Whitehaven Beach Ferry
The closest thing to a Whitehaven Beach ferry is the half day cruise: it leaves Port of Airlie twice a day, picks up at Daydream Island and Hamilton Island, and gives you 2 hours on the beach. It's a booked return trip, so there's no one-way ticket.
Is There A Ferry To Whitehaven Beach?
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Closest thing to a ferry | Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour, run by Cruise Whitsundays |
| How often | Twice a day, every day |
| Route | Port of Airlie, Daydream Island, Hamilton Island, Whitehaven Beach, then the same stops in reverse |
| Time on the beach | Up to 2 hours |
| Ticket | Booked return trip from $155 per adult. No one-way tickets. |
| Longer trips | An all day beach ticket with 4 hours on the sand, and a full day tour to both ends of the beach |
| Public ferry | None. Whitehaven Beach is not a stop on the island ferry network. |
| Travel time | 1 to 2 hours each way from Airlie Beach |
| Where it lands | Southern end of the beach. Hill Inlet is at the northern end. |
| Car ferry | None. Whitsunday Island has no roads. |
| Bookings | Needed. Seats are booked for a set departure. |
Half dayWhitehaven Beach Half Day
Half-day tour to Whitehaven Beach with a scenic return cruise.
- Scenic return cruise in an air-conditioned ferry
- Morning and afternoon tours
- Up to 2 hours on the beach
- Optional guided bushwalk
Full dayZigZag Whitsundays Day Tour
Visits South Whitehaven Beach and New South Whitehaven Lookout.
- Unlimited transfers between boat and Whitehaven Beach
- Ticket 1: Whitehaven Beach all day (no snorkelling)
- Ticket 2: Whitehaven Beach plus snorkelling
- All tickets travel on the same boat and tour
- Snorkel tickets include wetsuit and snorkelling equipment
Full dayPurely Whitehaven Day Tour
Full-day tour of Whitehaven Beach, both ends and both lookouts.
- North Whitehaven Beach
- Hill Inlet Lookout
- South Whitehaven Beach
- South Whitehaven Lookout
- Lunch and shuttle transfers included
Whitehaven Beach Ferry Options Compared
| Trip | From | Leaves from | Time on the beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour The ferry-style trip, twice a day | From $155 | Port of Airlie, Daydream Island, Hamilton Island | Up to 2 hours, south end |
| ZigZag Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach All Day ticket Longer stay | From $239 | Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach | 4 hours, south end |
| Purely Whitehaven Day Tour Both ends of the beach | From $265 | Shute Harbour | North and south ends, with both lookouts |
Prices are per adult in Australian dollars. Times and prices are confirmed at booking.
Half Day Ferry To Whitehaven Beach
The Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour is run by Cruise Whitsundays and can be booked from Airlie Beach, Daydream Island or Hamilton Island. The boat makes the same run twice a day, every day, and drops passengers back in reverse order.
Timetable
| Leaves from | Morning trip | Afternoon trip |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Airlie, Airlie Beach | Morning: departs 7:15am, returns about 2:15pm | Afternoon: departs 11:35am, returns about 6:05pm |
| Daydream Island | Morning: departs 7:45am, returns about 1:40pm | Afternoon: departs 12:10pm, returns about 6:05pm |
| Hamilton Island | Morning: departs 8:30am, returns about 12:30pm | Afternoon: departs 1:10pm, returns about 5:00pm |
Trip facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | From $155 per adult. Child fares apply for ages 4 to 14. Infants 0 to 3 travel free. |
| Time on the beach | Up to 2 hours |
| Where it lands | Southern end of Whitehaven Beach |
| Boat | Large air-conditioned vessel carrying up to 140 guests |
| Included | Return cruise, morning or afternoon tea, stinger suits, beach games, sausage sizzle |
| Lookout | Access to the South Whitehaven lookout |
| Not included | Hill Inlet and snorkelling |
| Runs | Every day |
All Day Ferry To Whitehaven Beach
The ZigZag Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach All Day ticket gives the longest stay on the sand, with a boat running between the vessel and the beach all day.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | From $239 adult, $189 child (4 to 14), $756 family of 2 adults and 2 children. Infants 3 months to 3 years travel free. |
| Leaves from | Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach |
| Times | Departs 9am, returns 5pm. Leaves Whitehaven Beach at 3:30pm. |
| Time on the beach | 4 hours |
| Where it lands | Southern end of Whitehaven Beach |
| Boat to beach | Unlimited transfers between the boat and the beach through the day |
| Included | Buffet lunch and snacks on board, guided walk to the South Whitehaven lookout, stinger suits |
| Boat | Super Flyer, a high-speed vessel with two outdoor lounge areas |
| Other ticket | Whitehaven Beach All Day Plus Snorkelling, from $269 adult, with 2.5 hours on the beach |
Full Day Tour To Both Ends Of Whitehaven Beach
The Purely Whitehaven Day Tour is run by SeaLink and is the trip to choose for Hill Inlet as well as the main beach.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | From $265 per adult |
