Road Trip Diaries # 7 – Ocean Rafting to the Whitsunday Island
On our 3rd day at Airlie Beach, we joined an Ocean Rafting tour that includes an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach, snorkeling on pristine reef and a guided walk in the Whitsunday National Park. There were many choices for sailing around Whitsundays but we opted for the ocean rafting tour because it was one of the few operators that were allowed to moor at Tongue Bay, right in the white sands of Hill Inlet.
The small seaside town of Airlie Beach was charming and picturesque as well but I had been counting the hours when we could sail away from its harbor and around the Whitsunday Islands. We woke very early on the day itself, I guess we were excited for the day that awaited us. We didn’t have to wait too long, however, before our boat finally coasted to the pier along aquamarine waters whose bottom could not be seen. After a quick stopover at Daydream Island to pick up some more guests, we were off to the most gorgeous beach I have seen so far, speeding along at 140knots per hour. The ride itself was an attraction in its own right, swerving and weaving at high speed through the clear water like an amusement park ride. But I didn’t expect that there was even more in store for us than what was promised on the brochure.
Here are 5 Amazing things about Whitsundays
74 Gorgeous Islands
There is no shortage of unspoiled beaches and forested islands along the Whitsunday Coast, which spans from the beautiful beaches of Bowen in the north down to the golf greens of Laguna Quays. Of the 74 islands only 8 are inhabited. One of which is the luxurious Hamilton Island where Oprah stayed during her visit in 2010 and another is Whitsunday Island, where the beautiful Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet are located. This was our destination for our day tour. Verdant islands covered with thick forest, untouched by civilization and sandwiched between clear blue skies and azure waters are common sights as you cruise around.
Humpback Whales and Dolphins
Our raft was swiftly cruising over the turquoise waters towards Hill Inlet when it came to an abrupt stop – some passengers had seen an enormous humpback whale breaching from afar. It was a welcome surprise for everyone and especially for me as I had never seen one before.
Even from a distance, its presence was imposing and really awe-inspiring. We also spotted another one from the other side of the raft and just excitedly marveled at these curious mammals. Our raft didn’t go too close to avoid stressing them, which made me feel a bit guilty for swimming so close with the Whale Sharks at Donsol, Sorsogon. We spotted some dolphins as well on our way to Hook Island. Dugongs and stingrays also abound in the area but we weren’t lucky enough to see one. The best part of this trip was being able to see these animals in the wild as a bonus.
Humpback Whale
Snorkeling Mecca
The underwater world at Whitsundays is teeming with life and color. Just a few miles northeast of the islands is The Great Barrier Reef, which boasts hundreds of species of marine life. I saw my first gigantic maori wrasse and golden trevally while snorkeling at Mantaray Bay on Hook Island. They were actually swimming near our raft and could be seen clearly even from the boat. They seemed to be used to people perhaps because they were being fed by our guide.
Maori Wrasse is a common resident of the pristine waters of Whitsundays.
Photo Credit: www.divearound.com.au
The water was a bit freezing even though I was wearing a wetsuit. But it didn’t stop me from soaking in all the wonders underwater until it was time to move to the next snorkeling spot. Many of us decided to just laze on the coral filled beach at our next destination. The waters here were just as clear and inviting but I preferred to sunbathe after the chilly dip.
World-Famous Whitehaven Beach
I have never seen a beach with sand as white as snow and as fine as the finest talcum powder. It was everything I had imagined it to be, a pristine paradise of indescribable beauty. I could not wait to touch it and feel it under my feet when we moored our raft at Tongue Bay. The vast expanse of dazzling white pure silica sand hemmed by lush forest on the other side and turquoise blue water was postcard-perfect. Seeing the place for real was a whole new experience, I still couldn’t believe I was actually here.
White Haven is rated as the 2nd best beach in the world according to the National Geographic, and the 4th Most Photographed Place in Australia. But the most remarkable thing about it was the absence of any man-made structure, except for the wooden lookout that affords a spectacular view of the area. The beach is part of the Whitsunday Island National Park. It is protected and hopefully will remain like that even if billons of dollars from resort and hotel developers are at stake. My visit to Whitehaven Beach was the day I became unfaithful to Boracay.
Amazing Hill Inlet
Just when I thought I have seen already the best views the place has to offer, a short trek to the northern end of Whitehaven Beach led to a stunning view of Hill Inlet. It was a vast panorama of different hues of blue waters and mosaic of glistening white sand that shifts with the ebb and flow of the tide. The fusion of colours was breathtaking. It’s no wonder it is one of the most photographed place in Australia. You couldn’t go wrong with your pictures here.
