3 Whitsunday Island Days: Things to Do in Airlie Beach
LAST UPDATED: APRIL 11, 2025 | TRAVEL DATES: FEBRUARY 2025 | EST. READING TIME: 15 MIN
IN THIS GUIDE ✺
Checking off a bucket list item down under in the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef?
The heart of the Whitsundays and the world’s most famous aquatic natural wonder—the Great Barrier Reef—Airlie Beach is an unmissable destination in Australia. With 74 islands to explore in this tropical paradise, you’ll have no shortage of pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush rainforests at your disposal.
The ultimate summer vacation spot, this coastal town also provides access to the most beautiful stretch of sand down under: Whitehaven Beach. Swirling patterns of white silica intermix with vibrant turquoise waves, providing a uniquely picturesque viewpoint from land, sky, and sea.
Spend full days on the water aboard the many boating tours departing from marinas in town, allowing you to embrace the ocean spray while checking off coveted travel bucket list items!
3 Days Airlie Beach Itinerary
In a hurry? Here’s a time-stamped overview of the detailed Airlie Beach things to do in 3 days travel guide you’ll find below:
Day 1
7:30 AM - 2:30 PM: 🤿 Explore the Great Barrier Reef with Whitsunday Dive Adventures (7 hr)
3:00 - 4:00 PM: 🦪 Grab seafood small bites with an elevated ocean view at Anchor Bar (1 hr)
4:10 - 5:00 PM: 👙 Swim in the stinger-free Airlie Beach Lagoon during a relaxed afternoon (50 min)
5:00 - 6:00 PM: 🍕 Enjoy a casual carb load to round out this active day with pizza from The Deck (1 hr)
Day 2
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: 🚤 Lounge around Whitehaven Beach with Whitsundays Sailing Adventures (9 hr)
7:00 - 8:30 PM: 🍝 Dig into a plate of Italian home cooking for dinner at La Tabella (1 hr 30 min)
Day 3
8:30 - 10:30 AM: 🛩️ See the heart reef from above with a scenic flight chartered by Fly Australia (2 hr)
How to Get Around Airlie Beach?
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the inland stretches of oceanside Airlie Beach are situated on quite a steep hillside. While the central commercial strip is built directly off the flat beachfront, many residential buildings and Whitsunday Islands hotels are set back on this elevated terrain. Thus, the best way to get around town largely depends on your Airlie Beach accommodation.
Assuming you stay near the water at a place like Harbour Cove flanking the coast, walking is the quickest and easiest way to get around. The compact layout of the community means any shops and restaurants won’t take more than 20 minutes to reach by foot, with picturesque views of the glistening ocean making this an entertaining activity in itself.
If instead you prioritize a room with a panoramic view, consider renting a bike, electric scooter, or even a car to avoid a strenuous calf workout each time you have to climb uphill when returning home.
In my experience, most excursions and Airlie Beach tours provide complimentary transportation for difficult to reach departure points. This includes the Whitsundays Sailing Adventures Whitehaven Beach trip departing from the Coral Sea Marina and the Fly Australia scenic tour taking off from the Shute Harbour Airport, which is about a 10 minute drive outside town. These convenient pickup and drop-off services are prearranged when booking the activity and eliminate the need for a rental car or having to call a taxi—which could end up making you late!
How to Get to Airlie Beach from Proserpine Airport?
FROM: Proserpine Airport (Lascelles Ave, Gunyarra QLD 4800, Australia)
TO: Airlie Beach (QLD, Australia)
When traveling to Airlie Beach from another Australian destination, the Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) in Proserpine will likely be your closest arrival option. Located 35 minutes away by car from Airlie Beach, a taxi stand sits outside the airport or vehicles can be called on Uber.
It’s common for Uber and taxi drivers to hand out their personal cards during an initial pickup, allowing you to schedule future transportation services with them directly for a set fee. This is a particularly convenient way to get to the airport and is typically cheaper than fluctuating demand-based rates, so consider carrying cash for this purpose!
Travel to Airlie Beach with caution during the wet season from January through March. The flat coastal plain between Airlie Beach and Proserpine frequently floods from heavy monsoonal rains—particularly along the Bruce Highway and Shute Harbour Road—blocking the only way in and out of town and thus requiring travelers to extend their stay until the road to the airport becomes accessible.
Where to Stay in Airlie Beach?
SELF-CONTAINED CONDO: Harbour Cove (1 Bedroom Harbour View, $729.73 for 3 nights split among 2 people)
Sleek, private, and perfectly positioned for any Port of Airlie activities, Harbour Cove is situated on the doorstep of the Whitsunday Islands. These 14 self-contained, premium condominiums include in-unit laundry, a full kitchen, and smart TVs with an already logged-in Netflix account, delivering a fresh sense of elegance within a contemporary mainland stay that feels like home.
