Whitehaven Xpress The Ultimate Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Experience

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A day tour from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, with a BBQ lunch on Whitehaven Beach and 2 hours at Hill Inlet and Betties Beach.

Days

8 hours

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Airlie Beach / Airlie Beach

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Boat with upstairs, indoor and outdoor seating; courtesy pick-ups available

Meals

BBQ lunch on Whitehaven Beach

Route

Map of Whitehaven Xpress The Ultimate Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Experience

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Included experiences

Whitehaven Beach — BBQ lunch and beach time
Hill Inlet — lookout walk
Betties Beach — beach stop
Whitehaven Beach — optional lookout

Whitehaven Xpress The Ultimate Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Experience

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: AIRLIE BEACH TO WHITSUNDAY ISLAND

After a courtesy pick-up from your accommodation, you board the Whitehaven Xpress at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. This family business has run the trip since 1989, the longest-running day tour to Whitehaven Beach. Climb upstairs to sit with the skipper for the all-round view, or stay downstairs near the bar, the toilets and the shade. Morning tea, coffee and biscuits come round as you cross the Whitsunday Passage, the channel James Cook sailed through and named in 1770. It's about an hour by fast cruise to the beach, with islands and national park slopes on both sides.

MIDDAY: WHITEHAVEN BEACH AND A BEACH BARBECUE

After a short briefing you're ferried ashore onto Whitehaven Beach, about 7 km of sand that is roughly 98 per cent pure silica, so fine it squeaks underfoot and stays cool in the sun. The first hour is yours: swim, walk the waterline, or follow the guide on the bush track up to the Whitehaven lookout for the view along the beach. Then the captain fires up the barbecue in the shade of the rainforest of Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 Whitsunday islands, with steaks cooked to order and fresh salads. Vegetarian and pescatarian meals can be arranged with notice. In the warmer months a stinger suit is supplied for swimming.

AFTERNOON: HILL INLET AND BETTY'S BEACH

After at least another hour on Whitehaven, the boat moves up to the northern end of the island. From Betty's Beach a guided bush walk climbs to the lookout over Hill Inlet, where each tide pushes white sand and turquoise water into new swirls, one of the most photographed views in Australia. Your guide tells the story of the area on the way down to the inlet's sand flats, where stingrays often rest in the shallows. You have about two hours here, more than most day tours allow, so there's time to wander the sandbars and swim. Back on board, cheese and biscuits come out for the afternoon.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO AIRLIE BEACH

It's about an hour's run back across the Passage to Coral Sea Marina, with the licensed bar open at fair prices for a cold drink on the way (bring cash). The courtesy transfer then takes you back to your accommodation, about eight hours after you set out.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Airlie Beach. Courtesy pick-ups are available.
Duration: About 8 hours.
Fitness: Moderate.

What is included

Boat trip to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
Whitehaven Beach BBQ lunch
Courtesy pick-ups

Not included

Drinks from the licensed bar on board

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 87 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

AI summary of 87 reviews

Travellers consistently praise the crew's friendliness, local knowledge and welcoming approach, with many noting the family-run atmosphere and the quality of the barbecue lunch featuring fresh meat cooked on the beach. The tour stands out most often for offering ample time at both Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, complemented by guided walks to scenic lookouts, smooth boat rides, and a small-group experience that feels less crowded than larger operators. The most common caveat is that snorkelling visibility was occasionally poor, though this was typically noted as a minor issue that did not significantly detract from the overall experience.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

An awesome tour with great crew, great food and an amazing beach.

Kirsty Cornwell Verified· Travelled 16th October 2026

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(5/5)

A fun, welcoming crew and a delicious lunch. Sam and Kai were kind, the ukulele was great, and Captain Dan shared lots of stories.

Sarah Vennard Verified· Travelled 16th October 2026

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(5/5)

Our day trip to Whitehaven was unbelievable, from the pick-up to the drop-off. Skipper Dan, Sam and Kai were outstanding for hospitality, knowledge and personality.

Jay Verified· Travelled 9th October 2026

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(5/5)

The crew patiently answered our questions, and the captain drove so smoothly no one got seasick. Snacks were handed out, and at lunch the captain cooked tender beef himself. Great weather and stunning views of Whitehaven Beach.

Kaini Verified· Travelled 7th October 2026

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(5/5)

Our family of four with two young kids did both Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. Great barbecue, amazing views, and Kai, Sam and Dan were friendly and knew the environment well. The smaller boat makes it better.

Jarno Wagemans Verified· Travelled 3rd October 2026

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(5/5)

A beautiful trip with Dan and his crew. Despite big waves it was a wonderful day with good people, lovely spots and great food.

Hans R. Schuermann Verified· Travelled 25th September 2026

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