Can you kayak to Whitehaven Beach?

Just a short kayak paddle from Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet—a stunning cove filled with a fusion of colours. The beach is beautiful but it's at the lookout, just a 15min climb along an easy walking track, where Mother Nature will blow your mind like an episode of the Big Bang Theory.

Can I Kayak at Airlie Beach?

Departing from Shingley Beach (next to Coral Sea Marina) a kayak allows you to explore the magnificent coastline of Airlie Beach.

How do I get to Whitehaven Beach?

The best way to get to Whitehaven Beach is by catching a ferry from Arlie beach which takes 1 hour and 20 minutes (34 km). This ferry ride is usually done via a guided tour. Seaplanes and helicopters are another way to get to Whitehaven Beach. Sailing yachts are also a popular way to travel.

Are there Stingers at Whitehaven Beach?

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.

Kayaking to Whitehaven beach and Hills Inlet on Whitsundays Island

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.

Do you have to wear a stinger suit at 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!

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 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 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.

Can you get to Whitehaven Beach without a tour?

Hi Kel, You can only get to Whitehaven Beach for the day through an organised tour. Cruise Whitsundays have ferries which offer half day and full day tours to the beach. There are plenty of day tour options in the area, from sailing to rafts to fast catamarans.

Can you go to Whitehaven Beach without a tour?

It's a must-do! Unfortunately, there aren't any ferries going to Whitehaven beach. It's not really a place where you can go yourself (unless you know what you are doing). The most common way to get to Whitehaven beach is with a tour however there is always the option of chartering a boat.

Can you take your own boat to Whitehaven Beach?

Bare boats or private charters are available from Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island.

How long is a sea kayak?

Sea kayaks—Sea kayaks (or touring kayaks) tend to be the longest of all, around 12-17 feet. (Though it is possible to engineer a compact sea kayak.) Performance kayaks—Performance kayaks are built for speed, and can run from 15-18 feet.

Where is Turtle Bay Whitsundays?

Turtle Bay is located on the south side of Whitsunday Island, the biggest island in the region. Whitehaven Beach (one of the most popular) is also found on this island, which means Turtle Bay is often overlooked.

Do you need stinger suits 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.

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!

What is stinger season in 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.

Do you get crocodiles in Whitsundays?

Large, salt-water (estuarine) crocodiles live in the waters around the Whitsundays and can attack without warning. Old adults can be nearly 4m in length. These predators are present and hunting at most times of the year, but particularly around summer wet seasons, and are difficult to see in the water.

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.

Are there box jellyfish 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.

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.

Are there dugongs in Whitsundays?

Dugongs are often spotted in particular bays around the Whitsunday Islands. They are here in numbers but they avoid boats and people. As they have been a popular target for the indigenous tribes over the years, it is thought they have a healthy knowledge of how to avoid humans.