Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach runs for about seven kilometres along the eastern side of Whitsunday Island, inside the Whitsunday Islands National Park. Its sand is almost pure silica, so fine and white that it squeaks underfoot and stays cool even in the midday sun. There is no road, jetty or shop: you arrive by boat, seaplane or helicopter. Most boat trips land either at the southern end or at Tongue Bay, from where a short track climbs to the Hill Inlet lookout before you walk down onto the northern sands. From October to May marine stingers can be present, and tour operators supply full-body stinger suits. For cruise passengers the challenge is time. Ocean Rafting's Southern Lights trip leaves Coral Sea Marina at 10:00 and returns at 16:30; Cruise Whitsundays' half-day boat leaves Port of Airlie at 07:15, usually before the first tender. Pick the departure that fits your tender schedule and book ahead.