Whitsundays Sailing Tour: Whitehaven Beach & Snorkeling

Sleep on the boat, sail to Whitehaven Beach, and snorkel two reefs without planning the route yourself.

A 2-day, 2-night sailing tour of the Whitsunday Islands departing from Airlie Beach, where you board the maxi yacht Hammer and explore Whitehaven Beach, snorkel coral reefs, and sleep in mixed dormitory cabins below deck. The crew handles navigation, meals and timing; you choose between a bush-walk to Hill Inlet Lookout or a final snorkel on day three before returning to Airlie Beach around 11am. Minimum age is 18, and dietary restrictions can be accommodated at booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Airlie Beach to Whitsunday Islands

• Meet crew and fellow adventurers
• Depart Coral Sea Marina at 2pm
• Sail to Whitsunday beach location
• Swim and watch sunset with snacks
• Head to overnight anchorage
• Enjoy dinner and dessert onboard
• Relax and socialize under stars

Day 2 — Explore Whitsunday Islands

• Wake up and have breakfast
• Cruise to Tongue Bay
• Take bush-walk to Hill Inlet Lookout
• Relax for 3 hours on Whitehaven Beach
• Have lunch onboard
• Sail to two snorkel destinations
• Visit beach location for sunset snacks
• Anchor overnight
• Enjoy dinner and dessert onboard

Day 3 — Whitsunday Islands to Airlie Beach

• Eat breakfast and morning tea
• Last snorkel or guided bush-walk
• Sail back to Airlie Beach
• Arrive Airlie Beach around 11am
• Enjoy afternoon in Airlie Beach
• Freshen up at accommodation
• Join after-party with meal deals

The Experience

You board at Coral Sea Marina at 2pm and set sail toward the Whitsunday Islands. The first evening lands at one of the crew's favorite beach spots—you swim, watch the sunset and graze on snacks before heading to the overnight anchorage. Dinner, dessert and drinks happen on deck under the stars, and you sleep in a mixed dormitory cabin below with a single or double bed and bed linen provided.

Day two starts with breakfast, then the boat heads to Tongue Bay. You walk a scenic bush-track up to Hill Inlet Lookout, where the view opens onto Whitehaven Beach and the swirling sands of the inlet—this is where most people spend time on their cameras. After the lookout, you have three hours on the beach itself. Lunch comes back on board, then the crew takes you to two snorkel sites with your gear and suit provided. A second sunset stop with snacks follows before the second night's anchorage.

On day three, breakfast happens while you cruise back. You can choose one last snorkel or a guided bush-walk on one of the islands before the boat returns to Airlie Beach around 11am. The tour doesn't end there—the crew has reserved a table at a local spot for an after-party with meal deals and drink discounts, so you can keep the group going if you want. The whole experience runs on the crew's knowledge of tides and weather, which means the exact stops and timing shift, but the route and the two main snorkel destinations stay the same.

What’s included

• 2 nights accommodation on board in a single or double bed with bed linen.
• snorkel suit and all snorkeling equipment.
• lunch on days two and three.
• breakfast, morning tea, afternoon snacks and dessert after dinner each day.
• tea, coffee and filtered water throughout.
• English-speaking guide and three experienced crew members.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Prosail Whitsundays

Is this one for you?Most Whitsundays tours run as day trips from Airlie Beach, so you see one beach and one reef before heading back. This one keeps you on the boat overnight, which means you catch two sunsets, sleep under the stars, and reach Whitehaven Beach early enough to spend three hours there instead of one—plus two snorkel sites instead of a rushed dash to one.

Traveler reviews

4.90★★★★★★★★★★

202 verified traveler reviews

5 ★192

4 ★5

3 ★2

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's included in the 2-day Whitsundays sailing tour?

The tour includes 2 nights accommodation in a bed on the boat with bed linen, snorkel suit and all snorkeling equipment, lunch each day, breakfast and afternoon snacks, tea and coffee throughout, dessert after dinner, and an English-speaking guide plus three crew members. All fees and taxes are built in.

Where do I sleep on the Hammer?

You sleep in a mixed dormitory cabin below deck with either a single or double bed. Bed linen is provided, and the cabins are shared with other passengers on the tour.

Do I get to spend time on Whitehaven Beach?

Yes—on day two you walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout for views of Whitehaven Beach and the inlet, then spend about 3 hours on the beach itself before returning to the boat for lunch.

How many times do we snorkel, and what will we see?

You snorkel at two handpicked coral reef destinations on day two. The crew chooses the sites based on conditions and what's best on the day, and all snorkeling equipment is provided.

What happens if the weather changes?

The itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions and tides—the crew adjusts the exact beach stops and snorkel sites to keep everyone safe and make the most of the day, but the core experience of sailing, snorkeling and visiting Whitehaven Beach stays the same.

Is there an after-party when we get back to Airlie Beach?

Yes—the crew has reserved a table at a local venue for the afternoon, with meal deals and drink discounts available so you can celebrate with your new friends before heading back to your accommodation.