Your Ultimate Whitsundays Experience

How would you like to experience Whitehaven?

Choose what matters most and we'll show you the best match.

• I want the complete experience — Beach time, Hill Inlet and snorkelling — everything in one day. → Ultimate Whitehaven Experience
• I mainly want Whitehaven Beach — Maximum beach time with paddle boards, shaded areas and beach games. → Whitehaven Beach Club Pass
• I want Whitehaven and Hill Inlet — The iconic swirling sands lookout plus beach time and lunch. → Whitehaven Wanderer
• I want Whitehaven and snorkelling — Beach time plus snorkelling at Fringe Reef with all gear included. → Reef & Beach Experience

Compare Whitehaven Experiences

Find the right tour for your perfect day at Whitehaven Beach.

The Whitsundays in pictures

Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, snorkelling and life aboard Pina Colada.

Why choose Spirit of Whitsundays

A relaxed, flexible Whitehaven Beach day with more ways to enjoy the beach.

• More ways to enjoy Whitehaven

  Choose beach time, Hill Inlet, snorkelling or the complete experience — there's a perfect option for everyone.

• Lunch included

  A buffet-style lunch served on the beach, plus morning snack and afternoon fruit on board, are included on every Whitehaven tour.

• Comfortable island transfer

  Pina Colada is a stable, comfortable fast catamaran — getting you to Whitehaven in just over an hour.

• Relaxed beach time

  Shaded areas, paddle boards and beach games mean you can enjoy Whitehaven your way, at your pace.

• Local crew

  Our friendly, knowledgeable crew share practical local tips to help you make the most of your day.

Your day at a glance

A simple, flexible journey from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven and back.

1. Check in at Rufus & Co Port of Airlie

   Arrive at Rufus & Co Cafe at 33 Port Drive, 30 minutes before departure. Rufus & Co opens at 7 AM for the best coffee and a delicious breakfast before you head out. Check in with our friendly team and fuel up for the day.

2. Cruise through the Whitsundays

   Board Pina Colada and enjoy a comfortable cruise through the stunning Whitsunday Islands to Whitehaven Beach.

3. Arrive at Whitehaven Beach

   Ultimate passengers and those starting with the first activity stay on the boat while other guests head to the beach. The tide determines whether Hill Inlet or snorkelling comes first.

4. Enjoy your chosen activities

   Once the first activity is complete, enjoy your chosen experience — a Hill Inlet bushwalk, snorkelling at Fringe Reef, or relaxing on the beach.

5. Lunch on the beach

   Around 12:30–1:30 PM everyone regroups for a buffet-style lunch served on the beach when weather and operating conditions permit; this is not an all-you-can-eat buffet, before heading into the next activity.

6. Next activity or beach time

   After lunch, enjoy the next activity — whether it's the Hill Inlet bushwalk, snorkelling, or more time relaxing on the sand.

7. Pick up Beach Club passengers and cruise back

   Around 3:15 PM we pick up our Beach Club passengers and cruise comfortably back to Port of Airlie, arriving around 5:00 PM.

The itinerary and order of activities may change with tides, weather, safety and operational conditions.

Cruise aboard Pina Colada

Pina Colada is our comfortable fast catamaran, designed for a smooth and stable journey through the Whitsundays. With covered seating and onboard facilities, it's the perfect way to get to Whitehaven Beach — in just over an hour.

• Comfortable covered seating
• Beachside buffet-style lunch
• Onboard kiosk (drinks & snacks)
• Stable, smooth cruising design

Learn more about Pina Colada

What our guests say

• ★★★★★

  Sarah Johnson — Google — May 15, 2024

  Absolutely stunning! The catamaran was fast and comfortable, and we had so much time to enjoy Whitehaven Beach. The crew was knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend!

• ★★★★★

  James Wilson — TripAdvisor — April 29, 2024

  Best tour in the Whitsundays! The fast boat meant we arrived before the crowds and had plenty of time to explore. The snorkeling spots were amazing with so many colorful fish.

