Whitsundays: Sailing Cruise, Whitehaven Beach & Reef Snorkel

4.79

(743 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway out of Airlie Beach before I realized how salty my hair was getting — the wind had picked up and someone (I think his name was Dave?) was laughing as we tried to help hoist the sails. The boat, Spank Me (yes, really), felt like a floating hostel but in a good way. Our guide, Mel, handed out stinger suits and told us stories about growing up around these islands. I could smell sunscreen and that faint tang of seaweed every time we leaned over the rail. There’s something about being surrounded by water in every direction that makes you feel both tiny and kind of free.

The first time I slid off the side for snorkeling near Luncheon Bay, my mask fogged up immediately — classic. But then I got it sorted and suddenly there were parrotfish nibbling at coral right under me. Someone yelled “turtle!” and we all splashed over, probably scaring it off (sorry, turtle). Lunch happened on deck with everyone sprawled out wherever they could find shade. I remember picking at cold pasta salad while watching clouds drift over Hayman Island. The sun felt different out there — sharper somehow.

I didn’t expect Whitehaven Beach to actually squeak underfoot but it does — pure silica sand that gets everywhere (I’m still finding it in my bag). We hiked up to Hill Inlet Lookout just before sunset; Mel pointed out how the colors swirl differently every tide. It was quieter than I thought it’d be, just our group and some distant laughter from another boat. At night there were blue lights off the back of Spank Me that drew in little fish — someone said they saw a reef shark but I missed it because I was too busy stargazing. Sleeping on deck is colder than you think but worth it for that sky.