Whitsunday Islands Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

The Whitsundays can be accessed via one of the coastal towns on the mainland, with the most popular jumping off point being Airlie Beach. There are two main airports in the Whitsundays: Great Barrier Reef Airport located on Hamilton Island, and Whitsunday Coast Airport in Proserpine which is the closest airport to Airlie Beach.

If you fly into Whitsunday Coast Airport, you'll need to drive or take a transfer to Airlie Beach. This is easy to arrange with buses meeting all incoming flights. The transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport to Airlie Beach takes around 25 minutes.

Passenger ferries operate a regular daily service between the mainland and the major Whitsunday islands. You can also do a sailing day tour to explore the archipelago's many highlights.

Any time of year is a good time to visit the Whitsundays. As a tropical destination, the archipelago experiences hot, rainy summers and warm, dry winters. Average high temperatures linger between 23°C and 31°C, while lows average a mild 17°C to 25°C. The water temperature averages a pleasant 23°C to 28°C throughout the year.

If you want to go snorkelling or diving, you may be better off planning your trip in the winter (dry) season. Rainfall in the summer tends to come in the form of brief tropical downpours, but it can impact water visibility. Whales can also be spotted in winter from May to October during their annual migration from Antarctica.

If you visit between October and May, AKA stinger season, take extra caution when swimming in the ocean by wearing a stinger suit to protect yourself from possible jellyfish stings.

The Whitsundays tend to be a casual place so you can leave your fancy clothes at home. As a top destination for water-based adventures, swimwear is a must. The same goes for sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (even in winter) as the sun reflects off the water and white sand. Bring all the essentials, including basic medications, as shops are few and far between on the islands.

There's no need to get dressed up, even if you're staying at one of the resorts in the Whitsundays. Casual clothes or active wear are fine during the day. Smart casual (think jeans and a t-shirt) is the norm for restaurants at the resorts.

You'll find wi-fi in bars, cafes and restaurants in major tourist hubs like Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Daydream Island. There's limited or no wi-fi available in some parts of the Whitsundays, particularly when you're sailing or exploring more remote islands.

You'll pick up mobile phone signal in and around major tourist hubs such as Airlie Beach, but there's limited or no mobile phone coverage in some parts of the Whitsundays, particularly when you're out at sea or on more remote islands.

The short answer is yes. That being said, there are some no-swimming zones. You should also listen to local advice and stay alert at all times.

Some of the top things to be aware of when swimming in the Whitsundays include stingers, crocs and sharks.

We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.