Airlie Beach is home to The Whitsundays are a must-see on any trip to Australia. Made up of 74 islands within the Great Barrier Reef, they’re the perfect place to snorkel, island hop and experience some of the country’s most famous natural beauty. Highlights include the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, known for its pure white silica sand, and the stunning views from Hill Inlet Lookout. One of the best ways for backpackers to explore the Whitsundays is on an overnight sailing trip, where you can snorkel the reef, visit iconic spots and meet fellow backpackers along the East Coast.
Day trips can be fun and perfect if you are on a tight schedule. However, an overnight trip is what most backpackers traveling along the East Coast of Australia will pick. Overnight trips include all your food, activities, and accommodation, so are great value for money. Since the Whitsundays is a collection of 74 islands you need more than a day to see as much as you can; part of the adventure is to stay on the boat overnight and to be the first group to see Whitehaven Beach in the morning.
We recommend booking your overnight Airlie Beach tour about one month in advance. This is because these trips fill up quickly due to their popularity. During peak season some boats, in the Whitsundays area can get fully booked up to two months in advance.
The overnight Whitsunday tours typically fall into three different categories.
The first type is the party boats! There’s usually up to 60 passengers on board and are all about having fun with a few drinks.
The second type is the adventure boats. There’s usually 20 to 30 passengers on board and are all about seeing the most of the Whitsundays.
The last type is the chilled boats! There’s usually 8 to 12 passengers on board and are for couples looking to relax on the Whitsundays.
The best time of year to go on a Airlie Beach tour is September to November. This is considered peak season, as it generally has dry, sunny weather. However, June to August is also a great time of year to go as you have a chance to spot humpback whales.
We recommend spending five days at Airlie Beach, this allows you to go on an overnight sailing trip and extra activities without feeling rushed. You can book our 5 day Whitsundays tour package for the ultimate experience when visiting Airlie Beach.
There are plenty of activities to do whilst visiting Airlie Beach. It is the perfect place to snorkel or dive on the Great Barrier Reef. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush we recommend doing a skydive or jet ski tour. However, our top recommendation is an overnight sailing trip around the Whitsunday islands.
The Whitsundays are located in Airlie Beach and you can visit the islands through various boat trips from Airlie Beach. To get to Airlie Beach, you can get here by driving yourself, by the Greyhound bus or by flying into the Proserpine Airport.
Accommodation varies. Some offer bunk-style beds in shared cabins, while others have private cabins or sleeping on deck under the stars.
