If your dream vacation involves spending time frolicking by the beach with crystal clear turquoise waters by your feet, then Whitsundays is the perfect holiday destination for you! With 74 Whitsunday islands to choose from, finding the right itinerary might be a challenge.
Don’t fret - planning your dream vacation doesn’t have to be a hassle! Heaps of Whitsunday tours will let you in on the ultimate island adventure you’ve been dreaming of!
How do I get to Whitsundays?
You can reach the Whitsundays region via air, road, or rail. If you’re flying, there are two airports located in the area. If you’re self-driving, drive along Bruce Highway and follow directions to Airlie Beach to reach Whitsundays.
If you’re traveling by rail, you can board Queensland Rail going to Proserpine, where you can take a taxi or a transit bus to Airlie Beach.
When is the best time to visit Whitsundays?
The ideal time to visit Whitsundays and hop on Whitsunday tours are during September and October. These months are known to have the highest number of sunny days, and rainfall is least expected.
What to expect while at the Whitsundays?
From thrilling water activities and Great Barrier Reef adventures to leisure walks by the beach, Whitsundays is a haven for those who love water and sand. There are even Whitsunday jet ski tours and sailing cruises that take you to the Great Barrier Reef!
To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve curated a list of the best Whitsunday tours that are definitely worth your buck:
- Great Barrier Reef Adventures
- Hamilton Island Family Adventure Full-Day Cruise
- Hamilton Island Freestyle Full-Day Cruise
- Jet Ski Experience at Daydream and South Molle Islands in the Whitsundays
- Whitehaven Beach Camira Sailing Full-Day Adventure
- Whitsundays Snorkel and Sailing Day Tour
- Whitsundays Cruise and Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise
- Jet Ski Safari in Airlie Beach
1. Great Barrier Reef Adventures
Hop aboard a high-speed catamaran in this Whitsunday tour from either Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, and get up close with vibrant marine life and kaleidoscopic corals on the outer Great Barrier Reef!
There are tons of packages to choose from on this Whitsunday tour. You can take introductory dive classes if you’re keen on exploring the underwater world. You can also go on guided snorkelling tours accompanied by professional tour guides. If you’re a licensed scuba diver, you can spend your free time diving on your own.
All packages in this Whitsunday tour include a delicious buffet lunch, complimentary morning and afternoon tea, access to an underwater viewing deck, and an informative presentation by reef experts on how to continue preserving and caring for the Great Barrier Reef.
Time: 08:00-18:10
Length: 1 day
Why pick this one: For a wonderful day out on the Great Barrier Reef!
2. Hamilton Island Family Adventure Full-Day Cruise
This Whitsunday tour around Hamilton Island is perfect for families looking for an adventure!
You and your kids will enjoy meeting adorable local creatures such as koalas and kangas at Wild Life Hamilton Island. You can also try out various activities like island bowling, go-karting, and quad bike riding. If you or the kids are feeling a little peckish, you can feast on good ol’ Fish ‘N Chips on this amazing Whitsundays tour at Hamilton Island!
Hamilton Island’s scenic backdrop calls for the perfect family photo, so make sure to snap pictures as keepsakes of this fun day out with the family!
Time: 08:00 - 18:10
Length: 10 hours
Why pick this one: For a fun family day of animal adventures, island bowling and the beach!
3. Hamilton Island Freestyle Full-Day Cruise
With tons of activities to do at Hamilton Island, it’s best to go on a freestyle Whitsunday island tour that allows for a leisurely pace and lets you explore as you wish!
On this full-day cruise, all you need to do is hop aboard a comfortable cruise vessel that will take you to Hamilton Island from the Port of Airlie, and you have the entire day to yourself! Take a stroll or a hike, lounge by the beach, or visit the bowling alley - it’s up to you! For lunch, you can enjoy a pub lunch at Marina Tavern or indulge in Mediterranean cuisine at Manta Ray Cafe.
Length: 1 day
Why pick this one: For more free time to do anything you want at Hamilton Island!
4. Jet Ski Experience at Daydream and South Molle Islands in Whitsundays
Experience a unique Whitsunday jetski tour to Daydream and South Molle Islands!
From Airlie Beach, jet ski your way to Daydream and South Molle and bask in the charming views of the region’s natural landscape. Enjoy 2 hours of jet ski fun as you tour around nearby islands, and make sure to be on the lookout for friendly marine creatures like dugongs and sea turtles. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a migrating whale along the way!
This Whitsunday jet ski tour comes with a guide who will lead you to these islands, as well as snacks and bottled drinking water to replenish your energy. You also get hassle-free roundtrip transfers to your hotel if it’s within Airlie Beach, plus free photos of your trip to commemorate your adventure.
Meet-up Time: 08:00, 09:30, 11:00, 11:30, 13:30
Length: 2 hours
Why pick this one: For thrillseekers who are looking for a unique day tour around Whitsundays!
5. Whitehaven Beach Camira Sailing Full-Day Adventure
Embark on a unique Whitsunday island tour aboard a sleek Camira catamaran that sails to the splendid Whitsunday islands!
At Whitehaven Beach, you can visit the Hill Inlet Lookout and snap a photo at Australia’s most photographed location. You can also go on a guided walk that teaches you about the Ngaro people, Whitsundays’ first inhabitants, or lounge on the sand during your free time. This Whitsunday island tour comes with a BBQ lunch you can enjoy onboard!
Time: 08:00 - 17:45
Length: 1 day
Why pick this one: Witness the picturesque views of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout in person!
6. Whitsundays Snorkel and Sailing Day Tour
Spend a fun day snorkelling and sailing to Whitsundays’ secret spots. This 8-hour Whitsunday island tour takes you to different snorkelling locations. The first is home to vibrant coral formations, which are habitats for the rich marine life in the area. The second snorkelling location is at Langford Island Sandbar, where you can snorkel with friendly sea turtles!
This Whitsunday island tour comes with a delicious lunch onboard, free use of snorkelling gear, a banana boat ride, and a stinger suit and wetsuit hire during the winter months.
Time: 10:00 - 18:00
Length: 8 hours
Why pick this one: Stunning snorkelling locations and amazing water activities await!
7. Whitsundays Cruise and Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise
Queensland’s most beautiful beach awaits you in this half-day Whitsunday island tour that departs from either Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island!
Climb aboard a comfy cruise vessel and soak in the uninhabited island’s majestic views while learning about the history of Whitsundays’ 74 Island Wonders! This half-day cruise lets you explore the world-famous Whitehaven Beach at your own pace. You are free to either sunbathe by the beach or go on a walk. Just make sure you snap as many photos as you can at Queensland’s most beautiful beach!
Time: 07:15 - 14:30 or 11:40 - 16:15 (from Airlie Beach); 08:30 - 12:30 or 13:10 - 17:00 (from Hamilton Island)
Length: 6 hours
Why pick this one: Spend half a day lounging at the most gorgeous beach in Queensland
8. Jet Ski Safari in Airlie Beach
Another Whitsunday jet ski tour makes the list of the best tours in Whitsundays! Get ready to hit the ocean waves at Airlie Beach aboard a speedy jet ski. Explore the stunning coastlines of the beach, plus get a chance to experience fish feeding and sea turtle spotting!
Even beginners are encouraged to try out these modern Sea-Doo skis that are incredibly safe and fun to ride. Each jet ski can carry up to 2 people, and a group of 10 can book a private guided Whitsunday jet ski tour.
Time: 008:30, 10:30, 13:00, 15:00
Length: 95 to 115 minutes
Why pick this one: Perfect for beginners and gives you freedom to go at your own pace!