Things to do on Whitehaven Beach

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach is one of the world’s most unspoiled and beautiful beaches, and was voted ‘#1 Best of the Best Beaches in the World’ in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2021.

What you’ll love about Whitehaven Beach:

The pure, pristine environment

Whitehaven Beach is protected by the Whitsunday Islands National Park, and in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s been voted the world’s top eco-friendly beach, and Queensland’s cleanest beach. 

It’s an easy trip from Hamilton Island

Whitehaven Beach is just a thirty-minute trip on a high-speed catamaran, and Hamilton Island offers several Whitehaven Beach day trips and Whitehaven Beach tours. You can explore the beach via a helicopter or seaplane from the island, and can also sail to Whitehaven Beach on one of the island’s yachts. 

The impossibly white sand

Whitsunday Island’s famous beach stretches for seven kilometres and is washed by swirls of turquoise, blue and green water. The sand is 98 per cent pure white silica, which gives it a brilliant, near luminescent colour. 

The difference between Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet:

Whitehaven Beach:

Enjoy the iconic beach stretching for seven kilometers or choose to hike to South Whitehaven Beach Lookout. Accessed by boat where guests are dropped at the Southern end of Whitehaven Beach or alternatively accessed by helicopter.

Hill Inlet:

Located at Whitehaven’s northern end, where a swirl of white sand and turquoise water fuse to create a stunning blend of colours. Accessed by boat only at Tongue Bay.

For further information, read our Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Guide.

Things to do at Whitehaven Beach:

Scale the lookout

For the best view of Whitehaven Beach, make your way to Tongue Point, on Whitsunday Island. If you time your visit for low tide, you’ll be able to experience the beautiful fusion of colours in the surrounding sea.    

Relax on the beach

Perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy Whitehaven Beach is to simply laze on the soft sand, take a dip in the warm water, and enjoy the view. 

Spot turtles and other marine life

The shallows of Whitehaven Beach are often visited by various species of turtles and other marine life, including dolphins.

Visit Hill Inlet

If arriving by boat, you can anchor at Tongue Bay, and then take a short walk up the hill to the lookout across Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach.

Test your fitness

Whitehaven Beach is an idyllic location for the annual Great Whitehaven Beach Run (June every year) and Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim (November every year).