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Cruise the Whitsunday Islands in comfort visiting iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
SeaLink Whitsundays
Duration:
Full Day (8 hours approx)
Departure Point:
Shute Harbour Ferry Terminal
Phone:
1300 317 445
Departure Time:
9:00 AM
Return Time:
Approximately 5:00 PM
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Shute Harbour
Islands Visited
Whitsunday Island
South Molle Island (cruise past)
Hook Island (cruise past)
Beaches
Whitehaven Beach
Marine Park
Whitsunday Islands Marine Park
Departure Location & How to Get There
Meeting Point
Shute Harbour Ferry Terminal, 296 Whitsunday Dr
From Town Centre
10km from Airlie Beach Lagoon (14 min drive)
Hotel Pickup
Free courtesy bus from most Airlie Beach accommodations
Parking
Free parking available at terminal
About the Purely Whitehaven Day Tour
The Purely Whitehaven Day Tour is a full-day scenic cruise operated by SeaLink Whitsundays, departing from Shute Harbour in Airlie Beach. The 8-hour tour visits Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout on Whitsunday Island, while circumnavigating the entire island along the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail.
SeaLink Whitsundays operates modern, air-conditioned catamarans with three levels of viewing areas, including a rooftop observation deck with 360-degree views. Unlike the big crowded tour boats, passenger numbers are deliberately capped to ensure everyone has plenty of space to roam around and enjoy the journey in comfort. The vessel features modern facilities, comfortable indoor seating, and multiple outdoor areas - perfect for families and travellers of all ages.
SeaLink Whitsundays holds Advanced ECO Certification from Ecotourism Australia, recognising their commitment to sustainability and authentic nature-based tourism experiences. The company achieved 100% five-star customer reviews on TripAdvisor and Google in their first year of operation, and has been awarded TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Best of the Best - placing them in the top 1% of tourism experiences worldwide.
What Guests Are Saying
"The SeaLink Big Island Day Tour was one of the best experiences we have had in many years and very reasonably priced for all that it included. The passengers were warmly welcomed and shown aboard by the friendly captain and crew. The day included delicious morning and afternoon tea and an impressive buffet lunch. The commentary from the captain while cruising past the beautiful islands in the Whitsundays was extremely interesting."
TripAdvisor
"A wonderful day's experience of the Whitsunday Islands led by a professional crew. We would 100% recommend the SeaLink Whitsunday Islands day trip! The crew provided morning and afternoon tea as well as lunch on board. They escorted everyone who wanted up to the viewing decks to experience the breathtaking views. Then on to the glorious white sands of Whitehaven Beach. A very memorable day."
TripAdvisor
"Awesome day with the SeaLink team to the Whitsundays Islands on a day tour. Visited Whitehaven Beach and two walks to lookouts. Have to say BEST tour in the Whitsundays bar none. Great commentary on the tour, very knowledgeable Captain. Food was good and plentiful. The walk guides were excellent and the landing boat handling was second to none. Well done guys, loved it."
Google Reviews
Good to know: The walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout involves climbing over 200 stone steps - it's a moderate grade walk that takes about 15-20 minutes. Take it slowly and bring water. The views at the top are absolutely worth the effort, but those with limited mobility may prefer to skip this part.
What's Included
Hotel Transfers
Free pickup and drop-off
Gourmet Buffet Lunch
Served on board in comfort
Morning & Afternoon Tea
Fresh fruit, snacks, tea & coffee
Guided Bush Walks
To Hill Inlet and South Whitehaven lookouts
Stinger Suits
Provided during summer months
Full Bar Service
Wine, beer, soft drinks available
Expert Commentary
Learn about islands and marine life
Air-Conditioned Comfort
Multiple indoor seating areas
The Experience
The Purely Whitehaven Day Tour offers the most comfortable and scenic way to experience Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsunday Islands. You'll cruise on a spacious, modern catamaran with three levels of viewing areas, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and a rooftop deck providing 360-degree panoramic views. This is definitely the relaxed way to see the Whitsundays - no rushing, no crowds, just cruising in comfort.
Your Itinerary
Morning Pickup: The courtesy bus collects guests from most accommodations around Airlie Beach for the short 14-minute drive to Shute Harbour. Check in at the ferry terminal where the friendly SeaLink crew will welcome you aboard their impressive catamaran.