Enjoy vessel views from the balcony included in each and every apartment spread across three levels, gazing at the Great Barrier Reef departure point for the various boat charters in town. Perfectly situated on the Port of Airlie marina as the ideal location to base yourself for Whitsunday getaways, the main street of Shute Harbour Road is only a short 15 minute walk away. There’s no need to head all the way to the lagoon to take a dip either, as the property offers an outdoor swimming pool and lounge chairs with both sunny and shaded areas.
This wasn’t the only Aussie stay I encountered with a doorless shower, so while this setup may get water all over the floor, it seems to be all the rage down under! For local recommendations and assistance booking tours around town, don’t hesitate to reach out to the incredibly congenial property manager, Simon.
Pro Tip:
The Port of Airlie terminal next door has a frequently populated taxi stand, making it easy to hail transportation at a moment’s notice.
Things to Do in Airlie Beach
Day 1
Whitsunday Dive Adventures
When considering what to do in Airlie Beach Australia, your top priority should be experiencing the extraordinary biodiversity of marine species and habitats comprising the Great Barrier Reef—and what better way to see them up close and personal than with a dive!
Fortunately, Australian tour operators offer introductory discover dives in addition to the typical 2-tank variety available for certified PADI Open Water divers, meaning you can give the aquatic activity a try even if this is your first time underwater!
As a relatively small town of 1,300 residents, Airlie Beach only houses two dive groups—and you should avoid the more prominent Cruise Whitsundays at all costs. If diving is the priority, booking a tour with this company will instead waste 3 hours each way on a seasick-inducing, vomit-covered vessel to their pontoon out on Hardy Reef. Your dive will be contained to the same kicked-up coral area that the hundreds of other guests on the floating platform are shuttled through daily, and the copious amount of concerning reviews online validate that scuba safety is frequently an afterthought.
Fortunately, Whitsunday Dive Adventures offers a personalized, attentive day under the water courtesy of their expert dive masters and decades of dive education delivered on much smaller, 8-diver maximum tours.
The day begins at 7:30 AM at the Port of Airlie—which is extremely convenient if you’re staying in Harbour Cove—with a safety debriefing and gear check before you head out towards the first dive site of Butterfly Bay. About an hour and a half is spent on the boat to reach this destination home to bommies consisting of coral cover with large patches of coral rubble and silty sand. The group will be split between two dive masters, with the first 10 meter dive taking anywhere from 45-60 minutes.
A mandatory surface interval ensues with snacks like fresh fruit and muffins offered to certified guests while any introductory divers use this break to embark on their private lesson with a guide. That’s the beauty of this particular organization—certified scuba divers can enjoy the day together with any novice travel companions on the same boat!
The second dive occurs at Luncheon Bay an hour and a half later, with this site offering more beauty overhead as every rocky outcrop is covered in corals, including black coral trees, gorgonians, and sea whips hiding quite a few nudibranchs. A bit deeper at 15 meters, this shorter dive lasts anywhere from 35-50 minutes depending on the current. With that, you will have checked off an ultimate adventure bucket list item—scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef!—before heading back to Airlie Beach while digging into a hearty provided lunch plate.
Pro Tip:
You cannot fly within 12 hours of an introductory dive or 18 hours after a 2-tank dive. Ensure your scenic reef and return flights do not fall within this timeframe by diving on the first day—this also provides flexibility in case of inclement weather.
Lunch - Anchor Bar
Recuperate after a tiring day diving with relaxed light bites and cocktails from elevated Anchor Bar, open Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 - 10:00 PM. The specials chalkboard is updated daily with the chef’s latest favorites made fresh from Airlie Beach local produce.
Try Australian coastal cuisine in the form of Kilpatrick oysters—topped with a savory mixture of bacon, Worcestershire sauce, and spice which is grilled until crisp—paired with a lychee martini of course!
Airlie Beach Lagoon
Continue 10 minutes into town to lounge in the free Airlie Beach Lagoon—the only place to swim during stinger season. Whether you plan to dip in the artificial pool with oceanfront views, sunbathe, or simply relax on the grass or sand, feel confident that you won’t encounter poisonous marine life, which is certainly not a guarantee in the wild Coral Sea.
Dinner - The Deck
As the sun sets, grab a casual dinner at The Deck located right next door. This laid-back patio open daily for dinner from 5:00 - 8:30 PM serves a range of dishes from burgers and pizza to more finely-plated meat and seafood meals, catering to any dietary needs and preferences.
After a long morning on the water scuba diving, prepare for another action-packed, aquatic day ahead with a cheesy, carb-filled dinner of hearty pizza and pasta.
