The Whitsundays & Hamilton Island
Select Dates
Choose dates
Recent Searches
Clear
See all The Whitsundays & Hamilton Island tours
21 tours & tickets
Things to do in the Whitsundays and Hamilton Island
See all things to do in The Whitsundays & Hamilton Island
How to Spend 3 Days in the Whitsundays
How to Spend 3 Days in the Whitsundays

Top Beaches in the Whitsundays


Top Beaches in the Whitsundays
Hi, I'm Zoë!

Zoë Smith is a British travel writer, editor, and digital content creator who has lived, worked, and traveled over six continents, and is currently based near Nantes, France. She has written for Rough Guides, CNN, and Culture Trip, and is digital editor at FrenchEntrée.

see more
Hi, I'm Zoë!

Zoë Smith is a British travel writer, editor, and digital content creator who has lived, worked, and traveled over six continents, and is currently based near Nantes, France. She has written for Rough Guides, CNN, and Culture Trip, and is digital editor at FrenchEntrée.

see more

With 74 islands and miles of sandy shores, the Whitsunday Islands have some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Whether you’re looking for sunset views, pristine, swimming-friendly waters, or exotic marine life—here are our picks for the best beaches in the Whitsundays. 

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island

Photo Credit: deb22 / Shutterstock

The sweeping sands of Whitehaven Beach are the quintessential postcard image of an Australian beach, and its guidebook fame has made Whitehaven Beach the most visited of the Whitsunday beaches. For a view of Whitehaven’s magnificent swirling sands—almost 3 miles (5 kilometers) of white silica sands that disappear beneath the deep aqua waters to create a melange of colors—head to Hill Inlet Lookout or, better yet, soar overhead in a helicopter.

Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island

Photo Credit: Darren Tierney / Shutterstock

Hamilton Island is the Whitsundays’ top resort island, and Catseye Beach is its No. 1 resort beach. With access to resort facilities, Catseye straddles creature comforts and the wild outdoors at once; you’ll find pool loungers and a multitude of rentable water-sports gear, including snorkels, paddle boards, and catamarans 

Chalkies Beach, Haselwood Island

Photo Credit: Irma eyewink / Shutterstock

Across the water from Whitehaven Beach, Chalkies Beach serves up a stretch of powder-fine white sand to rival its more famous neighbor. Benefitting from far fewer crowds, Chalkies is an idyllic spot for swimming and snorkeling, with vibrant coral gardens just beneath the water’s surface. 

Pebble Beach, Hook Island

Photo Credit: Manny L / Tripadvisor

A pocket of wilderness far from the more developed beach resorts, Hook Island is a rugged national park with spectacular lookouts and colorful coral reefs. The little-known Pebble Beach is one of its best-kept secrets, with some of the most spectacular snorkeling on the island. 

Turtle Bay, Whitsunday Island

Photo Credit: Tanya Puntti / Shutterstock

Situated on the south side of Whitsunday Island, Turtle Bay often gets passed over by travelers making a beeline for Whitehaven Beach, but trust us: It’s well worth the detour. The glass-clear waters teem with tropical fish, and there’s a good chance of spotting sea turtles as you swim and snorkel. 

Find things to do in Hamilton Island

Keep reading

Keep exploring
See all The Whitsundays & Hamilton Island tours
21 tours & tickets
Things to do in the Whitsundays and Hamilton Island
See all things to do in The Whitsundays & Hamilton Island
How to Spend 3 Days in the Whitsundays
How to Spend 3 Days in the Whitsundays