The Whitsunday Islands are a dream destination in Australia with their super-white beaches and turquoise waters. Many of the 74 islands belong to national parks and are largely uninhabited, while on others resorts have been built. Those looking for relaxation and tranquility during their vacation will find it on the many uninhabited islands, and nature lovers will discover a special fauna and flora. Divers and snorkelers experience a diverse underwater world here and from here it is not far to the legendary Great Barrier Reef.
Climate: subtropical with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees
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Winds: Südostpassat
Sailing season: all year round with attention to the cyclone season from January to April in the north
Yacht charter Shute Harbour
In front of our location Shute Harbour in the northeast of Australia lie the Whitsunday Islands. The group of islands is named after the main island, which James Cook approached at the end of the 18th century, in addition 73 further smaller ones belong to it. Of these, only 17 islands are inhabited. The islands are the peaks of a mountain range once formed by volcanic activity. Shute Harbour itself is a very small place on the Queensland coast, but important because of its harbor with its connection to the Whitsunday Islands. It is located fifteen minutes from Airlie Beach, which is a tourist center of the area. It is also home to the Whitsunday Coast Airport with connections to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Close to Shute Harbour is the Conway Conservation Park. Here you will find hiking trails through rainforest and mangroves, hidden beaches and you will be rewarded with a beautiful view over the Whitsunday Islands.
Rainforest, white beaches and uninhabited islands in the Whitsunday Islands with a yacht charter Shute Harbour
Directly opposite of Shute Harbour are the Molle Islands. On South Molle you can hike in the national park through eucalyptus and rainforest to the freshwater lake in the middle of the island. On the other island groups like the Lindeman Islands, Brampton Islands or Long Island there are also hiking routes through rainforest. On the Repulse Islands in the bay south of Shute Harbour you can observe many water and migratory birds. The Newry Islands are surrounded with white sandy beaches, in the interior they are forested. There is a lot of wildlife on the Smith Islands, as well as birds of prey such as white-bellied sea eagles and ospreys. The latter can also be seen with various species of swallows and gannets on the Northumberland Islands. In the sea you can meet sea turtles and rare manatees like the dugong. From May to September even humpback whales come to calve in this area. On the other hand, if you are looking for wellness, you will find a center on Daydream Island at the Resort & Spa. A wide variety of water sports can also be tried on the island. On the largest island Whitsunday exists one of the whitest beaches in the world. Due to its very high quartz content, the sand of Whitehaven Beach shines pearly white and enters into a unique combination with the turquoise sea. Since the whole island is protected, you need a permit to go here, but in return you can enjoy this paradisiacal piece of earth without civilization interventions and legacies. An equally beautiful bay is Cid Harbour in the west of the island as well as Tongue Bay in the northeast.
Experience the unique Great Barrier Reef on a yacht charter Shute Harbour
Divers and snorkelers have plenty to do on the Whitsunday Islands. The islands are all surrounded by countless coral reefs and the clear waters allow for great visibility. The islands are part of national parks, which are superordinate UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is because only 30 nautical miles away lies the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef ecosystem. With its outstanding biodiversity ranging from unicellular algae to sponges and over 1600 species of fish to large marine animals such as turtles, dolphins and, as already mentioned, humpback whales, it attracts divers, nature lovers and scientists from all over the world. To maintain this uniqueness, certain regions and islands require permits or are only accessible with a guide. Information on this, as well as activities and a mobile map app, is available on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority site.
The Whitsunday Islands are also a good sailing area for beginners, as it is protected by the Great Barrier Reef. However, you should have practice in coastal sailing. There are short distances between the islands and they offer bays with protected anchorages. Many of these islands can only be reached by private or chartered boats and are equipped with picnic areas and toilets, also tent sites are available. It is best to inform yourself beforehand about any rules and permits as well as the jellyfish situation around the islands.
