The Whitsundays – Airlie Beach, Islands and Sailing

Arrive into Hamilton Island Airport (HTI). Either stay on Hamilton Island or transfer to one of our other island resorts by either ferry services or a short scenic flight on a seaplane or helicopter.

Experience the Great Barrier Reef

The world’s largest living structure and the only living structure visible from outer space. Stretching over 2,300km, The Whitsundays lies in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef with easy access from anywhere within the region. The Great Barrier Reef can be experienced from every angle – underwater, above water and in the air.

Popular ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef: 

• Day Cruise – snorkelling & scuba diving
• Overnight sailing tour – sailing, snorkelling and diving (Airlie Beach departures only)
• Sleep under the stars on a pontoon deck or Australia’s first underwater accommodation
• Skipper yourself on a bareboat
• Scenic flight and tour in a helicopter, light aircraft or seaplane.

Dinner

Airlie Beach is a resort town in its own right, head to the main strip to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants, a sunset cocktail or live music at one of the bars or restaurants. If you want to party the night away, head to one of the nightclubs.

Experience Heart Reef

Heart Reef is one of the jewels in The Whitsundays crown, it is a coral structure in a perfect heart shape located at Hardy Reef in the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a scenic fly over of this incredible natural wonder, some scenic flights even include the opportunity to fly over Whitehaven Beach/Hill Inlet where you can land on the beach in style!

You can experience Heart reef by: 

• Helicopter Tour
• Seaplane Tour
• Fixed wing aircraft – scenic flight
• Journey to the Heart Tour – Relax in style on the spectacular Heart
• Island Pontoon and a once in a lifetime boat ride around the famous Heart Reef

Experience the adventurous side of Airlie Beach

Soak up the vibrant and social atmosphere of Airlie Beach with a diverse range of activities to bring a little adventure to your trip.

Experiences from Airlie Beach:

• Explore the estuaries and wetlands in Proserpine River – discover crocodiles in their natural habitat through a very unique Australian nature experience.
• Take a bushwalk through the spectacular Conway National Park rainforest along the Whitsunday Great Walk. Guided tours and Segway tours are also available.
• Spend an action-packed day going on a jetski adventure or a jetboat ride to explore the waters of Airlie Beach.
• Take a scenic drive to Bowen & create your own tropical foodie experience. Whether you are after the famous Bowen Mangos, fresh seafood just off the trawlers or locally grown coffee to keep you buzzing for all of the activities ahead.
• Airlie Beach is the launchpad to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef there are a variety of tours on offer to suit any traveller.

Sail around the Whitsunday Islands

Set off on a sailing adventure around the 74 Whitsunday Islands discovering the hidden secrets of one island paradise to the next with secluded coves and anchorages, fringing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life.

Choose to experience a unique opportunity to combine your accommodation with your sightseeing and sleep out in the calm and protected waters of The Whitsundays.

Sail The Whitsundays either by bareboat (skipper yourself) or one of the many crewed charter options. Departures from 3 different Airlie Beach Marinas – Coral Sea Marina, Port of Airlie & Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island Marina.

Bareboat Experiences: – skipper yourself or hire a skipper for a private tour

• Catamarans – sail and power
• Monohull – sail and power

Crewed Sailing Experiences – Day tours and overnight tours (Airlie Beach departures only)

• Catamaran/Trimaran (sail and/or power)
• Maxi Sailing Yacht
• Tall Ship Sailing

Activities to enjoy from the sailing tours

• Snorkel off many of the islands colourful fringing reef
• Anchor at one of the secluded islands to relax on a private beach
• Get active and take one of the many bush walking tracks to be rewarded with breathtaking views of turquoise waters and majestic islands.
• Visit Nara Inlet to explore the Ngaro cultural site with the indigenous cave paintings.
• Many of the tours stop in at the world famous Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach to take that jaw dropping photo that looks even better in real life. You even get the chance to sink your toes into the pure white silica sand.