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Whitehaven Beach Day Resort Experience with Unlimited Beach Transfers
ZigZag Whitsundays Tour Options
Whitehaven Beach All Day
Perfect for beach lovers. Spend 4-5 hours on the pristine white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach with unlimited boat-to-beach transfers whenever you fancy a change of scenery. Use the boat as your floating day resort with air-conditioned indoor seating, sun lounges, and onboard bar. Includes guided walk to South Whitehaven Lookout for those stunning panoramic views.
Duration: Full day (9am - 5pm)
Whitehaven Beach Plus Snorkelling
Get the best of both worlds. Enjoy 2.5 hours on Whitehaven Beach plus a dedicated 60-minute snorkelling session at vibrant coral reefs around the Whitsunday Islands. You'll be transferred to the snorkel site on ZigZag's original fast boat with easy water access via fold-down stairs. Still includes the guided lookout walk and all the beach time you need.
Duration: Full day (9am - 5pm)
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
ZigZag Whitsundays
Duration:
Full Day (8 hours)
Departure Point:
Coral Sea Marina Meeting Point D
Phone:
07 4813 9007
Departure Times:
Check-in: 8:20 AM
Departs: 9:00 AM
Returns: 5:00 PM
Vessel:
Super Flyer (max 80 passengers)
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
Island Visited
Whitsunday Island
Beach
Whitehaven Beach (southern end)
Lookout
South Whitehaven Lookout
Snorkelling Site
Chalkies Beach on Haslewood Island
Marine Park
Whitsunday Islands Marine Park
Departure Location & How to Get There
Meeting Point
Meeting Point D at Coral Sea Marina. Look for the crew in blue shirts.
From Town Centre
1.5km from Airlie Beach Lagoon (15-20 min walk)
Parking
Pay and display parking available at the marina
Getting There
Search "Meeting Point D Coral Sea Marina" in Google Maps for exact location
About ZigZag Whitsundays
ZigZag Whitsundays is a full-day catamaran tour operated by a family-owned company, departing from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The tour visits Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, with guided walks to South Whitehaven Lookout and optional snorkelling at Chalkies Beach on Haslewood Island in the Whitsunday Islands Marine Park.
Founded in 2017 by Nicole Rosser (a marine biologist passionate about conservation) and Ben Marsh (a skilled diesel engineer), ZigZag Whitsundays takes a different approach to Whitsundays day tours. Instead of rushing you around multiple locations, they've created what feels like a floating day resort experience. Their vessel Super Flyer is an 80-passenger high-speed catamaran with air-conditioned indoor seating, two outdoor sun lounge decks (top deck is adults-only), and an onboard bar.
The game-changer here is unlimited beach-to-boat transfers throughout the day. Want to spend an hour on the beach, then retreat to the boat's air-con and sun lounges for a bit? No worries. Feel like heading back to the beach? Jump on the next tender. It's proper flexibility that you don't get on other tours where everyone moves as one big group. The two ticket options mean families and couples can travel together even if one person wants to snorkel and the other just wants maximum beach time.
ZigZag visits the southern end of Whitehaven Beach, which tends to be quieter than the northern end where most operators go. You'll still get that incredible white silica sand and turquoise water, just with fewer crowds. The crew are genuinely passionate about the marine environment - Nicole's background in marine science means they're involved in conservation projects like Boats4Coral and Eye on the Reef. Officially recognised by BookMe Australia as the number one reviewed tour in 2024, which is pretty solid considering how competitive the Whitsundays market is.
What Guests Are Saying
"Amazing day with the ZigZag team exploring the Whitsundays. Such a professional and experienced team. The trip was really well organised and managed so everyone got to do plenty of everything they wanted to. I particularly enjoyed listening to the captain's stories about the islands and the region. Snorkelling was brilliant - we swam with turtles and so many very colourful fish. Food and drink options were plentiful and good value."
Google Reviews
"We went with our two children and we found the overall experience extremely family friendly. It was incredible to see how helpful every single member of the crew was. It was the little things, like offering to help when boarding or disembarking or making sure everyone was comfortable. They had this knack for foreseeing the needs of people on the boat and just timing their service and questions perfectly."
Google Reviews
"The snorkelling was the best I've ever done in my life. They took us to an excellent spot with so much vibrant coral and fish and even a sea turtle! They are a smaller company so it felt more personal than the big boats. The crew were friendly, knowledgeable, caring and made us smile. Snorkelling at Chalkies was great and all equipment was included."
TripAdvisor
Good to know: The tour doesn't visit Hill Inlet Lookout at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach - instead, you get South Whitehaven Lookout. While not quite as famous, it's still stunning and means you spend more actual time on the beach rather than bush walking. The walk to South Lookout is about 900 metres and requires moderate fitness.
What's Included
Unlimited Beach Transfers
On-demand boat to beach all day
Buffet Lunch
Freshly prepared, with vegan/GF options
Snorkel Gear
Mask, snorkel, fins (snorkel ticket)
Stinger Suits
All sizes from child to XXXL
Guided Bush Walk
To South Whitehaven Lookout
Expert Crew
Marine biologist-led conservation focus
Boat Facilities
Air-con seating, sun lounges, bar
Snacks & Drinks
Throughout the day, water included
The Experience
ZigZag Whitsundays has absolutely nailed the concept of a floating day resort. Instead of being herded around on a fixed schedule, you get genuine freedom to move between the boat and beach as many times as you want throughout the day. The 80-passenger Super Flyer catamaran is seriously comfortable with air-conditioned indoor seating, two outdoor sun lounge decks, proper bathrooms, and an onboard bar serving barista-style coffee.
