Guide to Whitsunday islands: things to do and places to visit

Sailing around the Whitsundays

The Whitsundays is one of the few places in the world where you don't need a licence or experience to charter a bareboat yacht. However, it is recommended that at least one person on the charter has sailing experience and at least two crew members are over the age of 18.

If you charter a yacht in the Whitsundays, there will be restrictions on how far you can sail, with the outer limit being 5 nautical miles from the most eastern of the Islands.

If you are considering buying RACV Domestic Travel Insurance, it's important to note that there are limits when it comes to sailing. According to the Product Disclosure Statement, open water sailing is not covered. Open water sailing is defined as sailing more than 12 nautical miles from any landmass.

It is therefore important to be aware of any limitations imposed by both the yacht charter company and the travel insurer.

The best places to visit in the Whitsundays

Hamilton Island: the best all-round island

If you're looking for the perfect blend of natural beauty and modern convenience, Hamilton Island is hard to beat. As the largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays, it has daily flights from major cities, a bustling marina, and a wide range of restaurants, shops and accommodation. Use the free Island Shuttle to get around the island's many activities and restaurants when you're too tired to walk.

Only visiting for the day? RACV Members save on full-day Hamilton Island adventures with Cruise Whitsundays.

What to do at Hamilton Island

There's so much to do on Hamilton Island! Relax by the three public pools: the large, free-form Main Pool with its swim-up bar; the tropical Bougainvillea Pool behind Catseye Beach; or the quieter Sails Pool next to the Sails restaurant.

At the long, curved Catseye Beach, hire catamarans, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, windsurfers and snorkelling equipment to explore at your leisure. There are regular guided snorkelling tours, plus sun loungers strewn along the sand. At low tide, walk along the sand flats and see if you can spot marine life.

Try a guided sea kayak paddle at sunset with Sea Kayaking Whitsundays. Hire a dinghy to explore at your own pace, join a fishing charter for half- or full-day fishing tours, or book into a leisurely cruise around the Whitsundays. There are also several snorkelling tours and scenic flights out to the Great Barrier Reef or Whitehaven Beach.

Back on land, indulge with a massage or body treatment at Spa qualia or Spa wumurdaylin. Play golf at the Hamilton Island Golf Club, the family-friendly Golf Driving Range, or the cute Hamilton Island Mini Golf course. You can also hire tennis and pickleball courts or get some gym time in at the Sports Club. Yoga fanatics will love Dent Island Yoga, a sunrise yoga session on neighbouring Dent Island after a short ferry ride.

Kids will adore a few hours at Hamilton Island Wildlife, where you can get up close to Aussie animals like koalas, kangaroos, snakes and lizards. At Palm Valley, challenge your kids to a round of go-karting over a child-friendly circuit. Adults can join an Offroad Adventure Tour aboard ATVs to explore the island.

Hamilton Island also has a range of walking trails, often leading through serene bushland to secret coves or stunning lookouts. Hideaway Bay is a favourite: it's just a short walk from Catseye Beach, leading to a secluded bay with views to Whitsunday Island. Take the Scenic Trail Entrance to Saddle Junction to get to Passage Peak, South East Head, Escape Beach, Middle Head and Coral Cove. Alternatively, enter at the Resort Trail entrance for shorter walks out to Flat Top Hill Lookout or Resort Lookout.

If it's raining, head indoors to the Island Arcade, where you can try nine-pin bowling, swing on the Golf Simulator, and play arcade games. There are also art classes at the Hamilton Island Art Gallery, table tennis tournaments at the Resort Centre, and regular bingo, trivia and quiz nights at Sails Restaurant Lounge.

Drop kids aged between 6 months and 12 years off at the Clownfish Kids Club if you want some quality adults-only time (open Mon-Fri only).

Where to stay on Hamilton Island

Unlike the other islands in the Whitsundays, when you stay at Hamilton Island you have several accommodation options.

The Reef View Hotel is the biggest hotel on Hamilton Island, with spacious and comfortable rooms - most overlooking the Coral Sea. With private balconies, an exclusive pool and a central location directly opposite the iconic Catseye Beach, the Reef View Hotel suits couples, families and groups of friends.

