Whitsunday Islands National Park
Whitsunday Islands National Park
Whitsunday Islands National Park
4.9
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.9
36 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mairwen1
United Kingdom12,370 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
The Whitsundays National Park covers a vast area, made up of 74 islands, pristine beaches, coral reefs, and open seas.
We recently hired a Sunsail 42ft Leopard catamaran and spent a week exploring. It’s an absolutely brilliant thing to do and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Not surprisingly, there were many, many highlights. Two of the best were overnighting off Whitehaven Beach and at Cateran Bay.
Whitehaven is a uniquely beautiful, sprawling white sand beach with stunning turquoise blue water. It’s no surprise that it’s listed as #1 spot in the Whitsundays. Before leaving we sailed around to Tongue Bay and climbed Hill Inlet for a jaw-dropping view back down over Whitehaven.
Cateran Bay lies off the less well known, Border Island.
A small, deserted island, we had it entirely to ourselves at times. The bay is enclosed by steep, mountainous hills which make it feel very secluded and, unlike Whitehaven, the commercial boats don’t tend to come here. It was as close as we’re ever likely to come to the fantasy of owning a private island.
It was incredibly peaceful and almost eerily quiet during the night.
During the day, we spent time snorkelling and climbing the walking trail to the top ridge where we had outstanding views across to other island peaks.
We recently hired a Sunsail 42ft Leopard catamaran and spent a week exploring. It’s an absolutely brilliant thing to do and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Not surprisingly, there were many, many highlights. Two of the best were overnighting off Whitehaven Beach and at Cateran Bay.
Whitehaven is a uniquely beautiful, sprawling white sand beach with stunning turquoise blue water. It’s no surprise that it’s listed as #1 spot in the Whitsundays. Before leaving we sailed around to Tongue Bay and climbed Hill Inlet for a jaw-dropping view back down over Whitehaven.
Cateran Bay lies off the less well known, Border Island.
A small, deserted island, we had it entirely to ourselves at times. The bay is enclosed by steep, mountainous hills which make it feel very secluded and, unlike Whitehaven, the commercial boats don’t tend to come here. It was as close as we’re ever likely to come to the fantasy of owning a private island.
It was incredibly peaceful and almost eerily quiet during the night.
During the day, we spent time snorkelling and climbing the walking trail to the top ridge where we had outstanding views across to other island peaks.
Written February 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SphereHopper
London, UK267 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Best way to see the park is to sail around it! We chartered a 42 foot monohull from Whitsunday Escapes for two weeks and had a great time. We travelled a long way from the south of the UK for this bucket list holiday and top marks to the charter company for a great organisation.
Written April 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mestewart46
16 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
After spending months in Australia where I was lucky enough to see plenty of beautiful places, my standards were pretty darn high, but this national park was the icing on the cake. It feels pristine despite the fact that dozens of boats sail through every day. I tried scuba diving and the beautiful, untouched coral blew my mind, it was much brighter and more varied than the coral in fringing reefs closer to Cairns.
The boats are all very careful to not ruin anything, we did not wear fins while snorkeling so we couldn't stomp on any coral like careless heathens. And twice someone lost a water bottle off the side of the boat and one of the crew members jumped off to retrieve it so it would not be litter.
The water here is SO blue and clean. This national park is a dream and one of the best in the country! If you take anything from this review let it be that you should definitely go here and definitely take steps to make sure you protect its beautiful, unique ecosystem.
The boats are all very careful to not ruin anything, we did not wear fins while snorkeling so we couldn't stomp on any coral like careless heathens. And twice someone lost a water bottle off the side of the boat and one of the crew members jumped off to retrieve it so it would not be litter.
The water here is SO blue and clean. This national park is a dream and one of the best in the country! If you take anything from this review let it be that you should definitely go here and definitely take steps to make sure you protect its beautiful, unique ecosystem.
Written January 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J H H
McLean, VA1,166 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Whitsunday Island proper is fascinating. Beautiful Beaches - especially the Saw Mill Beach (which has facilities), and a picnic area. No camping, no outdoor fires, no pets, but lovely to swim at, blue bottle jellies permitting. So far from civilization, really paradise. You'll feel like Robinson Crusoe! Saw Mill Beach is also the starting point for the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail which climbs 2.5 KM to the peak of the Island and offers unbelievable views. If you're fit (really really fit), the hike to and from the peak (takes over 4 hours) is well worth it. VERY rugged, very steep trail (unpaved) which passes through stream beds that can fill during wet season. Stick to the trail as once past the starting point there is NO SIGNAGE. Take plenty of bottled water and wear hiking shoes (not flip flops). If you don't try the trail, the swimming at the beach is simply delightful.
Written February 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dani
Melbourne, Australia227 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
One of Australia’s most beautiful destinations. Definitely one to add to your bucket list. Breathtaking views. Picture perfect.
Written October 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony S
Brisbane, Australia1,858 contributions
Aug 2021
Only on a day trip we managed three short walks. There are camp sites available but the easy walks and superb beaches make the National Park a must visit.
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CodyMav
Gold Coast, Australia27,244 contributions
Jul 2020
Get on the water, and experience what you can of the 74 Whitsunday islands.
Whether its sailing, a cruise, the iconic Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef or Hill Inlet, find a way to immerse yourself in this natural beauty
Whether its sailing, a cruise, the iconic Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef or Hill Inlet, find a way to immerse yourself in this natural beauty
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jilc2012
Edmonton, Canada138 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Worth the time, a must see. So glad we went. A guided tour is helpful. Water and snacks also are helpful.
Written May 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Blue Path
British Columbia, Canada153 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
We did a three day sailing trip and spent a bit of time on several of the Whitsunday Islands. On Whitsunday Island, we went straight to Whitehaven Beach while everyone else was up at the viewpoint. We had the place to ourselves for about 30 minutes before other people started coming down. This is one of the world's more beautiful places.
Written November 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmandaLStokes
19 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
We had a great day here at the whitsunday national park. Lovely views from hill inlet and whitehaven beach is great. The park is well looked after and there are suitable facilities.
Written February 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I was wondering how you get to the island, I only see tours that overview it. How did you guys visit it?
Written December 6, 2016
Do you know already? because i keep havinf the same question...
Thanks.
Written September 11, 2017
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