Hayman Island Resort

Australia's most exclusive private island resort in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef

Quick Overview

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort represents the absolute pinnacle of Australian island luxury. Reopened in 2019 after a $135 million renovation following Cyclone Debbie, this is the only resort on Hayman Island - meaning you have an entire private island paradise to yourself (well, shared with other guests). Located at the northernmost point of the Whitsunday archipelago, Hayman sits closer to the outer Great Barrier Reef than any other resort island, making it the premier choice for those seeking both five-star luxury and proximity to world-class marine experiences.

With 166 rooms, suites, and villas spread across multiple wings and pavilions, this isn't a massive resort - it maintains an intimate, exclusive feel. The accommodation quality is genuinely exceptional, particularly the Pool Access Suites where you can swim directly from your room. Five restaurants and bars ensure variety (though some guests find menus repetitive after several nights), and the included breakfast buffet at Pacific restaurant is generous and well-executed.

The catch? This level of luxury comes at a significant cost. Room rates typically start around $750-$900 per night and can exceed $1,200+ for premium suites during peak season. Then there's the mandatory transfer costs - $210 per adult one-way ($420 return) on the luxury catamaran from Hamilton Island, plus your flights to Hamilton Island Airport. You're easily looking at $2,000+ just for accommodation and transfers for a couple over two nights, before adding any meals, spa treatments, or paid activities.

Accommodation Options

Hayman's rooms are distributed across four main areas: the Lagoon Wing (overlooking the stunning Infinity Pool), the Retreat Wing (garden courtyard setting), the Beach Wing (closest to the sand), and the exclusive Beachfront Pavilions and Hayman Residences. There's also the ultra-luxe Three Bedroom Beach House. Each category offers different experiences and price points, though all maintain five-star standards with Nespresso machines, luxury amenities, and that signature InterContinental quality.

Dining Options

Hayman offers five restaurants and bars, ranging from fine dining Italian to casual poolside fare. Breakfast is included in most packages (served at Pacific restaurant, 7:00-10:30 AM), but all other meals are additional cost. Expect premium pricing - mains typically $45-$75, cocktails $22-$28. The quality is consistently high, though some guests find the menus become repetitive after 3-4 nights, and there's no casual "grab and go" option for dinner.

Pacific: The resort's signature all-day restaurant with international buffet breakfast, Asian-inspired lunch and dinner menus featuring Australian seafood and premium ingredients. Indoor and outdoor seating with marina views.

Amici Trattoria: Fine dining Italian restaurant serving handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh seafood. Romantic setting, dress smart-casual. Typically $120-$180 per person for dinner with wine.

Aqua: Seafood-focused restaurant showcasing the best of the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland coast. Fresh oysters, coral trout, reef fish - this is where you come for premium Australian seafood. Expensive but exceptional.

Bam Bam: Casual daytime dining at Hayman Pool with burgers, salads, wood-fired pizzas, and kids' menu. Open for lunch and light snacks. Most affordable option outside of included breakfast.

Bar Fifty: Main resort bar and lounge with extensive cocktail list, premium spirits, and bar snacks. Live music some evenings. Great for sunset drinks overlooking the marina.

Grove Boutique Cafe: Grab-and-go coffee, pastries, light breakfast items, and gourmet provisions. Essential for early morning caffeine before the breakfast buffet opens.

The Beach & Swimming

Hayman's beach is genuinely beautiful - a two-kilometer crescent of white sand fringed by coconut palms and she-oaks. The water is typically calm and protected, perfect for families with young children. However, there's an important consideration: the beach is quite shallow and tide-affected. At low tide, the water recedes significantly, exposing coral and rocks, which isn't ideal for swimming. High tide brings gorgeous swimming conditions with turquoise water lapping the sand.

For swimming, most guests prefer the resort's pools, particularly the 60-meter Hayman Pool (Australia's largest resort pool when it opened) and the stunning Infinity Pool overlooking the lagoon. Both are heated year-round, beautifully maintained, and have plenty of loungers and cabanas. The pools are the real swimming stars here, while the beach is more about the visual beauty and relaxing with a book.

A common question: Is there good snorkeling at Hayman? The honest answer is no, not directly at the resort. The bay is too shallow with limited coral growth near shore. The best snorkeling requires booking the resort's escapades to nearby islands like Langford Island or joining reef tours. This is one area where Daydream Island (with its Living Reef) has an advantage over Hayman.

Guest Reviews & Ratings

What's Included

The Location

Hayman Island sits at the absolute northernmost tip of the Whitsunday archipelago, 28 kilometers northeast of Airlie Beach. This positioning is crucial - it makes Hayman the nearest inhabited island to the outer Great Barrier Reef, including the iconic Heart Reef. You're genuinely closer to world-class reef experiences than any other resort island in the Whitsundays. The island itself is 294 hectares with 8 kilometers of coastline, rising dramatically from white sand beaches through tropical rainforest to 250-meter hilltop views.

What's Nearby

From Hayman, you're perfectly positioned for the Whitsundays' greatest hits. Whitehaven Beach with its 7 kilometers of 98% pure silica sand is accessible via resort day tours. Heart Reef, the famous heart-shaped coral formation, is best viewed from the resort's helicopter tours. Langford Island, just a 10-minute speedboat ride away, offers excellent snorkeling directly from the beach. Blue Pearl Bay, Bali Hai, and Hook Island are all within easy reach for paid escapades.

