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How To Get To Whitehaven Beach From Hamilton Island

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Gabby Boucher
Updated Fri 02 Feb 2024

You can get to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island via boat tour, plane, helicopter, or private charter! As one of the most popular islands in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island is very well-developed and has a busy marina for boats as well as its own airport. Many travelers visit this tropical island as a day trip, but it’s also common to stay for a few days at one of the many amazing resorts on Hamilton Island

Whitehaven Beach is another one of the top destinations in the Whitsundays! This stunning white-sand beach is one of the most popular day trips from both Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island. So if you’re hoping to visit this iconic Australian beach during your stay in the Whitsundays, there are tours departing to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island every day! This article will explore the various way to get to the famous Whitehaven Beach, including the quickest and cheapest travel methods.

ferry at hamilton island marina in the whitsundays 


Where Is Whitehaven Beach?


Whitehaven Beach is located on Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the Whitsundays. The entire Whitsundays Islands chain is made up of 74 islands! But Whitsunday Island and Hamilton Island are two of the most visited islands in the archipelago. 

Whitsunday Island is great for hiking, camping, and snorkeling, though the primary reason travelers visit the island is to see Whitehaven Beach. With dazzling white silica sands, calm, clear, turquoise-hued waters, and lush green forest peaks in the background, it is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches.

Hill Inlet Lookout is a viewing platform near the northern end of the beach where you can get prime views of the swirling natural colors and the breathtaking tropical scenery. 

girls posing at Hill Inlet Lookout in the whitsundays


How To Get To Whitehaven Beach From Hamilton Island?


So if you’re wondering how to get to the magical Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island, there are boats, seaplanes, and helicopters departing daily. Whitsunday Island is right next to Hamilton Island, so it’s a relatively quick journey! The actual distance from Hamilton Island to Whitehaven Beach is about 11.5km, but sailing there takes 30 minutes. This is much shorter than the average 1.5 hours it takes to get to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach on the mainland!

Traveling to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island via sailboat or a catamaran is an excellent way to spend a day in the Whitsundays. Sail over the warm, cerulean waters of the Coral Sea and admire the majestic peaks of the tropical islands around you.

Check out our favourite tours from Hamilton Island!

aerial view of whitehaven beach and swirling sands


Quickest Way To Get To Whitehaven Beach From Hamilton Island

An even quicker way to get to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island is by seaplane or helicopter. It only takes 15 minutes to reach the sparkling white sands of Whitehaven by air from Hamilton Island! Scenic flights whisk you over Whitsunday Island so you can see incredible aerial views of Whitehaven Beach. They also take you to the Outer Great Barrier Reef so you can see this natural wonder of the world from the air! 

So if you’re dying to see the beauty of Whitehaven Beach but you only have a short time, a scenic flight may be your best option. You won’t actually land on the beach, but you will get next-level views from the air. You’ll also fly over to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and see iconic sights such as Heart Reef

aerial view of whitehaven beach from a seaplane


Cheapest Way To Get To Whitehaven Beach From Hamilton Island

If you’re looking to save money, the cheapest way to get to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island is on a half-day boat tour. There are some super affordable boat tours that depart from Hamilton Island almost every day and allow you up to 2 hours on the beach. These tours cost between $150 and $180 per person, but prices may fluctuate. 

The Explore Half-Day Tour is the other cheapest way to get to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island. Cruise over to northern Whitehaven Beach for about 40 minutes and enjoy a guided walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout. Then spend some free time on the beach before heading back to Hamilton Island! A full-day tour is another option for those who want to spend a full day snorkelling and exploring Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island. 

couple walking on whitehaven beach white sands


Private charters to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island

One of the absolute best ways to explore Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsundays is a private charter from Hamilton IslandWhether you have a large group or just a few friends, you can find the perfect vessel for you. Private charters can often be a similar price to a tour if everyone splits the cost, and you can have exclusive use of the vessel and can plan your own itinerary!

Hamilton Island is home to a wide range of vessels for charter. You can charter a luxurious superyacht for a lavish day at sea, or you can opt for a classy catamaran. Smaller groups looking to charter a yacht on a budget can find small, intimate vessels that make for a fun, convenient day at Whitehaven Beach. You also have the option to choose day charters or overnight charters!

group of travellers on a private yacht charter from hamilton island


Is There A Hamilton Island To Whitehaven Beach Ferry?

No, there is no public ferry to Whitehaven Beach. Many budget travelers may be under the impression that tours are much more expensive than public transport. That is sometimes the case when traveling, however, Whitehaven Beach is so unique and remote that there is no public transport available!

Whitehaven Beach is in the protected area of the Whitsunday Islands National Park and is on the fringes of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. This precious area of natural beauty is only reachable by tour or by taking your own boat. But there are so many reputable local tour companies in Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island that visit this special place responsibly. Tours are very well-priced as well, so even if you’re on a budget, day tours are the cheapest way to visit Whitehaven Beach!

underwater view of whitehaven Beach cliffs and jungle


Looking into tours departing from Hamilton Island? Ask our travel experts any questions you may have on a live chat, or call us at +61 7 4914 2425.

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