Cruise Whitsundays · Port of Airlie
Cruise Whitsundays runs this morning and afternoon trip to the southern end of Whitehaven, with up to 2 hours on the sand and a walk to the southern lookout. It's the cheapest way onto the beach by far, as long as you accept no Hill Inlet, no snorkelling and a short stay.
Two departures a day leave the Cruise Whitsundays terminal at Port of Airlie: a morning trip at 7:15 am and an afternoon trip at 11:35 am. Both call at Daydream and Hamilton Islands to drop off and collect guests, and on some departures you change boats at Hamilton for the run to Whitehaven. That's why seven hours buys you up to 2 hours on the beach.
You land at the southern end, the calm, shallow side. There's a self-guided walk to the Southern Whitehaven Beach lookout, beach games, paddle boards when available and shade cabanas for hire. Stinger suits are free all year, per Cruise Whitsundays. In strong northerly winds the master may switch to a safer beach on Whitsunday Island.
Be clear about what you skip. This trip doesn't go to Hill Inlet and has no snorkelling, and its 4.2 rating is the lowest of the tours we cover: the usual complaint is that beach time felt short. Cancellation is free only up to 2 days before. Pay more for the Hill Inlet cruise if you want the swirls.
Check in at the Cruise Whitsundays terminal, 24 The Cove Road. Arrive 20 minutes early.
Stops to drop off and pick up guests. Some departures change boats at Hamilton Island.
Swim, walk up to the Southern Whitehaven Beach lookout, play beach games or hire a cabana.
Morning or afternoon tea, then back via Hamilton.
Return times shift a little with the sea and the connections at Hamilton.
★★★★★Excellent service. We were very well taken care of and were able to spend enough time there
★★★★★We had a fabulous time, on the Whitsundays Cruise, to Whitehaven Beach.
★★★★★We had a great afternoon The staff were so friendly and helpful
★★★★★The beach was very nice, and you could swim there.
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No. It lands at the southern end of Whitehaven, and the walk is to the Southern Whitehaven Beach lookout. For Hill Inlet, book a full day such as the Hill Inlet cruise.
Up to 2 hours. The rest of the 7 hours goes on the cruise and the stops at Daydream and Hamilton Islands. Some guests find the beach time short.
No. It's a beach trip only. You get stinger suits, beach games and paddle boards when available, but no snorkel gear or reef stop.
On some departures, yes. Cruise Whitsundays says some trips need a change of vessel at Hamilton to connect with the Whitehaven boat.
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The lowest-priced way onto Whitehaven Beach: up to 2 hours on the southern end, morning or afternoon.
Hill Inlet Lookout & Whitehaven CruiseA calm, big catamaran from Shute Harbour: guided Hill Inlet walk, up to 2 hours on Whitehaven, buffet lunch. No snorkel.★ 4.8 · 8 hours · from $184
Camira: Full-Day Sailing to WhitehavenA purple sailing catamaran with BBQ lunch, beer and wine, a reef snorkel, and the tide picking north or south Whitehaven.★ 4.7 · 10 hours · from $180
Ocean Rafting: Snorkel, Hill Inlet & WhitehavenFast inflatable, your choice of ends: Hill Inlet and two reef snorkels up north, or longer on the sand down south.★ 4.8 · 6.5 hours to a full day · from $173