Palm Bungalows are freestanding, self-contained holiday homes set in the lush tropical gardens with private balconies. Decorated in a bright and breezy coastal style, the Palm Bungalows are family-friendly and fully equipped with a kitchenette, microwave, bar fridge and coffee making facilities.

qualia is Hamilton Island's adults-only luxury resort. Designed for privacy and tranquillity, qualia has private pavilions, infinity pools and gourmet dining set against jaw-dropping ocean views.

Beach Club is another adults-only hotel, complete with a private restaurant and lounge, plus an exclusive infinity-edge pool. It sits next to the Reef View Hotel on Catseye Beach, overlooking the Coral Sea.

The Sundays is Hamilton Island's newest hotel, created with families in mind and full of tropical decor. It boasts a guest-only pool and cabanas, plus a signature restaurant by celebrated chef Josh Niland. It's located at the northern end of Catseye Beach, near the marina and dining precinct.

There are also villas, units, self-catering apartments and holiday homes for larger groups.

Where to eat on Hamilton Island

There's a plethora of dining options on Hamilton Island, from decadent restaurants to casual eateries and fun bars. Your dining choices include:

• Beach Club Restaurant - adults-only modern Australian restaurant starring seafood
• Bommie Restaurant - decadent fine dining restaurant
• Catseye Pool Club - share-style Australian dining with menus by award-winning chefs
• Clubhouse Restaurant - the Hamilton Island Golf Club's restaurant on neighbouring Dent Island, open for lunch only
• coca chu - South East Asian hawker-style food with an Australian twist
• Long Pavilion - adults-only contemporary Australian restaurant with a long wine list (bookings only)
• Pebble Beach - qualia's signature fine dining experience (bookings only)
• Romano's - contemporary Italian cuisine
• Manta Ray - relaxed coastal Mediterranean menu designed for sharing
• Sails - Vietnamese-inspired restaurant with gorgeous views
• Pool Terrace Restaurant - à la carte pub-style meals.

There are also many casual dining options, from Bob's Bakery to Popeyes Takeaway (fish'n'chips), the Pizzeria and Gelato Bar, and the Marina Tavern. The Palms is a new offering set, with a smoky BBQ-inspired menu in a tropical alfesco setting.

Hamilton Island's best bars include:

• One Tree Hill - stunning bar perched at the top of Hamilton Island with ocean and island views
• Island Bar - swim-up bar slinging fruity cocktails, mocktails and more in Hamilton Island's Main Pool
• Bommie Deck - outdoor bar at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, with live music on Friday and Saturday evenings
• Reef Lounge - informal bar with a wide variety of drinks and snacks available from 11.30am-11.30pm.

Daydream Island: family fun

After a major redevelopment in recent years, Daydream Island has returned as one of the Whitsundays' most accessible and family-friendly resort destinations. Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Airlie Beach, the island combines tropical ambience with plenty of activities for guests of all ages.

What to do at Daydream Island

Daydream Island's standout feature is the Living Reef, a man-made coral lagoon that wraps around the resort and houses over a hundred species of marine life, including colourful fish, rays and small sharks. Guests can book into experiences to snorkel through the lagoon, feed stingrays their lunch, or go behind the scenes with resident marine biologists.

There's also an Underwater Observatory, a giant window into the lagoon four metres under the surface where you can watch the marine life, plus a Reef Exploration Centre with eight living displays showcasing various habitats from mangroves to corals.

Beyond the Living Reef, gusts can drift away at Daydream Spa, join a paint and sip class, or go on a glass-bottom kayak tour. Free activities include snorkelling, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, an open-air cinema, and bingo and trivia nights. There are also free guided meditations and several serene rainforest trails full of wildlife.

Of course, guests at Daydream Island can always book off-island experiences like cruises, jet boats,  helicopter flights, and tours out to the Great Barrier Reef or Whitehaven Beach.

The Cockatoo Club runs morning and afternoon sessions for kids aged between 4-12 years, full of games, activities and wildlife experiences.

