The Whitsundays are home to some of the best beaches in the world, and the whitest sand you can sink your toes into.
They are a popular destination, which offer reef exploration along Australia’s crystal blue coastline; snorkelling; iconic beaches; and light winds for sailing.
What To Do
There are over 90 islands to explore just off the coast of Queensland.
The Whitsundays are a tourist destination with an abundance of activities for solo travellers, couples, and families.
Whitehaven Beach
Sink your toes into Australia’s most picturesque beach, and daydream in the sun. There are a range of tour options for snorkelling, which allow you to explore the coast in a different light.
Most of these tours depart from Airlie Beach, which is an hour hop on a high-speed vessel.
A short trip away lies the Ngara Cultural Site, which offers a unique perspective into Indigenous culture.
This is part of Nara Inlet, which boasts the Whitsunday Islands National Park. It’s where you can find Aboriginal rock art and even spot turtles, whales and unadorned rock-wallabies.
Snorkelling
A trip to the Whitsundays isn’t complete without an underwater adventure. Queensland is filled with know-how experts, who can help even the most junior of snorkellers.
There are bucketloads of spots to see, including the extraordinary marine life at Daydream Island. Kids can also take part in the safe and interactive reef ranger program.
A little further up the coast lies an underwater world of sculptures along the Ngaro Sea Trail. There are unique snorkelling experiences, which offer a front row seat for manta ray spotting.
Hayman Island
The most northerly part of the Whitsundays is worth the trek. Hayman Island is a luxury island known for its five-star family-friendly resorts.
The crystal blue waters are a postcard in the making.
Heart Reef
If you are a holiday romantic, then Heart Reef is a must.
Catch a helicopter flight over one of the most picturesque spots along the Great Barrier Reef before jumping on a glass-bottom boat tour of the nearby lagoon.
This heart-stopping experience isn’t complete without a Queensland mango for the ride home.
How To Get There
The Whitsundays offers a variety of airports where travellers can disembark and start exploring the beautiful surroundings.
Whitsunday Coast Airport is located around 14 kilometres south of Proserpine.
There are flights from most capital cities across the east coast all year round. There is also car hire availability at the airport once you step off.
A little further up the coast lies Hamilton Island Airport, also known as Great Barrier Reef Airport.
It is a launchpad for tours and scenic flights along the iconic Great Barrier Reef or Whitehaven Beach.
When To Go
Queensland has a tropical climate, which is prone to extreme weather conditions including heat, cyclones and floods.
If you want clear skies and light winds, September and October are the best months to venture into the Whitsundays.
If you are seeking to avoid the popular school holiday period, you might want to consider November too.