Here are my favorite things to do in the Whitsundays, all based on my last 6 visits to Airlie Beach within the last 3 years!

The Whitsundays are a dreamy destination in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. 

The area includes famous spots like Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, and more. 

But you can also find secluded beaches, epic hiking trails, charming small towns, and pristine natural beauty in the Whitsundays. 

I’ve been working for an Australian travel company for the last 3 years. Our main brand, Sailing Whitsundays, is based in Airlie Beach. 

That means I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Whitsundays 6 times, and every time I am absolutely blown away. 

The tropical weather, exquisite coral reefs, diverse marine life, lush rainforests, and idyllic beaches are like something out of a dream. 

So based on my industry knowledge and personal experiences, I’ve compiled this list of the top things to do in the Whitsundays. 

What are the best things to do in the Whitsundays?

The best things to do in the Whitsundays include Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island, and mainland attractions in Airlie Beach.

These activities cater to all types of travelers and budget ranges, and they showcase the best of the Tropical North Queensland beauty. 

I will list all the top tours and activities from Airlie Beach. This charming coastal town on the Aussie mainland is the best place to stay while visiting the Whitsundays. 

You can also stay at one of the island resorts, in places such as Hamilton Island or Daydream Island. But Airlie Beach is the main travel hub for exploring the Whitsundays, and it has the most accommodation and tour options. 

Once you settle into your accommodation in Airlie Beach, here are the 15 best things to do in the Whitsundays. 

Browse accommodation options in the Whitsundays!

1. Sail through the Whitsundays on an overnight boat tour

I honestly think the absolute best thing to do in the Whitsundays is book an overnight sailing tour. 

You can easily see highlights of the Whitsundays on day trips, but an overnight sailing tour is a much more immersive and magical experience. 

On your multi-day tour, you’ll visit Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout, and go snorkeling during the day. 

In between your various beach and snorkel spots, you can just enjoy cruising around the turquoise waters and admiring the rugged, wild island scenery. 

You also get to sleep on a boat and watch the sunrise and sunset at sea. On top of that, all meals and water sports are included, so you get amazing value for money. 

Powerplay, Whitsunday Getaway, and Whitsunday Adventurer are some of the best overnight catamaran sailing tours in the Whitsundays. 

Summer Jo, New Horizon, and Solway Voyager are authentic sailing yachts that are more geared towards budget backpackers. Summer Jo in particular is great for scuba diving!

2. Visit Whitehaven Beach

If you don’t have time for an overnight sailing tour, the next best thing to do in the Whitsundays is visit Whitehaven Beach on a day trip. 

Often considered one of the best beaches in the world, Whitehaven Beach is located on the remote and uninhabited Whitsunday Island. 

You can only visit by booking a boat tour, scenic flight, or private charter from Airlie Beach. 

Whitsunday Bullet and Ocean Rafting are two of the best boat day trips to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach. 

Once you arrive, you’ll find yourself in a true tropical paradise. 

The sand is made of brilliant white silica. The ocean is a warm, calm, clear turquoise, and the beach is surrounded by protected national park mountains and forests. 

It is definitely one of the most incredible beaches I’ve ever seen!

3. Walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout

At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, there is a short walking trail that leads to Hill Inlet Lookout. 

The walk is quick and easy, with a gradual incline through the dense bushland. 

Once you arrive, you can walk along the three wooden lookout platforms to get the best views of Whitehaven Beach and the famous swirling sands. 

Hill Inlet is the spot where the sapphire Coral Sea and the gleaming white sands mix. As the tides change, the sand and water swirl together and create a gorgeous natural phenomenon. 

Hill Inlet Lookout is one of the best photo spots in the Whitsundays!

4. Visit Betty’s Beach

After visiting Hill Inlet Lookout, continue your exploration of Whitsunday Island. 

From North Whitehaven Beach, follow the headland in the opposite direction of Hill Inlet. 

If you walk for about 10 minutes, over the white sand and through a little bit of bushland, you’ll find Betty’s Beach. 

This small and secluded beach has the same white silica sand and calm cerulean water as Whitehaven Beach. But there are normally no crowds!

There are also some large rocks around the sheltered cove. These make great spots for photos or just climbing for fun. 