Where to stay on Daydream Island

The Daydream Island Resort offers 240 rooms and suites on the island, from comfy resort rooms to deluxe ocean terraces and premium suites.

Where to eat on Daydream Island

Daydream Island boasts five restaurant and bar options:

• Graze Interactive Dining - modern Australian bistro with a daily buffet breakfast, plus an Italian buffet dinner on Wednesdays and a roast buffet dinner on Sundays
• Infinity Restaurant - Asian-inspired dining with incredible views of the Whitsundays
• Salti Restaurant & Bar - seafood and Mediterranean cuisine
• Tonic Bar - indoor/outdoor lounge bar overlooking the Living Reef
• Barefoot Bar - fun swim-up bar in the central pool
• Cassowary's - ice cream, snacks and sweet treats.

RACV Members save on Daydream Island family packages.

Hayman Island: luxury in nature

Located at the northernmost tip of the Whitsundays, Hayman Island is surrounded by coral reefs, tranquil bays and rainforest-covered hills. If your idea of paradise includes world-class service, fine dining and serene seclusion, then Hayman Island is the place to be.

What to do on Hayman Island

Head to Hayman Beach at high tide to enjoy paddleboarding and kayaking. When it's low tide, retreat to the state-of-the-art indoor Golf Simulator or play a game on courts for tennis, squash, basketball, croquet, soccer, boccee and more. Several walking tours are available, including a Nocturnal Tour to spot owls, rays and rock wallabies. After your efforts, Hayman Spa offers yoga classes, guided meditations, massages and many luxurious spa packages to stretch out those muscles.

On the water, you can book in to go snorkelling in Blue Pearl Bay, Bali Hai Reef or Langford Island. Go on a fishing charter, explore Whitehaven Beach on a half-day tour, enjoy a sunset cruise with nibbles, try your hand at pedalboarding, or go kayaking over the reefs. Elevate your experience with a helicopter flight over reefs and islands.

Drop the kids off at Planet Trekkers Kids Club, designed for children aged 4-12 years old. Babysitting services are also available. But make sure you bring the kids with you for the 10.30am Fish Feeding at the Marina Pontoon activity, where you can feed giant trevally as they jump out of the water.

Where to stay on Hayman Island

The InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef is a luxury island resort in a jaw-dropping setting, with pools, beachfronts and an onsite spa to help you unwind. Stay in a beachfront villa, poolside suites or luxury residences: the choice is yours.

Where to eat on Hayman Island

There are five dining options at the InterContinental Hayman resort:

• Pacific - the resort's signature restaurant and bar, with a sophisticated menu
• Amici - wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, Mediterranean tapas and a modern drinks menu
• Bam Bam - pan-Asian cuisine beside an infinity pool
• Aqua - poolside restaurant with seafood dishes, salad bowls and tropical cocktails
• Grove Boutique & Cafe - retail hub and casual daytime cafe, with grab-and-go food options.

The InterContinental Hayman resort has a spectacular wine collection, with an in-house sommelier to guide wine enthusiasts through the 3000-bottle cellar.

Airlie Beach: launching pad to the Whitsundays

Though not an island itself, Airlie Beach is the vibrant coastal town that acts as the gateway to the Whitsundays. Many visitors begin their adventure here, with ferries and sailing charters departing daily to the surrounding islands.

Airlie Beach has evolved into a destination in its own right, thanks to its waterfront dining, bustling nightlife and Whitsunday Islands tours departing from the marina every day. It's also a popular base for backpackers and budget-conscious travellers, with everything from hostels and holiday parks to boutique hotels and apartments.

Best activities and tours in Airlie Beach

There are dozens of exciting tours available from Airlie Beach. Many are boat trips leaving from the marina, heading to Whitehaven Beach or the Great Barrier Reef. 

If you're adventurous, you can jetski around Airlie Beach or to South Molle Island and Whitsunday Island.

For something gentler, enjoy a fun segway tour around the Airlie Beach boardwalk or in the rainforested national park.

