Welcome to
Whitehaven Beach

Queensland Australia

Located On Whitsunday Island

Hill Inlet Lookout

South Whitehaven Lookout

View of Whitehaven Beach From The South Lookout

About Whitehaven Beach

Discover the calming sense of freedom of Whitehaven Beach as you set foot on the pristine white powder sands, set to uncover the remoteness of this multi award winning tourism icon. With 97% pure, powder-white sands and crystal clear tropical waters, it’s easy to see why this beach on the eastern shore of Whitsunday Island in Queensland, Australia, is so breathtaking and untouched.

The beach stretches an impressive 7 kilometres long and curves like a new moon. At one end lies the Hill Inlet hiking trail, with its sea river pushing through the island’s centre and its stunning lookout that overlooks the Whitsunday Islands National Park and Whitehaven Beach. The south end also offers a spectacular lookout with views of the length of the beach and back towards the mainland! And if that wasn’t enough, there is a camping ground and no one lives on this island – talk about an idyllic escape from everyday life!

Thanks to isolation from the mainland (35 kilometres away!), the Great Barrier Reef marine park, and Whitsunday National Parks, this dreamy 98% pure silica sand destination has been protected for all of us to enjoy. So what are you waiting for? Start discovering the perfect holiday today with our guide to Whitehaven Beach and the surrounding North Queensland region – there’s no better time than now!

REGION

Whitehaven Beach Visitor Information

Here you will find all the information you need to visit Whitehaven Beach

Tours To Whitehaven Beach

Tours To Whitehaven Beach

Choose your perfect Whitehaven Beach Tours From Airlie Beach, Daydream Island and Hamilton Island.
Find The Best Tours For You

South Whitehaven

Experience crystal-clear turquoise waters, soft silica sands and beautiful scenery. If you visit here you 100% stand on the official beach.
Discover South Whitehaven Beach

North Whitehaven

Explore Hill Inlet Lookout with its famous swirling sands. Enjoy the beauty of Betty’s Beach.
Discover North Whitehaven Beach

Camping

The only accommodation available is camping and it’s mind-blowingly beautiful! Have all 7km of beach to yourself at night.
Discover Camping On Whitehaven Beach

Airlie Beach

Known as “The Gateway To The Whitsunday Islands” this vibrant seaside town has something for everyone.
Discover Airlie Beach

The Great Barrier Reef

An awe-inspiring reef that stretches for over 2,300 kilometres in length and includes the Whitsunday Islands
Discover The Great Barrier Reef

Hamilton Island

From 5-star hotels to affordable bungalows this island resort is world-renowned for its tropical holidays.
Discover Hamilton Island

Whitsunday Islands

Welcome to the 74 Whitsunday Islands, located off the coast of QLD, Australia. Learn about the islands here.
Discover the Whitsundays Islands

Map of walking areas at Whitehaven Beach South

Maps Of Island And Beach

Before you travel to the region, discover the interactive maps including satellite and Beach 360 views.
See Our Whitehaven Beach Maps

Coral Sea Tides

It’s crucial to check the tides before going boating around the islands, as it can affect the safety of your journey.
Tide Chart Whitehaven Beach

Local Weather

Find the best days to embark on your Whitehaven Beach journey, and check the latest weather app right here
Whitehaven Beach Weather

How To Get Here

Without roads, there are 3 different ways to get to the beach on Whitsunday Island. Check out my guide
How To Get Here

Tourism Information

Whitsundays Best Attraction

I remember the first time I stepped onto Whitehaven Beach. The crystal clear turquoise shallow waters and pure white sand felt like nothing I had experienced in my travels – an experience that ultimately led to me living here just over 21 years ago! The sun shone brightly, reflecting off the sparkling sea and creating a mesmerizing atmosphere that made me feel so alive and left me realising plenty of untouched paradise locations still exist.

