Lonely Planet Names Whitehaven Beach The #1 Beach In The World For 2025
Lonely Planet, one of the top players in the global travel industry, has recently named Queensland’s Whitehaven Beach as the #1 beach in the world! With its sapphire waters, soft white sand, tropical temperatures, and gorgeous views, it’s no surprise that Whitehaven Beach tops the list!
For those wondering about the famous Whitehaven Beach and how to visit, here is everything you need to know!
About Lonely Planet
So who is Lonely Planet, and where do they get the expertise to nominate the world’s best beaches? Lonely Planet was founded in Australia in 1973, and is one of the top travel guide publishers. From guidebooks to blog posts, Lonely Planet inspires and educates eager travellers all over the world. Their team is composed of many seasoned globetrotters who create their content based on research and personal experiences abroad.
Is Whitehaven Beach The Best Beach in the World?
Lonely Planet, along with countless lucky travellers who have visited this gem of the Whitsundays, believe Whitehaven Beach is the best in the world! There are so many reasons why Whitehaven Beach could be considered the #1 beach on Earth.
It has brilliant white silica sand that is velvety soft to the touch. It also has warm, tropical water that is crystal clear when you’re in it, but appears a vibrant turquoise from above. Then you have the swirling patterns of the sand at Hill Inlet, where the bright white and blue create an incredibly photogenic scene.
Whitehaven Beach is not only beautiful, it’s fun for everyone! You can swim, sunbathe, hike, camp, take photos, try water sports, spot wildlife, and more. It’s a truly heavenly spot for a beach day, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Beaches For 2025
Australia was actually lucky enough to snag the #1 and #2 spots on Lonely Planet’s list of the best beaches in the world for 2025. First place went to Whitehaven Beach in Queensland, and second place went to Squeaky Beach in Victoria. If you’re looking for the beach holiday of your dreams, Australia truly has you covered!
Other beaches that made the list include destinations in Thailand, California, Seychelles, Greece, Norway, Hawaii, and more. See the full list below!
- Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
- Squeaky Beach, Victoria, Australia
- Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles
- Sunset Beach, Trang, Thailand
- Sarakiniko Beach, Milos, Greece
- Haukland Beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway
- Playa Balandra, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Pfeiffer Beach, California, USA
- Hanalei Bay, Hawai‘i, USA
- Platja Illetes, Formentera, Spain
How To Visit Whitehaven Beach, Queensland
If Lonely Planet has convinced you to visit the magical destination of Whitehaven Beach, we’ve got you covered! Our Whitsunday travel experts can recommend the best Whitehaven Beach tours, private charters, and nearby accommodations. Here is a quick guide to visiting Whitehaven Beach, the best beach in the world!
Flying into the Whitsundays
For your trip to the Whitsundays, you can either fly into Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) or Proserpine Airport, also known as the Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP). Both are convenient destinations for exploring the Whitsunday Islands, and both are well-connected to other airports around Australia. If you’re flying internationally, you may need to connect in a busier city such as Sydney or Brisbane before flying into the Whitsundays.
Where to stay in the Whitsundays
The two most popular places to base yourself on a trip to the Whitsundays are Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach. Hamilton Island lets you stay on an actual island in the Coral Sea! So everything is close together on the island and you can indulge in some laid-back island vibes. Hamilton Island has a range of hotels and resorts, and there are plenty of tours to Whitehaven Beach.
Airlie Beach is the slightly busier and more well-equipped tourist hotspot on the Australian mainland. From Proserpine Airport, catch a 30-minute shuttle to downtown Airlie Beach. It’s a small town centre, so all the amenities are also nearby, including the marinas where you can book tours to Whitehaven. There is a wider range of accommodations in Airlie Beach, from budget hostels to luxury apartments and resorts.
Choosing your Whitehaven Beach tour or charter
There are lots of ways to visit Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach. You can also get Whitehaven tours and private charters that depart from other Whitsunday locations, such as Daydream Island, Long Island, or Hayman Island. But to keep it simple, we’ll focus on Airlie and Hamilton Island departures as these are the most common.
Here are the most popular ways to visit Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays!
See Whitehaven Beach with one of these amazing tours or charters!
Whitehaven Beach Day Tours
Whitehaven day tours from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island are the cheapest and quickest forms of travel. You can even find half day tours if you’re really short on time! Every day tour is unique, but common inclusions are snorkelling, paddleboarding, lunch, and a guided walk to Hill Inlet Lookout.
Whitehaven Beach Overnight Tours
Overnight tours from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island give you an extended Whitsunday adventure. Have plenty of time on Whitehaven Beach, plus more snorkel sites and island destinations. There is a huge range of overnight tours, from maxi yachts to catamarans. Some even have scuba diving or visit the Outer Reef!
Whitehaven Beach Private Charters
If you want a customisable, private trip to Whitehaven Beach without the crowds, consider chartering your own boat! You can book day and overnight charters from Airlie Beach, or day and overnight charters from Hamilton Island. Chat with the crew onboard to plan your perfect getaway!
Whitehaven Beach Scenic Flights
Another incredible way to see Whitehaven Beach is from the sky! A scenic seaplane or helicopter flight from Airlie or Hamilton Island lets you admire the swirling sands from above. You can also fly over the Great Barrier Reef and see the famous Heart Reef. Flights are a fantastic way to supplement your Whitehaven Beach boat tour!
