Whitsundays Day Cruise: Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Airlie Beach, Australia
- 7 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore the powdery white sand and turquoise waters of the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands on this full-day speed boat cruise around the islands. You’ll have plenty of time on the famous Whitehaven Beach for a buffet lunch picnic, swimming, and snorkeling, with a lesson if necessary, and also stop at Hill Inlet. The crew will also share stories and facts about marine life, aboriginal culture, and local history along the way.
- Cruise on a speed boat to make the most of your time in the Whitsundays
- Visit multiple islands in one day
- Swim, snorkel, and see beautiful beaches
- Enjoy a buffet lunch on the beach
What's Included
- Buffet picnic lunch on Whitehaven Beach (dietary options available)
- Afternoon cakes & biscuits
- Snorkeling equipment
- Restroom onboard
- All taxes & fees (GST)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Start time.10:00 am
Itinerary
1
Whitsunday Islands
7 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be 3 years and older to join our cruise (not suitable for children under 3 years)
- Not suitable for anyone with neck or back injuries
- Not suitable for cruise ship passengers as our itinerary generally doesn't suit the cruise ship schedule and we cannot guarantee to return by 5pm
- Snorkeling only recommended for those who can swim
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
We had a great day on this trip! Dan, Luke & Bella were fantastic - made it so much fun! The trip out was great, we then did the Hill Inlet walk with great views, snorkelling & then lunch on the beach and free time to swim/sunbathe etc.
Lunch was good and plenty of it and the trip back was great too. They were all super knowledgable, fun but attentive and we would recommend to all! Whitsundays were amazing!
Reviews
4.8
based on 292 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Whitehaven Beach was absolutely worth the trip. The sand, the water, the whole place feels like paradise. There was something so peaceful and soul-filling about simply being on that beach, taking it all in. And the views over the inlet were breathtaking. One of those places that is even more beautiful in person than you imagine.
The staff was friendly and caring, the food was yummy. It was a great experience. Travel with friends family or solo you will not regret ,, great one wanna do it again
While the staff sat behind a plastic cover protected, the entire boat was shivering and soaking wet. the Whitsundays islands are gorgeous and the big fury boat may be fun in the summer, it should not be used in the winter. It’s like riding a jet ski for 90min, you will be soaking wet, and when it is cold, high winds and raining- it’s makes for a miserable day.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the weather conditions impacted your enjoyment of the day.
Big Fury is an open speedboat, and while many guests choose us specifically for the exciting, fast-paced ride, it does mean that on days with strong winds or rain, the journey can be wet and bumpy. As the forecast was predicting these conditions, we emailed all guests the day before departure advising that the ride was likely to be wet and windy. We also offered the option to reschedule to another day or cancel before our 24-hour cancellation period, and provided a list of recommended items to bring, including warm clothing for the boat ride.
The return journey was particularly exposed as we were travelling into the wind and tide, which unfortunately made the conditions rougher and cooler than earlier in the day.
Our skipper and crew remain outside with guests throughout the trip, and while they do have a small protective screen around the helm to safely operate the vessel, they are still exposed to the wind, spray and weather for the entire day.
We're pleased to hear you thought the Whitsunday Islands were beautiful, and we appreciate your comments. While Big Fury may not suit everyone's preferred style of touring in challenging weather, many guests enjoy the adventure that comes with travelling on an open speedboat.
We wish you all the best with the rest of your travels.
The Big Fury team
I had an amazing time on the Whitsundays day cruise today! Everything was well organised, and the experience was absolutely unforgettable. A special thanks to Bella and Dan — they were both incredibly friendly, professional, and made sure everyone felt comfortable and taken care of throughout the trip. The views were stunning, the atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable, and I genuinely had so much fun. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. Highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the Whitsundays!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing day exploring the Whitsundays with us.
Bella and Dayne will be so happy to hear your kind words — we’re very lucky to have such friendly and passionate crew members on board who always strive to make every trip special and enjoyable for our guests.
We’re glad you loved the stunning scenery and relaxed atmosphere, and that the cruise became one of the highlights of your trip. Thank you again for choosing to travel with us and for highly recommending our tour. We hope to welcome you back to the Whitsundays again someday!
