Top 10 things to do on Whitehaven Beach
The impossibly white sand of Australia’s most iconic beach is calling your name and your trip to the Whitsunday Islands would be incomplete without a visit to this tropical paradise. Whitehaven Beach, located on Whitsunday Island, is world-famous for its fine white silica sand and the beautiful turquoise water that laps its shores but this is not all there is to explore. Once you’re done taking photos from every possible angle, there is no shortage of things to do at Whitehaven Beach!
1 Paddleboard
Without a doubt, the best place to take a dip in the Whitsundays has to be Whitehaven Beach. It may sound cliche but the turquoise water surrounding Whitehaven Beach really is crystal clear and its year-round balmy temperature will be too good to resist. If you get tired of floating in heaven, many tours will provide stand up paddleboards or kayaks for a bit of extra fun gliding through the water. For a full list of tours that include extra watersports, click here.
2 Take the Ultimate WOW Factor Photo
Only a short 1km return walk from Tongue Bay, the Hill Inlet Lookout provides a view of Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and the surrounding islands that will take your breath away. For the ultimate WOW factor, time your visit with mid to low-tide when the outgoing turquoise water creates huge swirling patterns in tidal lagoons of Hill Inlet. A photographers dream, the outlook is never the same twice and you are sure to stare in wonder at this natural phenomenon.
3 Baby Shark do do do do
Hill Inlet at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is a well-known nursery for marine life. Visit the shallow lagoon to spot baby stingrays and lemon sharks cruising through the water and the many small fish species that weave around the shoreline. You can even grab a go pro and get some incredible footage while they swim around your ankles!
4 Visit Betty’s Beach
If you’re looking for a quiet place to escape the crowds you’ll want to find the hidden gem that is Betty’s Beach. This secluded spot is hidden behind the rocks on the northern end of Whitehaven Beach - simply follow the coastline around and you will find yourself in the perfect place for a quiet swim or a spot of sunbaking. If you’re lucky, you may even get this slice of heaven all to yourself!
5 Beach Sports
The southern end of Whitehaven stretches over 7 km long, making it perfect for organising a group of people for a riveting game of footy or beach cricket. Tours like Chill & Grill and some overnight charters even bring sporting equipment along to take the hassle out of it for you!
6 Picnic at Sunrise/Sunset
An early morning or late afternoon visit to Whitehaven Beach provides the perfect opportunity for a romantic picnic in an idyllic setting. As a bonus, taking a private charter or water taxi at these times will mean there are a lot less, if any, people on the beach! Alternatively, if you would rather sit back and relax while the food is prepared for you, there are also helicopter and boat tours available that feature a gourmet picnic lunch (and sometimes a glass of bubbly!).
7 Spot a Local
Whitsunday Island is home to many marine and land-based creatures both big and small. You may spot a sea turtle or a pod of dolphins while wandering along the shoreline or a lace monitor lizard on your way to Hill Inlet Lookout. Sea eagles often soar high overhead and, if you’re quiet, you can get some amazing photos of the hundreds of soldier crabs that feed at low tide.
8 Wake up in Paradise
The ultimate Whitsunday experience has to be waking up with the velvety white sand of Whitehaven Beach at your feet. If you love the outdoors and would like the pleasure of having the beach all to yourselves, camping on Whitsunday Island is an opportunity too good to miss. With only basic amenities, such as picnic tables and hybrid toilets, this is a rustic and unique way to experience the beauty of the Whitsundays.
9 Experience Whitehaven from the Air
There is nothing quite like the view of Whitehaven Beach from the air - stunning coastline with towering hoop pines, swirling white sand and the clearest blue water you have ever seen surround you at every turn. You might even opt to land on the beach in a helicopter! An aerial view of Whitehaven Beach is truly impressive.
Photo Credit: Hamilton Island
10 Challenge your Fitness
Each year locals and visitors alike have the opportunity to participate in some of the most picturesque sporting events the Whitsundays has to offer. Some include the Hamilton Island Endurance series, the Great Whitehaven Beach Run and the Hamilton Island Whitehaven Beach Swim. These events attract participants from across the country, including past and present Olympic champions, all looking to challenge themselves in paradise. Regardless of where you finish in the race, both events are great fun and there could be no better place to soothe sore muscles than Whitehaven Beach!
