-style stay on the quieter marina side of Airlie Beach, a good match for families and groups who want a pool, space and an easy run to the boats.
Check rates →Martinique Whitsunday
Airlie Beach
An Airlie Beach apartment-style option for travellers who want a comfortable base with a holiday feel near the waterfront and the boat departures.
Check rates →Whitsunday Reflections Apartments
Airlie Beach
Self-contained apartments in Airlie Beach for groups and families who want kitchen space and an easy base for the boat days.
Check rates →Reef View Hotel
Hamilton Island
A hotel on Hamilton Island, the Whitsundays' main resort island, for travellers who want to sleep on the water and use golf buggies and ferries instead of cars.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day CruiseStay
Airlie Beach HotelAirlie Beach Town Centre
Do
Heart Reef and Whitsunday Islands Scenic FlightStay
Reef View HotelHamilton Island
Do
Great Barrier Reef Full Day at Hardy ReefStay
Club Wyndham Airlie BeachAirlie Beach
Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays guides
The Whitsundays in Three Days: Whitehaven, the Reef and the Mainland
A practical three-day plan for Airlie Beach: a beach and lookout day, an outer reef day and a softer day of sailing, wildlife and rainforest.
Best Time to Visit the Whitsundays: Seasons, Stingers and Whales
How the seasons shape a Whitsundays trip: dry-season clarity, wet-season heat, marine stingers, cyclone risk and the winter whale watching months.
Choosing a Whitsundays Sailing Trip: Day Sails, Overnights and Sunset Cruises
How to pick the right sailing trip from Airlie Beach: day sail or overnight, party boat or quiet cruise, what is included and what to pack.
The Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach: Pontoons, Snorkel Cruises and Heart Reef
How to see the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach: pontoon day versus snorkel cruise, what to expect underwater, Heart Reef flights and reef-safe habits.
Where to Stay and How to Get Around the Whitsundays
Choosing between Airlie Beach, the marina side and Hamilton Island, plus airports, transfers, ferries and tips for mainland day trips.
The Whitsundays with Kids: Boats, Beaches and Wildlife for Families
A family guide to the Whitsundays: which trips suit young children and teenagers, safety tips, stinger season, rainy-day ideas and where to stay.
