Whitehaven Beach Queensland Australia
Whitehaven Beach is 7 km of 98% pure silica sand on Whitsunday Island, with the swirling sands of Hill Inlet at its northern end. Facts and figures for visitors.
Whitehaven Beach Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 7 km |
| Location | Eastern side of Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 Whitsunday islands |
| Sand | 98% pure silica. Bright white, very fine, and cool underfoot in full sun. |
| Where the sand came from | Silica is not found in the local rock, so the sand is thought to have been carried in by ocean currents over millions of years. |
| Northern end | Hill Inlet and its swirling sands, with the lookout at Tongue Point |
| Southern end | Day-use area, camping area and the South Whitehaven lookout |
| Distance | About 30 km east of Shute Harbour; 21.6 nautical miles by boat |
| Access | Boat, seaplane or helicopter only. No roads and no public ferry. |
| Residents | None. Whitsunday Island is uninhabited. |
| Protected area | Whitsunday Islands National Park, in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area |
North End Of Whitehaven Beach
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hill Inlet | A tidal inlet about 4 km long and up to 700 m wide. Each tide reshapes the white sand and turquoise water into new swirling patterns. Hill Inlet facts |
| Hill Inlet Lookout | Three viewing platforms at Tongue Point, reached by a 1.3 km return walk (40 minutes, moderate) from Tongue Bay |
| Best view | Low tide |
| Betty's Beach | A separate beach on the ocean-facing shore of Tongue Point, north of the inlet |
| In the water | Stingrays and small sharks in the shallows; mangroves line the inlet |
| Toilets | Toilet block at Tongue Point |
| Boats | Public moorings in Tongue Bay |
South End Of Whitehaven Beach
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Day-use area | Sheltered picnic table and toilets behind the beach |
| South Whitehaven lookout | A timber platform on the southern headland looking north along the beach. Queensland Parks lists the Whitehaven Beach lookout and headland track as a 1.4 km circuit, 40 minutes, easy to moderate. |
| Other walks | Solway circuit track (40 minutes, moderate) and Chance Bay track (moderate) both start here |
| Seaplanes | Land on the water off the southern end |
| Swimming | Usually calm with little swell. The beach is not patrolled. |
| Snorkelling | There is no coral reef off the beach, so tours snorkel elsewhere |
| Boats | Access at all tides. No public moorings; the closest are at Tongue Bay and Chalkies Beach. |
| Ngaro Track | The 32 km, three-day walk across Whitsunday Island starts at the southern end and finishes at Tongue Point |
Source: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
How To Get To Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach can only be reached by boat or by air. Most visitors arrive on a tour.
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Day tour from Airlie Beach | 1 to 2 hours each way depending on the boat. Tours depart Coral Sea Marina or Port of Airlie, mostly between 8am and 9:30am. Whitsundays day tours |
| Half-day tour | Up to 2 hours on the southern end of the beach, with morning and afternoon departures |
| Overnight sailing tour | 1 to 3 nights around the islands, usually with a stop at Tongue Bay for the Hill Inlet walk. Overnight tours |
| From Hamilton Island | About 30 minutes by boat |
| Seaplane or helicopter | Scenic flights pass over the beach and Hill Inlet; some land. Whitsundays scenic flight |
| Own boat or boat hire | The beach is on the exposed eastern side of the island, so calm weather is needed |
| Other departure points | Daydream Island and Hayman Island |
Whitehaven Beach Tours
| Tour | From | End visited | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZigZag Whitsundays Day Tour | From $239 | South | 4 hours on South Whitehaven Beach, South Whitehaven Lookout, buffet lunch. |
| Ocean Rafting | From $249 | North | Fast boat. North Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, 2 snorkel sites. |
| Thundercat Whitsundays | From $250 | North | Fast boat, 38 guests. North Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, 2 snorkel sites, lunch. |
| Fury Whitsundays | From $240 | Both | Fast boat, 35 guests. Hill Inlet Lookout, North and South Whitehaven, 1 snorkel site. |
| Whitehaven Xpress | From $235 | Both | Hill Inlet Lookout and South End Lookout, beach BBQ lunch, guided walk. |
| Purely Whitehaven Day Tour | From $265 | Both | Hill Inlet Lookout, North and South Whitehaven Beach, South Whitehaven Lookout, lunch. |
| Camira Sailing Tour | From $259 | North | Sailing catamaran. Hill Inlet Lookout, Whitehaven Beach, 1 snorkel site, lunch. |
| Spirit Of Whitsundays, GSL Marine | From $159 | Both | 4 ticket options on one boat, including a Hill Inlet bushwalk option. |
| Whitehaven Beach Half Day | From $155 | South | Up to 2 hours on the beach, morning or afternoon departure. |
| Whitehaven Beach And Heart Reef | $618$519 | South | Full-day boat tour plus a 60-minute scenic flight over Heart Reef. |
| 1 Hour Scenic Flight | $388$349 | From the air | Flies over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Heart Reef and the Great Barrier Reef. |
Prices per adult in Australian dollars. Check which end of the beach a tour visits: only tours that land at Tongue Bay include Hill Inlet Lookout.