This pristine beach with calm waters is unlike any other in the world; its beauty lies in its naturally distanced, untouched state and 98% pure silica soft sand that never heats up under your feet. Everywhere you look, there’s something new to discover as nature runs wild in this part of my backyard.

Whitehaven Beach truly has everything for everyone and is family-friendly for children of all ages; whether you want to relax by swimming, spending time in the day-use area (which has toilets and picnic tables), or just soaking up some rays while admiring its spectacular views, it’s guaranteed an unforgettable experience. No wonder 75 000 people visit annually, and why it’s been voted one of TripAdvisor’s best beaches in Australia year after year!

Hill Inlet Whitehaven Beach Whitsundays QLD 4802

Destination Information

What is so special about Whitehaven Beach?

Remoteness – You’re 35km across the Coral Sea from mainland Airlie Beach, but it feels like a million miles away! That’s because Whitehaven Beach is located on the paradisiacal Whitsunday Island – and you must take a boat trip or helicopter to get there. So it’s the perfect remote escape if you dream of freedom. So why not make your own adventure and experience some true serenity?

2. The sand – The sand here is divine; it’s 98% pure silica, made up of tiny beads that glisten in the tropical sun while still remaining cool to the touch, even during the hottest days. It feels like you’re walking on luxurious velvet!

3. Hill Inlet – the North end of the beach has an inlet that stretches far into Whitsunday Island. At its widest point, it spans 700 metres, and if you visit at low tide, you’ll be able to witness the beautiful swirling sand pattern for over 4km along the shore.

4. South Whitehaven Lookout – I think this lookout offers one of the most magnificent views of our Whitsunday Islands paradise – you can see all 7km of the beach plus multiple islands and inlets. Truly stunning!

5. The awards – Whitehaven Beach has won so many awards over the years it would be impossible to list them all, but here are some highlights:

2021 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award #1 best beach in the world.
2018 Flight Network awarded Whitehaven Beach #2 for the World’s Top 100 Beaches.
2017 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards Best Beach in South Pacific and Australia.
2016 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards Best Beach in South Pacific and Australia.
2010 News network CNN.com. Named Whitehaven Beach the Number One Eco-Friendly Beach in the world.
2008 Keep Australia Beautiful awards nominated Whitehaven Beach as the cleanest beach in Queensland.

Satellite View

Whitsunday Island Whitehaven Beach Map

Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island, QLD 4802

Testimonials

Reviews From Whitehaven Beach Visitors

Whitehaven Beach

4.8

Based on 832 reviews

review us on

Andrew McCormack

10:44 12 Apr 24

Look it is very pretty however it is hyped up a lot more than what it’s worth. This beach shares the same state as K’gari (Fraser) island and Moreton island and as a Queenslander who has spent a lot of time at both it really does not compare to them. Glad we ticked it off our bucket list but prob won’t return as it really isn’t anything special to write home about.

Milan

08:34 12 Apr 24

Andrei Contu

11:33 06 Apr 24

A story, that's how I can express the moment I spent here on the bright and fine white sand and with clear and turquoise water. For me it was the most spectacular beach and island of all. A unique place in every way. There are a lot of tours here on the island and we chose a full day trip and believe me it's worth every minute spent here. Also here I had included the food and drink offered by the company I arrived here with. A dream beach deserves to be visited at least once in your life and we would return here today.

Guillaume Léger

10:00 03 Apr 24

It's a very pretty beach, but honestly, it's not absolutely extraordinary. Plus, I find it annoying to have to swim in a wetsuit because dangerous jellyfish inhabit these waters. However, the setting is still very nice, and something I didn't know is that it's possible to camp for a night with a tent on the island. There are also several hiking trails.

Hung Dinh Le

06:59 03 Apr 24

Beautiful beach! Look the the clear turquoise ocean heaven! The corals come in different colours we get to dive in and get to meet a lot of kinds of fishes and corals, heaven! There are many tour company but we support local small business and Big Fury is a amzing choice, we had a lovely tour with Big Fury.

