What better way to spend a lovely weekend than on 74 colourful islands nestled in the majestic sapphire waters? Head on to the marvellous Whitsundays and read on to find out what to do on Whitsundays!
The perfect time to go to Whitsundays is during September and October when the sunny days are ahead and rainfall is least expected. These are when you can fully marvel at the postcard-perfect scenic landscapes of the region: from its clear blue waters to its sandy white beaches. Water activities are the most recommended things to do on Whitsundays, so jump on in and go snorkelling, diving, jet skiing, and more!
While it’s pretty difficult to narrow down the best things to do on Whitsundays. here are our top picks:
- Great Barrier Reef cruises from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island
- Airlie Beach tandem skydive beach landing experience
- Great Barrier Reef scenic flight and cruise
- Hamilton Island family adventure and full-day cruise
- Whitsundays cruise and Whitehaven Beach half-day cruise from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island
- Whitsundays reef and island scenic flight from Airlie Beach
- Rafting tours to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach
- jet ski safari in Airlie Beach
- Spend a night reefsleeping under the stars
- hike up to Passage Peak Lookout.
1. Great Barrier Reef Cruises from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island
Snorkel and be greeted by friendly marine creatures underwater! Credits: cruisewhitsundays.com
Soak in the sun aboard a high-speed catamaran that departs from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, and journeys past spectacular islands en route to the outer Great Barrier Reef where you can get up close with the magnificent marine life and colourful corals.
Depending on the package you choose, you can either take an introductory dive class, go on guided snorkeling tours, or if you're already a licensed diver, dive on your own and enjoy the stunning underwater view around the Hardy Reef Pontoon. If you want to enjoy it on your own, you may simply book the cruise and enjoy your free time.
All packages include delicious onboard buffet lunch, complimentary morning and afternoon tea, access to a semi-submersible and underwater viewing deck, plus a fun presentation by reef experts on how to continue preserving and caring for the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. It’s a great way to learn more about the World Heritage site.
2. Airlie Beach Tandem Skydive Beach Landing Experience
Gather up your courage and take the plunge to see the best view of Whitsundays! Credits: @1300skydiveairliebeach
Experience Airlie Beach the best way: through 14,000-ft tandem skydiving!
Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to see a million-dollar overview of the stunning Whitsundays! Enjoy up to 60 seconds of free-fall before gliding towards your landing spot on the beach below. No need to worry about safety because all necessary safety equipment is provided as well as a safety orientation before your jump. Round-trip transfers to and from your hotel are also included.
3. Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight and Cruise Day Tour in Whitsundays
Be amazed by the wonderful view below in this 60-minute scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. Credits: barrierreefaustralia.com
Still figuring out what to do on Whitsundays? This complete day tour is perfect for you as it combines all the best things to do while in Whitsundays, whether above or below water!
Start your day right with the amazing picturesque view of the Great Barrier Reef from the sky with a 60-minute scenic flight! Admire the kaleidoscope of colours of the 2,300km long ecosystem comprising thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands onboard a small plane, and catch sight of well-known sights like Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.
Upon landing, enjoy free time and try out different activities such as snorkelling, a guided walk to Hill Inlet, a stroll along the coastline, lunch and complimentary use of stinger/wetsuits and stand up paddleboards. Don’t forget to pack your camera!
4. Hamilton Island Family Adventure and Full-Day Cruise
Spend a lazy afternoon by the beach at Hamilton Island! Credits: @hamiltonisland
Spending some time with your family and looking for what to do on Whitsundays? This Hamilton Island Family Adventure and Full-Day Cruise is one of the perfect things to do on Whitsundays!
Set out on an adventure to Hamilton Island and enjoy a variety of activities with your family. Meet beloved local wildlife like the adorable koala at Wild Life Hamilton Island then challenge your family to a game of island bowling and try out other activities such as go-kart, jetryder, quad bike riding and more at an extra cost. For lunch, feast on the classic Fish 'N' Chips at Hamilton Island!
Make the most out of this trip as you learn a thing or two in the round trip guided tour provided and ride comfortably on shuttle buses as you tour around the island’s picture-perfect landscape. By the end of the day, relax and lounge by the beach or the island’s beautiful pools.
5. Whitsundays Cruise and Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island
Put on some sunscreen and have fun in the sun at Whitehaven Beach! Credits: @cruisewhitsundays
Can’t seem to decide on what to do on Whitsundays? Embark on a spectacular half-day cruise to Whitehaven Beach, Queensland’s most beautiful beach, and capture photos at the country’s most photographed beach!
