Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Trip: Chill and Grill
Airlie Beach, Australia
- 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy a full day to unwind at one of the most beautiful beaches in the Whitsunday Islands: postcard–perfect Whitehaven Beach. A private boat takes away the stress of ferry timetables—keeping the trip relaxed and unrushed. Have ample free time to swim far from the crowds, enjoy beach activities, walk to Whitehaven Beach Lookout, and take a guided hike to Hill Inlet for amazing views. Protective stinger suits are provided to keep you safe, and you can refuel with the included lunch and snacks.
- All food and equipment is provided for a seamless experience
- An easy way to visit the islands without worrying about ferry timetables
- Refuel with a sausage sizzle lunch on the beach (with vegetarian options)
- Combine activities with free time to explore—there's something for everyone
What's Included
- Morning Tea - BBQ Lunch - Afternoon Tea
- Live commentary on board
- Local guide
- Protective stinger suits
- Guided Walk to Hill Inlet
- SnacksSausage Sizzle on Whitehaven - Vege/Vegan options please advise when booking
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Snorkeling equipment
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 24 The Cv Rd, Airlie Beach QLD 4802, Australia
Cruise Whitsundays Maritime Terminal - 24 The Cove Rd, Airlie Beach QLD 4802, Australia Please check in 30 minutes prior to departure
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Cruise Whitsundays
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Whitehaven Beach
6 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
Hill Inlet
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
4
Airlie Beach
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Due to the length of this cruise and the activities this cruise is unsuitable for infants. Minimum age is 4 years
- Physical rating: Please be advised that a moderate level of fitness and agility is recommended for this experience, which includes bushwalking, and climbing in and out of tenders. High temperatures and humidity are possible, especially in the summer months.
- In the unlikely event of northerly winds, the vessel master will assess the beach conditions, and, if required, a safer alternate beach location may be visited.
- Please advise dietary requirements
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 64 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 2 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Alejandro_O
An absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Trip exceeded all expectations. My tour guide was amazing — knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly clear in his explanations, which made the whole day both relaxing and informative. He took the time to ensure everyone felt comfortable and engaged, answering questions and sharing insights along the way. The scenery was breathtaking, and the tour was very well organised. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a memorable and well-guided Whitsundays experience!!!
Reviews
4.5
based on 216 reviews
Alejandro_O, Dec 2025
An absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Trip exceeded all expectations. My tour guide was amazing — knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly clear in his explanations, which made the whole day both relaxing and informative. He took the time to ensure everyone felt comfortable and engaged, answering questions and sharing insights along the way. The scenery was breathtaking, and the tour was very well organised. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a memorable and well-guided Whitsundays experience!!!
Chenxi_Z, Sep 2025
I need a refund for this itinerary. I arrived at the address in advance, but according to the address prompt, the navigation directed me to the Airlie public parking lot, where I waited for an hour. Neither before today nor today did I receive any SMS or phone call notifications informing me that the actual address was different from the one in the navigation. This situation made it impossible for me to participate in the program.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re sorry to hear that you missed your prebooked experience. Our booking confirmations include a link to our website, which provides the correct address along with a detailed map to help guests find us easily. We understand how frustrating it can be when navigation apps lead you to the wrong location, and we’re sorry for any confusion this caused. We always encourage guests to double-check the information provided in their booking confirmation to ensure a smooth start to their day.
Abigail_A, Jan 2025
This is a must do ! It was extremely well planned and felt very looked after. Lots of food available and extremely fresh.
Gary_B, Jan 2025
Staff were exceptional, day was planned and organised very well. The beach BBQ food was really good and there was plenty to eat. The inlet walk was challenging but the views were amazing.
Bin_L, Dec 2024
Everything was very organized! We enjoyed the morning tea, BBQ lunch, and afternoon tea! The staff took very good care of us and communicated everything smoothly. The beach was absolutely stunning and we are extremely grateful we booked this tour.
Amelie_G, Dec 2024
The trip was very nice and you get to spend a lot of time at the beaches!! The staff was absolutely perfect, everyone was so nice!