• ★★★★★

  Emma Thompson — Google — May 3, 2024

  Perfect day out with the family. Kids loved the beach games and snorkeling. Lunch was delicious and plentiful. Will definitely be back!

• ★★★★☆

  Michael Chen — TripAdvisor — April 22, 2024

  Great experience overall. The Hill Inlet lookout was breathtaking! Only giving 4 stars because it was a bit crowded, but that's not the company's fault.

• ★★★★★

  Olivia Garcia — Google — May 10, 2024

  Worth every penny! The tour guides were passionate and informative. The boat was clean and well-maintained. The beach time was perfectly timed with the tides for the best experience.

• ★★★★★

  David Miller — TripAdvisor — April 18, 2024

  My wife and I celebrated our anniversary on this tour and it exceeded all expectations. The crew even helped arrange a special surprise. Unforgettable experience!

Check-in and location

Where to meet us before your Whitehaven adventure.

• Check-in venue: Rufus & Co Cafe, 33 Port Drive, Airlie Beach QLD 4802. 5 min easy walk from Town Centre. Rufus & Co opens from 7:00 AM.
• Arrival time: Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.
• Contact: 07 4813 9055

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before booking your Whitehaven tour.

• Which Whitehaven tour is right for me?

  If you want to do everything — beach time, Hill Inlet and snorkelling — choose the Ultimate Whitehaven Experience. If you mainly want maximum beach time, the Beach Club Pass is ideal. If you want the iconic Hill Inlet photos, choose the Whitehaven Wanderer. If you want beach plus snorkelling, the Reef & Beach Experience is your best match.

• What is included in the price?

  All Whitehaven tours include a buffet-style lunch served on the beach when weather and operating conditions permit, plus a morning snack and afternoon fruit on board, beach club access with shaded areas and beach games, National Park fees, and professional guides. This is not an all-you-can-eat buffet. We do our best to cater for dietary needs, but Whitehaven Beach is a remote location with no other food available, so please bring extra snacks if you have allergies, specific dietary requirements, or may need additional food. Snorkelling tours include equipment and stinger suits (seasonal). The Beach Club Pass additionally includes paddle boards. An onboard kiosk offers drinks and snacks for purchase. Water bottles can be refilled on board.

• Is lunch included?

  Yes. A buffet-style lunch is served on the beach when weather and operating conditions permit. It is not an all-you-can-eat buffet. We do our best to cater for dietary needs, but Whitehaven Beach is remote and there is no other food available, so please bring extra snacks if you have allergies, specific dietary requirements, or may need additional food. Morning snack and afternoon fruit are also provided on board, and an onboard kiosk offers drinks and snacks for purchase.

• How much time do we spend at Whitehaven Beach?

  All Whitehaven tours are full-day experiences of approximately 8 hours. The fast catamaran gets you to Whitehaven Beach in just over 1 hour. Beach time varies by tour: the Beach Club Pass gives you 4–5 hours on the beach, the Whitehaven Wanderer and Reef & Beach Experience each give you 2–3 hours of beach time alongside one activity, and the Ultimate Whitehaven Experience includes approx. 1 hour of beach time for lunch as you will be doing two activities.

• Does every package visit Hill Inlet?

  No. The Ultimate Whitehaven Experience and the Whitehaven Wanderer include the guided Hill Inlet bushwalk. The Beach Club Pass and Reef & Beach Experience focus on beach time and snorkelling respectively. Access to Hill Inlet is via tender transfer from the vessel.

• Does every package include snorkelling?

  No. The Ultimate Whitehaven Experience and the Reef & Beach Experience include snorkelling at Fringe Reef with all equipment provided. The Beach Club Pass and Whitehaven Wanderer do not include snorkelling.

• Is the tour suitable for children?

