WHITSUNDAY ISLAND
- INDEX
- DESTINATIONS
- YOUR ITINERARY
- ACCOMMODATION
- THINGS TO DO
- TRANSPORT
- TOURS
- ATTRACTIONS
- WEDDING / HONEYMOON
- CAR HIRE
- DINING OUT
- BACKPACKERS
- INTERNET@CAFES
- CAMERA HIRE
- MAPS and INFO
- SAFE TRAVEL
- CLASSIFIEDS
- LINKS
Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the Whitsundays, and is part of the Whitsundays Islands National Park. There's no development on this wilderness island, no resort, no golf course, and no regular scheduled ferry service. What you will find are a few basic campsites, some hiking trails, an island of unspoilt and possibly the most stunningly beautiful beach in Tropical North Queensland, if not the world! A visit to Whitsunday Island is a must, whether as a day trip from Airlie Beach, or as part of a longer islands cruise.
YES, IT IS HERE WHERE THAT STUNNING BEACH IS: WHITEHAVEN BEACH. DON'T MISS IT ON YOUR TRIP TO TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND, BUT REMEMBER TO BRING ALL YOU WILL NEED WITH YOU.
The Ngaro people lived on Whitsunday and other surrounding Islands for many thousands of years. Captain Cook records seeing them while surveying the area in the 1700's. The island's landscape is one of tropical forest, but the highlight for visitors is magnificent Whitehaven Beach, on the island's east coast. This pristine expanse of pure white silica sand is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in the region. Stretching more than nine kilometres, the talcum white sand is fringed by brilliant blue water on one side and lush tropical island on the other. It is not surprising that Whitehaven Beach is the most photographed beach in the Whitsundays. Take a walk to Hill Inlet at the northern end of the beach. At the right tide time, the view over Whitehaven Beach is magical. Be careful... it could take your breath away!The sand of Whitehaven Beach is almost pure silica, 99.89 percent quartz. For a short time during the 1960's, this ultra fine white sand was actually mined and exported to Japan for the manufacture of fine glass products. Now, of course, the sand along with the rest of the island is protected as National Park.
Although Whitehaven Beach is undoubtedly what draws most visitors to the island, there's much more to this sprawling island than just one beach. On the western side of the island, there are three campsites at Cid Harbour, overlooking coral and pebble beaches. Dugong Beach is the nicest, sheltered under rainforest trees. It can be reached by a 20 minute walk along narrow hill paths from Sawmill Beach, once the site of a sawmill supplying high quality timber to the mainland.
ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO - WHITSUNDAY ISLAND
Well, the attractions of Whitsunday Island are quite obvious. As for activities... well, anything that can be done on a deserted island can be done here. Whitsunday Island is a nature lovers' paradise. Swimming in the crystal blue waters, snorkelling, bushwalking, or just soaking up the sun. Tranquility, that's what you come to Whitsunday Island for. Campers love Whitsunday Island as there are sites for every mood from the beaches to the rainforest close to a fresh water creek. Bring a sea kayak, and you'll have the chance to further explore the island's secluded inlets, coves and bays.Every year in late August, during the the annual Hamilton Island Race Week yachting festival, hundreds of yachts and thousands of people descend on normally tranquil Whitehaven Beach for what has become known as 'Whitehaven Day', the biggest beach party in the Southern Hemisphere. Check our TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND EVENTS CALENDAR if you want to be part of the next 'Whitehaven Day'.
CAMIRA SAILING ADVENTURE
Building 2, Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4946 4662 / Fax (07) 4946 4382
www.cruisewhitsundays.com
85ft of awesome fun!
Experience the thrill of high speed sailing through the spectacular Whitsunday Islands and explore Famous Whitehaven Beach.
Experience the thrill of high speed sailing through the spectacular Whitsunday Islands on board Camira and stop-off to explore famous Whitehaven Beach.
'Camira' is a world first with her sleek lines, spacious deck areas and mind-blowing performance – she is one of the worlds fastest catamarans capable of sailing at speeds up to 30 knots!
On this full day adventure, you'll enjoy swimming, snorkelling, beautiful beaches and bays, an all you can eat BBQ lunch plus exhilarating sailing – altogether an awesome day out on the water. This is a fully inclusive trip. All activities including snorkelling, with all gear provided (conditions permitting) are included. Morning, and afternoon tea, a delicious BBQ lunch and all refreshments are included whilst on board. This is not just a cruise but an awesome experience.
REEF JET
Airlie Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4946 5366 / Fax (07) 4948 3733
www.reefjet.com.au
Less time to travel, more time to play!
Reefjet has been operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for more than 20 years so they are the "experts" with all the experience required to make your day not a good one but a GREAT ONE !
Experience the thrill of seeing first hand the reef and its vast array of colours, enjoy it all at your own pace under their team's expert supervision. Try scuba diving for the very first time with Reef Jet's friendly and very experienced dive team. Enjoy the trip of a lifetime to one of the world's best beaches, Whitehaven Beach. Take a leisurely stroll along six kilometres of beautiful white silica sand, swim in the crystal clear waters, join in the beach games, or just relax and enjoy the beauty of the spectacular surrounds. And during the months July - September let Reef Jet show you the humpback whales.
MANTARAY CHARTERS
Cannonvale, Airlie Beach
Phone (07) 4948 3711 / Fax (07) 4948 3733
www.mantaraycharters.com
ALL in one day!
Explore the Whitsunday Islands aboard the fabulously appointed cruise vessel 'Mantaray'. You will find everything aboard you need for a memorable day, plenty of space, large shaded deck area, easy access for all ages in and out of the water, unobstructed views all around the vessel, on board toilet & fresh water shower facilities.
Mantaray Charters visit the beautiful Whitsundays from Airlie Beach. Go diving and snorkelling at the best destinations the islands have to offer. You spend up to three hours at Whitehaven Beach and up to two hours at Mantaray Bay.
Mantaray's friendly and experienced crew will keep you informed all the way with a running commentary during the day. Go diving and snorkelling at the best destinations the islands have to offer under the watchful eye of their Master dive instructor. 
ACCOMMODATION - WHITSUNDAY ISLAND
If you are looking to spend your vacation surrounded by nature, welcome to Whitsunday Island. No resorts, no hotels or any other development in the island. There are three campsites at Cid Harbour on the western side of the island. For more information about camping in the Whitsundays Islands National Park, please
CLICK HERE.
DINING - WHITSUNDAY ISLAND
This one's pretty easy. You can eat whatever you bring! Bring fresh water, and a gas stove; open fires are prohibited.GETTING TO WHITSUNDAY ISLAND
There are no regular ferry services to Whitsunday Island. Perhaps that's part of the charm of this wonderful wilderness. But getting to Whitsunday Island is no challenge. It's a popular destination on any number of cruises and scenic flights. Seaplanes can even land you in the shallow water right next to delightful Whitehaven Beach. Day trips depart a number of the surrounding islands, as well as Airlie Beach, all bound for Whitehaven Beach. For a comprehensive list of tours around Whitsunday Island, please go to our REEF TOURS, our OCEAN TOURS and our SCENIC FLIGHTS TOURS pages.