So if you want to find your own secret little spot while you’re at Whitehaven Beach, walk around the corner to Betty’s Beach. 

5. Fly over the Heart Reef on a scenic flight

When you look at any tourism campaign for the Whitsundays, you’ll likely see a photo of the famous Heart Reef. 

This heart-shaped reef lies on the Great Barrier Reef, just east of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland. 

Heart Reef is highly protected, so you can’t swim or snorkel there. 

But you can view it from above on a scenic flight!

Scenic flights depart Airlie Beach daily. They are usually around an hour long, and you can go in a seaplane or helicopter. 

The aerial views of Whitehaven Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Heart Reef are just jaw-dropping. 

Book your scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands!

6. Explore Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is one of the most well-known islands in the Whitsundays. 

This beautiful and well-developed island has luxury resorts, nice restaurants, and plenty of modern amenities. There are art galleries, a wildlife center, hilltop bars, spas, and more. 

But Hamilton Island also has undisturbed beaches, epic hikes, and lots of protected national park wilderness. 

Highlights include sipping a cocktail by the pool near Catseye Beach, or hiking up to Passage Peak for the best views. 

You can stay at one of the resorts on Hamilton Island and explore for a few days. 

Or you can visit on a day trip from Airlie Beach by catching the Cruise Whitsundays ferry. 

7. Snorkel or dive on the Great Barrier Reef

The Whitsunday Islands are home to a section of the Great Barrier Reef. So you can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in the world’s largest coral reef system when you visit the Whitsundays!

The Outer Reef is pretty far offshore from Airlie Beach. But if you have a full day to spare, you can catch a Great Barrier Reef tour boat that will bring you to an Outer Reef pontoon. 

The boat ride is about 3 hours, and once you arrive you can snorkel or scuba dive in the massive underwater coral gardens. 

Most overnight sailing tours and Whitehaven Beach day trips also include snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. 

But these tours visit the inner fringing reefs around the islands rather than the massive Outer Reef that sits further out to sea. 

8. Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef in an underwater hotel

Take your Great Barrier Reef adventure to the next level by booking an overnight stay.

On the Cruise Whitsundays Outer Reef pontoon, you can actually book an underwater hotel room. Stay in a luxury room with wide windows looking out onto the reef. 

Or, stay in an outdoor reefbed with a canvas cover. 

Reefsuites Underwater Hotel and Reefsleep are two Whitsunday experiences that definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list. I haven’t had the chance to try this yet, but it’s definitely on my bucket list as well.

Sleep overnight out on the Great Barrier Reef!

9. Go hiking around Airlie Beach

Though most of the best things to do in the Whitsundays are out at sea, there are some gorgeous hiking trails on the mainland as well. 

During your stay in Airlie Beach, save some time to tackle a hiking trail or two. 

The most accessible hike in Airlie Beach is the Honeyeater Trail. You can walk to the trailhead right from the town center!

The hike is steep, but it’s only about an hour to reach the Honeyeater Lookout. 

Mount Rooper is another epic hike near Airlie Beach. 

Here you can hike the Mount Rooper Circuit, which is about 2.5 hours in total and also has lovely views of the Whitsunday Islands. 

10. Hang out at the Airlie Beach Lagoon

If you do find yourself with more downtime in Airlie Beach, the Airlie Beach Lagoon is the place to be. 

This public swimming pool sits right next to the town center on the edge of the ocean. 

There are picnic tables, BBQ areas, a kids splash pool, and grassy areas that are perfect for picnics and sunbathing. 

This is my favorite spot to chill in downtown Airlie Beach. 

11. Visit one of the mainland beaches

The area around the Whitsundays mainland has lots of wonderful beaches. 

Though none of them are as impressive as Whitehaven Beach, they still showcase that remote Tropical North Queensland beauty. 

My favorite is Boathaven Beach, mainly because it’s the most accessible from downtown Airlie Beach where I always stay. 

Boathaven Beach is a wide strip of soft sand that is just a 15-minute walk from Airlie Beach. It also has a stinger net in place for swimming during stinger season (October – May). 

If you want to rent a car, you could also drive to a more secluded beach on the Whitsunday mainland. 

Dingo Beach, Hideaway Bay, and Horseshoe Bay are all beautiful options. 

