The Whitsunday Islands Travel Guide
The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 islands off the central coast of Queensland, Australia. These incredibly stunning islands are one of the most popular destinations in the country.
From backpackers on sailing trips to locals on their own boats to those staying at the luxury resorts that dot the islands, anyone who goes up the east coast of Australia tends to stop here for some rest and relaxation.
Since the vast majority of these islands are designated national parks, you’ll find numerous pristine beaches and dive sites here. The coral reefs provide incredible snorkeling and diving, Whitehaven Beach is everything it’s cracked up to be, and the crystalline waters are perfect for a swim. It’s postcard-perfect here.
I loved my multi-day sailing trip around the Whitsundays and I definitely recommend seeing the islands by boat over staying at one resort.
But, no matter how you plan to visit these islands, this travel guide can help you plan your trip!
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Top 5 Things to See and Do in Whitsunday Islands
1. Attend Race Week
During August, Hamilton Island’s Race Week kicks off as hundreds of yachts — from 30-foot boats rented for the week to million-dollar super yachts — compete in some serious racing. It’s one of the biggest events of the year and attracts thousands of people. Aside from watching the various races, the festival also includes dinners presented by celebrity chefs, wine tasting, golf tournaments, and more. It’s not your typical budget backpacker event, but it makes for a fun and lively time to visit!
2. Try birdwatching
The islands here are home to many nesting sites and exotic bird species, such as the curlew and the brolga. Keep an eye out for sulfur-crested cockatoos, terns, tattlers, reef egrets, sooty oyster-catchers, and white-bellied sea eagles, one of Australia’s largest raptors, which have a wingspan of up to 2.2 meters (7.2 feet). Fruit bats (also known as flying foxes) are also common around the islands too.
3. Go diving
The islands are known for their diving. Reefs are best viewed during the summertime as the rainy season makes the water murky and visibility gets pretty bad. Here, you’ll be able to spot a wide array of vibrant fish, coral, rays, sea turtles, and more. Dives start at around 170-350 AUD for a two-tank dive. You can pick up the tours from either Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach. Many of them visit two or more reef sites, so you get to see a variety of underwater landscapes and marine life.
4. Enjoy Hamilton Island
This is the largest island in the Whitsundays. Often referred to as “Hamo,” if you’re looking to spend some time at a resort, you’ll find a lot of options here. There are lots of spas, trails, and places to go ATVing. Personally, I found it too developed for me but, if you want to splash out on a resort escape, it’s a good choice. Don’t miss the nearby Heart Reef while you’re here (more on it below).
5. See the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on Earth (it’s actually visible from space). Stretching over 2,300 kilometers (1,429 miles) and composed of almost 3,000 individual reefs, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can take a cruise, swim, snorkel, dive, or book a glass-bottom boat tour to go looking for Nemo. Expect to pay between 200-300 AUD for most full-day excursions. Common wildlife that can be seen here include sharks, manta rays, whales, clownfish, dolphins, giant clams, and more!
Other Things to See and Do in Whitsunday Islands
1. Take a resort vacation
Most resorts offer package deals with sailing trips, spa visits, golfing, arcades, and snorkeling tours. If you aren’t interested in sailing around the island and would rather just stay in one place and take small side trips to the other islands, the resorts are your best bet. Live in luxury for a bit! There are a number of resorts at the northern end of Hamilton Island and plenty around Airlie Beach as well.
2. Fly over Heart Reef
Ever see that famous photo of a reef shaped like a heart? Well, that’s here! While definitely not a budget activity, booking a helicopter tour over the reef is something special and popular with couples visiting on a romantic getaway. An hour-long helicopter ride costs around 750 AUD. An hour-long small plane tour costs about 300 AUD. Most tours will also take you over other sections of the Great Barrier Reef as well.
3. Hike to Passage Peak
There aren’t a whole lot of walking trails in the Whitsundays as it’s mostly a place for water-based activities but, if you want to get some exercise, head to the top of Passage Peak on Hamilton Island. It’s an hour-long trek with stairs along the way, but the view at the top of the island chain is perfect. The trail starts on the eastern end of Catseye Beach, where you’ll climb 190 meters (625 feet) to the top. It’s the best hike in the Whitsundays.
4. Sail the islands
Visiting the Whitsundays on a sailboat is one of the best ways to experience the islands. You’ll get to explore a lot of remote places, including some ideal snorkeling spots. Expect to pay between 399-499 AUD per person for a three-day/two-night sailing trip. You can book tours on the mainland from Airlie Beach. OzSail, Redcat Adventures, and The Atlantic Clipper are some of the more popular companies running tours. If you just want to do a day cruise, Cruise Whitsundays offers half-day cruises for 145 AUD.
5. Go camping
If you’re on a budget but still want to enjoy the region’s natural beauty, go camping. Camping permits cost as little as 7.25 AUD per person per night. You’ll need to take a water taxi to get to your island/campsite, but once you’re there, you can enjoy the region for cheap. Expect to pay at least 82 AUD for round-trip service to the islands. If you don’t bring camping gear with you, it’s available to rent from places like Scamper and Sailing Whitsundays, which also operate transfers to the islands. It’s still much cheaper than paying to stay at any of the resorts.
How to Stay Safe in Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsunday Islands are very safe The only dangers here are from the natural environment.
