How To Get To Whitehaven Beach From Hamilton Island
You can get to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island via boat, plane, or helicopter! 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.
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.
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.
Most day tours, such as the popular Whitehaven Chill and Grill, provide you with a full day of soaking up the sun on Whitehaven Beach. Hike to Hill Inlet Lookout, see the views at both north and south Whitehaven Beach, and enjoy an included lunch.
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!
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 two 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 $135 and $150 per person, but prices may fluctuate.
Cruise Whitsundays offers a half day tour to Whitehaven Beach that departs either in the morning or in the afternoon. This tour is perfect for those who are short on time, however this tour does not visit Hill Inlet Lookout. But you’ll still get some time to swim in the calm turquoise waters and stroll on the velvety silica sand of Whitehaven!
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!
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!