Best free things to do in Airlie Beach

Splash around the Airlie Beach Lagoon, an oceanfront swimming spot, or swim at beautiful Boathaven Beach for clear waters and white sand. If you have access to a car, Cedar Creek Falls is just 30 minutes away and offers a natural waterfall and swimming hole hidden within lush rainforest.

Up for a challenge? Tackle the walk up to Honeyeater Lookout: a challenging four-hour return hike with gorgeous views over Airlie and the Whitsundays. There's also the Bicentennial Boardwalk (4km one way), a gentle stroll from the AirlieBeach Lagoon to sandy Cannonvale Beach.

Every Saturday from 7am-1pm, the Airlie Beach Community Markets are held on the foreshore with a great selection of local food, arts, crafts and souvenirs - plus live music.

Whitehaven Island: the home of Whitehaven Beach

Whitsunday Island is the crown jewel of the archipelago. The largest island in the group, it's almost entirely a protected national park, offering unspoiled wilderness, walking tracks and secluded campsites. While there's no resort on Whitsunday Island, camping is available at several sites with permits.

But its most famous attraction – and arguably the most photographed beach in Australia – is the extraordinary Whitehaven Beach. Stretching over seven kilometres, Whitehaven's sand is 98 per cent pure silica, giving it an almost blinding white brilliance that contrasts dramatically with the turquoise waters lapping at its shores. The beach is regularly named among the world's best for good reason: it's pristine.

For the best vantage point, take the gentle hike up to Hill Inlet Lookout at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, where the swirling sands and tidal currents create a mesmerising natural pattern. At the southern end of Whitehaven Beach, there's a short 1km walk through bushland to South Whitehaven Lookout over Chance Bay.

How to get to Whitehaven Beach

To get to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, join a day cruise or scenic flight from another Whitsundays island. Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island offer the most regular services, most with complimentary snorkelling equipment and either lunch or morning/afternoon tea.

Looking for adventure? Opt for these activities with commerical operators: 

• Big Fury - ride a jetboat to Whitehaven Beach, complete with snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef.
• Red Cat Adventures - speedboat ride to Whitehaven Beach, with two snorkelling stops and a guided walk to Hill Inlet included.
• Ocean Rafting - experience a semi-rigid inflatable vessel (read: inflatable speedboat), choosing between more beach time on the Southern Lights tour or more snorkelling time on the Northern Exposure tour.

• SeaLink Whitsundays - uses a modern air-conditioned catamaran with a rooftop observation deck; you can even upgrade to a fully catered day sail.
• Cruise Whitsundays - sail aboard the Whitsundays' largest catamaran (the Camira), or a sightseeing vessel in the morning or afternoon.
• GSL Marine - a smooth yet speedy catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, where you'll have access to stand-up paddleboards, beach volleyball, sun umbrellas and more.

Hardy Reef: untouched paradise

No trip to the Whitsundays is complete without visiting Hardy Reef, a stunning stretch of coral reef located on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. It's best known as the site of the famous Heart Reef: a naturally heart-shaped coral formation best viewed from the air.

Day tours to Hardy Reef typically depart from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island or Daydream Island. Cruise Whitsundays offer full-day trips to the Reefworld Pontoon, a floating pontoon moored at the reef for easy access to snorkelling and scuba diving adventures. Add on semi-submarine rides and an underwater observatory, and you have a day out perfect for all ages and experience levels.

For a truly memorable experience, stay overnight at Reefsleep: luxury swags on deck so you can stare up at the stars and listen to the water lap at the boat.

You can also try your hand at bareboating: hiring a yacht, catamaran or other boat and skippering yourself around the reef.

Where are the best snorkelling locations in the Whitsundays?

You could drop anchor almost anywhere around the Whitsundays and enjoy a fantastic snorkel spot - but there are several locations that prove to be the best of the best. These include:

• Hardy Reef - located in the outer Great Barrier Reef
• Stonehaven Bay, Hook Island - vibrant coral at Cockatoo Point and lots of marine life at The Keyhole
• Luncheon Bay, Hook Island - easily accessible coral reefs for bareboaters
• Mantaray Bay, Hook Island - home to thousands of fish, plus manta rays during winter
• Langford Island - a tidal sand spit with seagrass flats: ideal turtle territory
• Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island - filled with coral and marine life
• Chalkie's Beach, Haslewood Island - located opposite Whitehaven Beach, many tours stop here
• Cateran Bay, Border Island - filled with a stunning range of coral.