Elizangela Tesserolli

20:23 31 Mar 24

One of the most beautiful beaches in the world!

Franz Stiefvater

10:31 29 Mar 24

David Johnston-Bell

05:05 29 Mar 24

Julie & Ludovic

20:04 24 Mar 24

This beach is an absolute gem! Soft, white and powdery sand with crystal-clear water. The scenery is simply breathtaking.Thanks to the Queensland government for preserving its environment and protecting its coastline. This beach remains untouched by human impact. The location is only accessible by boat or by air, making it truly exceptional.We celebrated our wedding on this beach, and we felt like we were the only ones in the world.

Till Ich

13:39 20 Mar 24

This is THE place in the area. You should definitely go there. If you have the time, go for a multiple day trip because there is so much more to discover in the area of the Whitsundays.

Mario Lopez

23:17 17 Mar 24

Jackie Droujko

01:11 09 Mar 24

Most beautiful beach I ever seen. In the bay we saw stingrays and a lemon shark. Was extremely hot- wear sunscreen!

Claudio Nicoli

20:32 07 Mar 24

Difficult to get there if you are not a millionaire who arrives by yacht or seaplane.It can definitely be the most beautiful call in the world for its white sand of almost 100% crystalline silicaUnfortunately, bathing during box jellyfish season is better with a suit.

Matthias Peeters

10:40 01 Mar 24

Perfect beach, so beautiful! Water is very nice to swim in. Watch out for stingers though.

هبه منصور

06:40 28 Feb 24

A place that brings psychological comfort

Carol Bloomfield

23:25 24 Feb 24

Fly over by helicopter or arrive by boat but don't ruin it! It's white and pristine

Manuel Ortega

20:20 23 Feb 24

Raphaël

19:59 23 Feb 24

Lisa V.

09:39 22 Feb 24

Mini plane tour absolutely necessary, it’s sublime

Christian Lezcano

14:24 15 Feb 24

Beautiful place that I would always return to.

J_Travels

11:56 06 Feb 24

One of the best beaches not only in Australia but in the world. Stunning to see and experience on a (half) day trip from Airlie Beach. Tour operators drop you off on the Southern end of the beach typically, but my advice is to take a walk away from the swarming tourists and have some peace and quiet to yourself to admire the true natural beauty of the area.

Alastair MacKenzie

17:46 04 Feb 24

Lovely place, great holiday

Milena Paolessi

13:18 02 Feb 24

Beautiful beach you can't miss if you go to Australia!

Bonnie H

21:25 01 Feb 24

This is a must see place, it is iconic. I recommend by helicopter or you can get a boat just see it.

Muhammad Aboobacker

19:58 01 Feb 24

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, Australia, is a pristine paradise that captivates with its breathtaking beauty. The beach's powdery, pure-white silica sand stretches for seven kilometers, creating a stunning contrast against the azure waters of the Coral Sea. The swirling patterns in the sand are not only visually mesmerizing but also cool to the touch, making it a unique and memorable experience.The beach is accessible by boat or seaplane, enhancing the sense of exclusivity. Hill Inlet, where the tide creates a stunning fusion of colors as the water meets the sand, is a must-see marvel that adds to the overall allure of Whitehaven. The surrounding lush greenery and the Whitsunday Islands' iconic turquoise waters complete the postcard-perfect scene.Whitehaven Beach offers more than just a picturesque setting; it provides an escape into tranquility and natural wonder. The eco-friendly management ensures the preservation of this pristine environment. Whether strolling along the shoreline, swimming in the crystal-clear waters, or simply basking in the sun, Whitehaven Beach is a quintessential destination for those seeking serenity amidst nature's grandeur. It stands as a testament to Australia's natural beauty, leaving visitors with indelible memories of a truly idyllic escape.

Shann Howman

06:33 27 Jan 24

Jess Goode

10:08 26 Jan 24

GORGEOUS

요시요시요시

13:33 24 Jan 24

The water is so beautiful

Eliza P

02:08 22 Jan 24

Simon G

07:09 18 Jan 24

Words cannot express how beautiful this place is, it’s the meaning of paradise.