Our boat was dwarfed by the vastness of the seascape.
(This is part of our 6-week North Queensland Road Trip Series, which took place July- August 2010)
Australian Road Trip: A Vantastic Beginning
Road Trip Diaries # 1 – An Encounter with the Strangest Animal in the World
Road Trip Diaries # 2 - Of Strangler Figs, Leeches and Long Holidays
Road Trip Diaries # 3 - Exploring Finch Hatton Gorge
Road Trip Diaries # 4 - On Bush Walks Beach Strolls and Star Gazing
Napabuntong hininga na lang ako sa ganda
may dive operator around?
Yep, lotsa of them at Ailie Beach, it’s the hub of all kinds of tour, the Great Barrier Reef is also accessible from here kasi.
It’s certainly a beautiful paradise! And your pictures are incredibly stunning! How did you capture those? I mean what a talent you must have had. And lastly, is this place found in Philippines?
Cheers Claire for an excellent post!
Thanks Jorie, it’s found in North Queensland but we do have equally gorgeous beaches in the Philippines as well
reminds me of white island near Camiguin…Everywhere you looked there seems like postcard material wow
Calaguas and Caramoan too, postcard perfect din
yung 74 islands, ilan napuntahan nyo?
i wasn’t able to see the boat na on the second to the last photo. hahaha
hindi ba malamig?
We just went to the biggest island called Whitsunday Island, (funny coz the name of the 74 islands is also Whitsunday Islands). Then, we spent the time snorkeling near some islands. Bitin, it’s not cold I will spend a whole day snorkeling and another day just swimming and sunbathing at Whitehaven Beach
Very beautiful. Parang masarap magpagulung-gulong sa sand.
Parang gusto ko na nga rin mag- uwi ng isang sakong buhangin
ganda namon ng beach
)
Kinano na kita rampa gilayon, iba ka sa Nagsasa ?
tindi. napa jaw drop ako. ang luwang ng area ng buhanginan. Australia is really a beaty and this place is no exemption. looking at the photos, the sand really looks fine,….at saka yun. yung vastness ng area.tindi
It’s also the vastness of the beach that first amazed me of Australia’s seascape, we do have white-sand tropical beaches, amazing marine life, but we seldom see really vast beach, they are usually just a long stretch of shores.
Great post Claire , we’re very lucky that places like Whitehaven Beach are protected , no matter how much money is thrown around. Glad you got to see the whales , it’s a great experience .
Thanks Mark, I know, we were so stoked about the whales. I wasn’t expecting to see one during the trip
grabe claire!ang ganda ganda naman dito sa pinuntahan nyo!with matching wales pa!!!grabe talaga!!!!galing mo!!!! =))
Thanks Majadera Janet
hope to travel with you again one day. How about this March? 
*whistle* I should remember to visit that place if i ever visit Australia. the place looks really gorgeous!! thanks for sharing claire!
No worries Calvin, paradise like this should be shared to others even just in pictures
I am speechless Claire! These are indeed breathtaking! How could anyone not love the nature and the nature-lover. Great job my friend! Love you!
)
Thank you po Mam Jo, I appreciate it
The photos above are really breathtaking! ♫♪I wanna be a billionaire, so fricking bad!♫♪ Napakanta tuloy ako, I wanna go there Claire, and swim with the whales! Hehehe! =P
Naka-campervan lang kami while seeing the sights around QLD kaya hindi masyado magastos, isa lang to sa mga hindi libre na pinuntahan namain pero mas marami pa rin ang free
di kailangang maging billionaire 
Ang ganda ng sand ng beach claire. Sarap humiga while listening to the sounds of the waves.:-).
Sinabi nyo pa po, walang resorts, walang polusyon, just nature at its beach, “sigh” nakakamiss
Huwow..gusto ko yung sand.. kitang kita sa picture na napaka pino nya.. ganda ng view.. gusto ko rin makakita ng hampback whale.. thanks for sharing ^_^
Merong mas malapit sa atin for the meantime, Whale Shark sa Sorsogon, natry mo na rin ba?
Dream ko ding makapunta dito sa Whitsunday Islands! Sabi ko na nga ipi-feature mo to eh… One of the best beaches in the world talaga ang Whithaven Beach… malapit ito sa Hamilton diba na ang pinakamalapit na int’l airport is Brisbane?