Awesome experience. The staff were lovely, and Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet are absolutely beautiful.
Just a heads‑up: it is a speedboat, so the ride can be fast and a bit bumpy. Most people were fine, but a few looked a little unsure.
Snorkelling was amazing — the water is crystal clear — but remember you’re swimming in the ocean, so you need to be comfortable in water with no ability to stand as you can't stand on coral.
Overall, a fantastic day out.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review!
We’re thrilled to hear you had an awesome experience with us and enjoyed the beauty of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet — they really are something special. It’s also great to know our team helped make your day even more enjoyable.
We appreciate you highlighting the nature of the ride and snorkelling experience as well. As you mentioned, our vessel is a high-speed boat, which can mean a faster, more adventurous ride depending on the conditions. For safety reasons, we do require all guests who wish to snorkel to be able to swim, as snorkelling takes place in open water where standing is not possible.
Thanks again for joining us — we hope to welcome you back for another fantastic day in the Whitsundays soon!
Big Fury team
Outstanding scenery, beautiful swimming, incredible snorkelling and the best guides. Kate was our ‘deck hand’ for the day; she was so kind, considerate and totally looked after us on our wee hike to the viewpoints as well as taking us out and back from snorkelling. She was a real gem, looking out for us all as we peeked into the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Ash, our boat skipper was brilliant too; down to earth and we felt very safe even when it was a wee bit bumpy!
A very lovely buffet lunch was provided and the whole trip was a great balance of guided and our own time. I would highly recommend Big Fury as a provider for the Whitsundays experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re absolutely delighted to hear you had such an outstanding day with us, enjoying the scenery, swimming, and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef — it truly is a special place.
A big thank you as well for your kind words about our crew. We’ll be sure to pass your feedback on to Kate and Ash — they’ll be thrilled to hear they helped make your experience so memorable. It’s great to know you felt well looked after and safe throughout the day, even with a bit of bumpiness along the way.
As a small, family-run business, we pride ourselves on providing a more personalised experience, and it’s wonderful to hear that this came through during your trip. We believe this is what really sets us apart from the larger cruise operators.
We’re also glad you enjoyed the balance of guided activities and free time, as well as the lunch provided.
Thank you again for choosing Big Fury and for your recommendation — we hope to welcome you back to the Whitsundays again in the future!
The Big Fury crew
Great boat, fun and engaging staff. Spectacular views. Nice lunch. The water at the beach was full of fish, amazing.
Well worth doing.
Although the weather didn’t pan out like we’d hoped, the tour was great. Very entertaining and fun crew to help keep the hopes alive. Big thanks to Bella for taking pics for us and everyone else did a great job keeping it fun for us. The views were still great and got to see a lot of really cool places.
Super nice trip!! Great staff, great lunch at the beach. Good mix of stops. Can absolutely recommend the tour.
We had a great day on this trip! Dan, Luke & Bella were fantastic - made it so much fun! The trip out was great, we then did the Hill Inlet walk with great views, snorkelling & then lunch on the beach and free time to swim/sunbathe etc.
Lunch was good and plenty of it and the trip back was great too. They were all super knowledgable, fun but attentive and we would recommend to all! Whitsundays were amazing!
Luke and Dave were incredible. Despite the cloudy conditions the views were spectacular, waves were great to ride on and vibes were great. Can’t recommend this tour more. They also offer to drop you back to your hotel if you chose pick up
This was an awesome experience! Both the boat operators were extremely nice and very concerned about us for two reasons : we cannot swim and we cannot eat other than halal.
The boat ride was fast and bumps on the waves were fun. It kinda felt like a roller coaster ride. Since we could. It swim, the boat operator took us to see the coral ref on his raft and gave us an instrument that can be immersed in the water to see the reef. It was like a huge monocular through which we could see the colorful corals.
At lunchtime, the boat captian gave us first chance to take the food since our choice was limited.
I did wish we had a little more time at the beach
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Zahra,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear you had an awesome time with us and enjoyed the exhilarating boat ride.