Depart from either Airlie Beach or Hamilton island aboard a luxurious and comfortable cruise vessel, and discover more of the uninhabited island’s natural beauty as you learn more about the history and natural wonders of the area thanks to the interesting informative commentary available on board!
When you land on the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, you’re free to explore its white sand beaches that stretch over seven kilometres long but we recommend snapping as many photos as you can with the great azure waters as your backdrop.
6. Whitsundays Reef and Island Scenic Flight from Airlie Beach
Get your camera out and take photos of the wonderful Whitsunday region from above! Credits: @gsl_aviation
Take off into the sky and get the most amazing bird’s eye view of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic flight from Airlie Beach! This is an amazing activity for those wondering what to do on Whitsundays aside from the typical water activities.
The 60-minute scenic flight offers breathtaking views of the 74 island wonders in Whitsundays so expect to see the Shute Harbour, Molle Islands, Long Island, Dent Island, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, and more! Admire how the blue sapphire waters of the Coral Sea contrast with the pearl white sandy beaches and lush evergreen mountains on the horizon as you listen to the in-flight commentary provided in the tour. This activity is available Mondays to Sundays, from 8 am to 4 pm!
7. Rafting Tours to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach
Experience a heart racing raft ride across the ocean to Whitehaven Beach! Credits: @oceanrafting
Feel the thrill and experience a fun high-speed ride across Whitsundays with these rafting tours! Travelling on custom-built semi-rigid inflatable vessels and taking in stunning sights on route to Whitehaven Beach is certainly one of the most exciting things to do on Whitsundays.
Choose from two packages - the Northern Explore Tour is perfect if you prefer more snorkelling time because you get to visit two different snorkelling sites such as Hook Island including Manta Ray Bay and Maureens Cove. This option also lets you take the National Park walk to Hill Inlet.
The Southern Light Tour visits both ends of the beach and is recommended for those who want to spend more time lounging on the beach. You can try anything from taking a dip in the ocean or venturing into a guided bushwalk on the Hill Inlet Lookout. Both tours last for a whole day and have round trip transfers to and from your hotel.
8. Jet Ski Safari in Airlie Beach
Great fun awaits you in these fast Sea-Doo skis at Airlie Beach! Credits: @whitsundayjetskitours
Hit the ocean waves at Airlie Beach on a speedy jet ski! This jet ski safari lets you explore the spectacular coastlines of Airlie Beach and is inclusive of fish feeding as well as the opportunity to spot sea turtles and other marine wildlife along the way.
If you and your friends are wondering what to do on Whitsundays, this is perfect for you as each jet ski can carry 1-2 people and your group of up to 10 participants can book this guided tour. The modern Sea-Doo skis are extremely fun to ride and suitable for both experienced riders and beginners with no previous experience! Remember to pack your waterproof camera so you can take shots of your trip!
9. Spend a night reefsleeping under the stars
Have front row seats to both the Whitsundays sunset and sunrise as you go reefsleeping! Credits: @cruisewhitsundays
If you’re still contemplating what to do on Whitsundays, then this ultimate unique experience just might be the one for you!
Go on an overnight adventure out on the open seas where you sleep in a cozy swag (a sleeping bedroll or mini tent) in the middle of the world-famous Great Barrier Reef! Travel to the stunning Hardy Beach Reef on the Outer Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran and spend the day doing different amazing activities like snorkelling where you can meet marine wildlife, diving and getting a massage onboard (at extra cost), and many more until the sun sets.
At night, gaze under the stars as you nestle in your comfortable solo swag or double swag with your beau, and wait for the ocean waves to lull you to sleep. The trip is inclusive of all meals: dinner for day 1, buffet lunches for both days and breakfast for day 2.
10. Hike up to Passage Peak Lookout
Get to see an amazing view from the highest peak in Hamilton Island! Credits: @hamiltonisland
While water activities are the top things to do on Whitsundays, a visit to Passage Peak Lookout is also worth the effort!
The lookout offers the perfect vantage point to see all sides of Whitsundays and to catch the sunrise. Set off early in the morning from the Scenic Trail Entrance going to Passage Peak. Whilst the trail is considered challenging and requires a certain level of fitness, the majestic and breathtaking view from the highest point in Hamilton Island is surely worth the sweat! This trail is 2.7-kilometre long and takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for one way.
