The Best Airlie Beach Tours To Go On

There’s so much to do and see in and around Airlie Beach and the best way to see all the region has to offer is on tours which range from a one hour boat trip to full day waterfall tours…

Airlie Beach – located halfway between Brisbane and Cairns on Queensland’s picturesque northern coastline – is one of the most iconic tourist towns anywhere in Australia. It’s also the launching spot to the Whitsunday Islands – 74 islands that create one of Earth’s best marine playgrounds.

With so much to experience, the best way to ensure you don’t miss a thing on your holiday is by taking tours which showcase the magic of what’s up here. Here are the best ones to choose…

1. Take a very quiet turtle tour

Choose between a one-hour sightseeing tour – or a 90-minute sunset tour – in the region’s only electric boat. You’ll cruise in absolute silence with no fumes looking for endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles with Whisper Cruises .

guests aboard Whisper Cruises at sunset — Join a 90-minute sunset tour with Whisper Cruises.

With room for a maximum of eight passengers, you’ll have an intimate tour past the superyachts of the Coral Sea Marina into bays and around islands where turtles like to feed. You’ll be aboard a comfortable 22-foot Duffy electric boat (called Tallulah), enjoying the silence and the views as turtles bob up and down around you.

guests aboard Whisper Cruises, Airlie Beach — Keep your eyes peeled for turtles as you sit comfortably aboard the Tallulah.

2. Take a fast boat to paradise

Choose between two all-day tours aboard a thrilling semi-rigid inflatable boat that’ll take you out to the very best areas of the Whitsunday Islands with Ocean Rafting .

people aboard an inflatable boat with Ocean Rafting, Whitsunday Islands — Explore the Whitsunday Islands aboard a thrilling semi-rigid inflatable boat. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Both tours will get you to beautiful Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet where you’ll have lunch by the beach and get to spend hours on one of the world’s top-rated beaches.

an aerial view of Whitehaven Beach — Laze on the beautiful Whitehaven Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The boat is driven by 700 horsepower engines and is capable of up to 30 knots of speed, you’ll see a lot in a day, including having time to snorkel pristine reefs in hard-to-get-to bays on Hook Island and the Whitsunday Islands.

snorkelling at Whitsunday Islands with Ocean Rafting — Snorkel around the pristine reefs. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

3. Catch the fish of your life

There are over 1300 different species of fish within the waters off Airlie Beach and you have a chance to catch them with the best fishing charters in the region: Airlie Beach Fishing Charters .

a man holding a huge fish, Airlie Beach Fishing Charters — Cast a line with Airlie Beach Fishing Charters.

Book either a half or full-day charter and you’ll ride aboard their custom-built nine-metre aluminium plate boat powered by two 300-horsepower engines to where the fish are biting.

You’ll be mostly reef fishing and bottom bashing, looking for everything from giant trevally to sweet lip, coral trout and bigger species of fish too, like dogtooth and yellowfin tuna. Choose between private or shared charters.

4. Explore one of the world’s top marine sanctuaries

Cruise Whitsundays offer everything from island escape cruises aboard their motor catamaran to two Whitsundays icons in a day – Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach – to scenic cruises all around the islands where you don’t have to get off at all.

kids playing on the beach, Cruise Whitsundays — Take your kids on a beach holiday with Cruise Whitsundays. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Or you could take a day cruise aboard their 85-foot sailing catamaran, Camira, for a BBQ lunch on Whitehaven Beach and a guided hike to a lookout above where traditional owners, the Ngaro people, used to walk. The tour also includes snorkelling on the fringing reef.

5. Go chasing waterfalls

For a total change of pace – to extremely chilled out – take a tour to a waterfall 30 minutes beyond Airlie Beach with Falls To Paradise . Swim in the rockpools of Cedar Creek Falls and relax for a few hours amongst white cedars, Alexandra palms, wild orchids, butterflies and tropical bird species.

the Cedar Creek Falls during a tour with Falls to Paradise — Cool off at Cedar Creek Falls. (Image: Red Cat Adventures)

Then drive back to a huge isolated bay north of Airlie Beach to relax with drinks and a meal at the region’s best beach bar and restaurant, Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill .

Northies beach Bar & Grill — Relax with drinks and a meal at Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill. (Image: Red Cat Adventures)

There’s an open-plan restaurant and picnic tables under coconut trees (with hammocks attached) where you’ll have a great view of the northern Whitsunday Islands.

6. Snorkel and experience Whitehaven Beach

Take a trip to Whitehaven Beach on one of the fastest boats in the Whitsundays region with Thundercat Whitehaven Full Day Eco-Cruise (it also has the highest level of ECO certification in Australia).

the Thundercat Whitehaven Full Day Eco-Cruise passing by the Mantaray Bay, Whitsundays — Swim and snorkel with tropical fish and manta rays. (Image: Red Cat Adventures)

You’ll spend two hours on the beach famous for its silica-smooth white sands, and walk above the beach to see all seven kilometres of it spread out below at a look-out above Littoral Rainforest.