Day 2
Whitsundays Sailing Adventures
Spend day 2 in Airlie Beach with the crystal-clear waters, pristine white beaches, and idyllic islands of the Whitsundays at your fingertips. This breathtaking landscape is best explored by boat, with the exhilarating 8-hour journey aboard the Whitsunday Bullet provided by Whitsundays Sailing Adventures hitting the top highlights in this tropical paradise, including the famed 7-kilometer-long Whitehaven Beach.
Receive complimentary transportation to the Coral Sea Marina via a courtesy bus arriving around 8:00 AM, with the specific pickup time dependent on your accommodation location. At the 8:30 AM tour meeting time, guidance will be provided by the 3-person crew as waivers are signed—which is also the perfect time to start lathering on sunscreen for the day. After that, board the 14 meter vessel and zip through the waves at a thrilling 25 knots for over an hour to reach the first destination: Hill Inlet.
A 15-minute guided bush walk—notably past the largest spiders I’ve ever seen—up to the Hill Inlet Lookout rewards you with panoramic views of the swirling sands below atop three elevated wooden platforms. Sufficient time is provided to capture picturesque photos with assistance from the crew before returning to the vessel after an hour and 15 minutes, which next departs for the renowned silica sands of Whitehaven Beach.
Enjoy a buffet lunch aboard the boat—with satisfying snacks like fruit kebabs and homemade brownies served during the longer travel segments—before swimming in the clear waters of the most famous beach in Australia at the southern end of Whitehaven for two hours. Paddle boarding through the calm, protected bay is an offered activity, however, the water should only be entered when wearing the provider stinger suit from November through May. You’ll be ferried to and from the beach in a small dinghy, so getting wet isn’t necessary if you’d like to avoid it.
Pro Tip:
Thanks to its 98% pure silica content, the sand at Whitehaven Beach is unusually fine and soft with exfoliating properties.
Stay refreshed with onboard water and soft drinks available for purchase, then enjoy the last stop of the day snorkeling around the fringing Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for the final hour of fun. Discover this underwater wonderland at the Whitsunday Island Reef using the provided snorkel gear in addition to pool noodles and life jackets for easy floating if desired.
As the ultimate day of Whitsundays exploration winds down, return to the Coral Sea Marina around 5:00 PM after an hour and 15 minute ride back to town, where the complimentary courtesy bus awaits. Aside from scuba diving the previous day, this boat trip was the top highlight of my stop in Airlie Beach and an absolute must when visiting the Whitsunday Islands—above all, make sure your itinerary includes a stop at Whitehaven Beach.
Dinner - La Tabella
Rest after a full day on the water—perhaps with a dip in the Harbour Cove pool—before heading into town once more to dine at gourmet La Tabella open daily for dinner from 5:00 - 9:00 PM. More upscale than The Deck, this Italian trattoria offers balmy al fresco dining perfect for pleasant evenings. Simple plates from classic pasta to fresh seafood dishes blend authentic tradition with flavorful innovation, delivering an undeniably satisfying taste of Italy.
Pro Tip:
If a proper sit-down meal sounds like too much effort, handcrafted pizzas baked to perfection are available to-go from 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM.
If the party is just getting started and you’re looking for somewhere to dance the night away, Magnums down the street is a live music venue popular amongst backpackers while Club Calita at the Whitsunday Sailing Club is the spot for electronic dance music every Saturday.
Day 3
Fly Australia
Say goodbye to the Whitsunday Islands Australia with a 65-minute scenic tour from above courtesy of Fly Australia before leaving town—an alternate option for those who prefer to stay dry as well. Bird’s eye views of the lush rainforests, white sand beaches, and mesmerizing coral reefs are even more impressive when seen from the panoramic aircraft windows—which in this case flies over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and the turquoise waters of the Heart and Great Barrier Reefs.
High fixed-wings offer each and every window seat unobstructed views, with multiple passes at iconic formations like the Heart Reef ensuring passengers on both sides of the plane get the perfect aerial shot. Live commentary is provided as you glide over this natural aquarium, with the local pilot calling out marine life as he spots various creatures below—although they can be a bit difficult to see with the naked eye.
Complimentary pickup and drop-off service is facilitated by the Fly Australia van, which arrives at the Port of Airlie terminal 30 minutes prior to your departure time—another convenient reason to stay at Harbour Cove. Otherwise, drive to the Fly Australia passenger lounge with complimentary luggage storage, WiFi, air-conditioning, and beverages to park in the free lot. The tour meeting time is 30 minutes before the booked departure—don’t be late or you may miss your flight!
How Much Do Three Days in Airlie Beach Cost?
