Whitsundays cruises fall into a few clear types: reef day trips out to the outer Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach cruises around the islands, relaxed sunset sails back in Airlie Beach, and multi day sailing trips that cover the lot over 2 nights. Most depart the Port of Airlie or Coral Sea Marina, so picking the right one mostly comes down to how much time you have and whether you want to be in the water, on the sand, or just watching the sun go down with a drink.
Reef day cruises
The Whitsundays Outer Reef Day Tour cruises to the Reefworld pontoon at Hardy Reef, with 4 hours at the platform for snorkelling, a semi submersible tour and an underwater observatory, plus a gourmet buffet lunch.
Whitehaven Beach cruises
The Whitehaven Beach Half Day Afternoon Cruise gives around 2 hours on the sand for anyone short on time. The Whitehaven Beach Northern Exposure Tour adds 2 separate snorkel sites near Hook Island before the beach landing. The Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour on Camira sails to Whitehaven and the Hill Inlet lookout aboard one of the world's fastest catamarans, all inclusive with a gourmet barbecue lunch and drinks from the bar. For 2 islands in a day, the Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island Tour with Lunch spends the morning on Whitehaven and the afternoon on Hamilton Island.
Sunset cruises
The Sundowner Sunset Cruise is a relaxed evening cruise around Airlie Beach on a fully covered, purpose built catamaran, with a sparkling or soft drink included and a licensed bar open throughout.
Multi day sailing
The Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Broomstick is a 2 day, 2 night trip aboard an ex racing yacht, with guided snorkelling, island hikes, meals and onboard accommodation. The Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Hammer runs the same route aboard a fast Maxi yacht, snorkelling up to 4 locations in shared dorm style cabins over the 2 nights.
Frequently asked questions
What types of cruises are available in the Whitsundays?
Reef day trips to the outer Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach day cruises, evening sunset cruises, and multi day sailing trips that combine reef, island and overnight accommodation.
Where do most Whitsundays cruises depart from?
Most depart the Port of Airlie or Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, with some also picking up from Hamilton Island.
How long is a sunset cruise?
The Sundowner Sunset Cruise runs from dusk to dark around Airlie Beach, with a drink included and a bar open throughout for the rest of the evening.
Can I snorkel and visit Whitehaven Beach on the same cruise?
Yes. The Northern Exposure tour and the Camira sailing adventure both combine guided snorkelling with time on Whitehaven Beach and a walk to the Hill Inlet lookout.
How long do the multi day sailing cruises run?
The Broomstick and Hammer sailing adventures both run 2 days and 2 nights, with meals, accommodation and guided snorkelling and hiking included.
Local tip: pair a reef or Whitehaven day cruise earlier in your trip with a sunset cruise on a later evening, it is a relaxed way to close out a Whitsundays stay without needing another early start.
Compare the Whitsundays cruises above and choose the reef access, island time and pace that suit your trip.