Choose how to visit Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach stretches for about seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island in the Whitsunday Islands National Park. A visit can mean time on the southern sand, a guided walk to Hill Inlet, a sailing day or a flight combined with a boat trip. Start with the part of the coast that matters to you, then choose the departure point and activities.
The distinction is practical: the South Whitehaven Lookout and the northern Hill Inlet viewpoints are different destinations. A southern beach cruise gives access to the southern lookout and up to two hours of free time on that end of the beach, with morning or afternoon tea and protective stinger suits. It leaves Hill Inlet out of its programme.
Our take
Choose the southern beach cruise for shore time or a Hill Inlet trip for a lookout and snorkeling. A sailing day, Hamilton departure or flight and boat combination offers a different way to visit.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Scenic flight and Whitehaven boat trip
- Guaranteed window seat
- Inner fringing coral reef snorkeling
- Tropical-style lunch on Whitehaven Beach
The fixed-wing flight is combined with a boat trip, not a beach landing by plane. On Queensland public days off, the surcharge is AUD 20 per adult, AUD 10 per child or AUD 50 per family of two adults and two children.
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Hamilton beach and guided reef trip
- Personalised coral reef snorkelling tour
- Morning tea and picnic lunch
- Sunsuit and floatation device
Visit Whitehaven and Hill Inlet Lookout with a guided national park walk.
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Sail to Whitehaven and Hill Inlet
- Snorkeling the fringing reef
- BBQ lunch and soft drinks
- Morning and afternoon tea
The guided Hill Inlet lookout walk depends on the tide. Beer and wine are included from 11:00 am.
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Whitehaven day cruise
- Lunch and snacks
- Mask and snorkel
- Park fees and fuel levy
A stinger suit is supplied in summer and a wetsuit in winter. Confirm your pickup time and location.
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Hill Inlet and reef snorkeling by boat
- Personalized snorkel instruction
- Tropical-style lunch on Whitehaven Beach
- Sunsuit and flotation devices
The boat visits Whitehaven and Hill Inlet. A surcharge applies at check-in on Queensland public days off: AUD 20 per adult, AUD 10 per child or AUD 50 per family of two adults and two children.
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Southern Whitehaven beach cruise
- Protective stinger suits
- Morning or afternoon tea
- Southern Whitehaven Beach Lookout
Enjoy up to two hours at the southern beach. This trip does not visit Hill Inlet.
Check availability →Our take
Choose southern beach time, Hill Inlet with reef snorkeling, a sailing day, a Hamilton departure or a flight combined with a boat visit.
Hill Inlet and the lookout
Hill Inlet has the winding sandbanks often associated with Whitehaven. Tongue Point lies north of the inlet, with access from Tongue Bay or Lookout Beach. Lower water can reveal sand patterns for photography; the park guidance for boat access instead refers to mid or high tide. A photographic preference and a safe landing plan are separate things.
Strong currents and rapidly rising water make the inlet unsuitable as a shortcut. Follow the landing and walking route arranged for your excursion rather than planning a crossing from the southern beach. The park notice published on 20 October 2026 announces partial maintenance at Tongue Point from 30 November to 4 December 2026. Parts of platforms, boardwalks and day areas may close, with at least one lookout remaining open and brief toilet closures.
The Whitsunday Islands and sailing to Whitehaven
For a more active visit, the inflatable-boat combination includes Whitehaven, Hill Inlet, a guided national park walk, separate inner-reef snorkeling, equipment and lunch on the beach. Local hotel and park bus collection is included. The full-day cruise alternative includes lunch, snacks, a mask and snorkel, with return bus transfers from Airlie Beach, Cannonvale or Jubilee Pocket. Its protective clothing changes with the season.
The sailing day combines Whitehaven with fringing-reef snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, soft drinks and water. Its guided Hill Inlet walk depends on the tide. The wider sailing landscape belongs to the Whitsunday Islands; here the decision is which route brings you to Whitehaven. For a stay afloat, distinguish a berth on a boat from camping behind the beach.
Flight plus boat
The flight-and-boat combination includes a fixed-wing aircraft flight with a window seat, hotel pickup and return, a guided national park walk, inner fringing-reef snorkeling, protective clothing and lunch on Whitehaven Beach. The beach visit is made by boat. Choose it for the change between an aerial view and time ashore, rather than expecting the aircraft to land on the sand.
A supplement for public days off in Queensland applies to this combination and to the inflatable-boat snorkeling trip: 20 AUD per adult, 10 AUD per child or 50 AUD for a family of two adults and two children, in the November 2026 product information. Tour prices, camping permits and marine charges should be considered separately.
Heart Reef overflights
A flight over the coast answers a different wish from walking on the beach. Keep Heart Reef and the outer reef in mind for the aerial and outer-reef part of your planning. A scenic flight should be selected for its aerial route; a beach stop needs to be an explicit part of the chosen programme.
Plan the rest of the visit
Compare beach trips
Southern sand, Hill Inlet and snorkeling combinations.
From Airlie Beach
Flight plus boat, lookout walks and southern beach time.
From Hamilton Island
Two boat trips departing from the island.
Sail to Whitehaven
Day sailing and a night aboard compared.
Beach and snorkeling
Separate reef stops combined with Whitehaven.
Private yacht trips
Compare private use and sleeping aboard.
Getting to Whitehaven
Airports, mainland transfers and the boat stage.
Choose a base
Camping, mainland bases and nights on a boat.
Weather and tides
Monthly conditions and flexible trip planning.
Sand and beach guide
Southern paths, Hill Inlet and cultural context.
Stingers and safety
Protective clothing, currents and drinking water.
Questions about visiting Whitehaven
Does every trip include Hill Inlet?
The southern beach cruise visits the south end and Southern Lookout, without Hill Inlet. Select a route that explicitly includes Hill Inlet if the northern view is your priority.
Can the visit start on Hamilton Island?
Yes. The longer Hamilton trip combines Whitehaven and Hill Inlet with guided reef snorkeling and a picnic lunch. The shorter island departure focuses on the beach and lookout.
What should be packed for a beach day?
Bring drinking water, sun protection and suitable footwear for the walking element. Safety information checked on 5 November 2026 includes unpatrolled water and unreliable mobile reception. Read the safety guide before choosing water activities.