Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Island

Whitehaven Beach is on the eastern side of Whitsunday Island and stretches for about 7km.

It is a popular spot for day visitors from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island and is also a spot where various kiteboarding companies bring groups of kitesurfers to play.

This place is truly spectacular with pure white sand and turquoise blue water.

As the tide retreats, the water changes colour and sandbars appear to create a barrier from even the smallest chop delivering pancake flat water.

It is suitable to all levels whether it be kiteboarding, windsurfing or wingfoiling.

The Water

The water is crystal clear and about as blue as it gets and temps are around 28 deg C in Summer and 22 deg C in Winter.

Tides can rise and fall up over 4m so where you sail may depend on where the tide is at. There are plenty of launching spots suited to foils but be aware of varying water depths.

Rigging & Launching

For kites there is ample room on the sandbar at either Betty’s Beach or to the South of the estuary entrance to rig and launch. Day tripper boats drive right up on to the beach at Betty’s Beach providing direct access.

For those living aboard a boat, you have many more options for launching either at Betty’s Beach or anywhere along the 7km stretch of sand. Whilst you can generally anchor pretty close to shore, you will need to go by tender with your gear (unless you are able to launch from your boat).

There is little to no shore break and the bottom is sand so no booties are required.

Best Wind

The best wind directions here are anywhere from  SE, E to NE. This is great because the wind blows from these directions about 90% of the time!

The windiest months are Jan to April with March being the windiest when the average maximum windspeed is 46KM/H (29MPH) and the average wind speed is 33KM/H (21MPH).

The least windy month in Whitehaven Beach is August when the average maximum windspeed is 34KM/H (21MPH) and the average wind speed is 23KM/H (14MPH)….so it’s still pretty windy most of the time.

Potential Hazards

The main hazard here is hitting a sandbar, particularly if you are foiling.

There can be the odd shark hanging around but the water is crystal clear so you will hopefully spot them from a long way away.

The only other hazard of concern is in the summer months from October to May where you may find stingers (jelly fish). It is advisable during these months to wear a stinger suit.

Where To Stay

There is only one way to get to Whitehaven Beach and that is by boat. If you are on a bareboat charter your boat is your accommodation. If you are on a day trip you would probably be staying at Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach.