Are There Shops at Whitehaven Beach?
Are there shops at Whitehaven Beach? No, Whitehaven Beach is very remote and untouched, so it has no shops. The closest shops to Whitehaven Beach are on Hamilton Island or in the town of Airlie Beach on the mainland.
Luckily, most tours to Whitehaven Beach depart from either Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. So if you're taking a day trip, you can stock up on everything you need before you depart. And if you're on an overnight sailing tour, most food and supplies are included! But you can buy any extra drinks, sunscreen, and other necessities in Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island before heading over to Whitehaven Beach!
Are There Shops At Whitehaven Beach?
There are no shops at Whitehaven Beach, but there are shops on Hamilton Island and in Airlie Beach where most Whitehaven tours leave from. Located on Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven Beach is part of the protected Whitsunday Islands National Park, which is part of the greater Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Local authorities put in a huge effort to ensure that this stunning beach remains pure and untouched.
There is no public ferry to Whitehaven Beach, and you can only get there by boat, seaplane, or helicopter. It is recommended to bring everything you need with you, and take everything with you when you leave. Leave this beach as pristine as it was when you arrived!
How To Visit Whitehaven Beach
The best way to visit Whitehaven Beach is with an organized tour company. Reputable day trips and overnight trips depart from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach daily, so just be sure you have everything you need before your trip. The only facilities you will find at Whitehaven Beach are public toilets up at Hill Inlet Lookout and public toilets and picnic tables at the campgrounds near South Whitehaven Beach.
You can also get to Whitehaven Beach on your own boat. If you're not from the area and you don't have your own vessel, you can charter a boat. A private charter means you can fill the boat with only your friends and family, and you'll have your own crew to ensure all your food, fuel, navigation, and essentials are sorted.
Shops On Hamilton Island
Though there are no shops on Whitehaven Beach, there are shops on Hamilton Island. As one of the most beautiful and popular islands in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island is much more developed than other locations in the area. This island has resorts, shops, and attractions to suit all travelers.
Most of the shops are centered around the Marina, where everything is within walking distance. There is an IGA where you can buy groceries, a Bottle Shop where you can buy alcohol, and numerous surf shops and souvenir shops where you can buy beach supplies and other necessities.
From Hamilton Island, it's only a 30-minute boat ride to Whitehaven Beach! Hamilton Island also has its own airport, so you can book seaplane or helicopter tours over Whitehaven as well. So it's very affordable and easy to visit Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island.
Shops in Airlie Beach
There are also plenty of shops in Airlie Beach, which is the easiest place to base yourself for a trip to Whitehaven Beach! Located on the Australian mainland, Airlie Beach is known as the gateway to the Whitsundays. You can fly into Proserpine Airport from most major Australian cities, and stay at one of the many hostels, Airbnbs, or resorts in Airlie Beach. From here, there are lots of overnight sailing trips and day trips that will take you to Whitehaven Beach.
Though Whitehaven Beach has no shops or facilities, you can easily stock up on everything you need in Airlie Beach. There is a huge Woolworths, as well as numerous chemists, bottle shops, souvenir shops, and takeaway food places.
If you're in Airlie Beach on a Saturday morning, you can visit the Airlie Beach Market. Open from 7 am - 1 pm every Saturday, the town center of Airlie comes alive with local vendors selling food, produce, handicrafts, souvenirs, and more.
What Do I Need To Bring To Whitehaven Beach?
So if you're in Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island preparing for your Whitsundays tour, you may be wondering what you actually need for Whitehaven Beach. Every tour is different and will offer different inclusions, so be sure to read your tour info in-depth to see what is included.
If you're on an overnight sailing tour, food and drinking water is usually included. Bed linens, bath towels, snorkel gear, and stinger suits are usually included as well. These tours are normally BYO. If you're on a day trip, snorkel gear and lunch are normally included, but not always. Here is a quick overview of what you will need to bring to Whitehaven Beach, which you can modify based on your tour:
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sandals
- Drinking water
- Camera/GoPro
- Stinger suits, snorkel gear, or water sport equipment (if not included)
- Lunch or snacks (if not included)
Just remember to get all of these things in Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island before you depart for your Whitehaven tour! There are no shops at Whitehaven Beach, only public toilets at Hill Inlet Lookout and the campgrounds at South Whitehaven Beach. But enjoy every moment of being immersed in nature, away from the commercialism of the modern world! Whitehaven Beach is incredibly pure and magical, partly due to the fact that it is not overdeveloped.