The resort operates a comprehensive activities program including snorkel tours to nearby reef sites ($90 for 2 hours), scenic helicopter flights over Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach, sunset cruises, and even bespoke private dining experiences on secluded beaches. The concierge team can arrange virtually anything from private yacht charters to scuba diving on the outer reef.

Nature on the Island

One of Hayman's unexpected delights is the wildlife. Wallabies (small kangaroos) are often spotted grazing near accommodations in the early morning and evening. Rainbow lorikeets, cockatoos, kookaburras, and stone curlews are regular visitors. The island has several bushland walking tracks connecting secluded coves and beaches, with the resort offering complimentary guided nature walks. Unlike some developed island resorts, Hayman has maintained much of its natural character with 16 hectares of botanical gardens featuring 33,000 plants and 327 species.

Check-in, Transfers & Policies

Getting There

Flight: Fly to Hamilton Island Airport (direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane with Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar).

Luxury Catamaran Transfer: 60-minute journey on the resort's fleet (Sun Eagle, Sun Paradise, Sun Goddess). Champagne and canapes served onboard, check-in completed during journey. Cost: $210 per adult one-way, $110 per child (ages 4-16).

Helicopter Transfer: 15-minute scenic flight from Hamilton Island. Available on request, additional cost applies.

Seaplane Transfer: 15-minute flight via Air Whitsunday. $1,200 for up to 5 people one-way.

IMPORTANT: You must contact the resort at least 14 days (preferably earlier) before arrival with your flight details to arrange transfers. Email: hayman.reservations@ihg.com or phone: +61 7 5501 9992.

Resort Information

Check-in: 3:00 PM (check-in completed onboard transfer vessel)
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Early Check-in/Late Check-out: Available for a fee, subject to availability

Policies

Children: All ages welcome. Children 18 and over charged as adults. Children 11 and under can stay free using existing bedding and eating from kids' menu (when booked in family packages).

Credit Cards: 1.9% surcharge applies to all credit card payments.

Deposit: Photo ID and credit card required at check-in.

Pets: Not permitted on the island.

Minimum Stay: Some packages require minimum 3-night stays, especially during peak periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hayman Island worth the extra cost compared to other Whitsunday resorts?

Hayman is genuinely in a different league to most Whitsunday accommodations. You're paying for Australia's most exclusive private island resort with InterContinental five-star standards, the closest position to outer reef wonders like Heart Reef, and accommodation quality that rivals international luxury resorts. That said, with room rates from $750-$1,200+ per night plus $420 return transfers per adult, it's significantly more expensive than excellent mainland options in Airlie Beach or even Hamilton Island. If you want absolute luxury, privacy, and don't mind the premium pricing, Hayman delivers an unforgettable experience. If you're budget-conscious or planning multiple reef activities anyway, you might get better value staying on the mainland and doing day trips.

Can you access Hayman Island directly from Airlie Beach?

No, there's no direct ferry service from Airlie Beach or Port of Airlie to Hayman Island. You must travel via Hamilton Island. Fly to Hamilton Island Airport, then take the resort's luxury catamaran (60 minutes), helicopter (15 minutes), or seaplane (15 minutes) to Hayman. If you're flying into Proserpine Airport instead, you'll need to transfer to Airlie Beach, catch a ferry to Hamilton Island, then the resort transfer to Hayman - adding significant journey time.

What's the best room category at Hayman Island?

It depends on what you're after. Pool Access Suites are incredibly popular because you can literally swim from your room - perfect for couples who want that wow factor. The new Beachfront Pavilions offer the most privacy and romance but are a 10-minute walk from main resort facilities. For families, the Lagoon Wing offers the most space and interconnecting options, plus it overlooks the stunning Infinity Pool. If money's no object, the hilltop Hayman Residences or the Three Bedroom Beach House are the ultimate splurge with views that'll take your breath away. Avoid the Retreat Courtyard Rooms if you want ocean views - they're set back from the beach in the gardens.

Is there good snorkeling directly at the resort?

This is a common disappointment. While Hayman Bay is beautiful, it's shallow and largely exposed at low tide, with no significant reef accessible directly from the resort beach. The best snorkeling requires booking the resort's escapades to nearby islands like Langford Island ($90 for 2 hours), where you'll find excellent coral and marine life. The upside is that Hayman's position means you're closer to premium outer reef experiences than other islands - the resort can arrange day trips to some of the best dive and snorkel sites on the Great Barrier Reef. Free water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding are also tide-dependent, typically available in the morning.

How does Hayman compare to Daydream or Hamilton Island?

They're completely different experiences. Daydream is the most family-friendly and accessible (30 minutes from mainland), with free activities, kids eat free, and the amazing Living Reef - but it's more mid-range in style. Hamilton Island is the largest and most developed with an actual village, shops, multiple resort options, and direct flights - think self-contained holiday town. Hayman is the luxury option - exclusive, private, intimate, and sophisticated. You come to Hayman for pampering, privacy, fine dining, and that "special occasion" feeling. It's quieter, more couples-focused (though families are welcome), and significantly more expensive. If you want bustling atmosphere and variety, choose Hamilton. If you want family fun and value, choose Daydream. If you want the absolute pinnacle of Australian island luxury, choose Hayman.