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Is Whitehaven Beach The Best Beach In The World?

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Gabby Boucher
Updated Tue 13 Aug 2024

Whitehaven Beach has been voted the best beach in the world multiple times by various tourism companies, and anyone who has visited Whitehaven themselves will agree! Nestled between rolling hills covered in tropical rainforest and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach offers gorgeous views and plenty of fun things to do. 

Ranking the best beaches in the world is a daunting task. There are so many beautiful strips of sand scattered all over the globe, and everyone’s opinion of “the best” may differ. But Whitehaven Beach consistently ranks as the most stunning beach in Australia. And it is often considered one of the best beaches in the world! 

This article will cover everything you need to know about visiting the iconic Whitehaven Beach, such as where it is, how to get there, the best activities, and the best tours

girl running into the water at whitehaven beach with a colorful tube


Is Whitehaven Beach the best beach in the world?


People often ask: Is Whitehaven Beach the best beach in the world? Almost every traveller who has been there would say yes! Whitehaven Beach is constantly praised by travellers, tour companies, travel magazines, and tourism boards. You simply cannot beat the natural beauty here. 

When you picture a tropical paradise, you may think of silky white sand, warm turquoise water, and towering palm trees. Whitehaven Beach has all of that, and more! The sand here is made of silica, which comes from eroding quartz and has a shockingly white hue. Combine that velvety white sand with calm blue water, dramatic mountainous island scenery, and the coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, and you’ve got the best beach in the world!

person holding white silica sand at whitehaven beach


Where Is Whitehaven Beach?

Whitehaven Beach is located on Whitsunday Island. This is the largest island in the chain of Whitsundays Islands which are located in Australia’s Coral Sea. These islands are sandwiched in between the state of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, making them an ideal destination for tourism. 

Visitors to the Whitsundays spend their time snorkelling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, hiking, sailing, snapping photos, and taking part in various other activities and water sports. Even if you just want to relax with a drink in hand, the Whitsundays offer some of the best views for doing so. With the rich marine life of the Great Barrier Reef, the year-round tropical climate, and the charming town of Airlie Beach nearby, the Whitsundays is one of the best holiday destinations in Australia. 

graphic of whitsundays islands and whitehaven beach


How To Get To Whitehaven Beach


If you’re wondering how to get to Whitehaven Beach, you can get there by boat, seaplane, or helicopter. Most trips to Whitehaven Beach depart from Airlie Beach on the mainland. This tourist town is the ideal place to begin a trip to the Whitsundays Islands. 

Visit Whitehaven Beach on one of these amazing tours!

From Airlie Beach, a boat trip can take between 1 and 2 hours. High-speed boats will take about an hour, whereas a sailboat will take closer to 2 hours. A seaplane or a helicopter from Airlie Beach will take around 15 minutes to sail over to Whitehaven Beach. 

You can also catch a boat or a plane to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island, another popular island in the Whitsundays. Or you could charter a boat and spend a few days sailing around the area. Then you can head over to Whitehaven Beach at your leisure! Either way, it is super easy to reach Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island.

people overlooking whitehaven beach from a lookout


Things To Do At Whitehaven Beach


Once you arrive at Whitehaven Beach, the best beach in the world, there are so many amazing things to see and do. Start by embarking on a short bushwalk up to Hill Inlet Lookout. This viewing platform provides the best views of Whitehaven Beach, so bring a camera!

Another one of the best things to do at Whitehaven Beach is get in the water! Whether you want to explore on a paddleboard, go for a snorkel, or just swim and float around, the warm and calm water feels like heaven. 

Also, be sure to go exploring on land! Though Whitehaven Beach is the best beach in the world, there are other hidden gems nearby that some tourists don’t know about. For example, Betty’s Beach is a quiet and secluded bay at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach. Even the southern end of Whitehaven Beach stretches on for 7km, so go for a stroll and you’re sure to find some beautiful spots to relax. 

people splashing in the water at whitehaven beach


Best Whitehaven Beach Tours


If you’re ready to witness Whitehaven Beach, the best beach in the world, with your own two eyes, book a guided tour! A guided tour is an awesome way to visit Whitehaven Beach because they cover all your transport for you and provide you with food and snorkel gear. There are no public ferries to Whitehaven, but there are lots of reputable tour companies that depart from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island daily. Whitehaven Beach doesn’t have any facilities besides public toilets, so it’s convenient to have everything provided!

For travellers who want to upgrade their trip to Whitehaven Beach, consider a multi-day sailing tour that includes Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, and other highlights of the Whitsundays. Or consider booking a scenic flight or helicopter ride over the islands! The view of Whitehaven Beach from the sky is so incredible, you’ll be pinching yourself the entire time to make sure it’s real!

aerial view of Whitehaven beach and the swirling sands


Check out our fly and cruise packages so you can see Whitehaven Beach from the sea and from the air!

Call us on +61 7 4914 2425 or chat with us online if you have any questions about your trip!

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