Stanimir_K, Nov 2024
What a beautiful day. The boat is big and comfortable unlike most other tour operators and the whole crew was great. There is nothing to say about the beauty of nature - amazing, one of the most beautiful beaches on earth. The view you have seen on the postcards is from Hill Inlet, so choose this tour (not all boats go there). The barbecue on the beach was also excellent and rich, as well as tea, coffee, biscuits and fruit on board before lunch and also on the way back. I'm afraid I ate too much that day :) It was wonderful, I recommend this cruise to everyone!!! Not the cheapest but worth every cent for the quality and long enough beach time before the other boats come and after the other tour operators have already left
Ramona_D, Aug 2024
Hill inlet views and Whitehaven Beach were stunning. Cruise Whitsunday vessels were excellent. Enjoyed tea on board. We did not like the bbq lunch, burgers were cold, ran out of salad with just a few people through, nothing tasty. Feet can get soaked because transfer boats were used, needed to walk through water.. Company could better prepare people on footwear and advise what to wear rather than just what to bring. Not much info provided on whitehaven beach or hill inlet.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
We’re delighted to hear that you had an amazing time at Whitehaven Beach and enjoyed the stunning views—they truly are breathtaking. We’re sincerely sorry to hear that you didn’t find the lunch offerings satisfactory. I’ve already brought this to the attention of our Guest Experience Manager for further investigation. Thank you also for your valuable suggestion regarding footwear preparation; we will certainly consider this for future travellers.
Silvio_T, Aug 2024
Views from three lockouts, great explanations about nature and wildlife in Whitehaven given by our guide Red (great).
Jill, Jul 2024
Super fun and chill day. The views were magical and unforgettable! Was so fun to hang out with my girls and escape Melb winter
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Winter in the Whitsundays is the perfect time and place for a girls trip! we are so glad you enjoyed your day with Cruise Whitsundays
Edmon_M, Jul 2024
It was a nice day over all
Crew were so good and provided us with water , plenty of food and guidance.
But the downside was;
1- This is a multi-stop route to Whitehaven ( as they go from Airlie Beach to Day Dream Island drop off guests and pick up other guests , followed by another stop at Hamilton Island for drop off and pick up , then end up in Whitehaven) so the trip takes 2.5 hours each way ) - so total of 5 hours is wasted of your day
2- That boat can fit more than 150 people , so it was really crowded with people on top of each other ( everyone had a seat , but still too crowded in my opinion )
3- The indoor are was very smelly , I think the Carpet needs a good wash or replacement and the AC filters looks like they haven’t been replaced for years ( and showed errors on the LCD screen of the AC )
Considerings the $$ paid , I Would try to find a trip that goes directly to Whitehaven beach ( not the Multi-stop option ) -
Response from Host, Aug 2024
We’re happy to read that all in all you had a nice day. We do endeavour to advise guests that this tour does stop along the way to collect guests and many guests enjoy the glimpse of these other islands. We also advise that the tour includes up to 2 hours on Whitehaven Beach. Our vessel can actually carry upwards of 220 guests however we do aim to keep this capped for our guests’ comfort. We do routinely clean the vessels and have air fresheners on the vessels, unfortunately though when there is a lot of moisture the smell can linger.
Sophie_L, Jun 2024
Our trip was amazing, beautiful place and will definitely be back! The order of the day was great we did the walk first then beach and lunch for the rest of the day, the length of time doing each activity was spot on, lunch was great, and on board they throw in some extras with teas coffees fruit & cookies then on the way back they serve cheese biscuits olives and brownies which is good! Staff were very friendly and helpful, would recommend everyone doing the full day
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you, Sophie! We are so happy you enjoyed your day with Cruise Whitsundays :)
Alexander_D, May 2024
We love coming back and spending the whole day at Whitehaven Beach with lots of activities including swimming and walking it's surrounds.
Saumya_K, Mar 2024
Greta tour and loved very minute.
We were blessed with lovely weather and the swirls were unimaginably beautiful!
kirsten_m, Mar 2024
Walking to lookouts at Hill inlet was beautiful and well worth it. Then having plenty of time to chill at Whitehaven beach made it a perfect day.
Tomica_R, Jan 2024
I would never recommend Viator to anyone ever!!