  Yes! Our Whitehaven tours are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. We provide life jackets for young children, and our experienced crew ensures everyone's safety and enjoyment. Children under 4 travel free, and we offer special rates for children aged 4–14. For snorkelling, children must be 6+ or competent swimmers, and life jackets are mandatory for children under 12.

• What should I bring?

  We recommend bringing swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, camera, and a light jacket or sweater. Don't forget your sense of adventure! Water bottles can be refilled on board.

• Where and when do I check in?

  Check-in is at Rufus & Co Cafe, 33 Port Drive, Airlie Beach (5 min easy walk from Town Centre). Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. The cafe opens from 7:00 AM if you'd like breakfast or coffee before your tour.

• What happens if weather or tides change the itinerary?

  The itinerary and order of activities may change with tides, weather, safety and operational conditions. Safety is our top priority. If we need to cancel, you'll receive a full refund or the option to reschedule for another day.

• What happens if the tour is cancelled?

  If we need to cancel a tour for safety or weather reasons, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule for another day. Please refer to our full terms and conditions for the complete cancellation policy.

• Do you accommodate dietary requirements?

  We do our best to cater for dietary needs. The buffet-style lunch generally includes one meat cold cuts tray and three salads, with extra salad portions available for vegetarians and vegans. There is no seafood or nuts on our menu, but guests with allergies or strict dietary requirements should bring their own snacks because Whitehaven Beach is remote and no other food is available. Please also alert the crew on the day so we can look after you. The lunch is buffet-style, not an all-you-can-eat buffet, and is served on the beach when weather and operating conditions permit.

• Can I bring extra food or snacks?

  Yes. Whitehaven Beach is a remote location and no other food is available during the tour. We do our best to cater for dietary needs, but guests with allergies, strict dietary requirements, or a bigger appetite should bring their own extra snacks. The included lunch is a buffet-style meal served on the beach when weather and operating conditions permit, not an all-you-can-eat buffet.

• Is snorkelling equipment included?

  Yes, snorkelling equipment and stinger suits (seasonal) are included on the Ultimate Whitehaven Experience and the Reef & Beach Experience. Life jackets are mandatory for children under 12 during water activities.

• How do we board the vessel and get onto the beach?

  Pina Colada has a front loading ramp at the bow for easy boarding and disembarking directly onto the beach. On low tides, a tender transfer is used instead. A tender transfer is also used for the Hill Inlet bushwalk.

• Is the vessel suitable for guests with limited mobility?

  Our catamaran is designed for stability and comfort, and Pina Colada has a front boarding ramp at the bow for easy access directly onto the beach. However, the Hill Inlet bushwalk requires guests to get in and out of a tender vessel for transfer to and from the lookout. Similarly, when the tide is too low for the front ramp, a tender is used to transfer guests between the vessel and Whitehaven Beach. Guests therefore need enough mobility to board and disembark a tender vessel. Please contact us directly to discuss any mobility requirements so we can ensure the best possible experience for your group.

• Are the Hill Inlet bushwalk and snorkelling suitable for everyone?

  Both the Hill Inlet bushwalk and snorkelling require a medium level of fitness. They are not suitable for guests with heart conditions or medical conditions that may be affected by physical activity. If you have any concerns, please contact us before booking and we will be happy to advise on the best tour option for you. The Beach Club Pass is a great alternative for guests who prefer a more relaxed day with maximum beach time and no strenuous activities.

• Will I see turtles, dolphins or whales?

  The waters around the Whitsundays are home to diverse marine life including dolphins, sea turtles and seasonal whale migrations (June–September). However, wildlife sightings are possible and never guaranteed — we always respect the animals and their natural habitat.

Ready to find your Whitehaven experience?

Compare the options, choose your date and book directly with our local team.

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Make more of your time in Airlie Beach

• Airlie Jetski Tours

  Ride the Whitsundays on a guided jet ski safari.

• Rufus & Co

  Grab breakfast or coffee before your tour at our check-in venue.

• Private Charters

  Plan a private Whitsundays day aboard Pina Colada.