Hook Island

Second-largest Whitsunday island with pristine reefs, ancient Ngaro rock art, and secluded camping

About Hook Island

Hook Island is a continental island located in the Whitsunday Islands group off the central Queensland coast. At 58 square kilometres, Hook Island is the second-largest island in the Whitsundays after Whitsunday Island, and sits approximately 25 kilometres east of Airlie Beach. The island is almost entirely contained within Whitsunday Islands National Park and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, remaining largely uninhabited with no permanent resort development.

Hook Island is home to the Ngaro Cultural Site at Nara Inlet, one of the oldest Indigenous sites on Australia's east coast with rock art dating back approximately 9,000 years. The traditional owners, the Ngaro people, were a seafaring Aboriginal group who inhabited the Whitsunday Islands for thousands of years before European colonisation. The island features two dramatic fjord-like inlets on its southern side - Nara Inlet and Macona Inlet - which provide sheltered anchorages popular with the Whitsunday sailing fleet.

The island rises to 450 metres at Hook Peak and features rugged terrain covered with dense rainforest. Hook Island's northern coast is renowned for exceptional snorkelling and diving at sites including Manta Ray Bay, Butterfly Bay, The Pinnacles, and Maureen's Cove. Four designated camping areas around the island - Maureen's Cove, Steen's Beach, Curlew Beach, and Crayfish Beach - offer secluded bush camping experiences with basic facilities. The island's fringing coral reefs support abundant marine life including sea turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, dolphins, and seasonal humpback whales.

What to Expect at Hook Island

Hook Island offers a wild, undeveloped island experience with pristine natural environments and minimal facilities. The island remains almost completely free of commercial development, with only a former wilderness resort site (closed since 2013) at the northern tip. Visitors encounter dense tropical rainforest, secluded beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs, and crystal-clear waters surrounding the island's extensive coastline.

The northern coast provides some of the Whitsundays' best snorkelling conditions, with visibility varying by season and weather. Fringing coral reefs display vibrant coral formations, and diverse marine life thrives in the warm waters. Manta Ray Bay and Butterfly Bay attract day tour vessels and bareboat charters, while The Pinnacles diving site features large coral bommies rising from deeper water. The island's sheltered bays offer protection from wind and swell, creating ideal conditions for swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Nara Inlet provides one of the Whitsundays' most protected anchorages, with deep blue waters surrounded by rainforest-covered slopes. The inlet features a freshwater rock pool and seasonal waterfall at its head, accessible by dinghy. The Ngaro Cultural Site walking track leads from the beach through lush vegetation to ancient cave paintings, with interpretive displays and audio stories from Ngaro elders. Wildlife sightings include sea eagles, kites, ospreys, butterflies (especially in winter), and occasionally wild goats - descendants of animals introduced by early European explorers.

How to Get to Hook Island

Tours

Hook Island is accessible on various day tours departing from Airlie Beach that include snorkelling stops at the island's northern bays. Snorkelling tours regularly visit Manta Ray Bay, Butterfly Bay, and other prime reef locations around Hook Island. Overnight sailing tours allow extended exploration of the island's inlets, camping areas, and cultural sites.

Bareboat Charter & Private Vessels

Bareboat charter and private boat owners access Hook Island from Shute Harbour, Coral Sea Marina, or Port of Airlie. The island offers numerous protected anchorages including Nara Inlet, Macona Inlet, Stonehaven Bay, Manta Ray Bay, and Butterfly Bay. Public moorings are available at several locations on a first-come basis, with anchoring permitted in designated areas.

Camping Transfers

Dedicated camping transfer services operate scheduled boat transport from Airlie Beach to Hook Island's four camping areas. Return transfers cost approximately $160 per person, with minimum passenger requirements for more remote locations like Maureen's Cove and Steen's Beach. Services include water containers for filling before departure. Camping permits must be obtained separately from Queensland Parks before arrival, and all camping equipment, food, and supplies must be brought to the island.

Things to Do at Hook Island

Nearby Islands & Attractions

Essential Information

Best Time to Visit

Hook Island is accessible year-round, with dry season (April-October) offering optimal conditions for camping, snorkelling, and diving. Winter months (June-September) provide excellent visibility for underwater activities, comfortable temperatures for bushwalking, and opportunities to see migrating humpback whales in the Whitsunday Passage. Butterfly Bay experiences peak butterfly activity during winter months. Summer (November-May) brings higher temperatures, afternoon storms, and marine stinger season requiring protective clothing for swimming.

What to Bring

For day trips: snorkelling gear, swimming attire, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, rashie), reef-safe sunscreen, underwater camera, water, and snacks. For camping: all drinking water (5 litres per person per day recommended), complete food supplies for entire stay, camping equipment, cooking gear, torch, first aid kit, insect repellent, rubbish bags, and marine stinger suit for summer. Sturdy hiking shoes recommended for Ngaro Cultural Site track and bushwalking trails.

Important Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Tours to Hook Island

Explore Hook Island on snorkelling day tours, overnight sailing adventures, or multi-day camping expeditions. Most tours depart from Airlie Beach and include stops at the island's pristine reefs, secluded bays, and cultural sites.

Good to Know