Your Itinerary
Check-In (8:20 AM): Meet at Meeting Point D at Coral Sea Marina. The crew in blue shirts are easy to spot. You'll fill out medical declarations, get fitted with your stinger suit, and receive a safety briefing. Allow 10-15 minutes for parking and walking from the car park.
The Journey Out (9:00 AM departure): Super Flyer cruises through the Whitsunday Islands, and the crew provides commentary about the islands, marine life, and conservation efforts. The boat moves quickly but smoothly - this isn't a bone-jarring speedboat ride.
Arriving at Whitehaven Beach: Super Flyer anchors off the southern end of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. From here, you've got unlimited transfers via the tender boats throughout the day. This is where ZigZag's model really shines - fancy a swim? Head to the beach. Getting too hot? Jump back on the boat for air-con and a cold drink. Want to chill on the sun lounges with a book? Do it.
Whitehaven Beach All Day Option: You'll have 4-5 hours to split between the beach and boat however you fancy. The pure white silica sand doesn't hold heat even in summer, and the water is that ridiculous shade of turquoise that looks photoshopped. Buffet lunch is served onboard - think fresh salads, cold meats, wraps, and buns. The owner's mum prepares it, which is a nice touch. They cater for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets if you note it when booking.
South Whitehaven Lookout Walk: The guided walk to South Whitehaven Lookout is about 900 metres (15-20 minutes) through bushland. It's not difficult but you'll want decent footwear and a water bottle. The panoramic views from the top are stunning - you'll see the beach, surrounding islands, and that incredible contrast between white sand and blue water. It's not as famous as Hill Inlet Lookout but still absolutely worth the walk.
Whitehaven Beach Plus Snorkelling Option: You'll get about 2.5 hours split between beach and boat, then you're transferred via ZigZag's original fast boat (separate from Super Flyer) to the snorkel site at Chalkies Beach on Haslewood Island. The fast boat has fold-down stairs for easy water entry. You'll get a full 60 minutes in the water with all gear provided - mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit or stinger suit. The crew gives a thorough briefing and stays close by. Chalkies Beach is known for its vibrant coral gardens, colourful fish, and regular turtle sightings.
The Journey Home: Cruise back to Coral Sea Marina, arriving around 5:00 PM. During whale season (July-September), keep your eyes peeled - humpback whale sightings are common on the return journey.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable. Tours run in most weather conditions. If ZigZag cancels due to weather, you'll receive a full refund. The tour is not suitable for cruise ship passengers due to departure and return times. All guests must fill out medical declarations at check-in.
What to Bring
Swimmers (wear under your clothes), towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle. Cash or card for optional extras from the onboard bar like barista coffee. A waterproof camera or GoPro is highly recommended. Don't overpack - storage on the boat is limited. The crew takes professional photos throughout the day which you can purchase.
Who Can Come
Minimum age is 1 year for the Whitehaven Beach All Day ticket and 5 years for the snorkelling option. The tour is extremely family-friendly with life jackets, child-sized stinger suits, games, and colouring books provided. ZigZag welcomes pregnant guests but recommends avoiding travel in the final months of pregnancy. If you're almost 30 weeks pregnant, check with them directly as they've accommodated guests in similar situations. The South Whitehaven Lookout walk requires moderate fitness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ticket should I choose - All Day Beach or Plus Snorkelling?
Choose All Day Beach for maximum time at Whitehaven Beach (4-5 hours). Pick Plus Snorkelling for 2.5 hours beach time plus 60 minutes snorkelling coral reefs.
Do I visit Hill Inlet Lookout on this tour?
No, ZigZag visits South Whitehaven Lookout instead. It's less crowded and gives you more actual beach time.
Can my family travel together if we choose different tickets?
Yes! Both ticket options travel on the same boat at the same time, so your group stays together.
Is lunch included in the ZigZag Whitsundays tour price?
Yes, a buffet-style lunch is included and served onboard. Dietary requirements catered for if advised when booking.
What makes the unlimited beach transfers special?
You can move between the boat and Whitehaven Beach as many times as you want throughout the day via on-demand tender service.
More Tours to Whitehaven Beach
If you're interested in visiting Whitehaven Beach, check out other Whitehaven Beach tours departing from Coral Sea Marina. For more underwater adventures, explore our snorkelling tours, or see all day tours from Airlie Beach.
Why Trust This Guide?
We're Airlie Beach locals who've called the Whitsundays home since 2001. Over more than two decades living and working in this stunning corner of tropical North Queensland, we've personally experienced the accommodation options, walked every street, and know which properties genuinely deliver on their promises.
ZigZag Whitsundays has been operating since 2017 and was officially recognised by BookMe Australia as the number one reviewed tour in 2024. Founded by Nicole Rosser (marine biologist) and Ben Marsh (diesel engineer), they've brought genuine innovation to Whitsundays day tours with their unlimited beach transfer concept and floating day resort approach. The crew's passion for marine conservation through projects like Boats4Coral and Eye on the Reef demonstrates their commitment beyond just running tours.
The recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
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