Best Beaches On The Whitsundays Mainland
There are many well-known and well-loved beaches in the Whitsundays where people love to hang out, enjoy the sun, and take in the stunning views of the surrounding islands! Beaches are found on both the mainland and on the islands, giving you plenty of different options if you’re looking for a day of relaxing in the sand. To reach picturesque island beaches such as Whitehaven Beach, we recommend you take a day or overnight tour, as none of the islands are accessible by car!
If you're staying in the colourful town of Airlie Beach, there is plenty to do, including a number of beautiful beaches to enjoy on the Whitsundays mainland. We’ve listed a few of our favourites to make your upcoming beach day a walk in the park!
Boathaven Beach
Boathaven Beach is one of the few beaches in the Whitsundays that has a stinger net for safety and comfort. Also referred to as 'New Beach' by the locals, you can reach this beach by heading to Port of Airlie towards the peninsula known as The Beacons. The beach has 60,000 cubic metres of soft, white sand with plenty of space for relaxing! It’s one of the two beaches within easy walking distance of the town of Airlie Beach.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, which the town is named after, is found right in the middle of the seaside village! It’s near the Esplanade, right next to the main street. You can reach it by walking along the bicentennial boardwalk and making your way to the water - this beach is hard to miss. It’s a small rocky beach, and while not great for swimming, it’s a nice place to have a picnic or to hang out. Also referred to as the Airlie Beach Foreshore, you will find tables and benches as well as a kid’s area for playing.
Cannonvale Beach
Cannonvale Beach is one of the other beaches in the Whitsundays that has a stinger net, making it an ideal swimming location! Found at the main beach in Cannonvale, the area also has BBQs, picnic tables, an outdoor gym, and a kid’s playing area. It’s a great place to spend the entire day with your friends or family and is well off the beaten path so you will generally only find a few locals here!
Dingo Beach
If you’re looking for something even more off the beaten path, Dingo Beach is the place to go! It’s about an hour outside of the main town of Airlie Beach and offers peace and quiet, as well as public barbecues and picnic tables along the sandy beachfront. A beautiful snorkelling location, that has its own accommodation and camping area for those who would like to linger a little longer! During the summer months, there is a stinger net for swimmer safety also!
Hydeaway Bay
Hydeaway Bay is near Dingo Beach and offers another secluded place to enjoy some blissful downtime. The beach here is about 1.5km long and has great views of the surrounding islands and the ocean. You can find restaurants at Cape Gloucester and Monte's Resort, as well as a small store at the caravan park. It's one of the best day trips from Airlie Beach!
Coral Beach
Coral Beach is one of the more hidden beaches in the Whitsundays. You have to make your way through the bush to get to this beach! You start the walk from a parking lot in Shute Harbour, walking through 2 kms of beautiful, lush rainforest. The beach is made up of broken coral (hence the name) and is fringed by vegetation and rock. It’s a popular spot to fish and for locals to hang out!
Airlie Beach Lagoon
Not to be missed whilst you enjoy your tropical getaway to Airlie Beach, is the popular man-made beach at Airlie Beach Lagoon! If you're craving a refreshing dip after a day of Queensland heat the lagoon is located in the centre of Airlie and is safely patrolled during the day by lifeguards. Boasting onsite barbecues and picnic areas across the 4,000 square metre space, the lagoon is a perfect place to relax with family or friends - if you can't get to a natural beach on the Whitsundays mainland!
Craving a cool, serene dip in the Whitsundays ocean now, we sure are! Be sure to check out the top beaches in the Whitsundays, including those on the islands!
