Whitehaven Beach is a stunning stretch of sand in the Whitsunday Islands, with crystal-clear waters making it ideal for families to swim, paddle and play.
The top must-do experience on a Whitsundays family holiday is a trip to Whitehaven Beach, one of the world’s most unspoiled and beautiful beaches. In July 2025, Whitehaven Beach made headlines when it was crowned the best beach in the world by Big7 Travel, beating out international favourites in the Seychelles, Thailand and even the Maldives.
In its 2025 Best in Travel awards, Lonely Planet also awarded Whitehaven the number one spot on its World’s Best Beaches list. Keen to pay it a visit and see what all the fuss is about? We’ve rounded up everything you need to know below.
How to get to Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach is located on one of the Whitsunday Islands. Located off the North Queensland coast and encircled by the Great Barrier Reef in the calm blue waters of the Coral Sea, the 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsundays are Australia’s prettiest natural treasure.
Protected by the Whitsunday Islands National Park, the easiest way to access Whitehaven Beach is on half-day or full-day tour from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island or Daydream Island. Tours include convenient boat transfers, activities and often food as well.
If you want to stay longer and camp on Whitehaven Beach, you can book a camping transfer
Here are some of the best family-friendly Whitehaven Beach tours and day trips:
Best Whitehaven Beach tours with babies and toddlers
Half-day boat tour with Cruise Whitsundays
Cruise Whitsundays is the primary water-based operator connecting the Whitsunday Coast and island resorts with must-see attractions like Whitehaven Beach. There are multiple tour options to suit every family’s needs.
Visiting the Whitsundays with a toddler or baby? A half-day tour is ideal when travelling with littlies. With the choice of a morning or afternoon trip, you can choose whatever suits your little one’s schedule.
On the day, you’ll enjoy a scenic ride out to Whitehaven Beach and up to two hours to splash and paddle in the shallow waters (plus the most stunning sandcastle-making scenery you can imagine!)
Book here: Morning or afternoon Whitehaven Beach half-day cruise – departs from Airlie Beach
Private boat charter with Whitsunday Paradise Explorer
Explore Whitehaven Beach in your own time with boat charter from Whitsunday Paradise Explorer. There’s no minimum passenger numbers required, just a minimum booking period of 2.5 hours, making it the perfect option for families who want a more intimate tour experience.
Bookings include snorkel equipment, drinking water and esky, and stinger suits during the summer season. Full-day bookings also include guest towels, beach umbrellas and catering (with BYO also an option).
🌊 MORE AUSSIE BEACHES: Big7 Travel’s top 50 list also includes Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island and Manly Beach in Sydney.
Best Whitehaven Beach tours with big kids
Full-day 'Chill & Grill' tour (including Hill Inlet lookout)
With big kids and teens, we recommend booking a full-day trip so there’s time to explore the Hill Inlet lookout walk. The 1.3 km trek rewards you with breathtaking views over Tongue Bay and Whitehaven Beach. The full-day experience includes up to six hours on the beach, a guided Hill Inlet lookout walk and tasty beach barbecue.
Book here: Full-day Whitehaven Beach trip with Hill Inlet Walk and BBQ – from Airlie Beach
High-speed Thundercat catamaran day tour
Best for: The fastest way to reach Whitehaven Beach by boat
Adventurous families can get their adrenaline pumping on the ultra-fast (yet super stable) “Thundercat” on a high-speed adventure to Whitehaven Beach. On an eight-hour day tour with Red Cat Adventures, families can visit Whitehaven Beach, soak up the sweeping vistas on an easy walk to the famous Hill Inlet Lookout and go snorkelling on the region’s sheltered coral reef.
Book here: Whitehaven Beach Thundercat day tour with snorkelling + buffet lunch – departs Airlie Beach
Seaplane flight to Whitehaven Beach with a water landing
Treat your family to an adventure of a lifetime on a seaplane flight with Air Whitsunday or Hamilton Island Air. Get a bird’s eye view of these paradise islands before a water landing and picnic at Whitehaven Beach, with the option to follow up with a snorkelling session on the surrounding reef (at an additional cost).
Book here:
- Seaplane Whitehaven Beach round trip – from Hamilton Island
- Whitehaven Beach scenic flight – no landing
Best Whitehaven Beach tours with teens
Sail the Islands on a vintage timber ketch
If the notion of getting “shipwrecked” on Whitehaven Beach’s pure white silica sand pushes your adventure buttons, then baton down the hatches for a trip on Summertime, a charming timber ketch handcrafted in 1945, and carrying enough kayaks on board to allow all 17 passengers tackle a blue-water safari. The beautifully restored ketch adds old time charm and appeals to younger adventurers.
Be your own skipper on a 'bareboating' adventure
Live out your Robinson Crusoe dreams as you sail through the sun-dappled Whitsunday Islands. Bareboating puts you at the helm as you charter a fully self-contained boat – power or sail, it’s your choice! Make incredible memories while exploring pristine beaches and hidden bays or learn the ropes of sailing as a family under the guidance of your skilled crew.
Skydive down onto Whitehaven Beach
Thrill-seekers over sixteen years old can sign up for an epic skydive onto Whitehaven Beach or Airlie Beach. Take the plunge from up to 15,000 feet for a heart-stopping minute of free fall, followed by a five-to-seven minute cruise down for a beach landing.
Six-day safari with Salty Dog Sea Kayaking
Calling all seafaring adventurers! For true immersion in the Whitsunday Islands, Salty Dog Sea Kayaking offers the best paddle-your-own-adventure experiences. If you want to go as far as Whitehaven Beach, you’ll need to commit to the six-day sea kayak safari, which welcomes paddlers aged sixteen and up.
Book here: 6-day kayaking expedition in the Whitsundays
Keep exploring the Whitsundays with your family
Opening image: Kayaking tour in the Whitsundays with Salty Dog Sea Kayaking. © Brooke Miles/Tourism Australia
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Deborah Dickson-Smith, Aleney de Winter