We unfortunately had an issue with getting to the terminal on time due to a miscommunication with a staff member. We booked to leave from Airlie, but instead booked us from Hamilton. We had to get this changed and they didn’t mention to us of a time change on the phone. We arrived 15mins late and lost our $1300 booking. When trying to explain this to staff on the phone and asking if we were allowed a refund on any kind we received the dreaded email of no refund is available at this time. No reason, No compassion just a company taking peoples money without remorse. Our family was heart broken.
This is happened in January 2024.
Kun_Y, Jan 2024
The crews are nice and friendly, they provide Wonderful service. All the food are really well too. Will recommend them to others.
Lorena_B, Dec 2023
I took this trip with my husband to see this beach, it was the dream of my life. But they took us to another beach I was only notified at check in. Incorrect. The excursion was also expensive.
Lorena_B, Dec 2023
Unfortunately this trip was a disappointment. My husband and I paid quite a bit to see whiteven beach, but they took us to another beach. Notify us at check in. It was my dream . I suggest doing this excursion with another transport company.
Jeeraporn_S, Nov 2023
I had a really good experience with the cruise, nice staff good food, and the morning tea so delicious, not a small group we had a huge number on the cruise but they separated into the small groups when we were walking to see the viewpoint on the Whitehaven beach
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for leaving such a nice review. We are glad to hear you enjoyed your experience on Whitsunday Island!
Maria_S, Nov 2023
The staff were very nice all the time. Food really good. I enjoyed a lot my day with this company. 100% recommended
Cindy_G, Oct 2023
Could not have been a better day. Staff was amazing. Tons of free time at the beach and for hiking to look outs. The lunch was very tasty 😋. There were 4 of us, and we loved it all. Stunning day!!!!
Kevin_T, Oct 2023
Booked and paid for a full Day online, surprise when i arrived they had not sent the reservation leaving me 30min before departure with no spot on the boat and refusing to refond me. 250 dollars
Judith_T, Sep 2023
Great trip, beautiful walk with beautiful views and plenty of time to spend on the beach. Lunch is good, lots of selection. There's also activities provided on the beach - volleyball net, paddle boarding, beach toys etc. You also have a private section of the boat, so guaranteed seats which is good.
Vivian_W, Sep 2023
A very nice trip, hill inlet is very beautiful , white heaven beach water is crystal clear, it’s worth going definitely.
sanjay_g, Apr 2023
My trip was cancelled no one came for pick up and no communication from your operator when we contacted them they replied as it is thru Viator we are not happy to help you. My whole days ruined as it wax short trip and we wasted one full day doing nothing and get bored
Diego_H, Apr 2023
The experience, trip, organization and service is excellent and the crew isultra professional and kind. 100% recomended.
🇦🇷👏👏👏
Ryan_L, Dec 2022
Starting with the positives - check in was great, the journey was great (even with windy conditions), the lunch was great, the beach is definitely worth a visit.
However, do not be misled by the incorrect advertising of this tour. There is NOT a maximum of 32 passengers. In fact there is over 100+ passengers. You are separated from them on the way, but staff gave up on the way back and just herded everyone back.
I’ve done multiple Cruise Whitsundays tours and this was by far the worse one.
Feel very disappointed that it was mis-sold.
Would highly recommend visiting Whitehaven Beach, but would do your research on which your guide prior to booking.
Linh_C, Nov 2022
Amazing day trip to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet lookout with plenty of activities, hikes or just chilling by the beach. Explore Australia‘s most beautiful beach, including lunch and afternoon tea / snacks on the boat. Only downside of the day was splitting the group into 2 for the Hill Inlet walk and when coming back, the 1st group already has had lunch and the luxury to sit in tents and on benched whereas the 2nd group has to see where to sit with their food (nobody seemed to have told the 1st group to leave some space for the 2nd group, maybe it was me being hangry but it enraged me to see people chilling on the benches where we could have sat for lunch), I think I ingested at least a hand full of sand with my food that day. Otherwise, everything was perfectly organised.
MIEMIE_O, Nov 2022
We had a lovely time apart from motion sickness on the boat on the way.
Nice lunch, nice crew and nice walk
From $203.35
per personup to 2 days in advance
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Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Trip: Chill and Grill
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11 hours 30 minutes
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