Whitsunday Island

Largest island in the Whitsundays, home to Whitehaven Beach and untouched wilderness

About Whitsunday Island

Whitsunday Island is a continental island located off the central Queensland coast in the Whitsunday Islands group. At 109 square kilometres, Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the Whitsunday archipelago and sits within the Whitsunday Islands National Park and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The island lies approximately 25 kilometres east of Airlie Beach and is accessible only by boat.

Whitsunday Island is home to the internationally renowned Whitehaven Beach, a 7-kilometre stretch of pure white silica sand on the island's eastern coast. The northern end of Whitehaven Beach features Hill Inlet Lookout, where tidal movements create spectacular swirling patterns in the sand and turquoise waters. Other notable beaches on the island include Betty's Beach, a secluded spot north of Hill Inlet, and several protected bays within Cid Harbour on the western side.

The island is a continental landmass formed after the last ice age when rising sea levels separated a coastal mountain range into 74 individual islands. Whitsunday Island rises to 437 metres at Whitsunday Peak, known as the Roof of the Whitsundays. The island remains completely undeveloped with no resorts or permanent accommodation, preserving its natural wilderness character. Camping is permitted at six designated campgrounds around the island, making Whitsunday Island one of the most popular destinations for overnight sailors and bush campers in Queensland.

What to Expect at Whitsunday Island

Whitsunday Island offers a pristine natural environment with dense tropical rainforest covering much of the interior and fringing coral reefs surrounding the coastline. The island's beaches feature exceptional white silica sand, warm turquoise waters, and protection from the outer reef that creates calm swimming and snorkelling conditions in most bays. Seagrass beds around the northern bays support diverse marine life including sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish.

Visitors will find Whitsunday Island completely free of commercial development. There are no shops, cafes, or facilities beyond basic camping amenities at designated campgrounds. The island's six campgrounds - Whitehaven Beach, Chance Bay, Dugong Beach, Joe's Beach, Nari's Beach, and Cairn Beach - offer composting toilets and picnic tables in most locations, though campers must bring all water, food, and supplies. Bush camping areas are connected by walking tracks that wind through rainforest, coastal vegetation, and open forest.

Wildlife encounters are common across Whitsunday Island. Unadorned rock-wallabies inhabit rocky areas, orange-footed scrubfowl nest in the rainforest, and sea turtles frequent the surrounding waters. Dolphins and rays visit the sheltered bays, while humpback whales pass through the Whitsunday Passage during their annual migration from June to September. The island's west-facing beaches in Cid Harbour provide spectacular sunset views, and the east coast offers stunning sunrises over the Coral Sea.

How to Get to Whitsunday Island

Tours

Most visitors reach Whitsunday Island on organised tours departing from Airlie Beach. Whitehaven Beach tours are the most popular option, offering day trips to the island's famous eastern beach with stops at Hill Inlet Lookout. Day tours operate on power boats, catamarans, and sailing vessels, with most including snorkelling stops at fringing reefs around the island. Overnight sailing tours allow extended time to explore multiple bays and beaches, with anchorages in Cid Harbour, Tongue Bay, and Turtle Bay.

Bareboat Charter & Private Vessels

Bareboat charter and private boat owners can access Whitsunday Island from Shute Harbour, Coral Sea Marina, or Port of Airlie. Multiple protected anchorages around the island accommodate overnight mooring, including Cid Harbour (one of the Whitsundays' safest anchorages), Tongue Bay, Turtle Bay, and designated mooring areas along Whitehaven Beach. Sailing time from Airlie Beach is approximately 2-3 hours depending on conditions and destination.

Camping Transfers

Island camping transfer services operate scheduled drop-offs and pick-ups for campers at all six campgrounds on Whitsunday Island. Transfers depart from Airlie Beach with prices varying by destination - closer Cid Harbour sites cost approximately $105 per person return, while Whitehaven Beach and Hook Island transfers cost around $155-160 per person return. Bookings should be made in advance, and camping permits from Queensland Parks must be obtained separately before arrival.

Scenic Flights

Scenic flights by helicopter and seaplane offer aerial views of Whitsunday Island, with some packages including beach landings at Whitehaven Beach. Flights depart from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island, providing spectacular overhead perspectives of Hill Inlet's swirling sands and the island's pristine coastline.

Things to Do at Whitsunday Island

Nearby Islands & Attractions

Essential Information

Best Time to Visit

Whitsunday Island is accessible year-round, with the dry season from April to October offering the most comfortable conditions for camping and bushwalking. Winter months (June-September) provide ideal sailing weather, lower humidity, and opportunities to see migrating humpback whales. Summer (November-May) brings higher temperatures, afternoon storms, and marine stinger season requiring protective swimming clothing. The island's east-facing beaches receive morning sun and spectacular sunrises, while Cid Harbour's west-facing beaches offer sunset views.

What to Bring

For day trips: swimming gear, snorkelling equipment, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, rashie), reef-safe sunscreen, camera, water, and snacks. For camping: all drinking water (no fresh water available on island), complete food supplies, camping equipment, torch, first aid kit, insect repellent, rubbish bags, and marine stinger suit for summer months. Campers must remove all rubbish when departing - pack in, pack out policy applies across the island.

Important Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Tours to Whitsunday Island

Explore Whitsunday Island on day trips to Whitehaven Beach, overnight sailing adventures, or multi-day camping expeditions. Tours depart daily from Airlie Beach visiting the island's pristine beaches, secluded bays, and famous Hill Inlet Lookout.

Good to Know