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Updated 17/11/20 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.

Overview

Even if you’ve got limited time in the Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach is a must-see stretch of shore. Discover the white-sand paradise on a morning or afternoon cruise that provides a perfect introduction for first-time visitors. Beat the daytime heat in an air-conditioned catamaran, enjoy on-board tea, and take advantage of free time to swim and sunbathe one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches at your leisure.

Itinerary

You’ll have 3 starting options
See Important Information for details
1
Cruise Whitsundays
Stop: 30 minutes
See details
2
Whitehaven Beach
Stop: 2 hours
See details
You'll end at
See Important Information for details

–

Highlights

No-hassle morning or afternoon cruise to Whitehaven Beach
Half-day tour allows you to fit more sightseeing into your day
Avoid the heat in an air-conditioned catamaran
Enjoy morning or afternoon tea on the boat

What to Expect

Your half-day tour begins at a designated meeting point in Port Airlie or Hamilton Island. Once there, board an air-conditioned catamaran destined for Whitehaven Beach, hailed as one of the best beaches in the world. Following the cruise, disembark on the powder-white sands of Whitehaven Beach and enjoy free time to swim, sunbathe, or walk around the island’s 5-mile (7.5- kilometer) circumference. The turquoise waters of Whitehaven Beach are home to a plethora of marine life, including tropical fish and and turtles. Back on the boat, enjoy morning or afternoon tea before returning to your original departure point in Port Airlie or Hamilton Island.

Important Information

Departure Point

Airlie Beach QLD 4802, Australia Hamilton Island, Whitsundays QLD, Australia Daydream Island, Whitsundays QLD 4802, Australia

Duration

5h 30m

Return Details

Returns to original departure point

Inclusions

Commentary from experienced crew
Island cruise a large air-conditioned catamaran
Morning or afternoon tea on board vessel
Environmental Management Charge (Reef tax)

Exclusions

Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified (snacks and drinks available for purchase)
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Snacks available to purchase
Not wheelchair accessible
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 240 travellers

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel within 2 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee. If you cancel at least 3 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.

165Reviews

12Q&A

Reviews

Traveller rating

Excellent
55
Very Good
21
Average
11
Poor
11
Terrible
14

Traveller type

Families
Couples
Solo
Business
Friends

Time of year

Mar-May
Jun-Aug
Sep-Nov
Dec-Feb

Language

All languages(120)
English(106)
German(6)
French(5)

Popular mentions

ZiggyRC80 wrote a review Feb. 2021

Everton Park, Australia26 contributions8 helpful votes

Will do this again

My friend and I did the half day cruise, and despite the rain, it was still a great experience. Once the rain cleared, we had an hour of sun, beautiful ocean and walking tracks to the look out. The crew were lovely and friendly. A light snack was provided (mini muffin and fresh…

Date of experience: February 2021

Helpful

Yingren W wrote a review Jan. 2021

1 contribution

Half day trip but spent 5 hours on the boat

We left Airlie Beach at 7:15am and came back at 2:30 pm, no any meal provided, they did have morning tea, but just 2 piece of watermelon and a tiny cup of cake, Afterthen, We spent only 2 hours on the Whitehaven Beach. Most of time we stayed on the boat watching people get on…

Helpful

Response from DOSM C, Customer Service & Sales Manager at Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises

Responded 4 weeks ago

I'm sorry you did not enjoy your Half Day Whitsunday Island and Whitehaven Beach Tour. The advertised inclusions on this tour are a scenic cruise through the Whitsundays with up to 2 hours on the southern end of Whitehaven Beach, morning or afternoon tea and a sausage sizzle is offered on the beach. As we service both Daydream Island and Hamilton Island we also offer this service from these locations.

Nikki W wrote a review Jan. 2021

3 contributions

Great experience

We went in the morning on the half day cruise and we were given morning tea (fruit and a muffin) on the way over and we had a lovely sausage sizzle on the beach at white haven. Due to Covid the beach was pretty empty which was great for us! We had plenty of time to relax on the…

Date of experience: January 2021

Helpful

Response from DOSM C, Reservations Supervisor at Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises

Responded 21 Jan. 2021

Hi NikkiW570, thank you for your positive review, Whitehaven Beach is one of my favorite beach as well, I'm glad to hear that you have a great time over there. Wish we will see you soon.