Be sure you have plenty of sunscreen, and stay as hydrated as possible. Bring mosquito repellant. Be on the lookout for snakes and spiders, and if you’re bitten, seek immediate care. Furthermore, if you’re swimming, heed the red and yellow flags. Yellow flags indicate swimming conditions may be dangerous; red flags mean the beach is closed.
October through May is known as “stinger season,” when the box jellyfish and Irukandji jellyfish are plentiful and can deliver a seriously painful sting (or even a potentially fatal one).
The tropical climate here means unexpected storms may pop up, including cyclones. Be sure to check the weather forecast in advance before you do any activities. You do not want to be stranded in a tropical storm!
The national park services also advise against swimming in Cid Harbour as a number of shark attacks have been reported there in recent years.
If you experience an emergency, dial 000 for assistance.
The most important piece of safety advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:
Where to Stay in Whitsunday Islands
There are no hostels in the Whitsunday Islands. If you want to stay at a resort, here are a few recommendations that aren’t too expensive:
Whitsunday Islands Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Budget hotels – 125-220 AUD per night
- Luxury hotels – 300+ AUD per night
- Airbnb apartments – 400-700 AUD per night
- Campsite – 7 AUD per night (permit required)
Food
- Sit-down restaurants – 50-75 AUD per meal
- Casual take-out places – 12-30 AUD
- Groceries for a week – 90-150 AUD
Whitsunday Islands Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 150 AUD Per Day
The cheapest way to see the Whitsundays is by hopping on a sailing trip. Camping is also possible but you need to have all your own gear. If you do camp, you can lower your costs to under 50 AUD per day.
Midrange – 250 AUD Per Day
On a mid-range budget, you can take a ferry from Airlie to Hamilton Island, stay in a cheap hotel or Airbnb, eat some takeaway food or grab meals at local cafes, and do some water activities like kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling.
Upscale – 500+ AUD Per Day
On this budget, you can take a ferry from Airlie to Hamilton Island, stay in a resort, and eat out for all your meals. You can also participate in just about any tour you want!
Whitsunday Islands Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
The Whitsunday Islands are definitely not a budget destination. A visit here requires lots of planning and preparation. Most people come here on multi-day sails or to stay on one of the many resorts that dot the islands. There are only a few ways to save money in the Whitsunday Islands:
Do a day trip – If staying on the islands is too pricey, stay on the mainland instead and just do a day trip to one of the islands. It won’t be cheap, but it will be cheaper than a longer visit or sailing trip!
BYOB – With the exception of day trips on large boats with licensed bars, you can bring your own alcohol on board most boats. To stick to your budget, most travelers bring a box of goon (cheap wine) for the trip.
Stay with a local – Accommodation here can be quite pricey. If you plan ahead, you might be able to find a Couchsurfing host in the Whitsunday Islands (or on the mainland near Airlie Beach before you depart). Just make sure you request a spot well in advance as there are not a lot of hosts.
Camp – If you enjoy being outdoors, there are tons of campgrounds around the islands. It’s the cheapest way to stay on the islands. However, you’ll need your own boat to get to these sites, and will also have to provide your own food but it will be the cheapest way to visit.
Bring a water bottle – The tap water in Australia is safe to drink. Bring a reusable water bottle to save money and lower your plastic use. Lifestraw is my favorite as it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
How to Get Around in Whitsunday Islands
Sailing – Sailing is the best way to see the Whitsunday Islands. Sailing trips leave from Airlie Beach and usually include meals and activities. You can take longer or shorter tours depending on your budget too. Read about my 3-day sailing trip for more details.
Ferry – Cruise Whitsundays is the main ferry operator running transfers in the Whitsundays, providing transfers between Daydream Island, Hamilton Island, and Airlie Beach (on the mainland). The ferry between Airlie and Hamilton Island costs 65 AUD each way. Airlie to Hamilton Island Airport is the same price. The ferry between Airlie and Daydream Island is 41 AUD. For more ferry prices, see their schedule
Buggy Rental – On Hamilton Island, you can rent buggies to get around. Prices start at 90 AUD for four hours or 110 AUD for 24 hours.
When to Go to Whitsunday Islands
The best time of year to visit the Whitsunday Islands is in September, when there’s near-constant sunshine, very little rainfall, and the temperature reaches highs of 29°C (84°F). The humidity isn’t too high, and the water is ideal for watersports (like snorkeling and swimming). A lot of people prefer to do sailing trips during this time as well.
The winter months (from June through August) are also a good time to visit, with comfortable temperatures hovering around 22°C (71°F) each day. This is the driest time of year with very little rain on the islands. However, the water can be quite chilly. If you’re not too keen on spending time in the water, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Australia’s summer months are hot and humid, so most people prefer to avoid the islands during this time. Temperatures are high from December through February, and there is the possibility of cyclones. It’s the rainiest time of year with 10-18 cm (4-7 inches) of rain each month. October through May is also known as “stinger season,” when the box jellyfish and the Irukandji are abundant and can give you a potentially fatal sting.
Whitsunday Islands Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. Just enter your departure and arrival destinations and it will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost. It’s one of the best transportation websites out there!
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
- Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
Whitsunday Islands Travel Guide: Related Articles
Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Whitsunday Islands travel and continue planning your trip:
