There is nothing in this world I love more than the perfect beach. By now, I’ve travelled across four continents, 24 countries, and countless beaches. There is one spot that stands out among them all and is, dare I say, the most beautiful beach in the world.
Whitehaven beach is a part of Australia’s iconic Whitsunday Islands – a series of 74 islands largely untouched by civilization. Located within the Great Barrier Reef, this pristine beach is made up of swirling white sands and aquamarine waters. If you think it looks like something out of a movie, that’s because it is; many have been filmed there, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. When you walk on the sand, you’ll notice it’s extremely fine and powdery—sometimes it even squeaks. It’s 98.9% pure silica; a rare geological phenomenon that scientists still haven’t found the source of. Our tour guide informed us that many people use it to exfoliate (so of course we had to try).
Some places look idyllic in pictures but are underwhelming and overcrowded when you get there. While photos of Whitehaven are stunning, they don’t do it justice. In person, it is breathtakingly gorgeous and at least when I visited, shockingly empty. There were a few other tour groups, but everyone had plenty of space. Being part of a national park, Whitehaven is also incredibly clean with safeguards to keep it protected.
For Viewing:
Be sure to check out Hill Inlet Lookout for the best view of Whitehaven Beach and the surrounding area. It takes about 20 minutes to hike to the top. The trail is fairly easy and well worth it; I did it in sandals. Once you get there, you can enjoy 180 degrees of breathtaking scenery. I am constantly seeking out beautiful views during my travels, and this one takes the cake.
Getting There:
Because Whitehaven Beach is part of a protected national park, there is no infrastructure on the island. The only way to get there is via boat; tour groups are the most popular way to go but chartering a boat is also a possibility. If you want to stay overnight, your only option is to camp.
I went with Red Cat Adventures out of Airlie Beach. Our tour lasted approximately eight hours and it was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had. We sailed through the islands over to Whitsunday Island, hiked up to the lookout and back, and spent the rest of the morning at Whitehaven Beach. After enjoying lunch on the boat, our guides took us to a couple of nearby snorkeling spots. This area was closed for fishing and as a result, we were able to swim with schools of thousands of fish—some of them were almost as big as me. This was easily the best snorkeling I have ever done; I saw more than when I was scuba diving off the coast of Cairns.
Although there are many towns and islands to stay on, most people stay in Airlie Beach and take a day trip to Whitehaven. It is a charming vacation town and very popular amongst Aussies. There are plenty of cute shops, fun bars, relaxing beaches. If you’re up for an adventure, there are tons of picturesque boat and helicopter tours of the surrounding islands and reef. I loved Airlie and thought three full days was the perfect length of time.
To get to Airlie, you can drive, take a bus, or fly. There are two airports nearby; Proserpine or Hamilton Island. Proserpine is easier as you need to take a boat to Hamilton Island (although the boat ride is very scenic).
Anytime someone tells me they are visiting Australia, I tell them to go to Whitehaven. I know I’ve already said this, but it is truly the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The white sands, swirling blue waters, and rugged nature make for a perfect combination. It’s not the most convenient spot to get to, but trust me when I say it’s worth it. I for one will definitely be returning.