| Leaves from | Shute Harbour at 8:45am |
| Length | 8 hours |
| North end | North Whitehaven Beach and a guided walk to the Hill Inlet lookout, about 2 hours |
| South end | South Whitehaven Beach and the South Whitehaven lookout |
| Included | Lunch, snacks, and pick-up and drop-off from accommodation |
| Boat | Air-conditioned catamaran |
Which Whitehaven Beach Trip To Choose
| Looking for | Trip |
|---|---|
| Lowest price | Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour, from $155 |
| Longest time on the sand | ZigZag Whitsundays All Day ticket, 4 hours |
| Hill Inlet and the swirling sands | Purely Whitehaven Day Tour |
| Leaving from Daydream Island or Hamilton Island | Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour |
| A morning or an afternoon only | Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour |
| Lunch included | ZigZag Whitsundays or Purely Whitehaven Day Tour |
| Snorkelling as well | ZigZag Whitsundays All Day Plus Snorkelling ticket, or a fast boat tour from the day tours list |
Where The Boats Leave From
| Departure point | Trips |
|---|---|
| Port of Airlie, Airlie Beach | Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour. Coach transfers to the port can be added at booking. |
| Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach | ZigZag Whitsundays |
| Shute Harbour | Purely Whitehaven Day Tour, with pick-up from accommodation |
| Daydream Island | Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour |
| Hamilton Island | Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour |
What Is At Whitehaven Beach
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shops and cafes | None. Take food and drinks, or choose a trip with lunch. |
| Drinking water | None on the beach |
| Toilets | At the southern day-use area and at Tongue Point |
| Shade | Very little natural shade |
| Phone coverage | None at Whitehaven Beach or Tongue Point |
| Lifeguards | None. The beach is not patrolled. |
| Stinger season | November to May. Stinger suits are supplied on all three trips. |
| Snorkelling | There is no coral reef off the beach |
Camping Drop-Offs
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Camping area | Southern end of Whitehaven Beach. 10 sites, 36 people maximum. |
| Getting there | By boat only. Campers book a return camping transfer with a local transfer operator, or arrive on their own vessel. |
| Permits | Camping must be booked in advance through Queensland Parks |
| Take | All food and drinking water. There are no showers and no bins. |
Whitehaven Beach Ferry Questions
Is there a ferry to Whitehaven Beach?
The closest thing to a Whitehaven Beach ferry is the half day cruise: it leaves Port of Airlie twice a day, picks up at Daydream Island and Hamilton Island, and gives you 2 hours on the beach. It's a booked return trip, so there's no one-way ticket. Two longer trips also run every day: the ZigZag Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach All Day ticket and the Purely Whitehaven Day Tour.
How much is the ferry to Whitehaven Beach?
The half day cruise, the closest thing to a Whitehaven Beach ferry, is from $155 per adult return. The ZigZag Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach All Day ticket is from $239 per adult and the Purely Whitehaven Day Tour is from $265 per adult.
What time does the Whitehaven Beach ferry leave Airlie Beach?
The half day cruise leaves Port of Airlie at 7:15am and 11:35am every day. ZigZag Whitsundays leaves Coral Sea Marina at 9am. The Purely Whitehaven Day Tour leaves Shute Harbour at 8:45am.
Is there a ferry from Hamilton Island to Whitehaven Beach?
Yes. The half day cruise picks up at Hamilton Island at 8:30am for the morning trip and 1:10pm for the afternoon trip, and returns at about 12:30pm and 5:00pm.
Can you get to Whitehaven Beach from Daydream Island?
Yes. The Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour picks up at Daydream Island at 7:45am for the morning trip and 12:10pm for the afternoon trip.
What is the cheapest way to get to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach?
Of the trips listed on this page, the Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour is the cheapest at from $155 per adult, with up to 2 hours on the southern end of the beach.
How long does it take to get to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach?
Between 1 and 2 hours by boat each way, depending on the vessel and the route.
Is there a car ferry to Whitehaven Beach?
No. Whitsunday Island has no roads, no vehicles and no residents. It is a national park island reached only by boat or by air.
How long do you get on Whitehaven Beach?
Up to 2 hours on the half day tour and 4 hours on the ZigZag Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach All Day ticket. The Purely Whitehaven Day Tour splits the day between the north end, including the Hill Inlet lookout walk, and the south end.
More Whitsundays Information
Sources
Cruise Whitsundays. ZigZag Whitsundays. SeaLink Whitsundays. Tourism Whitsundays. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Whitsunday Regional Council. Checked October 2026.
