Daydream Island, Queensland: Stay at the resort or do a day tour from Airlie Beach?

Daydream Island, Queensland, is one of the closest of the Whitsunday islands to Airlie Beach. Day trips from Airlie Beach give access to the Living Reef and pool. But there are more things to do on Daydream Island if you stay at the Daydream Island Resort.

Daydream Island, Queensland, is a resort island in the Whitsundays region. One of seven islands in the Molle Group, it’s also one of the closest islands to Airlie Beach.

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.

This Queensland resort island is also one of the smallest islands in the Whitsundays. Don’t go expecting the massive beaches of Whitsunday Island, walking trails of South Molle Island or full range of activities of Hamilton Island.

Daydream Island is about one kilometre long and 400 metres wide. It is popular both as a resort and a day trip destination.

Daydream Island near Airlie Beach in Queensland. Photo by Samuel Bisso.

Things to do on Daydream Island

Cruise Whitsundays operates the Daydream Island day tours from the Port of Airlie. These include a two course lunch at the Inkstone Kitchen and Bar, plus full access to the resort’s genuinely fantastic, sprawling lagoon-style pool. You can also explore the island, although there’s not exactly an enormous amount to see.

Which Whitsundays cruise should I choose?

For those with limited time: Whitehaven Beach half day tour.
For the highlights reel: Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island day trip.
To see the reef two ways: High speed Whitsundays cruise plus scenic reef flight combo.
For romance, sparkling wine and sunset under sail: Multi-beach and reef Lady Enid cruise.
To see several islands: Sailing and snorkelling adventure.
For an overnight sailing adventure: Matador two day yacht cruise.

The clear highlight is the Living Reef, which is probably best described as a wrap-around aquarium. It’s outdoors, has living coral and dozens of fish species. The full day trips include the 10am fish-feeding show.

Daydream Island day tours

The Daydream Island day tours leave the Port of Airlie at 8.25am, and return from the island at 6.25pm. These cost $169, and include the Daydream Island ferry trip over. There is also an essentially pointless half day option, which costs $159. This half day tour takes the 11.35am ferry.

You can also book the ferry independently.

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Daydream Island resort

Those staying at the resort will find plenty more things to do on Daydream Island. Those included in the packages include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, catamarans, an open air cinema and guided rainforest walks. You can also splash around with stingrays, hire snorkelling equipment, take yoga classes and go on guided kayaking tours.

These Whitsunday island stays do not come cheap, however. Rooms at the Daydream Island Resort costs from $353 a night.

Other Queensland islands you can visit include Dunk Island near Mission Beach, Magnetic Island in Townsville and Wilson Island near Gladstone.