RACV Domestic Travel Insurance covers most sports and activities, including snorkelling, kayaking or scuba diving.

Long Island: an eco escape for couples

Just a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland, Long Island is one of the closest Whitsunday islands to Airlie Beach, yet it feels a world away. Mostly national park and with about 17km of walking trails, this long and narrow island is a nature lover's dream.

Snorkelling, kayaking, bushwalking and birdwatching are the main activities here. The island is fringed with coral reefs, and trails lead to scenic lookouts and quiet beaches that you can often have all to yourself.

Where to stay on Long Island

The Palm Bay Resort is an adults-only hideaway nestled in the neck of Long Island. With Balinese-style villas and a restaurant opening seven days a week, it offers a relaxed and tranquil vibe.

The Elysian Luxury Eco Island Retreat is a boutique adults-only resort that hosts a maximum of 20 guests on the southern point of Long Island, with a private chef providing oceanfront dining.

You can alternatively camp at Sandy Bay, a small secluded beach backed by rainforest, although it accommodates a maximum of six people.

Hook Island: rugged and remote

For those looking to get off the grid and immerse themselves in the raw beauty of the Whitsundays, Hook Island is a must. With no resorts and minimal infrastructure, this rugged, mountainous island is all about adventure and nature.

Much of Hook Island is part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park, and its inlets and bays are ideal for snorkelling and diving. Luncheon Bay, Stonehaven Bay, and Mantaray Bay are among the best snorkelling spots in the region, with coral gardens, sea turtles and reef fish in abundance.

These sites are popular stops for yachts, and day boats often anchor here for a few hours of exploration. The Lady Enid is a heritage yacht that offers a cultural day tour from Airlie Beach to Hook Island's Nara Inlet plus a pristine reef location.

Camping is allowed at Curlew Beach, Crayfish Beach, Maureens Cove and Steens Beach. The hiking trails are rewarding but challenging, with lush rainforests, rock pools and stunning coastal views. Make sure campsites are available on the National Parks website.

South Molle Island: for adventure lovers

Tucked between Daydream and Hook Islands, South Molle Island is gaining attention as an under-the-radar spot for hiking, kayaking and camping. Its calm surrounding waters also make South Molle ideal for paddleboarding or a beachside picnic. 

Part of the Molle Islands National Park, South Molle is crisscrossed with scenic walking tracks that lead to panoramic lookouts and secluded bays. The most popular hike, Spion Kop, rewards trekkers with stunning views across the island group. Mt Jefferys and Balancing Rock are other beautiful lookouts on the island.

There's also plenty of mountain biking trails across the island, with several companies offering MTB tours if you don't have your own bike with you.

Camping is permitted at Paddle Bay and Sandy Bay with advance permits.

The best time to visit the Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are beautiful year-round. May to October marks the dry season, with hot temperatures and ideal swimming and snorkelling conditions. If visiting between July and September, you might even spot migrating humpback whales.

November to April is wetter and hotter, with the highest risk of marine stingers, but it’s also when the rainforest is lush and waterfalls are flowing. If you visit during this time, wear stinger suits when swimming.

How to get to the Whitsundays

The Whitsundays has two airports for flights from Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney: Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island (HTI) and Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine (PPP).

Whitsunday Coast Airport is about 40 minutes from Airlie Beach. Coaches and shuttles meet every flight to transfer guests to Airlie Beach or to ferries bound to the island resorts. Car hire is also available at the airport.

Cruise Whitsundays operates ferries between several islands. From the Port of Airlie, here are the ferry ride times to each destination:

• 20 minutes - Long Island
• 30 minutes - Daydream Island
• 35 minutes - Dent Island
• 60 minutes - Hamilton Island, Hayman Island
• 1.5-4 hours - Whitsunday Island (Whitehaven Beach).

Scenic flights and private charters unlock more remote areas like Hook Island and South Molle Island.