Whitehaven Beach is a 5-mile-long stretch of sugar-white sand, surrounded by bottle green and blue ocean. Whitehaven has consistently been voted as the cleanest and the top eco-friendly beach in the world. Situated on Australia’s Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven Beach is the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
To get to this pristine paradise why not soar over the sea on an eco-friendly cruise boat? The thrill of the voyage will have you in glee, heading towards the beach. Once you’ve arrived on its velvety soft shore, you’ll be in a hurry to try the variety of activities we’ve got listed.
Highlights:
- Travel to Whitehaven fast and comfortably on a custom made boat
- Tour Whitehaven Beach with an accredited tour guide
- Certified Guided Snorkelling Tours
- Hike Hill Inlet for breathtaking views
Know before you book:
- This tour is not wheelchair friendly
- Seating is limited – bookings are essential
- Not suitable for children under 4 years old
Whitehaven beach is arguably one of Australia’s most prized attractions. No matter how many times you visit this picturesque coast, you’ll always be in awe. With white sandy shores and the green flora from Hill Inlet on Whitehaven, it’s a 360-degree view of Mother Nature’s best.
Visited by over 75, 000 people a year from all over the world, Whitehaven beach maintains its squeaky clean environment. The sands remain white due to the 98% of Silica in it. Although Silica can be found on beaches across the world, Whitehaven Beach has the highest concentration.
Not only is the sand blinding white but it’s incredibly soft and doesn’t retain heat. Even on the hottest days of the year, you can lay your beach bum comfortably without laying a towel down.
The original inhabitants of Whitehaven Beach were the Ngaro tribe. It is said to be inhabited by the Ngaro people up to 8,000 years ago. One of the regions on the island of Whitsunday hosts a cultural site dedicated to the Ngaro tribe.
So, fast-track your arrival to Whitehaven beach ocean rafting and get ready for an underwater snorkelling adventure. And once you’ve checked that off your bucket list, refuel with a delicious buffet lunch.
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Whitehaven Rafting Tour Prices 2021
The cost of these rafting tours and packages start at about $126 USD (R1870) and go up to $330 (R4900). The major differences include optional hotel pickups and whether there will be snacks or lunches available on arrival.
Take a look at these packages to compare prices across the ticket providers below:
Times
The times allocated for these rafting tours depend on the package you book. Full-day trips tend to get started a little earlier than the Half-day trips to Whitehaven beach. Should you add on a hotel pick-up, times will go according to the bus schedules.
Best Time to Go
The best time to take a trip to Whitehaven Beach would be early spring (September). The water is warm and the weather isn’t unbearably humid. However, there are quite a number of tourists around this time.
If you would like to avoid crowds the winter months are less congested (June, July, and August).
Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach Tours
There is an adventure that awaits you along the Great Barrier Reef. So, why not hop on a jet ski from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach.
If you would like to slow things down, try visiting two islands in one day, on an air-conditioned catamaran. And if neither of those ideas sparked your interest, have a look at the following tours:
Best Beaches Half-Day Tour
Be first in line to take the scenic route with this Airlie Beach: Whitsundays and Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise Tour. It’s a six-hour tour around the best beaches and bays that the island has to offer. You can choose between two packages: the morning edition or an afternoon edition. Spend a relaxing 1.5 to 2 hours staring at the crystal blue waters from Whitehaven Beach.
You’ll travel in style in a high-speed cruise boat to your Whitehaven Beach day trip. Along the way, your captain will give you commentary on the facts and history of Whitehaven as you peer out to sea. While you enjoy that sea breeze, sip on a cold brew or wine before heading to the main attraction of the trip, Whitehaven.
- Drinks on deck
- Informational commentary about Whitehaven from the Captain
- Adventure Whitsunday island in 6 hours
- No snacks or buffet style lunches offered
Know before you go:
- Be sure to bring swimwear, a towel, protective clothing, a hat, sunscreen lotion and a light jacket/sweater when the sun goes down.
- Bring money or a credit card for optional purchases.
Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises
Ever been on a catamaran? Well, now is your chance. This half-day tour from Port Airlie to Whitehaven Beach will have you comfortably enjoying paradise in a motorized, air-conditioned catamaran. The crew will give a list of fun activities to do along the way, so you won’t get bored for even a second.
What we liked: The deluxe island cruise catamaran transportation.
- Choice of departure (morning or afternoon)
- Commentary from experienced crew
- Morning or afternoon tea on board the vessel
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Know before you go:
- Not wheelchair accessible
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 240 travellers
Full-Day Rafting Tour
When you’re on vacation in Australia, why not make the most of it with a full-day tour like this exhilarating Whitsundays Ocean Rafting Tour. From Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach, enjoy a fun day at the seaside, snorkelling and hiking the national park that surrounds the beach.
What we liked: A full day of eco-friendly activities on the itinerary.
- Personalized snorkel instruction
- Courtesy bus pickup and drop-off
- Guided National Park walk
- Tropical style lunch ($16 lunch is payable direct to local operator on the day)
Know before you go:
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- Not suitable for people with back issues
- Not wheelchair friendly
- This is the only tour in the Whitsundays with direct access to Hill Inlet beaches at Whitehaven
- Have peace of mind travel with an Advanced Ecotourism Certified, Climate Change Business and Green Travel Leader
- The tour itinerary is subject to change depending on tide, wind and other weather conditions
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet with BBQ Tour
Talk about bang for your buck. This is a tour filled with activities and a feast at the end to celebrate the day’s adventure. Visit two iconic Whitsunday locations – Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet and enjoy the best beach BBQ that the island has to offer.
What we liked: You can choose the activities you want to do or do all of them. There is no strict itinerary.
- BBQ lunch- cooked to order
- Complimentary transfers from your hotel /accommodation
- Stinger Suits in stinger season
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Winter Suits (optional & available for hire)
Know before you go:
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking or before the day of the tour
- Not wheelchair friendly
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 37 travellers
Specification: Rafting Tours to Whitehaven Beach | Day Trips to the Great Barrier Reef
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Mike –
A good combination to see some of the whitsundays like the reef. Unfortunately the weather conditions were not ideal for going to the reef but the organization did their best to find another snorkeling point. Tip: take a good look at the wind force before booking this activity. If the wind blows very hard, the view of the reef will be blurred and you will hardly see anything
Sarah –
Had an awesome day out with Mic and Michael! Really friendly and fun guys, lots of laughter. Unfortunately it was really windy so we couldn’t go snorkeling at the normal spots but they made the effort to find a spot where the water was clear. Turned out it was some of the best snorkeling I have ever done! Beautiful bright coloured reef with amazing textures and lots of fish. Really loved the time we had at the south end of Whitehaven, just wish we had longer than an hour there! Thanks guys
Sarah –
Had an awesome day out with Mic and Michael! Really friendly and fun guys, lots of laughter. Unfortunately it was really windy so we couldn’t go snorkeling at the normal spots but they made the effort to find a spot where the water was clear. Turned out it was some of the best snorkeling I have ever done! Beautiful bright coloured reef with amazing textures and lots of fish. Really loved the time we had at the south end of Whitehaven, just wish we had longer than an hour there! Thanks guys
Sarah –
Had an awesome day out with Mic and Michael! Really friendly and fun guys, lots of laughter. Unfortunately it was really windy so we couldn’t go snorkeling at the normal spots but they made the effort to find a spot where the water was clear. Turned out it was some of the best snorkeling I have ever done! Beautiful bright coloured reef with amazing textures and lots of fish. Really loved the time we had at the south end of Whitehaven, just wish we had longer than an hour there! Thanks guys