We’re especially glad our crew could make your experience comfortable and inclusive, both with your dietary needs and finding a way for you to enjoy the reef without swimming. It’s really important to us that all our guests feel looked after and have the chance to experience the beauty of the Whitsundays.
Thank you again for choosing to cruise with Big Fury — and we’ll keep your feedback about more beach time in mind as we continue to improve our tours.
Wishing you all the best on your travels!
Warm regards,
The Big Fury Team
This trip was beyond my expectations. The team — Luke, Brandon, and Dane — were so helpful, friendly, and genuinely caring. As a solo female traveler, I sometimes face challenges feeling safe and supported, especially after a bad snorkeling experience in Fiji. They took the time to listen, reassure me, and promised to take good care of me — and they did. I felt seen, heard, and completely safe. Their kindness and professionalism reflect the true spirit of hospitality and made this an unforgettable day.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Beatrice,
Thank you so much for your beautiful review. It truly means a lot to us that your experience with Luke, Brandon, and Dayne went beyond your expectations. We know how important it is — especially as a solo traveler — to feel safe, supported, and cared for, and we’re so glad our team could provide that for you.
Your kind words about feeling seen, heard, and reassured really touched us. That’s exactly the kind of experience we aim to create for every guest travelling with us on Big Fury, and it’s wonderful to know it made your day unforgettable.
Thank you for choosing to spend your day with Big Fury — and for sharing such thoughtful feedback. We hope to welcome you back any time you're in the Whitsundays again.
Warmest regards,
The Big Fury Team
Good fun day. Lunch was lovely and our guides/ skippers were very entertaining. Especially Luke. Only reason I gave 4 stars was that I didnt know the snorkelling was jumping off the side of the boat and swimming to the reef. My mistake I should have asked. So I missed out on that. But everything else was fab!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Louise,
Thanks so much for your lovely review! We're glad to hear you had a fun day with us and that you enjoyed the lunch and the entertaining crew — especially Luke, who will be thrilled to get a special mention!
We’re sorry to hear the snorkeling setup caught you by surprise. It’s always our aim to make sure everyone feels well-informed and comfortable, so we appreciate the feedback. Most of the best snorkel fringing reefs around the islands are to found in deeper water, therefore we snorkel directly off of the boat and not off of a beach, so a certain level of swimming capability is required.
We’re so glad you still had a fab day overall, and we’d love to welcome you back onboard anytime — maybe for a second go at the reef!
Warm regards,
The Big Fury Team
Best experience!!! The big fury crew was very accommodating to us all. Shout out to Dave, Luke and Brandon. It was great to experience the Whitsundays.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your awesome review! We’re thrilled to hear you had the best experience with us. Dave, Luke, and Brandon will be stoked to get a shout-out — they love what they do, and it shows!
It’s always a pleasure sharing the beauty of the Whitsundays with our guests, and we’re so glad you could be a part of it. We hope to see you back onboard Big Fury one day for another adventure!
Warm regards,
The Big Fury Team
buffet lunch had very limited vegetarian options inspite of mentioning this at the time of the booking
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We're genuinely surprised to hear your comments regarding the vegetarian options on our buffet lunch aboard Big Fury. We’re renowned for offering a generous, fresh, and varied spread that caters to a wide range of dietary preferences.
As someone who is vegetarian myself, I take pride in ensuring our menu includes ample choices. Our buffet features the following vegetarian options:
• Indian rice salad with lentils and chickpeas
• Creamy potato salad • Pesto pasta salad with sundried tomatoes• Mixed green salad with tomatoes and cheddar cheese • Chickpea falafels • Mediterranean olives • Fresh fruit platter • Bread rolls
In addition, we also provide cooked prawns and a cold meats platter for our meat and seafood eaters.
We’re sorry if this selection didn’t meet your expectations, and we’ll certainly take your comments on board as we continue to refine our offerings. We always appreciate constructive feedback and hope to welcome you back for a more enjoyable experience.