12. See kangaroos on the beach at sunrise in Cape Hillsborough

Another super cool activity on the Whitsunday mainland is visiting Cape Hillsborough at sunrise. 

Located about an hour and a half south of Airlie Beach, Cape Hillsborough is a secluded beach and national park. 

You can either hire a car and drive yourself or join a guided tour. 

If you visit Cape Hillsborough at sunrise, you can often see kangaroos on the beach! This makes for a cool photo opportunity, and it’s just an incredible sight to see while exploring Australia.

Check prices for car hire in Airlie Beach online.

13. Book a sunset sail

The best way to celebrate an evening in Airlie Beach is a sunset sail.

I would especially recommend a sunset sail if you don’t have time for an overnight sailing tour. You will get to see a few sunsets on one of those.

But if you’re short on time, a sunset cruise from Airlie Beach is normally only 1.5-2 hours. Sunset sails usually include some light snacks and a glass of bubbles.

Then you can cruise around the Whitsunday waters and watch the sunset over the ocean.

14. Walk the boardwalk along the Airlie Beach coastline

During your stay in Airlie Beach, set aside a few hours to walk along the Bicentennial Boardwalk.

This flat, peaceful walking trail starts at the Airlie Beach Lagoon and winds along the coastline. You pass the Coral Sea Marina and head into the neighboring town of Cannonvale.

It’s the perfect place for a sunrise walk. There are nice cafes along the way, lots of colorful flowers, and beautiful coastal scenery.

15. Wine and dine in Airlie Beach

There are lots of amazing places to eat and drink in Airlie Beach. So indulge in some fresh seafood, healthy treats, and lively drinks while you’re in town.

Here are my personal favorites that I always like to revisit when I’m in town:

• Northerlies – Oceanfront bar and bistro about 15 minutes outside town (there is a courtesy bus)
• Boho Cafe – Healthy eats at the Coral Sea Marina (incredible poke bowls)
• Anchor Bar – Bar up in the hills with amazing sunset views and delicious fish tacos
• Sorrentos – Cozy Italian restaurant with great pizza and wine near the Coral Sea Marina
• Fruits N Rootz – Healthy take-away spot with yummy smoothies and protein oats

Whitsundays FAQs

How many days do you need in the Whitsundays?

I would recommend 3-5 days for visiting the Whitsundays. If you’re planning a 2-day, 2-night overnight sailing tour, you may want 1 or 2 extra days to explore the mainland, try a scenic flight, or visit Hamilton Island. 

Whitehaven Beach is a must-see. So if you’re not doing an overnight sailing tour which includes Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling, make sure you book a day tour!

When is the best time to visit the Whitsundays?

Visit the Whitsundays between May and October. This is the dry season, so you’ll have warm, sunny weather with excellent sailing conditions. 

May – October is also when there are no stingers in the ocean, so you can swim without a wetsuit. AND, June – September is whale season, so you can often spot whales on your sailing tours. 

You can visit the Whitsundays during the wet season, but the weather is very hot and humid and there may be some storms. 

How do I get to the Whitsundays?

You can fly into the Whitsundays from most major Australian cities. 

Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Airlines have cheap and direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. 

Fly into either Proserpine Airport (also called Whitsunday Coast Airport) or Hamilton Island Airport. 

Browse for affordable flights on Skyscanner!

Should I stay in Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island?

Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island are the two main hubs for those staying in the Whitsundays. 

Hamilton Island offers a more laid-back and luxury island stay. You’re staying on an island, so there is a quieter atmosphere and more upscale amenities. 

Whereas Airlie Beach is a bit livelier and has more diversity in terms of accommodations and activities. 

I personally like staying in Airlie Beach. But if you wanted an upscale island getaway, Hamilton Island is also great. 

Thanks for reading my list of the best things to do in the Whitsundays!

I truly believe it’s one of Australia’s most beautiful destinations.

For any friends and family who visit me in Australia, I will always recommend a trip up to the Whitsundays. Especially if they love beaches, snorkelling, and tropical scenery (and who doesn’t)?

For more Australia travel tips, check out these posts:

How To Travel Australia On A Budget: The Ultimate Guide

Best Time To Visit Australia: A Complete Guide

A Guide To Work Exchange: The Cheapest Way To Travel

Australia Working Holiday Visa: The Ultimate Traveler’s Guide