Are there Stingers at Whitehaven Beach?

There is no mobile phone reception at Whitehaven Beach or Tongue Point. Dangerous marine stingers, sharks and crocodiles can be in the sea at all times of the year.

Do you need a stinger suit on Whitehaven Beach?

1) Wear a stinger suit

Stinger suits (wetsuits) are provided to each guest, at little or no cost, to minimise any risk of being stung whilst in the Whitsundays waters. It is important to wear your wetsuit during any water-based activities, including swimming, snorkelling, or scuba diving!

Are there jellyfish at Whitehaven Beach?

Yes, it is a beautiful beach with white sand and clear water, but you have to be really careful when you are there to avoid jellyfish. The tour operators highly recommend that you wear a stinger suit for protection.

Are there stingers at Whitehaven?

If you choose to swim here just remember that there can be strong tidal currents and shifting sand shoals at this end of the beach. From October to May when the water temperature is warmer in the Whitsundays, it is important to be aware that there may be an increase in the number of harmful marine stingers around.

Can you swim on Whitehaven Beach?

Swim in the pristine ocean

It's possible to swim at Whitehaven Beach year-round thanks to the tropical waters sitting at a delightful 26 degrees. The shores are shallow, making Whitehaven a safe beach to swim off.

Deadly Jellyfish or marine stingers in the Whitsundays

Do I need a stinger suit in the Whitsundays?

You can see jellyfish in the Whitsundays all year round, but there's a lot more of them around this time. It's recommended to wear a stinger suit (a lightweight suit made from nylon or spandex) to protect yourself from harmful stings when swimming, snorkelling or doing other water activities.

Are there sharks at Whitehaven Beach?

Whitehaven Beach is perhaps best known for its dazzling white sand, crystal clear waters and perfect photographic opportunities, but is often a good place to see sharks. It's home to both blacktip reef sharks and baby lemon sharks, which use the calm and shallow waters waters as a nursery.

Where can I not swim in the Whitsundays?

Naturally formed Heart Reef is located in The Whitsundays, the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef, however, you can not swim or snorkel here. We recommend enjoying a scenic flight over Heart Reef either by helicopter or seaplane, for a brilliant photographic opportunity.

Are there stingers at Whitsundays?

Stinger season in the Whitsundays runs from late October to May. The warm tropical waters in the Whitsundays and around the Great Barrier Reef are the right conditions for stingers. However, being stung by a jellyfish is an infrequent occurrence.

Are there crocs in Whitsundays?

Are there crocodiles in The Whitsundays? Again, the simplest answer here is just a solid no. There are not usually crocodiles found in The Whitsundays. Crocodiles very rarely venture out to sea as they prefer muddy water for hunting.

Are there stingers in Hamilton Island?

Do you get stingers on Hamilton Island? Summer is traditionally stinger season in Tropical North Queensland, however on Hamilton Island, being as far offshore as we are, we do not have a problem with the Box Jellyfish.

Is it safe to snorkel in the Whitsundays?

The simple answer is no - the Great Barrier Reef is not dangerous. Full of life with beautiful marine animals and plants, it's a safe place to visit and is one of the most unforgettable marine destinations in the world!

Are there Irukandji jellyfish in the Whitsundays?

Irukandji is a group of jellyfish which are known to cause symptoms of a potentially dangerous syndrome called Irukandji Syndrome. There are currently 14 known species of Irukandji, however only a few of these species have the potential to occur in the waters around the Whitsundays.

Is there box jellyfish in Airlie Beach?

Irukandji, box jellyfish and bluebottles thrive here in Airlie's warm, tropical waters. These little stingers like to hang out closer to the coast as well as in mangroves or estuaries (however, can still be found further out to sea). They are pushed into our waters due to strong winds and currents from the north.

Are there jellyfish in Hamilton Island?

The surrounding waters of Hamilton Island are part of the Whitsundays marine ecology and as such the same care needs to be given as any other beach location. During the summer months when the ocean is warm, the waters of the Whitsundays experience an increased presence of the small transparent jellyfish – Irukandji.

How do you treat an Irukandji bite?

Wash the sting site with sea water and remove any tentacles. Immerse the sting or run hot water on the skin for 20 minutes. Make sure the hot water will not burn the person. It should be as hot as they can tolerate — around 45 degrees Celsius.

When can you not swim in the Whitsundays?

Never swim or wade at dawn, dusk or night. Never swim or wade when drunk or affected by drugs. Stand at least 2m from the water's edge and do not stand or sit in one place for too long.

Where do stingers start in Queensland?

Stinger Season (harmful marine jellyfish) usually starts here in the far north Queensland around late October ending in May when the waters cool down. It is when jellyfish species, in and around the Great Barrier Reef, come to this area because of the warm, tropical waters.

Are there crocodiles near Hamilton Island?

There is also a wildlife park on Hamilton Island, which houses another saltwater crocodile, so enquire with us how to visit for the day or overnight to watch these incredible apex predators.

Are there sharks at Whitsundays?

Whitsunday Shark Species

You won't find larger sharks like Great Whites in the Whitsundays, however large Lemon, Hammerhead, Grey Whaler, Leopard, and Tiger Sharks are found. Most commonly spotted are non-threatening reef sharks, including Blacktips, Whitetips and Wobbegongs.

Where are the most sharks in Whitsundays?

Cid Harbour is the known spot for shark attacks in the Whitsundays with an unusual cluster occurring in 2018. The waters around Cid are deep and home to larger school fish which attract sharks.

Are there sharks near Hamilton Island?

A girl and a elderly woman have been bitten by a shark in the Whitsundays, continuing a spate of attacks in the popular north Queensland region. The pair had been in shallow waters at Catseye Beach on Hamilton Island when they were attacked about 9.30am on Thursday, a Queensland ambulance spokesman says.

What should you do if a shark attacks you?

Are there sharks around Hamilton Island?

Sharks exist in the Whitsunday Marine ecosystem, as they do in all Australian marine ecosystems. Don't swim at dawn, dusk or night. Don't swim in murky or unclear water. Always swim with others.

How do you protect against a stinger?

Stinger suits are full-body suits designed to protect the body from the stings of dangerous jellyfish. They are much lighter than wetsuits, and a perfectly suited to the Great Barrier Reefs tropical waters. The suits have been engineered to prevent jellyfish tentacles from gripping to you.