Benja Gustavo Chavez

15:58 17 Jan 24

I love this place! I will come again!

Ignacio Banos

12:21 16 Jan 24

Whiteheaven is incredible, you can't believe the beauty of the place. One of the most beautiful places and one of the best beaches I have seen in my life. The plane or helicopter excursions are worth it. Super recommended.

Henrik Lebeck Kofoed

02:04 14 Jan 24

The most amazing experience in terms of swimming and sandy beach, incredibly beautiful and peaceful... there were no sharks the day we were there...😃 If you are in the area, you owe it to yourself to go on one of the many tours on offer. My wife, daughter and myself were on board. #viperwithsundays, with a thoroughly professional setup on board, and they were very careful when we were in the water. Throughout the day we visited various destinations in the area, ending at the Great Barrier Reef….. like diving in a huge aquarium, one of the most beautiful experiences I have had that I will never forget🙏🙏❤️🇩🇰🇳🇿

Kamui Hand

01:13 14 Jan 24

The sun is hot, the water is crystal clear and beautiful, the sand is 99% silica, fine and fresh. It is recommended to bring plenty of sunscreen and clothing. A paradise on earth.

Andres Ruz

18:26 12 Jan 24

I love this place

Carolina Salgados Neira

18:22 12 Jan 24

Excellent service very nice place

Cody Lammert

08:13 09 Jan 24

Giuliana Fumagalli

03:11 03 Jan 24

A paradise, we saw 2 manta rays and a small shark on the shore.

Saqib Khan

08:21 02 Jan 24

It is one of the best spots of the world. Really enjoyed beautiful, unique beach.

Juan Burroghs

13:34 01 Jan 24

beautiful place to rest

07:22 26 Dec 23

12:52 25 Dec 23

21:40 23 Dec 23

22:48 18 Dec 23

21:05 18 Dec 23

Incredibly beautiful beach, the sand is literally white and the water is bright blue and turqouise! Remember your stinger suit during the summer months. We saw stingrays, fish and small shark right in the shallow water at the edge of the beach.

David

06:32 18 Dec 23

Fantastic beach🏖️

ALEXDRO

00:20 18 Dec 23

Of the best!!!

Ilya Ro

11:28 12 Dec 23

This place is a dream beach with white sands, turquoise blue water and incredible sun sets. We stayed there for couple days at one of the camp sites. Only a few things I didn’t like are the Sand Flies, which are usually just around the sunrise and sunset. Also, in the afternoons the whole area at the beach is covered by the tour boats, with hundreds of people. The best thing to do is to make a 7km Wald to the other end of this beach. This is where you will get a perfect drone photo.

carlos ruiz

17:01 10 Dec 23

Wonderful place

Sanura Naveen

11:02 02 Dec 23

Aahh.. if you looking for a review in words, not gonna find it. Simply breathtaking and can’t describe how beautiful this place is by words. JUST GO THERE…. 🤩🤩🤩

ktakwok

18:34 28 Nov 23

You don't need a second thought, definitely one of the most beautiful beach in the world

F F

13:49 24 Nov 23

This is so beautiful, worth a visit.

23:04 18 Nov 23

21:14 16 Nov 23

09:36 15 Nov 23

09:19 03 Nov 23

08:50 30 Oct 23

07:49 26 Oct 23

16:21 23 Oct 23

Among the most beautiful places I've seen.

bing

14:34 22 Oct 23

Ultraclean Solar

00:08 22 Oct 23

Awesome Beach Helicopter is the way to go !

