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Whitehaven, Sail & Snorkel From Hamilton Island

(12 Reviews)
  • Departs from Hamilton Island
  • 7.25 hours

 

Highlights

  • Sail on a purpose-built catamaran to Whitehaven and Chalkies Beach
  • Relax on Whitehaven’s pure silica sands and snorkel at Chalkies Reef
  • Enjoy morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and in-water snorkel guidance

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What to expect

The day starts at Hamilton Island Marina, where you board On the Edge for a sail through the Whitsunday Islands. Find a place on deck, feel the sea breeze and enjoy morning tea as the crew shares local commentary along the way.

At Whitehaven Beach, step onto the famously fine silica sand and enjoy the beach at your own pace. Walk along the shoreline, cool off in the clear shallows or simply find a spot to take in the sweep of white sand and turquoise water.

From Whitehaven, the catamaran continues to Chalkies Beach on nearby Haslewood Island, with lunch served during the day. This is your chance to discover the Whitsundays below the surface. Snorkelling equipment is provided, along with personalised instruction and in-water support, so you can settle in and look for coral, tropical fish and other marine life around the fringing reef. Wetsuits or stinger suits and flotation devices are available when required.

After the snorkel, relax on the return sail with afternoon tea and the islands around you. The boat is scheduled back at Hamilton Island Marina at about 3pm, completing a day of sailing, Whitehaven Beach and reef time in one easy trip from the island.

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

★★★★★

A
Alexandra

12 August 2025

10 out of 10 experience. From the help we received a booking, to the welcome onto the boat and a wonderful day. Staff were amazing and we’re made to feel safe and comfortable all day. Food was good. I’d certainly recommend.

★★★★★

B
Bianca

12 July 2025

An amazing day!! I’ve done a few reef tours before and this without a doubt was the best I’ve ever done! We were able to see so much marine life while snorkling and the staff made us all feel very safe! The food was great and the staff always made sure we were happy!

What you need to know

Included in your tour

  • Lunch, as well as morning and afternoon tea
  • Visiting two iconic Whitsundays destinations – Chalkies Beach on nearby Haslewood Island and Whitehaven Beach
  • Quality snorkeling equipment including wetsuits or stinger suits and flotation devices if required
  • Personalised snorkeling instructions and in water assistance
  • Option to participate in the community based coral health monitoring system ‘Eye on the Reef’
  • Licensed bar onboard with additional snacks and drinks available to purchase

Extra

  • Hotel pickup and dropoff

Time and Departure Location

Meet at Hamilton Island Marina, Front Street, Hamilton Island QLD, Australia

Check availability to see starting times.

Important Information

Know before you go

  • you must be confident in the water and be able to swim to participate.
 

What To Bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Warm clothing
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Camera
  • Sunscreen
  • Reusable water bottle

Cancellation Policy

  • A full refund will be offered for customer-requested cancellations made up to 6 days prior to travel. Cancellations made within 5 days of travel will incur a 100% cancellation fee, including no-shows.
  • Should supplier be required to cancel or the operation of the tour for any reason, including on the rare occasions due to inclement weather, an alternative date or itinerary will be offered to the passenger. If the alternative date or itinerary cannot be arranged or agreed upon, a full refund will be authorised. If the passenger accepts the alternative date or itinerary, no refunds will be issued.
  • Please note that credit card processing fees paid at the time of booking are non-refundable.
  • Tour itinerary may be subject to change without notice due to weather conditions or operational requirements.
  • Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
  • Mobile Vouchers are accepted! – Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction

Frequently asked questions

Does this tour visit Hill Inlet?

No. This itinerary combines time at Whitehaven Beach with snorkelling at Chalkies Beach. Hill Inlet and its lookout are part of a separate tour, so choose a dedicated Hill Inlet experience if seeing the famous swirling-sand view is a priority.

Is Chalkies Beach part of the outer Great Barrier Reef?

Chalkies Beach is a fringing-reef snorkelling location beside Haslewood Island within the Whitsundays. It is not an outer-reef site such as Bait Reef. If outer Great Barrier Reef snorkelling is your main priority, consider the Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tour from Hamilton Island instead.

Do I need previous snorkelling experience?

Previous snorkelling experience is not required, but you must be confident in the water and able to swim. The crew provides equipment fitting, personalised instruction and in-water assistance, with flotation devices available when required.

Where does the tour depart, and what time does it return?

The tour departs from Hamilton Island Marina at 8:00am and is scheduled to return at around 3:00pm. Follow the meeting and check-in instructions on your booking confirmation, as marina arrangements can occasionally change.

Are meals and drinks included?

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included. A licensed bar is available onboard for additional drinks and snacks, which can be purchased separately. Please provide any dietary requirements when booking so they can be passed to the catering team in advance.

Is the tour suitable for children and families?

Yes. It can be a good full-day option for families who want to combine Whitehaven Beach with snorkelling. Children must be at least 5 years old, and anyone taking part in the snorkelling must be able to swim. Equipment, flotation devices and crew assistance are available to help guests feel more comfortable in the water.

How can weather and tides affect the day?

The order of Whitehaven Beach and Chalkies Beach, as well as the time spent on different parts of the experience, may change with weather, tides and sea conditions. The crew plans the route around the conditions on the day while keeping the main beach and snorkelling experiences wherever operations allow.

12 Reviews
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Heidi

Solo Traveller

We absolutely loved our experience! A young crew, but so super professional, friendly, helpful and patient and they knew exactly what they were doing. The food was incredible, the snorkelling still great despite the wind picking up. Enough time at all the stops. Can’t wait to do it again!

August 12, 2025

Florian

Couple Traveller

We are from overseas and came to Hamilton Island to explore the Whitsundays! We had a really nice trip and really enjoyed it! The Crew was amazing!

June 26, 2025

Lewis

Couple Traveller

Absolutely tops the list of best things we’ve ever done on our travels. Thank you to an amazing, professional and entertaining crew and a fabulous experience on every level. We will be back!

June 12, 2025

Sara

Group Traveller

We absolutely loved this trip. Spectacular scenery, good snorkelling and very attentive staff. Food was great too.

May 24, 2025

Julie

Group Traveller

I was very excited to get to snorkel at the edge of the GBR. Unfortunately, it was pretty windy and the visibility wasn’t great. Not the fault of the crew. However, they did park the boat a long way from the snorkeling, and it was pretty tiring to get back to the boat. Food offered was pretty good

May 15, 2025
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