The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays are a group of 74 islands off Queensland's central coast, known for Whitehaven Beach, sailing between the islands and trips to the Great Barrier Reef.
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The Whitsundays are a group of 74 islands off the central coast of Queensland, in northeastern Australia, inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The best-known beach is Whitehaven, on Whitsunday Island, where the sand is fine white silica. Resort islands such as Hamilton and Daydream are one option for a base. Airlie Beach on the mainland is the town where boats and reef tours depart.
Most visitors sail between the islands, swim, snorkel and take reef trips that leave from the resorts and the mainland. The dry months, May to October, are the usual choice for settled weather. Stinger season runs roughly from October to May, so check swimming conditions before you plan time in the water. For a first visit, three to four days gives you a day at Whitehaven, a day on the reef and time for sailing or the resort.
The Whitsundays in five
- Fly to the base you bookedHamilton Island Airport is a five-minute trip from the resort and has direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The mainland airport at Proserpine is about 30 minutes from Airlie Beach.Where to stay in the Whitsundays
- Add Whitehaven Beach to any baseWhitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet lie in Whitsunday Islands National Park and are reached on a cruise, a charter or a flight. Airlie Beach has the marina departures and the widest tour choice.Airlie Beach island days
- Clean boots, bags and gear before you landThe park asks visitors to check boats, clothing and gear for soil, seeds, ants and other pests before they visit the islands. Do it at the dock, not on the beach.Whitsunday islands
- Compare reef trips by total, not headlineReef operators add a marine park charge per passenger, and full-day and part-day trips are charged differently. The amounts and the April 2027 change are on the Great Barrier Reef guide.Great Barrier Reef charges
- See Heart Reef from the airQueensland tourism says Heart Reef is best reached by plane, with a swim at Hardy Reef after landing. Keep a spare day in the plan for wind and cloud.Whitsundays in 4 days
Need to know
- Airport
- Hamilton Island (HTI); Whitsunday Coast (PPP) at Proserpine
- Getting there
- Direct flights to Hamilton from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
- Getting around
- Boat transfers between islands; shuttle or hire car on the mainland
- Best base
- Hamilton Island for ease; the mainland coast for tour choice
- Time needed
- 4 to 5 days, with one day on the water
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, stingers
- FebruaryWet, cyclone risk
- MarchHumid, wet
- AprilDrier, clear
- MayDry, calm
- JuneDry, whales
- JulyWhales, dry
- AugustWhales, dry
- SeptemberWarm, dry
- OctoberWarm, dry
- NovemberStinger season
- DecemberHot, wet begins
Right now in The Whitsundays
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
The Whitsundays
06:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°21°2%Tuesday: Fog. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed30°22°14%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Thu33°23°71%Thursday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Fri34°22°22%Friday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sat32°22°14%Saturday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun32°21°51%Sunday: Fog. High 32°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 51%.
Updated 03:08 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inleta day cruise or charterSeven kilometers of white silica sand on Whitsunday Island, with the Hill Inlet lookout.
- Heart Reef and Hardy Reefa scenic flightThe heart-shaped reef is best seen from the air, with a swim at Hardy Reef after landing.
- The outer Great Barrier Reefa full-day boat tripSnorkeling and diving beyond the islands; compare it with the northern bases.Read the guide
Before you go to The Whitsundays
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Rules for The Whitsundays, checked
- Whitsunday islands: check boats, clothing and gear for soil, seeds, ants and other pests before you visit.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays FAQ
How many days do you need in the Whitsundays?
Four days is a good fit: one for Whitehaven Beach, one for the reef, one for a sail or a flight, and one spare for weather. Two nights is enough for Whitehaven alone, but boats and flights cancel in wind, so a spare day helps.
Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach?
Hamilton Island is simpler: an airport five minutes from the resort and everything on the island. Airlie Beach costs less to mix and match and has the widest choice of cruises, but every island day starts with a boat.
Is Whitehaven Beach worth it?
Yes for the sand and the water: Queensland tourism calls it a seven-kilometer stretch of silica sand. Go on a clear day, bring sun cover, and pair it with the Hill Inlet lookout so the trip is more than a beach stop.
When is stinger season in the Whitsundays?
Queensland lists a higher-risk stinger season for tropical waters, and the Queensland guide has the dates. In the Whitsundays, ask your operator about stinger suits and swim at netted beaches or resort lagoons.
Can you see the Great Barrier Reef from the Whitsundays?
Yes. The islands sit in the heart of the reef, and day trips reach inshore and outer reef sites. Heart Reef is best seen from the air. For the most reef choice in one place, compare this with the Cairns side.