Accommodation On Whitehaven Beach
There are no hotels, resorts or shops on Whitehaven Beach. The only way to stay is to camp.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Camping area | Southern end, in vine forest and eucalypt woodland just behind the beach |
| Size | 10 defined sites including a large group site. Maximum 36 people. |
| Facilities | Hybrid toilets and a communal sheltered picnic table. No showers and no drinking water. |
| Not allowed | Open fires and generators |
| Bookings | Required, through Queensland Parks. Check in after 2pm, check out by 11am. |
| Access | Boat only |
| Take | All drinking water and food, rubbish bags and insect repellent |
| Nearest accommodation | Whitsundays island resorts and Airlie Beach accommodation |
What To Take To Whitehaven Beach
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | None is available on the beach. Queensland Parks advises at least 2 litres per person per day. |
| Sun protection | Hat, shirt and reef-safe sunscreen. There is little natural shade and the white sand reflects the sun. |
| Swimwear and towel | Stinger suits are supplied by most tours |
| Shoes or sandals | For the lookout walks |
| Food | There are no shops or cafes. Most full-day tours include lunch. |
| Insect repellent | Sandflies and mosquitoes are common around dawn and dusk |
| Rubbish bag | There are no bins. Everything is carried out. |
Safety And Rules
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Marine stingers | Stinger season is November to May. Wear a stinger suit in the water. If stung, leave the water and douse the sting with vinegar. |
| Crocodiles | Queensland Parks warns that estuarine crocodiles live in the waters around the Whitsundays. Do not swim at dawn, dusk or night. |
| Sharks | Present along the Queensland coast all year. Do not swim alone. |
| Lifeguards | None. The beach is not patrolled. |
| Phone coverage | No mobile reception at Whitehaven Beach or Tongue Point |
| Fires and generators | Not permitted |
| Dogs | Not permitted in the national park |
| Drones | Recreational drones under 2 kg need no park permit. Stay 30 m from people, never fly over people, and do not fly in the camping area. Commercial filming needs a permit. |
History And Awards
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 9,000+ years | The Ngaro people are the Traditional Owners of Whitsunday Island and have lived in the islands for more than 9,000 years |
| 1770 | Captain James Cook names Whitsunday Island |
| 1879 | Staff Commander E.P. Bedwell names the beach after Whitehaven in England |
| 1944 | Whitsunday Islands National Park is established |
| 2008 | Queensland's Cleanest Beach, Keep Australia Beautiful |
| 2009 | First Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim, a 2 km race held each November |
| 2010 | Named the world's top eco-friendly beach by CNN |
| 2014 | Top five beaches in the world, Tripadvisor |
| 2017 | Cyclone Debbie causes severe erosion; the southern end is rebuilt. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, partly filmed on the beach, is released. |
| 2018 | $3.9 million of new lookouts, tracks and camping upgrades announced |
| 2025 | Named the best beach in the world by Big 7 Travel |
| 2026 | Ranked Australia's top attraction on Tripadvisor by share of five-star reviews (85.3%) |
Whitehaven Beach Questions
Why is Whitehaven Beach so famous?
Whitehaven Beach is 7 km of 98% pure silica sand, which makes it unusually white, fine and cool to walk on. It sits on an uninhabited national park island, and Hill Inlet at its northern end is known for its swirling sands. It has been named among the best beaches in the world several times.
Can you swim on Whitehaven Beach?
Yes. The water is usually calm with little swell. The beach is not patrolled, and stinger suits are recommended from November to May. There is no coral reef off the beach, so it is a swimming beach and not a snorkelling site.
Are there crocs at Whitehaven Beach?
Queensland Parks warns that estuarine crocodiles live in the waters around the Whitsundays and can be present anywhere in the national park. Sightings were reported near Hook and Hayman islands in September 2024. Do not swim at dawn, dusk or night.
What movie was filmed at Whitehaven Beach?
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, released in 2017. Screen Queensland lists Whitehaven Beach as one of its filming locations.
How do you get to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach?
By boat or by air. Day tours take 1 to 2 hours each way from Coral Sea Marina or Port of Airlie. There is no road and no public ferry.
Can you stay on Whitehaven Beach?
Only by camping. The national park camping area at the southern end has 10 sites for up to 36 people and must be booked through Queensland Parks. There are no hotels or resorts on Whitsunday Island.
How long do you get on Whitehaven Beach on a tour?
Half-day tours give up to 2 hours on the sand. Full-day tours give up to 4 hours, with less beach time on tours that add snorkelling and lookout stops.
More Whitsundays Information
Sources
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Tourism Whitsundays. Tourism and Events Queensland. Queensland Government media statement, 24 May 2018. Screen Queensland. Wikipedia and its cited sources. Big 7 Travel. Time Out Australia. Whitsunday Regional Council. Checked October 2026.
