Top 10 Things To Do In The Whitsundays

Ok, let’s get started ….

Here Are Your Top 10 Things To Do In The Whitsundays

1. Visit Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Lookout

If you visit The Whitsunday Islands it’s a must-do to visit Whitehaven Beach! It’s only the most incredible beach with the purest white sand, with 97% pure silicon white sand it’s so soft it actually feels like walking on flour. To top this off there is the most beautiful swirling sands and crystal-clear ocean waters!

If you have your own boat you can spend all day here or even camp at the south end otherwise book a Whitehaven Beach Tour for the best experience. This will always be the #1 Things to do in the Whitsundays

2. Snorkel On The Great Barrier Reef

This experience is outstanding to say the least, snorkeling among fish and coral in clear warm tropical waters is the best fun you can have with a wetsuit on!

To snorkel the Great Barrier Reef you have 2 options

• Outer Reef with Cruise Whitsundays from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island Or Explore from Hamilton Island
• Inner reef trip with a good company like ZigZag Whitsundays Day Tour.

 Some of the best snorkelling locations include Manta Ray Bay (Hook Island), Blue Pearl Bay (Hayman Island), Langford Island, Hardy Reef, Bait Reef, Chalkies and Peter Bay.

#3. Take A Scenic Flight

I get excited when I talk about scenic flights and there is a very good reason. They are simply breathtaking! I use Fly Australia charters for my Whitsundays And Airlie Beach Scenic Flight as they only take 5 guests maximum and you are guaranteed a window seat.

The flight is 70 minutes long and you will fly over the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach twice, The Outer Great Barrier Reef and the world-famous Heart Reef (yes there is a reef shaped just like a heart) Just about every time you will spot sharks, turtles or stingrays from the air. Without seeing this for yourself it’s hard to comprehend just how big this living ecosystem is.

I have been here 20 years and done dozens of flights and I’m excited every time before I go.

#4. Visit Hamilton Island

The most famous resort destination in the Whitsundays is Hamilton Island, affectionately known as “The Rock” this island resort is more like a small town. With a mix of high-end residential apartments and houses and holiday accommodation, it is a playground for all budgets.

To visit Hamilton island for the day there is just one ferry service so check out Cruise Whitsundays timetable for transfers to and from Airlie Beach.

For guests staying on the island, there are a wide range of activities and tours you can take from the island, if you are looking for a boat like ZigZag that departs hamilton island check out Hamilton Island Watersports full and half-day tours

#5. Visit Airlie Beach

Known as the “Gateway To The Whitsundays” and “Heart Of The Reef”Airlie Beach has everything you need for a tropical holiday.

Departing daily from Coral Sea Marina and Port Of Airlie are Half-day Tours, Full Day Tours, Overnight Tours and activities like jet skis, skydiving, aerobatic planes etc.

If boating and adrenaline are not your thing, there are some spectacular beaches, crocodile safaris, rainforest walks, mountain bike tours, stand-up paddleboarding etc

The main street is alive with cafes, pubs, clothes shops and restaurants and even has a small Woolworths in the main street so you can save some money on eating out.

#6. Go Bareboating

This one is screaming up the things to do in the Whitsundays list! Ever dreamed of sailing a yacht around tropical islands even though you have no experience? Well, your dreams have come true! With most hires starting at 4 – 7 days you will get full training on how to sail the Whitsundays. Don’t worry most of these boats are easy to operate and you will have someone helping you leave and return to the marina

Bareboating has rapidly increased in popularity since the start of covid so if this is on your bucket list, Book Early

#7. Take A Jetski Tour

A jetski tour is an awesome way to see some of the closer islands and have some real fun at the same time.

Depending on the tour you can ride out in pioneer bay (out front of Airlie Beach) or visit daydream or Palm Bay on Long Island, these tours are between 1.5 to 4 hours

#8. See Crocodiles In The Wild Or At Farm

Not so well known for the Whitsundays, but we have a crocodile farm and you can also take a tour in the Proserpine river to see them in the wild. Both are superb ways of seeing crocodiles while you are in North Queensland

One of these should be on your list to do when visiting the Whitsundays.

#9. Visit The Airlie Beach Lagoon

One of the most popular Whitsundays things to do is FREE!. The Airlie Beach lagoon is situated in the middle of town right beside the sea. This is the perfect place to cool off and let the kids run wild.
the complex has a large outdoor pool/lagoon with ranging depths suited for all ages, there is even a small toddler shallow lagoon.

You will also find plenty of shade and seating, free BBQs and a kids playground

#10. Cape Gloucester and the Resort (local tip you won’t find elsewhere)

I’m giving away a locals secret here and will probably be lynched in the main street… but here goes. Cape Gloucester is one of the most picturised places on the mainland, situated only 30 minutes from Airlie Beach is both Montes Resort and Cape Gloucester Resort, these are basic resorts right on the beach and day-trippers are welcome to come drink and eat at the restaurants.

If you don’t want the hustle and bustle of Airlie Beach these both have accommodation as well or you could check out Hydeaway Bay on Airbnb ( I do this twice a year)

That is my list of Whitsundays Things To Do and I hope you have a great time exploring these destinations and activities. If you are interested in our ZigZag Whitsundays Day Tour please see all the information below