Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour

Ticket Costs

From $149 AUD per person, this half-day Whitehaven Beach escape includes:

• Return cruise aboard a comfy, air-conditioned catamaran
• Morning or afternoon tea onboard
• Beach activities like paddle-boarding (subject to availability)
• Protective stinger suits
• Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax)

Optional Extras: Sausage sizzle on the beach (vegetarian/vegan options available), shade cabana hire, and snacks available for purchase.
Heads up: This tour is non-refundable, so lock it in when you’re sure of your plans!

Overview

If you’ve been dreaming of that postcard-perfect stretch of pure white sand and sparkling turquoise sea, the Whitehaven Beach Morning or Afternoon Tour is calling your name! Kick back and relax on a sleek, air-conditioned catamaran as you cruise across the Coral Sea to Australia’s most famous beach.

Spend up to two blissful hours at Whitehaven’s southern end — whether you’re swimming, paddle-boarding, building epic sandcastles with the kids, or simply soaking in that iconic beauty. It’s the perfect short and sweet adventure for travellers who want to tick Whitehaven Beach off their Whitsundays bucket list without committing to a full-day tour.

Key Details

• Duration: Approximately 5.5 hours
• Fitness Level: Moderate — some walking on sand involved
• Age Limit: All ages welcome (infant seats available)
• Meals: Morning or afternoon tea included; sausage sizzle and snacks available for purchase
• Restrooms: Yes, onboard
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible vessel (check details at booking)
• Group Size: Up to 200 passengers
• Note: This tour does NOT visit Hill Inlet or Hill Inlet Lookout

Itinerary

🚨 Departing from Port of Airlie, you’ll board a high-speed catamaran fitted out for comfort — think air-conditioning, big windows, and a spacious sundeck if you fancy feeling the sea breeze.

🏜️ After a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Passage, you’ll arrive at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach. With around two hours to explore, you can swim in crystal-clear waters, paddleboard along the shoreline, or simply stretch out on the softest sand you’ll probably ever feel under your toes.

☕ Morning or afternoon tea is served onboard, and for those keen to make a day of it, sausage sizzles and snacks are available for purchase too.

📸 Don’t forget your camera — the beach’s swirling colours are seriously photogenic at any time of day!

🌿 After your beach fix, it’s a smooth sail back to Airlie Beach with plenty of time to chill out before dinner.

Reviews

Guests love how easy and relaxed this half-day Whitehaven tour is — comfy boat ride, gorgeous beach time, and just enough adventure without feeling rushed. Visitors often mention how friendly and helpful the crew are, and how perfect the shorter format is for families, cruise ship guests, or anyone short on time. Some guests would love a little longer at the beach, but most agree two hours gives you plenty of time to swim, snap photos, and soak up the serenity.

What to Bring

• Swimmers and a towel
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
• Refillable water bottle
• Cash or card for snacks and extras
• Sunglasses (polarised if possible)
• Lightweight beach cover-up or shirt
• Sense of adventure and a good beach read!

Local Tip: The morning tour usually offers calmer conditions, while the afternoon tour can deliver stunning golden-hour light for your photos!

Top 5 Reasons to Book This Tour

• 🏜️ Relax on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches without a full-day commitment.
• 🚤 Travel in comfort aboard a deluxe air-conditioned catamaran.
• 🌊 Swim, paddleboard, or simply laze about on Whitehaven’s famous silica sand.
• ☕ Enjoy tea and tasty snacks onboard, with the option to add a classic Aussie sausage sizzle.
• 📸 Capture incredible memories at one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most iconic spots.