Fast, comfortable ride out to Whitsunday Island. We stopped a couple of times to enjoy watching the whales breaching. Snorkelling on the reef there were plenty of fish to see amongst the coral. Luke was a fun and informative guide with a great sense of humour. Overall a fabulous day out.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had such a fabulous day exploring the Whitsundays with us. Whale sightings, vibrant reef life, and a smooth ride—sounds like nature really put on a show for you! We’ll be sure to pass your compliments on to Luke—he’ll be stoked to know his humour and knowledge made your day even more memorable. He is a born and bred true local with a real passion for his job! Hope we get to welcome you aboard again soon for another adventure in paradise
The tour was good, stopped at some nice spots, the staff not so great. Not very long snorkelling. Lunch disappointing, one prawn per person which is policed. Lots of carb salads. Not much fruit either. No drinks available with lunch.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks for joining us and for taking the time to share your feedback. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the tour stops—snorkelling, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet are always crowd favourites.
We’re sorry to hear that some parts of the day didn’t meet your expectations. Just to clarify a few things: our lunch buffet is more than generous and designed to suit a wide range of tastes. It includes pasta salad, potato salad, curried rice salad, a fresh lettuce, tomato and cheese salad, a fruit platter with at least three varieties, and a cold meats selection featuring chicken, roast beef, salami, and ham. We also serve king prawns, dolmades, antipasto mix, bread rolls and wraps. Most guests go back for seconds—and we love seeing empty platters at the end of the day!
The prawns are king-sized, so we ask everyone to take one of everything to start, and once all guests have a plate, they’re welcome to come back for more. It’s not about policing—it’s simply to make sure everyone gets a fair go.
We also cater for gluten-free and vegan diets upon request, and include afternoon cakes on the return trip, which are always a sweet surprise for guests.
On the topic of drinks, our crew always advises guests that the soft drink esky stays on the boat due to its weight, and we encourage everyone to grab a drink before heading to the beach. That said, we’re reviewing this policy and may look at bringing a smaller esky ashore in future. We do already provide a large drum of drinking water on the beach to keep everyone hydrated throughout the day.
We thank you for joining us on our one day cruise and wish you safe onward travels.
Very good trip but maybe a bit to much time on whitesands beach , very crowded at some some of them spots as well .
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts — we really appreciate the feedback!
We're glad to hear you had a great trip overall, and we totally understand your point about Whitehaven Beach. It’s one of the most iconic spots in the Whitsundays, which means it can get busy at times, especially during peak season. We aim to give our guests plenty of time to soak in the beauty of the beach and lookout, but we’ll definitely take your comments on board as we continue to fine-tune the experience.
Thanks again for cruising with Big Fury — we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon, maybe with a few hidden gems up our sleeve next time!
Great experience. Snorkeling was amazing. Even saw some humpback whales! Would definitely recommend warm clothes for the boat ride home.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hi Sandi,
Thanks so much for your kind review! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience—snorkeling in the Whitsundays is always special, and spotting humpback whales is the cherry on top!
Great tip about the warm clothes for the ride home. The breeze can be brisk, especially in the cooler months, so we always recommend bringing a jacket to stay comfy. We really appreciate you joining us and hope to see you again for another adventure on Big Fury soon!
All the best,
The Big Fury crew
It was a great day. Saw whales and lots of awesome fish. Water was very cold
So I was in too
Long. Food was pretty at Whitehaven Beach.
Crew were fantastic. Thanks from Nicole and Mark
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hi Nicole and Mark,
Thanks so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled you had a great day with us and got to spot whales and plenty of awesome fish—such a treat! The water can definitely be cooler during the winter months, but it's also beautifully clear and free of jellyfish, which makes for a more enjoyable snorkeling experience.
We're glad you enjoyed our standout buffet picnic lunch at Whitehaven Beach, and we’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to the Big Fury crew—they’ll be stoked to hear it. Hope to welcome you both back again soon for another Whitsunday adventure!
