Day trips from Airlie Beach: Best tours, cruises & experiences

The best day trips from Airlie Beach, Queensland, include high speed catamaran tours to Whitehaven Beach, and sailing cruises around the Whitsunday Islands.

The day trips from Airlie Beach, Queensland, are the main reason for visiting this Whitsundays tourist town in the first place. There are a few things to do in Airlie Beach, including swimming in the Airlie Beach Lagoon, but the town is best used as a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and hinterland.

All prices below are correct at the time of writing.

Day tours from Airlie Beach: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet

The classic Airlie Beach day trip is a cruise out to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet on Whitsunday Island, with snorkelling sessions thrown in.

Several operators offer variations on much the same itinerary. You may as well go on a high speed catamaran to minimise transfer time. Prices start at $195. (BOOK NOW).

Airlie Beach day trips: Sailing yacht cruises

Don’t make the mistake of thinking Whitehaven Beach is the only spot worth seeing in the Whitsunday Islands, however.

A day long sailing trip on the yacht Tongarra concentrates on the better snorkelling spots around Langford, Hook and Black Islands.

Also, sailing on a yacht is pretty cool irrespective. Prices start at $169. (BOOK NOW).

Whitsundays day tours: Cruise and scenic flight package

It’s possible to package up a trip to Whitehaven Beach with a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. This combo is obviously more expensive, costing from $439 – but it’s a great way of seeing the area in two ways on one day. (BOOK NOW)

Day trips from Airlie Beach: Reefworld

The Whitsunday Islands aren’t on the Great Barrier Reef proper. If you want a proper Reef snorkelling trip, then you have to go further afield. The Reefworld pontoon is the best bet as an all-rounder if you want to go snorkelling and diving on the reef. Day tours from Airlie to Reefworld include expert presentations throughout the day and the underwater viewing chamber. Prices start at $285. (BOOK NOW).

Airlie Beach day tours: Crocodile safari

For something completely different, try the Whitsundays Crocodile Safari, which heads out along the Proserpine River in search of crocodiles. It doesn’t take much effort to find them. There’s also a tractor-pulled wagon tour as part of the experience, which costs from $150. (BOOK NOW).

Whitsundays hinterland day tour: Conway National Park

It’s also possible to explore the Airlie Beach hinterland with a day tour to Conway National Park. The highlight among the rainforest here is Crystal Creek Falls, where you take a guided bushwalk then go swimming in the gorgeous rockpools. The trips cost from $159. (BOOK NOW).

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

9 memory-making Airlie Beach experiences to add to your visit

Whitehaven Beach day cruise – with plenty of snorkelling thrown in.
Glass bottom boat tour – see coral and marine life without getting wet.
Heart Reef flight – see the islands and Great Barrier Reef from above before flying over Australia’s famous heart-shaped island.
Proserpine River crocodile safari – see the big crocs from a boat.
Whitsundays sunset cruise – with free snacks and sparkling wine.
Sailing on the Camira – glide around the Whitsunday Islands under sail.
Whizz around the islands on a guided jetski tour.
Waterfall explorer day tour – with swimming in Hinterland rock pools.
Enjoy high speed thrills on a jet boat ride.