Airlie Beach Tours: Gateway to the Whitsundays

Updated 15th May 2025 by Nath J

Airlie Beach, a picturesque coastal village 620 kilometres south of Cairns, is the gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands and the southern Great Barrier Reef. This vibrant destination offers a wide variety of tours and experiences that showcase the region’s natural beauty.

Popular Airlie Beach Tour Options

Whitehaven Beach Tours

Whitehaven Beach is one of the most iconic destinations in the Whitsundays, featuring pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters:

• Whitehaven Beach All Day with ZigZag Whitsundays: Starting from $199 for adults and $159 for children (ages 4+), this tour offers 5 hours at Whitehaven Beach with on-demand water-taxi service between the boat and beach.
• Whitehaven Beach Plus Snorkelling With ZigZag Whitsundays: For $229 (adults) and $179 (children 5+), you can enjoy Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling at a coral-reef location.
  Find more information on ZigZag Whitsundays here.
• Northern Exposure Tour With Ocean Rafting: This option offers two excellent snorkelling spots plus a tour of the swirling sands of Hill Inlet and its famous lookout.
• Southern Lights Tour With Ocean Rafting: Ideal for beach lovers, this tour includes a snorkelling site visit followed by approximately 2 hours at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach.Check availability with Ocean Rafting here

Great Barrier Reef Experiences

• Red Cat Great Barrier Reef Tour
  Small group Great Barrier Reef Tour operated by Red Cat Adventures from Airlie Beach. Multiple snorkel locations on a stable catamaran custom-built specifically for the Whitsundays. Book Here
• 1-Hour Whitsundays Scenic Flight: Starting from $299, this 60–70 minute flight takes you over the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and the Whitsunday Islands with a guaranteed window seat. Book Here

Adventure Tours

• Jet Ski Tours: Explore the Airlie Beach coastline on thrilling jet-ski tours ranging from one-hour guided experiences perfect for beginners to longer adventures for the more adventurous travellers.
  More Information
• Jet Boat Ride: Experience a one-hour exciting offshore jet-boat ride through the iconic Whitsunday waters with high-speed thrills and spins.
  Book Now
• Skydiving: Starting from $349, enjoy the ultimate adrenaline rush with jumps from 8,500–14,000 feet, offering spectacular aerial views of the region.
  Book Now

Local Experiences

• Best of Airlie 3-Hour Tour: From $95, this small group bus tour (maximum 10 people) takes you around the Airlie Beach area with an experienced local guide, visiting Shute Harbour, Mandalay Bay, and various lookout locations.
• Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: For $69, enjoy a 2-hour sunset cruise on a fully covered catamaran with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or soft drink while taking in views of Pioneer Bay and Turtle Bay.
• Segway Journey: Experience the Airlie Beach boardwalk on a Segway, covering a 7 km round trip along the water’s edge.

You can find more information on the above Airlie Beach Activities and more here.

Airlie Beach Tours Departure Points

Tours to the Whitsunday Islands depart from several locations:

• Coral Sea Marina (formerly Abel Point Marina): The largest marina in the Whitsundays and the primary departure point for most tours, a five-minute walk from the centre of Airlie Beach via a scenic boardwalk.
• Port of Airlie: Located at the end of the main road in Airlie Beach, this marina serves as the departure point for various boat tours, including ferries to Hamilton Island and Daydream Island.
• Shute Harbour: Located 10 kilometres from Airlie Beach, this harbour mainly serves smaller vessels and operates ferry services for tradespeople travelling to and from the islands.

Getting to Airlie Beach

By Air

• Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) in Proserpine is the main airport, with direct flights from Cairns, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The journey from the airport to Airlie Beach typically takes around 40 minutes via shuttle services.

By Train

• The Spirit of Queensland travels four times a week between Cairns and Brisbane, stopping at Proserpine Railway Station. A RailBus connection to Airlie Beach is included in Rail Pass tickets (pre-booking essential).

Accessibility Information

Several tours and attractions in Airlie Beach offer wheelchair accessibility:

• Cruise Whitsundays: While not all tours may be accessible, the ferry boat itself is wheelchair-friendly.
• Airlie Beach Lagoon: Features ramps, level pathways, accessible restrooms, and a pool hoist for wheelchair users.
• Bicentennial Walkway: This 4 km accessible walkway stretches from Airlie Beach Lagoon to Cannonvale Beach with mostly level paths and resting spots.

Best Time to Visit

Airlie Beach enjoys a tropical climate with hot summers and warm winters. Average daily temperatures range from 21 °C in the cooler months (May–September) to 32 °C during summer. The average year-round water temperature is a pleasant 25 °C. Higher rainfall can be expected during the summer months.

With over 92 tour options available and frequent specials, Airlie Beach offers something for every type of traveller looking to experience the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.

I hope you found the Airlie Beach Tours you were looking for, and I hope to see you in the Whitsundays Soon.