The Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach

The Whitsundays are a scatter of green, hilly islands lying within the Great Barrier Reef off the central Queensland coast, ringed by coral and warm, clear water, and they are among Australia's most idyllic sailing and island-hopping grounds. Their most famous jewel is Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, a seven-kilometre curve of dazzlingly white sand made of almost pure silica, so fine it squeaks underfoot and stays cool in the sun, meeting water that shades from deep blue to pale turquoise. At the beach's northern end, Hill Inlet is a shifting swirl of sand and sea best seen from a lookout above, one of the most photographed scenes in the country. Around the islands lie snorkelling reefs, sheltered anchorages and resorts from backpacker to luxury, and the classic way to experience them is on a sailing trip of a day or several, dropping anchor to swim, snorkel and walk the beaches.

What you actually see

• Whitehaven Beach - the long curve of pure white silica sand.
• Hill Inlet - the swirling patterns of sand and turquoise water from the lookout.
• Sailing the islands - island-hopping and anchoring by yacht or catamaran.
• The fringing reefs - snorkelling the coral around the islands.

When to go

April to October, the dry season, has the most reliable weather and calmest seas for sailing and beaches; the summer wet season is hotter, wetter and the time of stinging jellyfish, when protective suits are worn. Winter is mild and dry. Book sailing trips ahead in the peak dry-season months.

Honest expectations

In the warmer months, roughly November to May, dangerous box and Irukandji jellyfish are present in the water, so swimming without a protective stinger suit is risky; check local advice and wear one. Whitehaven has no facilities, so trips bring everything. The reefs here, while lovely, have suffered damage in places like the wider Great Barrier Reef. Sailing trips vary hugely, from party boats to quiet cruises, so choose to suit.

Nearby

The Great Barrier Reef's outer reefs are reached from here; Airlie Beach is the mainland base town.