Scenic Island Cruise: Departing at 9:00 AM, the catamaran cruises through the Molle group of islands, passing South Molle Island and crossing the Whitsunday Passage into Cid Harbour. The captain provides fascinating commentary about the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays, local indigenous culture, and the incredible marine life including turtles, manta rays, and humpback whales (during migration season). Enjoy morning tea with fresh fruit, snacks, tea and coffee while taking in the stunning scenery.
Hill Inlet Lookout: After cruising through Hook Pass, the catamaran anchors at Tongue Point for your first stop. A guided bush walk takes you up to the famous Hill Inlet Lookout where you'll witness one of the most photographed views in Australia - the swirling white silica sands mixing with turquoise waters. The walk involves about 200 stone steps and takes 15-20 minutes each way. The view from the top is absolutely worth it - bring your camera!
Whitehaven Beach: Cruise across Whitehaven Bay to land at the famous Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. With up to 2 hours at the beach, you'll have plenty of time to swim in the crystal-clear waters, walk along the 7km stretch of pure white silica sand, or simply relax under the shade. The sand here is 98% pure silica, which means it doesn't retain heat - you can walk barefoot even in summer. Stinger suits are provided during October to May for safe swimming. A delicious gourmet buffet lunch is served on board before heading to the beach.
South Whitehaven Lookout (Optional): For those wanting more adventure, an optional guided bush walk to the South Whitehaven Lookout offers another spectacular vantage point over the entire beach. This walk is slightly more challenging but provides crowd-free views.
Return Journey: The afternoon cruise back to Shute Harbour completes the circumnavigation of Whitsunday Island along the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail. Enjoy afternoon tea with cakes and refreshments while cruising back through the islands, arriving around 5:00 PM. The courtesy bus returns you to your accommodation.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The tour runs daily except Christmas Day. If the tour is cancelled due to severe weather conditions, you'll be offered an alternative date or full refund. The operator requires a minimum number of passengers to run the tour. During the summer months (October to May), stinger suits are provided and strongly recommended when swimming.
What to Bring
Swimwear (wear under your clothes), towel, sunscreen (reef-safe preferred), hat, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes for the bush walks, and a camera. Bring a refillable water bottle and cash or card for drinks from the onboard bar. The vessel has secure storage areas for your belongings.
Who Can Come
The Purely Whitehaven Day Tour is suitable for all ages from infants to seniors. The modern catamaran has wheelchair-accessible facilities and the crew provides assistance as needed. The bush walks to the lookouts involve stone steps and moderate climbing, which may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility - however, you can still enjoy the beach and cruise without participating in the walks. Children 5-14 years require a child ticket, while infants 0-4 years travel free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Purely Whitehaven Day Tour depart from?
The tour departs from Shute Harbour Ferry Terminal with complimentary bus transfers from Airlie Beach accommodations.
What makes this tour different from other Whitehaven Beach tours?
SeaLink caps passenger numbers for maximum comfort, circumnavigates the entire Whitsunday Island, and offers three levels of viewing including a 360-degree rooftop deck.
Is food included in the tour price?
Yes, the tour includes morning tea, gourmet buffet lunch, and afternoon tea. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
How difficult are the walks to the lookouts?
Hill Inlet Lookout involves climbing over 200 stone steps and is graded moderate. The walks are optional - you can still enjoy the beach without participating.
Can I see marine life on this tour?
Yes, you may see turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and during migration season (July-September), humpback whales around the Whitsunday Islands.
More Tours to Whitehaven Beach
If you're interested in visiting Whitehaven Beach, check out other Whitehaven Beach tours departing from Shute Harbour and Coral Sea Marina. For scenic island cruising, explore our day tours, or see all 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 tour options, sailed on the boats, and know which operators genuinely deliver on their promises.
SeaLink Whitsundays launched operations in 2021 and achieved something remarkable - 100% five-star customer reviews in their first year on both TripAdvisor and Google. They've since been awarded TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Best of the Best, placing them in the top 1% of tourism experiences worldwide. Their Advanced ECO Certification and commitment to capped passenger numbers means you get a premium experience without the crowds.
Our recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
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