Stephen Eldridge

03:16 18 Oct 23

Lucky Noerhakim

01:48 17 Oct 23

Nice place

Juan Ramos

07:25 15 Oct 23

Amazing beach

Grace

20:01 14 Oct 23

M Abedeen

12:13 03 Oct 23

Awesome

Linda Germanos

07:00 03 Oct 23

The sand on Whitehaven beach is The Best

Unay Santisteban

21:57 21 Sep 23

A paradise, there are fish on the shore, the water is crystal clear and the sand is white. An incredible place. There are usually many boats since the only way to access it is by sea.

Frank

09:38 15 Sep 23

WOW! It's often rated among the top beaches in the world, and I could see why. Beautiful location. Increadible white sand. The sand is so fine grained, I loved just running it through my fingers. Somewhat remote, we took a cruise to get there. A great day out when you're visiting the Whitsunday islands.

Okay okay

06:34 15 Sep 23

HECTOR UGALDE MARTINEZ

00:37 14 Sep 23

Heaven on earth

Siew-Gim Mcgregor

08:08 13 Sep 23

Unbelievably beautiful beaches

Peter H.

20:33 10 Sep 23

a dream

劉軒光

09:41 11 Jul 23

Whitehaven Beach can be said to be one of the must-see attractions in the Whitsunday Islands. You can buy packages from local tours or buy tickets for the ship transferring you to it, and there are half-day trips and one-day trips for you to choose from. The one-day itinerary includes a short walk directly to the Hill Inlet lookout, which I personally think is a must. As for Whitehaven Beach itself, it is a place suitable for engaging in various sea activities (stand-up paddle, swimming) or simply enjoying the sun on the beach which many people do so. Also, if you like hiking, there is also a lookout there, but please don’t confuse it with the Hill Inlet Lookout. Furthermore, because of the characteristics of white sand, it does not absorb heat, and the particles are very fine, just like powder, therefore, it is a great pleasure to walk on it.

Nath J Whitsundays

11:19 23 May 23

I get asked a lot why Whitehaven Beach is so special … the sand is one of highlights but for me it’s travelling on a boat 35km from the mainland to an uninhabited island with a 7km long beach that is never crowded. Love spending time here ❤️

Chris Hardstaff

10:32 15 May 23

Most amazing beach in the world, beautiful white sand that doesn't get hot under foot!! Might sound unbelievable but it's true!!We go every time we are on Hamilton Island or nearby. And just across from the south end of Whitehaven is Chalkies beach, which has some pretty good snorkelling.

Khalid Mewati

07:51 11 Apr 23

*ABOUT:- Whitehaven Beach is on Whitsunday Island, Australia. The island is accessible by boat, seaplane & helicopter from Airlie Beach, as well as Hamilton Island. It lies across from Stockyard Beach, better known as Chalkie's Beach, on Haslewood Island.*Famous for :- its silky smooth white sand and crystal clear turquoise water, Whitehaven Beach is on the bucket lists of travellers worldwide with thousands making the journey each year. Despite the number of visitors, the iconic pure white sand found only on Whitehaven Beach and the surrounding landscape remains pristine.

joanna chen

13:27 25 Mar 23

The most beautiful beach I've ever been to...the natural beauty of this place is cannot be described by words 😭😭😭😭😭 if you are going to airlie beach, you MUST take at least a day trip to see the Whitehaven beach. It is truly like no other beach in the world. The sand here is so white and fine, the water is so clear and blue. The boat ride is sooo worth it.

Liz Andrewartha

07:43 12 Mar 23

This is a must see place. White sand and turquoise water... can't go wrong. It is stinger season, so the tours supply stinger suits. Use them or don't... but be prepared for living hell if you happen to meet up with a little irukandgi. But don't let that deter you - it's heaven on earth and we'll worth the visit. There are toilets but as a National Park, it is totally undeveloped. Accessible by boat, helicopter and seaplane.