Following the above Airlie Beach Australia itinerary totaled $1,283.63, costing me $427.88 per day as a young 20-something on a girls trip:
Food and Drink
$39.96 - 1/2 dozen Kilpatrick oysters and two lychee martinis from Anchor Bar
$14.02 - margarita pizza split between two people at The Deck
$23.74 - cheese pizza split between two people from La Tabella
$38.87 - drinks, charger, and water from the Airlie Beach Hotel
Activities
$387.85 - 2-Tank Great Barrier Reef dive with Whitsunday Dive Adventures
$227.08 - Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Islands Bullet day trip with Whitsundays Sailing Adventures
$187.24 - 1-hour Whitsundays flight tour with Fly Australia
Lodging
$364.87 - three nights in Harbour Cove, split amongst two people
My trip to Airlie Beach was the final stop made during a first visit to Australia, with this being my most highly anticipated destination down under. In fact, I completed a PADI Open Water certification course the prior summer specifically in preparation to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef. While this full day excursion and similar aquatic activities are relatively expensive, these tours through the Whitsunday Islands are what make Airlie Beach worth visiting.
Expect tours to comprise your most significant expenses by far, and if these price points are substantially out of your budget, I would recommend avoiding Airlie Beach altogether. The town itself isn’t particularly notable with swimming directly from the beach discouraged, whereas Byron Bay is a much more budget-friendly coastal destination with plenty of low-cost activities. However, if you can afford the splurge, the Whitsundays accessible from Airlie Beach are guaranteed to be one of the most jaw-dropping tropical paradises you’ll ever encounter—whether you view them from above, underwater, or by island hopping via boat.
What to Wear in Airlie Beach?
Aquatic excursions departing from Airlie Beach encourage casually cool beach attire that’s functionally fitted for full days spent bouncing over ocean waves.
As a laid back coastal town serving as the gateway to pristine beaches, find tourists and locals alike strutting down Shute Harbour Road without shoes or a shirt on. A quintessential beach town, there’s no need for overly elevated attire when the norm is to head straight to dinner after a day spent splashing about in the lagoon. White cottons are a simple basic to start with, ensuring your breezy pieces reflect heat and won’t feel uncomfortable if you throw them on over a wet suit. Patterned linen pants are a slightly more fashionable step up, but the best way to make a statement is with beaded bikinis which reflect the intricate reef while dazzling under the sun on white sand beaches. Crochet cover ups are another stylish yet comfortable all-day outfit perfect for boat tours, especially since they’ll keep you cool with the ocean breeze gliding through. For practical purposes, carry a big tote to ensure you have all the essentials needed for a full day away and a shady bucket hat to avoid getting too burnt with additional days under the sun ahead!
White Cotton Basics
keep your look casually cool with simple white cotton basics serving as the perfect beach staple
Beaded Bikinis
like the dazzling coral of the Great Barrier Reef, embellish your ocean attire with intricate beaded bikinis
Patterned Linen Pants
airy patterned linen pants make the perfect beach bottom, especially when decorated with a sunny summer print
Crochet Cover Ups
feel the ocean breeze with crochet cover ups which effortlessly elevate an easygoing boat day look
Big Tote Bags
prepare to spend the entire day out on the water with a big tote bag that easily fits all your aquatic essentials
Bucket Hats
guarantee the longevity of your boat days by protecting your face from a nasty burn with floppy bucket hats
Is 3 Days in Airlie Beach Enough?
The answer to this question depends on how thoroughly you plan to explore the Whitsunday Islands. If you want to maximize your experience with as much time on the water is possible—candidly, 3 days will not be enough. Charters like Whitsundays Sailing Adventures offer 2-5 day immersive experiences where guests fully live aboard a catamaran and cruise from beach to beach. Ideally, this would’ve been my preferred Whitsundays itinerary and is undoubtedly the best way to maximize ocean time in this tropical paradise.
Logistically, coordinating these tour pickup times with the sparse Whitsunday Coast Airport flight arrivals means a solid 4 days is necessary for the shortest 2-day sailing tours without cutting things extremely close. However, with only 3 days to spare—which was really 2 full days and 2 half days combined—I was still able to take advantage of a Whitsunday Island day trip, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, and squeeze in a scenic reef flight before leaving! So while not entirely ideal, 3 days is the minimum amount of time I’d recommend to see the ultimate highlights.
If you’re considering what to do in Airlie Beach for a day, you’re asking the wrong question. As the gateway to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, it’d be a shame to travel all the way to Airlie Beach and not properly experience both! Given both of these natural aquatic features are set a ways away from the coast, reaching them by boat takes at least a few hours each way—which is why the typical scuba and beach trips are full day tours eating up at least 7 hours.
Airlie Beach and the associated islands were my absolute favorite stop in Australia and genuinely the prettiest form I’ve ever seen sand and sea intersect in. This is a can’t-miss destination on a trip down under, and in my opinion it’s even worth cutting out time from other stops to ensure you have enough days to properly experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
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