Whitehaven Beach at a glance
Whitehaven Beach is a long stretch of pale sand in the Whitsundays. There is no road to it. Visitors arrive on a boat or kayak, or by seaplane, and the beach and the Hill Inlet lookout above it are often combined in one day trip.
Not every beach transfer stops at the lookout. The lookout over Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach is a separate place from the landing point on the long beach, so check that your trip names Hill Inlet if you want that view.
Our picks: Whitehaven Beach tours
Our take: from Airlie Beach the day cruise is the straightforward option, with a bus pickup and lunch. The sailing day is longer and adds a reef snorkel, and the Hamilton Island tour is the one to book if you are staying there.
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.
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet from Hamilton Island
- Guided reef snorkel
- Guided national park walk
- Picnic lunch
This day starts on Hamilton Island rather than Airlie Beach and adds a guided coral reef snorkel. Picnic lunch and afternoon tea are included.
Check availability →
Full-day sailing trip to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Snorkelling at a fringing reef
- Barbecue lunch
- Beer and wine from 11 am
A day under sail through the Whitsundays with a snorkel at a fringing reef. The Hill Inlet lookout walk depends on the tide.
Check availability →
Whitehaven Beach day cruise with lunch
- Bus pickup and return
- Lunch and snacks
- Mask, snorkel and suit
A full day to Whitehaven Beach with a bus pickup from Airlie Beach, Cannonvale or Jubilee Pocket. Parking fees and the fuel surcharge are included.
Check availability →Whitehaven Beach tours
Boat trips, sailing days and flights to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, with live prices and availability.
How to get to Whitehaven Beach
The ways in differ in cost, time and which part of the beach you reach. Prices are 2026 adult prices.
| Way | Departs from | Time on site | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat or sailing day trip | Varies, see the tour description | Depends on the trip | Varies, see the tour block |
| Seaplane with a landing at Whitehaven | Hamilton Island | About 1 hour 15 minutes on the beach | A$380 per person, minimum 4 people |
| Plane flight over Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet | Hamilton Island | 50 to 60 minutes in the air | A$415 per person, minimum 4 people |
| Kayak to the Hill Inlet track | Varies by trip | Walk of about 40 minutes | Varies by trip |
For most visitors a boat day trip is the practical choice, because it combines the beach, the lookout and time in the water in one day. The seaplane suits groups of four or more who are short on time. Each flight or boat programme uses a different part of the beach and a different length of stay, so compare the details rather than the headline.
Hill Inlet lookout walk
The Hill Inlet lookout track starts at Tongue Point on Whitsunday Island. The walk is 1.3 km return, takes about 40 minutes and is graded moderate. There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities. You reach the start by boat or kayak, and the track is normally open 24 hours a day. Check the weather and any warnings before you set out.
From the lookout you look out over Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach, with its tidal channels of turquoise water.
Seaplane and scenic flights
Both flights below leave from Hamilton Island, and both need at least four people on the booking. The 2026 price is per person.
- Seaplane to Whitehaven Beach: A$380 per person. The plane lands at the beach and you have about 1 hour 15 minutes there.
- Scenic flight in a plane: A$415 per person. It covers Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet in 50 to 60 minutes.
Heart Reef is protected, and swimming or snorkeling at the formation itself is not allowed, so you see it from the air. For more flight options and prices read our guide to scenic flights over the reef. Check the current price and the departure rules when you book.
Weather, stingers and what to bring
Average daily highs at Proserpine Airport, the mainland station nearest to the Whitsundays, are 24.5 °C in July and 32.2 °C in December. Rain is heaviest in summer, with an average of 351.7 mm in February against 17.8 mm in September. These are climate averages, not a forecast. Read our weather guide and the page on the best time to visit for the full picture.
Box jellyfish and Irukandji can be life-threatening. The higher-risk season is roughly November to May, but stingers can occur all year. Wear a full-body lycra or neoprene suit when you swim. If someone is stung, call 000, apply vinegar and get medical help, because Irukandji symptoms can appear 20 to 40 minutes later.
- Sun protection and a hat.
- Enough drinking water for the whole day.
- Shoes that suit a moderate track if you plan the lookout walk.
Plan your base with the guides to where to stay and getting there.
Questions to ask before you book a Whitehaven Beach tour
Trips with the same name can differ a lot. Compare the details of each offer:
- Departure point: where the boat or plane leaves, and how you get there from your base. See the Whitsundays for the usual starting points.
- Hill Inlet: whether the lookout is named in the itinerary. A stop at the beach alone does not include it.
- Time on the beach: trips give you different lengths of stay and use different parts of the long beach.
- Reef stop: a day around the islands is not a visit to the outer reef unless the reef is named.
- Group size: flights need at least four people per booking, so check the minimum before you count on a flight.
Look after the beach as well. Take your rubbish with you and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
Whitehaven Beach: frequently asked questions
How do you get to Whitehaven Beach?
By boat or sailing trip, by kayak, or by seaplane. There is no public road. Check the departure point in each boat trip, and note that the seaplane leaves from Hamilton Island.
Does every beach trip include Hill Inlet?
No. The lookout is a separate stop from the landing point on the beach. Choose a trip that names Hill Inlet if the view matters to you.
How long is the Hill Inlet walk?
The track from Tongue Point on Whitsunday Island is 1.3 km return and takes about 40 minutes. It is graded moderate and has no wheelchair-accessible facilities.
How much time do you get on the beach on a seaplane trip?
The seaplane programme to Whitehaven allows about 1 hour 15 minutes on the beach. Other flight and boat programmes use different beach sections and stay lengths.
Is this the official Whitehaven Beach website?
No. This is an independent guide with no connection to a tourism body, a park authority, an airline or a tour operator.