Tammy Richie

12:15 01 Nov 22

Never ever tire of this place especially being there with good friends…Whitehaven Beach always so changing …Nice, clean Jeweley again …Crystal clear water …Soft silicone sand ..The third most popular photographed place in Australia…Ahhh my cup is well & truly full ..If you haven’t ever been to the beautiful Whitsundays islands in beautiful Qld …I highly recommend it !Queensland.. beautiful one day, perfect the next for sure

Dan Duncan

04:42 03 Sep 22

I can see why this is regarded as one of Australia's most beautiful beaches/locations. The various shades of blue/aqua in the water and the amazing sand makes this such a picturesque location. Used the sand to clean up our jewellery we were wearing and it certainly sparkled thereafter. I can also see why so many movies utilise this space in filming. Check this out. Walk up to the Hill Inlet Lookout for spectacular views - a must

Steven Tuhy

10:24 02 Aug 22

Regularly voted as one of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Whitehaven beach has stunning white sand contrasting the vivid, crystal clear water. The beach stretches for a wide arch. This remote location means there are few crowds. Highly recommend visiting this beach, by sea or by air.

Dinesh Sharma

04:51 27 Jun 22

It is indeed the best beach in the world. Absolutely stunning.

Brian Hurst

06:44 10 Jun 22

A very impressive location.You feel you are in a special place.Beautiful beach, lovely blue water, white sand.. A delight to swim at or to stroll along the beach.It can get crowded at times, so be prepared for that. If you want secluded beach, probably best to go a a private boat trip to another beach location on one of the islands.The boat trip there and back is well worth it.

Jigar Mehta

06:55 03 Feb 22

Whitehaven Beach is named as the best beaches in the world (By TripAdvisor in Year 2021). This is third most visited place in Australia.The beach has very soft white sand which is very good for our skin. We had been instructed not to carry this sand back home.The beach has crystal clear water.Unfortunately NO FOOD or DRINKING WATER is available at the beach. Make sure bring your own food or pre-order with your tour.Visit of this beach was an amazing experience.

Zhengming Zhang

10:14 14 Jan 22

It’s even better when you look down from the sky.

Dylan Locke

03:04 10 Nov 21

An amazingly beautiful beach, feels like paradise.

Kyle Humphries

06:43 20 Oct 21

This must be the most stunning beach in the world 10/10 recommend

Guzel Gabbs

00:53 18 Sep 21

Lovely food, big portions, great staff, beautiful location! Thank you guys!

More reviews

Visual Tour

Welcome to
Whitehaven Beach

About Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach Visitor Information

Tours To Whitehaven Beach

South Whitehaven

North Whitehaven

Camping

Airlie Beach

The Great Barrier Reef

Hamilton Island

Whitsunday Islands

Maps Of Island And Beach

Coral Sea Tides

Local Weather

How To Get Here

Whitsundays Best Attraction

What is so special about Whitehaven Beach?

Whitsunday Island Whitehaven Beach Map

Reviews From Whitehaven Beach Visitors

Stunning Video Of The Beach

Our Latest Regional Articles

Habibi Whitsundays Two Day 1 Night Tour

Whitsundays Crown of Thorns Starfish Control Program

Protected Marine Species of the Whitsundays

Dugongs Of The Whitsundays

Turtles of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef

The Traditional Owners Of The GBR

Website Information

Quick links

Welcome toWhitehaven Beach

About Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach Visitor Information

Tours To Whitehaven Beach

South Whitehaven

North Whitehaven

Camping

Airlie Beach

The Great Barrier Reef

Hamilton Island

Whitsunday Islands

Maps Of Island And Beach

Coral Sea Tides

Local Weather

How To Get Here

Whitsundays Best Attraction

What is so special about Whitehaven Beach?

Whitsunday Island Whitehaven Beach Map

Reviews From Whitehaven Beach Visitors

Stunning Video Of The Beach

Our Latest Regional Articles

Habibi Whitsundays Two Day 1 Night Tour

Whitsundays Crown of Thorns Starfish Control Program

Protected Marine Species of the Whitsundays

Dugongs Of The Whitsundays

Turtles of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef

The Traditional Owners Of The GBR

Website Information

Welcome to
Whitehaven Beach