Whitsundays: Whitehaven Beach Cruise & Hill Inlet Walk

Summary

White sand between your toes, swirling inlet views, laughter on the water

You’ll step onto Whitehaven Beach’s powdery sand, share a picnic lunch under shady trees, climb to Hill Inlet Lookout for those famous swirling views, and snorkel among bright reef fish—all with a small group and local guides who make things feel easygoing and real. Expect laughter, fresh food, salty air—and maybe one memory that sticks longer than you expect.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — not just the engine starting up at Airlie Beach, but people’s voices bouncing around the boat. Someone (I think her name was Mel?) handed out stinger suits and made a joke about looking like superheroes. The Whitsunday Passage opened up in front of us, all that blue and green smashed together. I kept thinking: this is actually happening, we’re really heading to Whitehaven Beach by speedboat. The salt spray hit my face and I didn’t even care about my hair going wild.

We pulled up at Whitehaven and honestly, stepping onto that sand felt weirdly soft — almost squeaky underfoot. Our guide, Dave, set up a shady spot for lunch right on the beach. He told us how the silica makes the sand so white it never gets hot (which is true; I tested it). Lunch was this big spread: cold prawns, salads with bits of mango in them (never had that before), fruit so juicy it dripped down my wrist. There was a family next to us playing cricket with their little girl shrieking every time she missed — I still hear her laugh sometimes when I think back.

After eating way too much watermelon, we walked up to Hill Inlet Lookout. It’s only about fifteen minutes but it’s all uphill and I definitely had to stop once or twice pretending to take photos (don’t judge). At the top, everyone went quiet for a second — you can see those swirled sands below where the tide mixes everything up. Dave pointed out some stingrays moving through the shallows; he said they come here every year around this time. It felt like standing inside a postcard but also kind of private because our group was small enough that nobody jostled for space.

The last bit was snorkeling off one of the reefs nearby. The water was cool but not cold and there were these little electric-blue fish darting everywhere. One kid tried feeding them bits of bread and got mobbed by fish — his dad laughed so hard he nearly dropped his mask. On the way back we had cake (still warm somehow?) and everyone traded stories about where they’d come from or what they’d seen underwater. So yeah, if you want a Whitsundays day cruise where you don’t feel like just another face in a crowd… this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whitsundays speed boat cruise and beach visit

• Board speed boat at Airlie Beach
• Cruise through Whitsunday Islands
• Stop at Whitehaven Beach for 2+ hours
• Swim, relax, and play cricket
• Enjoy buffet picnic lunch on beach
• Walk 15 minutes to Hill Inlet Lookout
• View swirling sands at Hill Inlet
• Snorkel at island fringing reef
• Listen to crew commentary on culture and history
• Enjoy afternoon cakes on board
• Return to Airlie Beach

Top questions

How long do you spend on Whitehaven Beach during this cruise?

You get over 2 hours on Whitehaven Beach for swimming, relaxing, or joining in games before heading to Hill Inlet.

Is lunch included on the Whitsundays day cruise?

Yes, buffet picnic lunch is served right on Whitehaven Beach with salads, prawns, meats, fruit and options for special diets if booked ahead.

Are snorkeling gear and stinger suits provided?

All snorkeling equipment plus stinger suits and flotation devices are included in your tour price.

How many people are on each cruise?

The group size is capped at 35 guests maximum for a more personal experience.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at Airlie Beach marina unless otherwise arranged.

Can children join this Whitsundays cruise?

Children aged 3 years and older can join as long as they’re able to swim if snorkeling.

Is this cruise suitable for people prone to seasickness?

The fast open-plan boat design helps minimize seasickness risk compared to other vessels.

What should I bring for this day trip?

You should bring swimwear, towel, sun protection, camera—and BYO alcohol if you want (no glass bottles).

What’s included

Your day includes a full-speed boat cruise through the Whitsunday Islands with all snorkeling gear provided (including stinger suits), over two hours relaxing at Whitehaven Beach with a buffet picnic lunch served right on the sand—plus afternoon cakes onboard after snorkeling at one of the island reefs. All taxes and fees are covered; restroom available onboard too.