What Is The Best Island To Visit In The Whitsundays?
There are 74 islands that populate the waters of the Whitsundays, and of those 74 islands, Hamilton Island is the best. When each is as stunning as the next and all have their individual little charms, deciding which is best is no easy task. In fact, it’s a task akin to Sophie’s Choice; how does one choose their favourite child? So, how did we come to this conclusion, you may wonder? I’m glad you asked.
And it has to be said, Hamilton Island excels in all of these areas. Not only does Hamilton have all of the comforts and facilities of the mainland, but it has a myriad of added bonuses that come with its status as a luxury tropical island.
What Is The Best Island To Visit In The Whitsundays?
Hamilton Island is often considered the best island to visit in the Whitsundays, though Whitsunday Island, South Molle Island, Hayman Island, and Daydream Island are not far behind! The best island to visit in the Whitsundays mostly depends on what you're looking for. If you want adventure, hiking, and camping, Whitsunday Island or South Molle are amazing. If you want luxury resorts and laid-back island life, Daydream and Hayman are perfect!
Many consider Hamilton Island to be the best island in the Whitsundays because it combines wilderness and hiking with modern amenities! Here are our top reasons why we think Hamilton is the top Whitsunday Island to visit.
Explore the best of the Whitsunday Islands on these tours!
Accessibility
First thing first, Hamilton Island is beyond easy to get to. it doesn't matter whether you're going for a day, a week or a month, the island will welcome you with open arms and won't make you jump through hoops or island hop to get there. Take a 30-minute ferry, catch a plane and touch down on the airport's landing strip, or fly in style via a privately chartered chopper — ooh la la.
Not only is Hamilton Island hella easy to get to, it's also just as easy to get around once you're there. If you've never ridden in a golf buggy, now is your chance! Buggies are by far the most popular way to get from A to B on Hamilton, and they're available to hire from two shacks, one is Resort Side and the other is by the airport. Buggies can be hired for as little as $119 a day, and will take you almost anywhere you want to go on the island.
Hamilton Island Accommodation
It’s no secret that Hamilton is the most well-known island in the Whitsundays, it’s truly in a league of its own. It’s also the largest, which means there is ample space for a larger variety and selection of accommodations — you got options. From hotels to bungalows, holiday homes and Airbnbs, Hamilton doesn’t fall short on places to sleep.
Having the largest variety of accommodation options brings with it a broad spectrum of prices, so no matter how deep or shallow your pockets are you can find something that fits just right. The Reef View Hotel is suited to families with children, while the Beach Club is perfect for loved-up honeymooners and romance-obsessed vacationers.
One Tree Hill’s five-star Qualia offers a luxury escape for those with a taste for the finer things in life, as does the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, which is also in extremely convenient proximity to Hamilton Island’s 18-hole golf course.
Hamilton Island Activities
Of course, golf is just one of the many leisurely activities awaiting you on Hamilton Island. Since we’re in the Whitsundays, sailing, scuba and snorkelling are simply a must, and there are multitudes of tours departing from Hamilton to make the wildest of your nautical fantasies come true.
Explore the vibrant coral gardens of the Outer Reef or stay close to the island’s shores and snorkel through fringing reefs. Take it slow and set sail into the sunset on a romantic afternoon to evening boozy cruise through the glory of the Whitsundays, or amp it up and go toe to tooth with wild crocs on a wildlife safari.
Hamilton Island clocks in at about 5km² of land and three-quarters of that is national parkland, making the island a hiker’s paradise. So slip on your walking shoes and explore any one of (or all of!) the nine hiking trails. After you’re ready to cool off, head down to Hamilton Island Watersports to hire a jetski, dinghy, or kayak, or book in for a banana boat ride, tube ride, or parasail. Seriously, there’s almost nothing these guys don’t do!
No matter whether you’re a born and bred Aussie or a tourist from some far-flung land, you couldn't leave Hamilton without getting up close and personal with some of Australia’s most beloved creatures. Head to the Wildlife Park (on the Resort Side) to cuddle a koala and see dingoes, wombats, birds, crocodiles, snakes and other reptiles.
And if your trip coincides with the months of or between June and September, keep an eye out for whales passing through the waters on their annual migration journey.
Dining on Hamilton Island
Whether you want to keep it casual or you’re keen to get bougie and fork out the big bucks for some fine dining, Hamilton Island has got something in store for your tastebuds. From Asian fusion (Coca Chu) and tried-and-true Italian (Romano’s) to relaxed Australian cuisine (Manta Ray) and endlessly satisfying Mexican (Tako), there’s something to put a smile on every member of the family’s dial. And for the fiscally conscious family, kids eat free at Tako, Sails, Pool Terrace and Manta Ray!
If you’re travelling sans kids (AKA a real holiday), there are also several bars worth stopping by. Hit up One Tree Hill in the midst of the luxury district for a romantic wine and cheese complete with a view, Reef Lounge on the ground floor of the Reef Hotel for a low-key bev, or Island Bar if you prefer your poison with a side of swimming (it’s a swim-up bar, if you didn’t already guess).
For the waking hours, there are a multitude of cafes and eateries to while away your holiday-mode hours and read at or upload your extensive gallery of Insta posts.
Other top islands to visit in the Whitsundays
Let's take a closer look at the other best islands to visit in the Whitsundays in addition to Hamilton Island!
Whitsunday Island
Whitsunday Island could be considered the best island in the Whitsundays in terms of natural beauty. It's home to the world famous Whitehaven Beach! There are also lots of amazing and secluded places for camping, hiking, and snorkelling around Whitsunday Island. There are basically no amenities here though, so it's best suited for remote outdoor adventures or for mooring in a boat offshore.
South Molle Island
South Molle Island has more amazing outdoor adventures in store for visitors. Biking and hiking trails are scattered across the island, with swaying palm trees and sandy shores making the island look like something out of a postcard. South Molle Island also has no amenities or places to stay besides camping, so it's a remote nature experience!
Daydream Island
For a luxurious resort stay, head to Daydream Island. It's just as accessible as Hamilton Island, and most ferry transfers and tours stop at both of these islands when they depart Airlie Beach. Daydream Island has a magnificent Living Reef, stunning resort, and lots of day trips to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach.
Hayman Island
Hayman Island offers that exclusive, upscale island resort vibe in the Whitsundays. The exquisite Hayman Island Resort is the only man-made structure on the island, so you can relax in luxury while being surrounded by untouched nature. It's glamorous and secluded way to enjoy the Whitsundays.