Vaz B wrote a review Jan. 2021

6 contributions2 helpful votes

Not impressed

What they fail to tell u while booking with the phone operator is that they drain the day by doing drop offs and pick ups at other islands before actually heading to whitehaven. We left Port of Airlie at 11.30 and arrived at whitehaven just after 2pm. Spent a considerable…

Date of experience: January 2021

2 Helpful votes

Helpful

Response from DOSM C, Customer Service & Sales Manager at Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises

Responded 12 Jan. 2021

I am sorry to read that you were not impressed with your Whitsunday Island and Whitehaven Beach half day tour Vaz B. Our brochure and website both list the inclusions of the tour as a Cruise through the Whitsunday Island and up to 2 hours on the beach, along with a map of the route that is taken. For afternoon tea, we are currently offering a sausage sizzle on the beach and fruit on the vessel on the return journey. I'm sorry if you missed the sausage sizzle. I am disappointed that you were not impressed by Whitehaven Beach, it is regularly voted as one of the top 10 beaches in Australia with its beautiful white silica sand idyllic blue waters not quite as visible during the wet season but still beautiful.

Sheryl M wrote a review Nov. 2020

4 contributions

A great experience

Thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. Great half day experience. Crew were amazing. Whitehaven Beach has been on my 'to do' list for a long time. Weather was perfect for a great day.

Date of experience: October 2020

Helpful

Response from CruiseWhitsundays, Reservations Supervisor at Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises

Responded 23 Nov. 2020

Hi Sheryl M, So happy to hear you had such a great experience with our crew and that you were able to tick Whitehaven Beach off the bucket list. We look forward to welcoming you back to this Beautiful part of the world in the future!

12 3 4 5 6…22

About the operator

Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.

By: Cruise Whitsundays

3,502

Quinnosha

Easy in and out with fun crew

We took one of the catamaran tours out of cruise whitsundays and had a great time. The port is really close and eas…

kathryn m

Daydream Island Day trip with amazing lunch , definitely worth a visit

We did the day trip to Daydream island with lunch . Its a full day trip leaving around 8.30am and returning on the …

Hannahhhasdfg

Great full day tour!

Had a great time! After reading some negative reviews here on the way out I was coming to terms with the fact I'd b…

DelanA82

Great way to explore Whitsunday Islands

I took an Island Hopper ticket which enabled me to travel to from the Port of Airlie to Dreamdream Island and then …

DavidN851

Great way to spend a full day around the Whitsundays.

Amazing full day tour on a fantastic vessel. Knowledgeable, happy and friendly crew provide a great service and ve…

julianacasagranda

WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN

This was incredible to say the least. You cannot go past this full day tour or you’d be crazy! We had an amazing ti…

953tian

Absolutely amazing

Absolutely the most amazing experience doing this tour. Complete must do. So relaxing, amazing food, friendly fun s…

darcierosereid99

Definitely worth it!

Jam packed day with heaps to do! Left on the first ferry and only just made the last ferry!! Defiantly a little pri…

Lemilym24

The reef is all dead, go further south

If you’re looking to actually see the outer Great Barrier Reef before it’s all dead, choose tours much further sout…

13georgiaw

Reef tour

I embarked on this tour independently today and it was fabulous! The boat itself was quite large and plenty of spac…

MiniMe5

Sailing to the Whitsunday Island /Whitehaven Beach for snorkelling

The large NZ built catamaran Camira was roomy, not overcrowded so social distancing was not a problem on deck & a m…

Alan W

Camira Sailing

The Camira is a big comfortable catamaran with lots of room, but the best part of the day was the interaction with …

mareebali1967

Exceeded expectations

We have done a lot of “experiences” and this would have to be the best. Service was impeccable, food was outstandin…

aprilwJ4847RN

Erasure

The erasure of indigenous importance and impact on the introductory video is disappointing and outdated. Considerin…

sandrasP9422BW

Brilliant! Highly recommend

What more could you ask for? A beautiful, spacious and comfortable sailing catamaran, a georgus sunset, excellent c…

Key Details

Duration: 5h 30m
Mobile Ticket Accepted
Instant Confirmation
Languages Offered: English

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