All the best,
The Big Fury crew
We really enjoyed this tour. Luke and David were the ultimate comedic duo and made the day fun. We were fortunate to get up close to a mother whale and her baby as well as a pod of dolphins. Snorkeling was good as well as the hike to Tongue Point where the views were stunning. Lunch on Whitehaven Beach was delicious with lots of fresh salads, cold cuts, prawns and fresh fruit
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hi Marie,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a memorable day with Luke and Dave—our resident comedic duo never fail to bring the laughs while showcasing the beauty of the Whitsundays. It sounds like nature really put on a show for you, with close encounters with whales, dolphins, and those stunning views from Hill Inlet Lookout.
We're also glad you enjoyed the snorkeling and the beachside lunch—fresh salads, prawns, and fruit are hard to beat in paradise! We truly appreciate you joining us onboard Big Fury and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
All the best,
The Big Fury crew
Fantastic day! Everything ran really smoothly. Dane and Luke were great hosts, very friendly and helpful.
Really enjoyed the snorkelling and the walk up to the Hill Inlet Lookout.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had a fantastic day and that everything ran smoothly. Dayne and Luke will be so pleased to know they made your experience even more enjoyable — they truly love what they do! We're glad you enjoyed the snorkelling and the stunning views from Hill Inlet Lookout. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Excellent tour. Worth the money and some really beautiful views. You get some time to relax on the beach and the snorkeling was great.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We're so glad you felt the tour was worth it and that you enjoyed those beautiful views — they really are something special. It’s great to hear you had time to unwind on the beach and loved the snorkelling too. We’d love to have you back for another day in paradise!
Staff was funny and amazing.
Trip involved lunch on a island beach and snorkelling.
Also got a nice wild life watch.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Achieving "Perfect" status—what an incredible compliment! We're thrilled that you had such a fantastic time on your Big Fury cruise, exploring the stunning Whitsunday Islands, enjoying a delicious lunch at Whitehaven Beach, and marveling at the vibrant coral and marine life of the inner reefs.
Our crew strives to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere while always prioritizing the safety and comfort of our guests.
Thank you for joining us—we can't wait to welcome you back onboard for another unforgettable experience!
Wishing you all the best, The Big Fury crew
Great experience, excellent food, nice timely activities, must do snorkeling sufficient time at Hill inlet and whitehaven beach. Overall best time spent.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent Big Fury cruise! We're thrilled that you enjoyed every moment—from the scenic walk to Hill Inlet Lookout and a delicious lunch to relaxing, swimming at Whitehaven Beach, and exploring the stunning coral reefs while snorkeling.
We’d love to welcome you back onboard for another unforgettable experience in the future!
Best wishes, The Big Fury team
Efficient pick up in shuttle from Nomads. Very entertaining skipper, Lucky & crew Ally. Looked after everyone very well. Cruised round islands first. Snorkelling at Chalkie’s beach was great 45mins. Fantastic corals & lots of colourful fish. Lunch on Whitehaven beach tasty & filling. Then 1hr at leisure before going on to Hill Inlet Lookout. A 45 mins easy round trip up & down gives plenty of time for the all important photos of the swirling sands. Despite the grey skies these were impressive. Then boat back to Airlie in the rain with cake & even choc egg as it was Easter Sunday!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience—we’re so glad you had a fantastic day with us!
Lochie and Ali will be thrilled to hear that they helped make your cruise enjoyable and memorable. It sounds like you made the most of every moment—from snorkeling at Chalkie’s Beach and savoring lunch at Whitehaven Beach to soaking in the breathtaking views from Hill Inlet Lookout.
Even with the grey skies, we’re delighted that the swirling sands left an impression, and ending the trip with cake (and a chocolate egg for Easter!) is always a sweet touch.
We’d love to welcome you back onboard for another adventure in the Whitsundays!
Best wishes, The Big Fury team
Great experience with big fury
Would highly recommend
Very reasonable price, great itinerary and great food
Amazing tour, The food was very tasty and the tour guides was great making sure you gi the perfect photo at the look out. Remember to take cash to buy soft drinks as its cash only on the boat which sucks. Or take your own beer.
It started on time and was perfectly curated; highly recommended. Engaging and entertaining team. Beautiful place
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Delighted you enjoyed your recent Whitsundays Day Cruise on Big Fury. Thanks for the positive feedback!
Enjoy the rest of your travels!
Big Fury team
From $175.09
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