Which Whitsunday Island Should I Visit?
Are you planning to visit the world-famous Whitsundays but unsure of which islands you should visit? Look no further! Whether you're trying to decide which islands to visit or which one to stay on, we've got you covered with a full guide.
The Whitsundays are made up of a whopping 74 islands, but don't worry, you don't have to choose between all of them. Only a few of those 74 are popular spots for tourists to visit, and even fewer have accommodation or infrastructure. Here's a rundown of the most-visited Whitsunday Islands to get a better idea of how to plan out your holiday.
Which Whitsunday Islands should I visit?
Of all the Whitsunday Islands, the most popular to visit are Whitsunday Island, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, Hayman Island, Long Island, Hook Island, and South Molle Island. Each of these islands can be accessed by commercial tour boat or island transfer that you can book through a travel agent. They also offer accommodation options ranging from camping transfers to 5-star resorts. But we'll dive into that later!
Most tourists choose to stay in the lively mainland town of Airlie Beach, a great base for exploring the Whitsundays, which offers the widest range of accommodation, restaurants, and nightlife options in the region. More tours depart from Airlie Beach than from any of the islands.
For those eager to explore beyond the main Whitsunday Islands and venture off the beaten path, booking a private charter is your best bet. With a private charter, you can work with your skipper to craft an itinerary based on where in the Whitsundays you'd like to explore!
Lesser-visited islands that private charters and personal vessels tend to visit include Haslewood Island, Black Island, Langford Island, Brampton Island, and Shaw Island. Keep in mind that these remote islands don't offer accommodation or amenities. For now, we'll stick to the islands that are easiest to access and have places to stay.
Top Tours That Take You To The Islands
Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is undoubtedly the most popular Whitsunday Island to stay at. Aside from Airlie Beach, Hamilton - or 'Hamo', as the locals call it - is where most visitors choose to book their accommodation thanks to some essential perks that make it stand out from the crowd.
There's a range of accommodation options at different price points to choose from on this resort island, complete with plenty of boat tours, water sports, swimming pools, and restaurant options to keep everyone happy. Tourists and residents alike can be seen cruising around the island in speedy little golf carts to get from A to B, browsing the produce in the local IGA, and chilling on Catseye Beach.
How to get to Hamilton Island
Hamilton is the only island in the Whitsundays that has its own airport, so you can either fly domestically to reach the island or take a 30-minute ferry from Shute Harbour or the Port of Airlie on the mainland that will bring you to the main port.
Even if you're not planning to stay on Hamilton overnight, you can book a ferry trip to the island from Airlie Beach and live the island resort life for a day. Check out the Hamilton Island Freestyle tour for more information!
Where to stay on Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island boasts an array of resorts, hotels, and self-service bungalow options. Pricing ranges from moderate to expensive, depending on the type of accommodation you choose.
Accommodation options include the Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows, Beach Club, Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas, and Qualia. Take your pick!
Who is Hamilton Island for?
Hamilton is a great destination for people who want a resort island that has plenty of choices for activities, restaurants, and more. It’s also great for families and people who are looking for an easy day trip from the mainland.
Long Island
Long Island is a lot more secluded than Hamilton Island, despite being located much closer to the mainland. There is also significantly less infrastructure on Long Island, with most of it taken up by a national park. It's the perfect spot for anyone looking for a little more privacy and a lot more nature on their tropical island vacation.
How to get to Long Island
There are two main transfer routes to Long Island. One departs from Shute Harbour on the mainland, and other departs from Hamilton Island marina. These transfers typically need to be booked in advance.
If you are a guest who has reserved a room on Long Island, we recommend consulting directly with your accommodation for more specific information.
Day visitors can book an island transfer from Shute Harbour to Palm Bay on Long Island and spend the day hiking or chilling out at the dreamy resort.
Where to stay on Long Island
There are two main accommodation options on Long Island: Palm Bay Resort and Elysian Eco Island Retreat. While Palm Bay's boutique resort is moderately priced, Elysian Eco Island Retreat is a little bit pricier.
Who is Long Island for?
Long Island is great for nature lovers who want to enjoy some peace and quiet on their tropical island getaway. It's the perfect overnight stay for couples and honeymooners, and an idyllic day trip for tourists looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island.
Daydream Island
After undergoing some refurbishments in recent years, Daydream is a slice of total paradise, and a very popular island to stay at. The little island, just 1 kilometre long and about 400 metres wide, is beloved by couples, families, and ocean lovers. Some of the most popular Whitsunday tours can depart from Daydream too, so you might not have to travel all the way to the mainland for a day out.
How to get to Daydream Island
Depending on where you're flying into, you can either take a ferry to Daydream Island from Shute Harbour or from Hamilton Island. If you're not staying on the island, you are still welcome to visit Daydream and experience their awesome Living Reef, embark on rainforest walks, and try out different water activities. For more information on day trips to Daydream, check out the Daydream Island Escape tour.
Where to stay on Daydream Island
There is one accommodation option on the island, and that's Daydream Island Resort. Pricing ranges from moderate to expensive depending on the time of year you choose to book.
Who is Daydream Island for?
Daydream Island is a popular honeymoon spot, but it's also a great option for families with kids. The island offers a kids club and babysitting services, plus kids 12 and under eat for free. From the Living Reef to kayaking, swimming and paddleboarding, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained.
Hayman Island
Hayman Island is the most exclusive island in the Whitsundays, offering total privacy and comfort to its paying guests. Across the island, you'll find a few high-end boutiques and gift stores but the resort facilities are where it really shines. The island's recreational centre houses tennis and squash courts, basketball, croquet, soccer, and even a golf simulator. Guides can take you on bespoke nature walks and nocturnal tours, and the wellness centre is open for yoga and meditation classes. This is the ultimate destination for luxurious escape with all of the frills!
How to get to Hayman Island
Hayman is only accessible to guests who are staying on the island. The easiest way to get there is from Hamilton Island via luxury yacht, helicopter, or seaplane.
Where to stay on Hayman Island
The island has one resort: Hayman Island Intercontinental. If you hadn't guessed yet, Hayman is one of the most expensive places to stay in the Whitsundays, so if you're planning to splash out on vacation, this is where you want to be.
Who is Hayman Island for?
If you are looking for the ultimate resort in luxury and pampering, then Hayman Island is the right place for you. It is not open for day visits, so you will enjoy the solitude of this secluded resort and take advantage of the luxury that Hayman Island is known for.
Whitsunday Island
Whitsunday Island is the most famous and biggest island of the 74. Despite not having any infrastructure for accommodation, shops, or restaurants, Whitsunday Island is the most visited, too. That's because it's home to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout, and the destination for most Whitsunday boat tours.
Check out our full guide on how to get to Whitsunday Island and Whitehaven Beach.
Where to stay on Whitsunday Island
Much like South Molle Island and Hook Island, the only way to stay on Whitsunday |sland is by booking an island camping trip. All 3 islands are remote locations, flooded with beautiful flora and fauna just waiting to be explored. Booking an island camping tour covers your transfer to and from the island of your choice, with the option to include camping gear, too. Whitsunday Island is flooded with thousands of visitors every day, so if you're keen to see it at its quietest, book a camping trip and set off on an adventure when all of the day guests have gone back to Airlie Beach!
