Christmas In The Whitsundays
Have you ever dreamed of spending Christmas in a balmy tropical paradise, lounging on the beach under the shade of a palm tree, not a worry in the world other than tan lines and cocktail refills? If trading a white Christmas with hot chocolate for white sandy beaches and Pina Coladas sounds up your alley, then look no further than holidaying in the Whitsundays!
Christmas in the Whitsundays is a magical time of year. Visitors come from all over the world to celebrate the festive season in the Whitsundays, beginning their plans many months in advance to ensure they have the holiday of their lives. With the warm tropical climate, perfect sailing conditions and plenty of tour options, the Whitsundays is one of the best places to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. High-demand tours book up well in advance any time of the year, especially for the holiday season, so you’ll want to make sure you plan accordingly so you don’t miss out.
Christmas in the Tropics
Christmas in Australia, and particularly North Queensland, is celebrated with the warm weather in mind. Often you’ll find people having a barbeque with loved ones, or cooling off at the pool. Christmas lunch can be filled with refreshing salads and seafood smorgasbords, and summer cocktails are always a win - quite different from the traditional ‘White Christmases’ in the northern hemisphere! However you prefer to celebrate during the merry season, most tours and operators are able to accommodate, with enough notice.
Christmas Eve and Day
Christmas in Australia certainly isn’t traditional compared to most other places in the world, and holidaying in the Whitsundays is a unique way to celebrate during the silly season. Airlie Beach boasts hot days and warm nights during summer, and the standard dress code is thongs and swimmers. The Aussie barbeque is a signature Christmas experience, with cold beers, seafood smorgasbords and being pool or beachside a must. There are also many restaurants to choose from in Airlie Beach if you’re looking for someone else to do the hard yards so you can relax.
How to do Christmas in the Whitsundays
1. Book Ahead
Bookings for the Christmas season can be as early as one year in advance, with many tours and accommodation options booking out in June and July, if not earlier. For this reason, it's extremely important to book as early as you can to ensure you are able to get on the tour of your choice. Backpackers, families, couples and independent travellers often choose the holiday period to travel, with the most popular tours already booked out well in advance.
Bearing this in mind, the Whitsundays are bountiful with all types of trips to choose from. There are both day tours and overnight trips available, with a handful of day trips departing on Christmas Day - a popular choice for those wanting to do something special on Christmas Day! New Years in the Whitsundays is also extremely popular with many guests wanting to ring in the New Year in the Whitsunday Islands, enjoying the tranquillity of the ocean and the tropical islands, or living it up in Airlie Beach with all the festivities available!
2. The Best Tours Go Quick
The most sought after overnight trips, particularly catamarans, those with private cabins and low passenger numbers book out first as they are in high demand, no matter the time of year. However, there are many other trips that are great options and offer a similar experience and itinerary that you can ask your travel expert about. No matter what tour you choose, you will still get to see the beauty of the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach with plenty of activities on the itinerary.
3. A Little Privacy
Private Charters are also highly sought after this time of year, as you can choose the other passengers you share this intimate holiday with. With boats taking anywhere from two to fifty passengers, there are endless options for every budget and comfort level!
4. Black Out Dates
Please note that some trips may not depart around Christmas and New Years Day, simply check with us to see what is available to you. Tours have a strict itinerary departing on certain days only, so if you cannot get on a tour over Christmas or New Years, there are often tours available during the rest of the festive season. Enquire with us as soon as possible and please note that your first trip of choice may not be available. However, your travel experts will do their best to get you on a tour that is best for you this Christmas!
5. Minimum Night Stays
There are also many properties on the mainland and islands that require a minimum nights’ stay. Again, if you are planning on arriving or departing on specific dates around Christmas, you’ll want to enquire as soon as possible to ensure you won’t miss any pre-booked flights, or if you are in the planning and budgeting phase this could affect where you choose to stay and which flights you book. Our local team have worked in the region for decades, so we can give you the correct information before booking your trip!
