Best things to do in The Whitsundays

Calling the Whitsundays home for a little bit? Lucky you! We’ve curated the best activities that will take you to the best of Whitehaven Beach.

You can’t really go wrong when it comes to a snorkelling trip on the Whitsundays. This one is great for beginners, with two snorkel spots on the agenda, as well as a stroll to Hill Inlet (keep your phone charged for photos). Keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles to take this trip from perfect to phenomenal. Kids under three travel for free and you have the option to BYO lunch or have it included for a friendly $20.

Choose the Southern tour of Whitehaven to spend a bit more time around those iconic swirls of white sand. This trip includes hotel transfers, a guided walk to Hill Inlet and all your snorkel gear. Like the Whitehaven Beach Northern Exposure Tour, you can choose to BYO lunch or have it included for a friendly $20.

Some memories are impossible to forget, and a scenic flight over the Whitsundays is absolutely one of them. From way up, you can witness the stunning Great Barrier Reef, including the iconic Heart Reef and the otherworldly sands of Hill Inlet. An aerial view allows you to lap up this region's beauty, getting a whole new angle of over 70 tropical islands.

If you want to explore the gorgeous area in style, hop on this full day sailing adventure. You’ll get the chance to snorkel iconic spots, explore the island on foot and witness views from iconic lookouts like Hill Inlet. You’ll also be fed with a hearty gourmet BBQ lunch. It’ll be the ulimate day that will leave you with incredible memories and colourful photo library.

Explore the Whitsundays coastline on a water bike departing from Shingley Beach or Shute Harbour. This unique way to explore the island let’s you pedal at your own pace, and give you the chance to spot dolphins, mangroves and coral reefs. The tour goes for an hour and a half, making it great activity for casual explorers. Best part of all? It’s under $100.

A Whitsundays trip without the Great Barrier Reef? Not on our watch! A day out that everyone will enjoy, take this cruise tour to Reefworld Pontoon and see what all the fuss is about. This impressive 37m-long vessel has it all – seriously, it has an underwater observatory, huge outside view decks, bars (for the adults), and a semi-submarine which you can hop on to go for a guided tour. With all the snorkel gear provided, you’ll also be treated to a delicious gourmet lunch pack, giving you everything you need for an epic day on the reef.

Ready to cover as much of the Whitsundays as possible? A blast for all ages, enjoy zipping around on a Thundercat tour, going from water to land between two snorkeling spots and two beach stops. Take a dip in the crystal-clear water and explore the underwater world then go check out the most photographed beach in the world, Whitehaven Beach, and join the guided walk to Hill Inlet. With lunch, morning and afternoon tea, water, marine park fees and snorkelling equipment all included in the price, you'll get absolute bang for your buck!

Based in Airlie Beach? No probs, you can still fit in a quick visit to Whitsunday Island. Begin the day with a sleep in then gather the gang and head off on this half day afternoon cruise to the iconic Whitehaven Beach. Take in the views on the ride over then enjoy a couple of hours on the island with your dedicated host. From the self-guided Solway Circuit Walk to a friendly game of beach volleyball with the kids, this tropical paradise is a cracking spot to spend the arvo (and snap some family shots).