Red Cat Adventure, Airlie Beach — Marvel at the pure white sand of Whitehaven Beach. (Image: Red Cat Adventures)

Because the boat’s so fast, you’ll easily be able to access some of the region’s most pristine beaches and bays along the northern coast of Hook Island where there are underwater valleys and caves among colourful coral surrounded by hundreds of species of marine animals.

guests sharing food on the bow of the boat during the Thundercat Whitehaven Full Day Eco-Cruise — Hop aboard Thundercat Whitehaven Full Day Eco-Cruise. (Image: Red Cat Adventures)

Now check out the best things to do in Airlie Beach.

This new, family-friendly Hamilton Island resort embraces life in the slow lane.

White sand beaches, gentle waves and getting on ‘island time’ have always made Hamilton Island the first spot that comes to mind when thinking of Queensland’s Whitsundays. Always a place to recharge and relax, modern wellness travel here means so much more than a spa treatment or green juice. And a new kind of tropical island stay has now arrived on Hamilton Island.

pool at The Sundays Hamilton Island — Learn to slow down and rejuvinate. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

The Sundays reimagines laid-back luxury, combining boutique, beachfront accommodation with an encouragement to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures so every day feels like Sunday.

Laid-back luxury

The Sundays is nestled into the picturesque gardens on the northern end of Catseye Beach. Despite a feeling of being away from it all, the resort is a conveniently short walk from Hamilton Island’s main resort centre and restaurants, so guests can have the best of both worlds.

This new boutique stay is all about savouring the now. From complimentary sunrise yoga to moonlight movies for kids and a daily sundae ritual by the beachside pool, it makes a compelling case for doing less, better.

Even the architecture is designed to harmonise with the surrounding tropical landscape, pairing soft curves with a grounded coastal style that shows off the panoramic Coral Sea views and adds to the hotel’s calm aesthetic.

Plus, with direct flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in under two and a half hours, as well as complimentary hotel transfers from the airport or marina, getting here is as easy as the vacation itself.

balcony view from room at The Sundays — Enjoy fantastic views from your balcony or terrace. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Perfectly designed rooms with amazing views

Every small detail has been considered in the creation of the 59 guest rooms and suites, from in-room amenities by LEIF to walls adorned with custom artworks by First Nations andHungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. There’s even a signature in-room scent by The Raconteur.

Designed by Hamilton Island’s own designer, Carrie Williams, the result is relaxed Australian style using natural textures and soft hues to lull guests into a mellow state. This soothing palette runs throughout the resort, from its sun lounges to the shaded cabanas.

Every room and suite has been built with a balcony or terrace, perfectly framing postcard-perfect views of the surrounding reef and lush greenery.

inside a room at The Sundays — Stylish rooms feature natural, soothing tones. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Excellent activities and amenities

Each day has been planned with a relaxed structure, so guests can get involved in as much or as little as they wish.

Greet each day with morning yoga, pilates and island walks. Recharge with daily (and deliciously complimentary) sundaes by the pool. Wind down with moonlight movies twice a week and take advantage of family-focused features.

Guests have complimentary access to a range of water sports – from stand-up paddle boards to catamarans – so they can get their blood pumping before relaxing by the resort pool.

Or take a few extra steps to set up for a day on the sand without any crowds at the exclusive, guest-only beach. Settle in with a poolside aperitif for a front-row view of the stunning Catseye Bay.

aerial shot of The Sundays pool and catseye beach — Find picturesque Catseye Beach on your doorstep. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Delectable dining

What is rejuvenation if not a hearty choice of fresh, delectable dishes? That’s what guests will discover at The Sundays’s onsite restaurant, Catseye Pool Club .

Open all day for hotel guests and lunch and dinner for island diners, this relaxed yet elevated menu was created by acclaimed culinary duo, Josh and Julie Niland. It celebrates that community feeling of mealtimes while championing seasonal Australian produce.

“The vision behind [Catseye Pool Club] reflects so much of what I value – bringing people together to create memories in beautiful surroundings,” explains Josh.

table spread including a lobster dish from Catseye Pool Club, The Sundays — Enjoy classic Aussie meals with a twist at Catseye Pool Club. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Based on elevated versions of classic Aussie family dinners, expect refined simplicity. Think roasted Sun Farms Sommerlad chicken with sides like chicken fat roast potatoes, gravy and tomato and grilled bread salad, or barbecued line-caught Bowen coral trout with garlic saltbush and Warrigal greens.

A day spent by the pool can be complemented by a dedicated poolside menu, featuring wood-fired souvas. Don’t want to leave the room? Kick back and soak in the views with tasty treats delivered straight to your door, whether you’re after a full breakfast or late night snack.

view from catseye pool club at The Sundays hamilton island — Enjoy dinner and a view. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Exploring the island

While daily life at The Sundays is very much about the art of staying still, guests who seek more can explore the island with ease.

Take a day trip to the striking Whitehaven Beach, or see the iconic Heart Reef from above on a helicopter tour. Pop over to Hamilton Island’s championship golf course for a hit, or explore over 12 kilometres of the island’s stunning nature and wildlife. Later, slow the pace back down with a visit to Spa wumurdaylin .

Looking for more tasty treats? Visit one of the island’s restaurants – there are more than 20 to choose from.

Hikers on passage peak hike on hamilton island — Take on the beautiful hikes of Hamilton Island. (Image: Nick Leary)

Book your stay at The Sundays through hamiltonisland.com.au.

The best tours in Airlie Beach for your next getaway