Ang ganda ng seascape pati mga secluded coves ang sarap mag-swimming, snorkling at sunbathing. Eternal white sand beaches and sea! Sana ako din makapunta dito. You’re so lucky! This is one of the best place in Australia!
I feel grateful to have seen this place, it’s really one of the best places I have seen, and i like the way they protect it even from any kind of development. Sana ma-adapt din natin yun, sustainable development.
.. wow at isa pang wow! sarap magmunimuni diyan. that’s a weird-looking green colored fish!
medyo weird nga yung maori wrasse na nakita ko, imagine mo dalawang ganyan lumalangoy kasama mo
buti na lang harmless
Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganyang beach! Ibang klase!!
I googled the top beach just out of curiosity. I mean how will a beach better than this look like. It’s one of the beaches of Thailand, but that I would have to see someday
jaw dropping! grabe!
gorgeous beach + amazing underwater world = the best!
Same here, I was so amazed by its beauty and its pristine condition. Hope our favorite, Calaguas Islands will remain pristine as well.
Ahh this is just so beautiful. You’re a very talented photographer and a very enthusiastic traveler.
Thank you Nonoy
grabe, ang lawak ng beach.simply breathtaking!
korek ng maghasik ng white sand at blue water si bathala, mukhang sinalo nito lahat
hay Speechless ako sa mga images na to…ganito ung mga lugar na magtatanggal ng Stress sa isang tao
true, kaya minsan binabalikan ko mga pictures na to pampatanggal ng stress
whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…. ang ganda!!!
omg i could just cry just now with the beach! i’m a sold out beach bum and i know if i will get there, nobody can move me out!
@ Flip – sobra, nakaka-inlove
@ Fetus – beach bum ka din pala, mag-eenjoy ka dito sa dami ng mga beaches
how i envy you…. you travel a lot! sana ako din…
Hi Kaye, hope you could also go to all you dream destinations someday. I used to be just a homebody and had started traveling until lately only.
The pictures are amazing, you have a great talent in capturing the beauty of nature. How I wish my dear hubby is out going as your future husband…
I usually visit the beach here with friends or family except my hubby because he hates the sun.
Anyway keep up the good work and more to come.
I’ll give you a buzz whenever I have time to visit Sydney.
Hooroo!!
No worries, at least your hubby will never suffer from skin cancer or sunburn LOL! You’re both welcome here when go to Sydney
this is such a so well written piece. Your experience seem so vivid. Rafting has always been an interest to me, and I look forward to following more of your adventures
Kudos!
Hi. This is so…wow. No words. Question lang, since we’re planning to go to Whitehaven Beach din, how’s the weather like from July-August? Isn’t that supposed to be winter? Wasn’t it too cold to swim? The only good thing about going during winter that I took note of was that it’s the dry season in Australia. Tama ba? Thanks in advance. Lovely blog, by the way. Very concise and well-written
It’s the best time to go in North Queesland
It’s the camper vanning season as well. Their winter is really mild and dry while their summer is rainy. Anyway you can rent wetsuit, I always do because I easily get cold 
Thanks. I checked the airfare and accommodation-it’s super expensive pala. But we really wanna go! What do you suggest we do to save a bit? Thanks.
wow! very very very beautiful sand and water!!! never seen beaches this awesome. ganda din ng kuha nung malaking fish under the water… hehe
nakakamangha ang kagandahan….
ay grabe ang nasabi ko lang “WOW” para ka lang nasa ulap sa sobra puti ng sand hehehe
tnx for posting dis beautiful place,para na din kaming nakapunta jan ^_^
ur a great traveler girl…muahh
Thank you Wendy
amazing ang beach.ubeeeeer
ang yung fish kamukha nung mameng na isda. im glad you shared this. super like!
This is like Paradise on Earth Claire. Wow!
ang ganda, sobra! and you captured it beautifully on your photos. napapa-buntong hininga na lang ako
OMG Claire… i love the beach!!! I love your shots!!! and i love the boys’… board shorts, the one that they are wearing!!! hahahaha
LoL, pasaway ka talaga, bakit boys ang love mo, napatingin tuloy ako sa name baka si Monette ang nagcomment
hi claire, ngayon ko lang nakita ang blog mo about this place..wow! kakagising ko lang and upon seeing the photos Good Morning na agad!
Hi Claire…. do you know what is the cheapest way to go to Airlie beach from Sydney? or Brisbane.. cant find helful site sa net eh. Thanks
If you can snatch the regular seat sale from Jetstar going to Brisbane, it’ pretty cheap. Check the site for regular sale updates.