The stunning Whitsundays renowned for its Great Barrier Reef tours to Whitehaven beach, helicopter rides over Heart Reef and Great Barrier Reef sailing holidays. The Whitsundays offer Great Barrier Reef tour experiences for everyone.
Made up of 74 stunning islands, the Whitsundays is not only home to one of the world’s best beaches – Whitehaven Beach – but it’s also the heart of the Great Barrier Reef with a naturally heart-shaped reef to prove it.
From thrill-seeking water sports at Airlie Beach, to multi island Great Barrier Reef tours from Mackay and sailing on a yacht around the islands of the Whitsundays, to camping under the stars in the middle of the Reef, day hikes through spectacular national parks and luxuriating on Hamilton Island, there's a Whitsundays holiday to suit every traveller.
Made up of 74 stunning islands, the Whitsundays is not only home to one of the world’s best beaches – Whitehaven Beach – but it’s also the heart of the Great Barrier Reef with a naturally heart-shaped reef to prove it.
From thrill-seeking water sports at Airlie Beach, to multi island Great Barrier Reef tours from Mackay and sailing on a yacht around the islands of the Whitsundays, to camping under the stars in the middle of the Reef, day hikes through spectacular national parks and luxuriating on Hamilton Island, there's a Whitsundays holiday to suit every traveller.
So where to even begin when there are so many destinations – both on and off the mainland – to choose from?
The good news is that with so many Great Barrier Reef tours and liveaboard snorkelling and dive tours departing from the Coral Sea Marina, the Port of Airlie, and Shute Harbour you can explore as much of this region as you like. Or, if you’d prefer a more relaxed, indulgent experience, there are options for that too.
Made up of 74 stunning islands, the Whitsundays is not only home to one of the world’s best beaches – Whitehaven Beach – but it’s also the heart of the Great Barrier Reef with a naturally heart-shaped reef to prove it.
Made up of 74 stunning islands, the Whitsundays is not only home to one of the world’s best beaches – Whitehaven Beach – but it’s also the heart of the Great Barrier Reef with a naturally heart-shaped reef to prove it.
From thrill-seeking water sports at Airlie Beach, to multi island Great Barrier Reef tours from Mackay and sailing on a yacht around the islands of the Whitsundays, to camping under the stars in the middle of the Reef, day hikes through spectacular national parks and luxuriating on Hamilton Island, there's a Whitsundays holiday to suit every traveller.
So where to even begin when there are so many destinations – both on and off the mainland – to choose from?
The good news is that with so many Great Barrier Reef tours and liveaboard snorkelling and dive tours departing from the Coral Sea Marina, the Port of Airlie, and Shute Harbour you can explore as much of this region as you like. Or, if you’d prefer a more relaxed, indulgent experience, there are options for that too.
Airlie Beach, the vibrant mainland gateway to the Whitsundays is an aquatic playground with plenty for thrill seekers and nature lovers to choose from. Book a Sail and snorkel tour thru the Whitsundays passage on an overnight reef trip. Take a scenic flight over Heart Reef, or dive the depths of the Great Barrier Reef
One of Australia's most popular holiday destinations and the only island in the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef with its own commercial airport. Hamilton Island is a holiday hotspot for local and international visitors, boasting pristine white beaches, a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life, and year-round mild temperatures. See all the tours and attractions of Hamilton Island here.
Explore Heart Reef on an exclusive helicopter flight and land at the exclusive Heart Reef pontoon to explore this iconic location. Heart Reef is a naturally formed coral reef in the shape of a love heart which can be viewed in the Whitsundays on a spectacular Great Barrier Reef tour by helicopter or seaplane
With fine white silica sand and a maze of stunning sandbars linked by azure-coloured tidal pools, Whitehaven Beach is considered to be the most beautiful beach in Australia. Boats arrive daily at Whitehaven Beach to admire the beauty of the swirling sands and brillant blue waters against the back drop of green atop Hill Inlet lookout. Book a Whitehaven Beach tour when visiting the Whitsundays.
Don't lay around the pool all day on Daydream Island as you are on the Great Barrier Reef so you need to get off and explore it on a snorkelling or scuba diving tour. Take a jet boat ride to Whitehaven Beach or visit the outer reef.
Mackay is the jump off point for snorkel tours to the Great Barrier Reef. Visit multiple islands in one day on the most exciting Great Barrier Reef snorkel tours by fast jet boat. Explore the coral reefs, deserted islands and beaches on a Mackay snorkel tour.
Located close to Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour is a forest-clad, secluded jumping off point for many of the Whitsunday Island Tours. Shute Harbour is also the closest location to the Whitsunday Airport where guests can take scenic helicopter rides, airplane scenic flights and sailing holidays over the iconic locations of the Whitsunday Islands.
Surrounded by sugarcane plantations, riverfront Proserpine is the first mainland port of call for Whitsunday visitors.
Discover the Great Barrier Reef on a sailing holiday from Cairns or Port Douglas. Read our ultimate guide to your sailing holiday on the Great Barrier Reef.
Essential insights for visitors looking to explore Hill Inlet, detailing how to get there, what to expect, and the hidden treasures awaiting discovery beyond the famous swirling shimmering silica sands.
Is Hill Inlet on Whitehaven Beach and can we visit both on the same day?
Whitsundays Sailing Ultimate Guide - Join us on your next holiday and discover the unparalleled beauty of the world-famous Whitsundays, a true yachting paradise for sailing enthusiasts. Nestled in the heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands offer crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life, making it the perfect setting for an unforgettable yachting and sailing holiday. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or new to the nautical life, the Whitsundays has a sailing holiday option for everyone no matter your age or ability.
Whether you are on land or at sea, there’s plenty of places to go wild with wildlife spotting along the Great Barrier Reef.
How long does it take to get to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns? It very well may seem like a simple and easy question to answer, however, there are so many variables that make the answer not quite as straight forward as you may have initially thought.